POLITICS: Democratic leaders say they’ve put Build Back Better on the back burner for the rest of the month after Sen. Joe Manchin reiterates his opposition to the funding package but suggests he’s open to a separate climate bill that includes concessions on fossil fuels. (E&E News, The Hill)

ALSO:
• After the likely demise of Build Back Better and ahead of the GOP’s potential congressional takeover, the Biden administration faces a narrow path forward as it seeks to cut greenhouse gas emissions. (New York Times)
• Federal agencies and Cabinet departments are facing the most pressure to carry out President Biden’s climate goals amid stymied action in Congress. (E&E News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Volkswagen and Toyota set their sights on toppling Tesla as the top maker of electric vehicles. (Bloomberg)
• Automaker Stellantis’ Chrysler brand plans to shift to an all-electric lineup of vehicle models by 2028 while introducing new products. (Reuters)
• Ford seeks to address the “high proportion of annoyances” that electric vehicle drivers are experiencing by inspecting third party-owned charging stations and reporting malfunctions to the owners. (E&E News)

FOSSIL FUELS:
• Fossil fuel companies are spending big on ads that appear at the top of Google searches for “net zero” and other climate-related terms. (Guardian)
• Federal regulators approve ISO New England’s request to end its contract with the proposed Killingly Energy Center in Connecticut after agreeing that the developer has made “virtually no progress” building the 650 MW gas-fired plant. (E&E News, Bulletin)

CLIMATE:
• 2021 was the Earth’s fifth hottest year on record, with the continental U.S. capping the year with its likely hottest December on record. (Bloomberg, Axios)
• Solar-powered, off-grid Earthship homes built from tires, dirt and garbage gain new popularity in an era of power outages and climate-related disasters. (Washington Post)

HYDROGEN: While New Mexico Gov. Michell Lujan Grisham says her hydrogen plan is necessary for the state’s energy transition, environmentalists say its color blindness makes it a “hidden subsidy for the fossil fuel industry.” (Searchlight New Mexico)

SOLAR: Coal-reliant Indiana is preparing to host what will be the largest solar project in the U.S. as the state’s power infrastructure ages and utilities plan a shift to clean energy. (Grist)

PIPELINES: A North Dakota judge rules that thousands of documents related to the security of the heavily protested Dakota Access pipeline are public and subject to the state’s open records law. (Bismarck Tribune)

GRID: Slight annual demand upticks projected for PJM Interconnection’s grid over the next decade are primarily attributed to an expected increase in data centers and electric vehicles. (Utility Dive)

WIND: The Port of Humboldt, once the hub of northern California’s timber industry, sees economic opportunity in the Biden administration’s West Coast offshore wind push. (Inside Climate News)

COMMENTARY: The world needs to significantly cut air travel and reduce highway speeds even as electric vehicles take over if it hopes to meet emissions reduction goals, a climate reporter explains. (The Atlantic)

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Kathryn Krawczyk

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.