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)

***SPONSORED LINK: “Achieve Your Renewable Goals With Geothermal” will be held virtually on March 3, and explore innovative ways for governments, industry, schools, utilities, and homeowners to use geothermal heat pumps to meet their renewable energy goals. There is no cost to attend. Register today.***

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)

Avatar photo

Ken Paulman

Ken is the director of the Energy News Network at Fresh Energy and is a founding editor of both Midwest Energy News and Southeast Energy News. Prior to joining Fresh Energy, he was the managing editor for online news at Minnesota Public Radio. He started his journalism career in 2002 as a copy editor for the Duluth News Tribune before spending five years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a copy editor, online producer, features editor and night city editor. A Nebraska native, Ken has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors.