Renewable Energy

The first year of President Trump’s second term saw sweeping changes to energy policy, environmental regulations, and public lands management across the West.

After a lengthy public hearing Tuesday, the Montezuma County commissioners unanimously passed new regulations concerning renewable energy development, particularly solar.

Advocates say Trump’s ‘national energy emergency’ is boosting fossil fuels, cutting public input, and undermining renewables on public lands.

Montezuma County residents weigh in on regulating solar energy projects, debating land use, economic impact, and environmental concerns.

Researchers estimate that energy costs will go up for consumers, and jobs could be lost as Republicans gut clean energy programs. In fast-growing areas like the Mountain West, these cuts could severely hurt grid capacity.

Texas braces for extreme heat, but a surge in solar and battery storage has dramatically lowered blackout risk, according to state grid officials.

Federal money for solar projects, especially for smaller rural farms, could be at risk as Congress attempts to pass a federal budget through reconciliation. Small farms in the Mountain West could lose out on those benefits.

Colorado lawmakers won't move forward with a bill requiring investor-owned utilities to eliminate their climate impact by 2040. Meanwhile, Diné citizens march to protect Navajo water.

Gov. Jared Polis proposes a bill to accelerate Colorado’s clean energy shift to 2040. However, utilities and business groups argue it may lead to higher energy costs.

Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act could hurt state economies and raise energy costs for consumers, according to a new study. Much of the IRA’s investments went to rural, Republican congressional districts, including in Western states.