California mandates oil companies to cover well costs; Wyoming faces backlash over wildlife lease decisions.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill requiring oil and gas companies to put up the full cost of plugging and reclaiming low-producing wells before they are transferred to new owners. Wyoming regulators finalize a controversial oil andgas lease in a wildlife migration corridor without protective stipulations requested by state wildlife officials and conservationists. Alaska lawmakers debate whether state oil and natural gas revenues would be better spent on dividends for residents or to fund public programs. Arizona environmentalists criticize Salt River Project’s long-term energy plan for failing to phase out coal generation and for adding more natural gas infrastructure. Wyoming authorities propose a 4,000 MW transmission line that would link the Eastern and Western power grids and allow Midwest wind power to be exported to California. New Mexico clean energy industry officials say the ongoing energy transition and electrification will require significant grid upgrades and modernization.