FOSSIL FUELS: President Biden campaigned on ending fossil fuel industry subsidies but has so far failed to break a century-old trend and keep them out of the federal budget. (New York Times)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

  • Electric vehicle prices have plummeted over the last two years, with the average purchase price now only $5,000 higher than the average for gasoline-powered vehicles. (Washington Post)
  • The U.S. Energy Department will loan more than $2 billion to the controversial Thacker Pass lithium mine under development in northern Nevada, which would produce electric vehicle battery materials. (Associated Press)
  • The United Auto Workers tries for the third time to unionize Volkswagen’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but so far sees diminishing returns. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

HYDROGEN: An analysis concludes that “blue” and “green” hydrogen could be cost competitive with natural gas by 2030, but that meeting national demand might consume two-thirds of the country’s current renewable electricity. (Utility Dive)

EMISSIONS:

  • A federal court temporarily strikes down the Securities and Exchange Commission’s new rules that would require public companies to disclose their climate risks and emissions. (The Hill)
  • Republican attorneys general from 24 states suing over the Biden administration’s new rule to limit methane emissions say the policy is a “blatant attack on America’s oil and gas industry.” (E&E News, subscription)

POLICY: 

  • House Republicans plan a slew of energy-related bills that would repeal a federal greenhouse gas reduction fund and deter challenges to energy projects from environmental groups, among other priorities. (E&E News)
  • The Biden administration looks to finalize and implement new energy rules in the next few months, before they become vulnerable to a potential Republican administration. (E&E News, subscription)

OFFSHORE WIND: Federal ocean energy officials officially designate a 32 GW wind energy area in the Gulf of Maine that is 80% smaller than what was first marked as a potential leasing area and excludes fishing and lobstering areas. (Maine Public)

NUCLEAR: Oregon small modular reactor firm NuScale shifts from providing grid-scale power facilities to catering to “enormous energy consumers” such as data centers. (Utility Dive)

SOLAR:

UTILITIES: Minnesota regulators will soon require the state’s three largest gas utilities to file long-term plans that forecast how they will meet demand while aligning with state policy priorities. (Energy News Network)

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Kathryn brings her extensive editorial background to the Energy News Network team, where she oversees the early-morning production of ENN’s five email digest newsletters as well as distribution of ENN’s original journalism with other media outlets. From documenting chronic illness’ effect on college students to following the inner workings of Congress, Kathryn has built a broad experience in her more than five years working at major publications including The Week Magazine. Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Science in magazine journalism and information management and technology from Syracuse University.