** A bill blocking a proposed rail line that would ship Powder River Basin coal to California’s northern coast for export clears the state senate. (Times-Standard)
** Nordex USA is hoping to break ground on a privately-funded $2.2 billion clean hydrogen extraction/fuel plant located in Niobrara and Converse counties of Colorado by late 2025 or early 2026, according to Aspen Consulting President Mike Noonan.
** A Chicago company’s proposal to build a $2.2 billion wind-and-solar-powered hydrogen extraction plant in eastern Wyoming sparks landowner concerns about the facility’s water use.
** California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes spending $6.5 billion to build electric vehicle charging infrastructure and on incentives for low-income residents to purchase zero-emission cars.
** A year after promising to halt new oil and gas leasing, President Biden has so far been issuing permits at a faster pace than the Trump administration and oversaw the country’s largest offshore lease sale ever.
** The Biden administration cancels two federal leases held by a company to mine for copper, nickel and other metals—-key ingredients in electric vehicle manufacturing—-in northern Minnesota.
** The U.S. will make sure the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project between Russia and Germany won’t go ahead if Russian troops invade Ukraine, State Department spokesperson Ned Price told NPR on Wednesday.
** Three Republican utility regulators have voted down a proposal for 100% carbon-free energy in Arizona that was considered, debated, workshopped and offered for public comment for more than five years.
World
** Venezuela appears to be following in Iran’s footsteps by starting to ignore U.S. sanctions on its oil industry to once again develop its substantial crude reserves. After years of stalling and losing out on international investment as well as vital revenues, Venezuela looks to be set to increase its oil production.