POLITICS: President Biden is expected to use his State of the Union address tonight to revive a push for clean energy tax credits and climate spending, pitching the investments as a boon to middle-class families. (Bloomberg)

COURTS:
• Supreme Court conservatives question whether the EPA should be able to set major political or economic policies, suggesting they could move to curtail the agency’s oversight of power plants. (New York Times)
• A climate scientist calls arguments for stripping the EPA’s oversight of power plant emissions “grotesque,” while House Democrats condemn the potential dismantling of the Clean Air Act. (E&E News)
• The Biden administration won’t challenge a federal court ruling that invalidated the results of the U.S.’s largest offshore oil and gas lease sale. (Washington Post)

RUSSIA:
• Experts say Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shouldn’t derail the U.S.’s transition to clean energy in the long run but could increase regulatory scrutiny of generation projects as the crisis drives fossil fuel prices higher. (E&E News)
• The invasion is also poised to worsen inflation, giving skeptical lawmakers an excuse to reject clean energy policies. (E&E News)

CLIMATE:
• In its latest report, the U.N.’s climate change panel for the first time calls out individuals and companies that use disinformation and question science to fight climate change action. (DeSmog)
• Climate change has already permanently changed places like Florida, where the environmental and economic impacts from storms, flooding and temperature rise are likely to worsen, according to a new U.N. report. (Miami Herald) 

TRANSPORTATION:
• A group of 15 states led by Texas sues the Biden administration over its clean car rule, which aims to increase fuel economy and reduce emissions from cars and trucks. (E&E News, subscription)
• Gasoline and renewable fuel makers unite to ask a federal appeals court to review EPA standards that aim to boost electric vehicles over combustion cars. (Bloomberg)
• Burlington, Vermont, expands a program that incentivizes apartment building owners to install smart electric vehicle chargers to help renters and other drivers easily access charging infrastructure. (Energy News Network)

AFFORDABILITY: Massachusetts’ most vulnerable communities struggle to afford basic necessities and soaring oil and gas bills this heating season. (Boston Globe)

GRID: Texas electric utilities, transmission operators and power generators must file more comprehensive Emergency Operations Plans with state regulators next month that cover supply chain, weather and cyberattack risks. (Utility Dive) 

OIL & GAS:
• The operator of an offshore southern California crude oil pipeline that ruptured in October sues two shipping companies for allegedly damaging the line with their anchors. (Los Angeles Times)
• Advocates criticize a California water board for hiring a Chevron-connected firm to study the potential health effects of irrigating crops with oilfield wastewater. (Inside Climate News)

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.