GRID: The North American Electric Reliability Corp. forecasts elevated grid reliability risks across the U.S. this winter due to natural gas supply, hydropower capacity and extreme weather, with Texas facing the most dire risks. (Utility Dive)

ALSO: Central Maine Power agrees to halt construction on its controversial transmission line corridor expansion while a Maine court considers its constitutional challenge of a referendum in which voters decided to end the project. (Maine Public)

POLITICS:
• The House passes Democrats’ reconciliation bill containing the largest climate investment in U.S. history and sends it to the Senate, where its fate is uncertain. (New York Times)
• Democratic U.S. senators express confidence that a proposed fee on oil and gas-related methane emissions in the reconciliation bill will survive the Senate’s vote. (Associated Press) 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Ford cancels plans to develop an electric vehicle with Rivian, which experts say shows Ford’s confidence in its own models. (Detroit News)
• Ford announces it will increase electric vehicle production to build 600,000 cars by 2023. (CNBC)
• The EPA reports carmakers made only modest gains in fuel economy over the past few years, highlighting the need for electric vehicle adoption to meet emissions reduction goals. (Bloomberg)

OVERSIGHT: Federal energy regulators continue to debate the extent to which they can consider climate impacts and emissions when weighing new natural gas projects. (E&E News)

UTILITIES: As Rhode Island regulators consider the sale of the state’s largest electric distribution utility, intervenors say the buyer should be required to show how it will meet requirements under the state’s ambitious new climate law. (Energy News Network)

OIL & GAS:
• The Biden administration considers new protection measures for greater sage grouse, drawing ire from some Western politicians who fear the move could limit oil and gas drilling in Wyoming and other western states. (Associated Press)
• The dispute over the future of a St. Louis-area natural gas pipeline signals a broader debate over natural gas’ role as clean energy advocates push more energy efficiency, electrification and renewables. (Energy News Network)
• Documents show Miami reversed plans to ban natural gas hookups after a local gas utility called the policy “problematic for our industry” and suggested alternative language. (Miami Herald)

PIPELINES:
• A proposed 2,000-mile pipeline network to transport carbon emissions captured from dozens of Midwest ethanol plants raises concerns among critics over long-term dependency on fossil fuels. (Bloomberg Law)
• Federal transportation officials open a civil rights investigation into New York’s approval of National Grid’s North Brooklyn pipeline; the U.S. EPA opened a separate investigation last month. (The City)

EFFICIENCY: Virginia Beach releases a trio of clever, humor-laden and award-winning videos designed to nudge municipal workers in the state’s largest city to be mindful of their energy consumption. (Energy News Network)

COMMENTARY:
• Limiting a proposed tax credit to U.S.-made electric vehicles harms North American trade flow and negates the pressing goal of fighting climate change, an editorial board writes. (Washington Post)
• A journalist outlines the benefits of putting solar canopies on parking lots rather than installing panels on undeveloped land. (YaleEnvironment360)
• Former U.S. energy secretaries call for the continued operation of California’s Diablo Canyon nuclear plant beyond its scheduled 2025 closing date. (Los Angeles Times)

Avatar photo

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.