OIL & GAS: Congressional Democrats are studying a 1994 hearing with tobacco companies that contributed to those leaders’ downfall as a House committee prepares for a hearing with oil company leaders. (E&E News)

RECONCILIATION:
• Senate Democrats propose a billionaires’ tax on about 700 taxpayers making $100 million annually, along with a higher corporate tax, to help pay for climate and other programs in their reconciliation bill. (Reuters)
• The White House is privately saying the climate portion of Democrats’ reconciliation bill is “mostly settled” and will include $500 billion to $555 billion in funding, according to two sources familiar with the talks. (Axios)
• U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin says he’s “having a hard time” agreeing that the bill should include $80 million to build electric vehicle charging stations. (E&E News)

CLIMATE:
• As Manchin pushes for cuts to clean energy and climate programs, his home state of West Virginia is suffering from climate change-induced flooding and power outages. (Guardian)
• Global leaders’ enhanced climate pledges ahead of COP26 still won’t limit global warming to 1.5°F, a United Nations report finds. (New York Times)
• New York City officials seek federal and state funding for a voluntary home buyout program as a climate resiliency and adaptation measure for residents of flood-prone areas. (The City)

CLEAN ENERGY: Federal action has paved the way for using highway rights of way for clean energy projects, including opening the areas along ramps and intersections up to solar and transmission installations. (Canary Media)

WIND: The Biden administration’s push to develop wind power in the deep waters off the West Coast could boost U.S. companies over global rivals in the nascent floating turbine sector.  (Canary Media)

BUILDINGS: More frequent climate change-driven disasters are leading investors to prioritize sustainable real estate, such as efficient buildings that are equipped with on-site clean energy and close to public transit. (New York Times)

EMISSIONS: A new study suggests policymakers should target emissions from diesel vehicles to more effectively reduce air pollution that disproportionately affects communities of color. (Inside Climate News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Uber partners with Hertz to make 50,000 of the rental car company’s new Teslas exclusively available to Uber’s ride hailing drivers. (Reuters)
• General Motors announces plans to install up to 40,000 electric vehicle charging stations in the U.S. and Canada where there is currently limited access to stations. (Reuters)

GRID:
• More than 600,000 New England homes  were without power this morning as a nor’easter whips through the region. (PowerOutages.US, CNN)
• Five energy companies have spent around $23 million in October on next week’s Central Maine Power transmission line ballot initiative, bringing their total spend to nearly $100 million. (Bangor Daily News, Utility Dive)
• Developers energize the first leg of a high-voltage transmission line carrying power from New Mexico wind facilities to Western markets. (Associated Press) 

EFFICIENCY: The failure of North Carolina’s energy law to help people struggling to pay their electric bills sparks a push to use state budget funds to help poor residents repair and weatherize their homes. (Energy News Network)

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.