CLIMATE: Climate researchers find emissions reduction pledges by 25 large global corporations would reduce their emissions by an average of 40% but wouldn’t go far enough to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. (Washington Post)

ALSO:
• Advocates push the International Energy Agency to make its data on climate change free to everyone. (Inside Climate News)
• Most people living in urban areas are being exposed to unhealthy air pollution about seven times greater than World Health Organization guidelines. (Washington Post)
• Climate scientists say they’re reaching the limits of what computer programs can predict about climate change as warming weather alters the Earth’s processes. (Wall Street Journal)

SOLAR: The Biden administration confirms it will extend Trump-era solar tariffs but trim which products are affected by the charges. (New York Times)

GRID: The federal government will allocate $12 billion to Puerto Rico to help it rebuild its electrical grid with a focus on clean energy. (Grist)

UTILITIES:
• Federal regulators will require FirstEnergy to refund customers after an audit found the utility didn’t properly track $71 million it spent on lobbying for House Bill 6. (Associated Press)
• California regulators are poised to fine Southern California Gas $10 million for using ratepayer money to campaign against clean energy measures, including natural gas hookup bans. (Los Angeles Times)

EFFICIENCY: Vermont Gas Systems announces it will begin selling, leasing, installing and servicing electric heat pump water heaters for customers in a move that it expects to be neutral to its bottom line. (Energy News Network)

PIPELINES:
• A federal court has twice struck down necessary permits for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, but the five energy companies behind the joint venture are still looking for ways to complete work by this summer. (Roanoke Times)
• Multiple Midwest carbon pipeline proposals have triggered disputes over the potential use of eminent domain to secure land for the projects. (Reuters)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Clean transportation and car-sharing advocates partner to place electric vehicle car sharing at five affordable housing sites, the first step in a national program. (news release)
• The U.S. Postal Service says it needs federal funding if it wants to meet the Biden administration’s expectation to replace gas-powered vehicles with electric models. (Bloomberg, subscription)
• The New York Power Authority isn’t placing electric vehicle chargers where they are most needed, according to a state audit, which found 30 counties with registered electric vehicles but zero public charging ports. (Auburn Citizen)

GEOTHERMAL: A Minnesota school is part of a growing number of U.S. colleges and universities pursuing geothermal district energy systems to help meet long-term emission-reduction targets. (Energy News Network)

COMMENTARY:
• Electric vehicle makers should avoid replicating heavy gasoline-powered SUVs and trucks to increase efficiency and make roads safer, a columnist writes. (Bloomberg)
• Distributed energy is set for major growth but needs support from policymakers and regulators to succeed, a clean grid consultant writes. (Utility Dive)

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.