GRID: An unprecedented Arctic weather system freezes gas wells and wind turbines in Texas, leading to millions of power outages; scientists have warned that the weather disruptions are a consequence of warming temperatures in the Arctic. (KRCG, Austin American-Statesman, Bloomberg, National Geographic)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• General Motors unveils a larger version of its Chevy Bolt with a 250-mile range and starting price around $34,000. (Associated Press)
• House Democrats plan to include an expanded credit for electric vehicles among other clean energy tax breaks in an upcoming infrastructure bill. (Bloomberg)
• Despite better performance, electric cars remain a tough sell for consumers nostalgic for V8 engines: “Lots of people grew up with noise under the hood.” (ABC News)
• Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp calls on President Biden to intervene in an international patent dispute that jeopardizes a planned $2.6 billion electric vehicle battery plant in the state. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
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PIPELINES:
• Enbridge forecasts the Line 3 pipeline replacement project will cost nearly $1 billion more than planned based on regulatory delays, winter construction and COVID-19 protocols. (S&P Global)
• Industry observers say rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline will likely mean more oil shipped by rail, but volume will be limited by low prices. (FreightWaves)
• Political debate over Keystone XL shows that pipelines, which once saw bipartisan support, have become an increasingly divisive issue. (E&E News)
OIL & GAS:
• An appeals court stops the construction of a $2 billion-plus ConocoPhillips oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. (Anchorage Daily News)
• Permian Basin oil production is adversely impacted by the coldest winter weather in 30 years, dropping by as much as one million barrels per day. (Bloomberg)
WIND: President Biden’s nomination of Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo has fishing industry groups concerned they will have less of a say in federal offshore wind decisions. (E&E News)
CARBON CAPTURE: A Rhode Island brewery is part of a growing industry trend of using carbon capture technology to provide the necessary ingredient to put the fizz in their beer. (Energy News Network)
CLEAN ENERGY:
• While Vermont has one of the highest percentages of renewable electricity in the country, advocates want the state to develop more in-state sources rather than rely on imported hydropower. (Energy News Network)
• New York regulators approve a program to provide bill credits to residents of communities that host major wind and solar projects. (News 10)
NUCLEAR: Two Montana bills focused on nuclear power pass their committees, one approving a feasibility study on replacing the Colstrip power plant’s coal-fired boilers with small nuclear reactors. (Montana Standard, S&P Global)
COAL: A rural Colorado town is hoping the local community college will aid its economic transition from coal, but a lack of funding threatens its plans. (Chalkbeat)
COMMENTARY:
• A former EPA official says “Boomers have the moral obligation to lead the charge to electric vehicles.” (The Hill)
• A Kentucky community economic development group applauds President Biden’s commitment to a just transition in coal country. (Courier Journal)
• Ohio lawmakers should prioritize rewriting the state’s scandal-tainted power plant subsidy law and expel the former House Speaker at the center of the controversy, an editorial board writes. (Akron Beacon Journal)