SOLAR: The federal government’s crackdown on China’s alleged use of forced labor to make solar components puts at least two-thirds of utility-scale projects planned for this year at risk, a clean energy trade group says. (E&E News)

ALSO:
• Some New York City residents participating in Con Ed’s community solar subscription say they aren’t receiving credits at the regular interval they should. (The City)
• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis holds the power to decide the fate of legislation to change net-metering in ways opponents say will decimate the state’s burgeoning rooftop solar industry. (Inside Climate News)
• Researchers find subsidies for low- to middle-income households in California and Connecticut increased rooftop solar adoption. (news release)

OIL & GAS: The Tennessee Valley Authority plans to replace its retiring coal plants with more than $3.5 billion in new gas-fired power plants, running counter to President Biden’s goal of shifting from fossil fuels. (New York Times)

NUCLEAR: The White House aims for “possible” fusion energy deployment by the end of the decade as Congress allocates $45 million for a fusion program in its annual appropriations bill. (E&E News)

POLITICS:
• Republican U.S. senators propose a ban on uranium imports from Russia. (The Hill)
• Electrification advocate Saul Griffith discusses why he thinks the Biden administration has so far failed to pass major climate legislation, and the U.S.’s slim chances to reduce emissions without it. (Washington Post)

HYDROGEN: As hydrogen is increasingly used as a fuel, questions remain about whether it will help address climate change or do the opposite by serving as a smokescreen for fossil fuels. (Washington Post)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure were key themes from dozens of governors’ state of the state speeches this year, a review finds. (S&P Global)

UTILITIES:
• DTE Energy’s electricity shut offs during the pandemic far outpaced other regulated utilities in Michigan, and its nearly 180,000 disconnections in 2021 were its highest annual total since 2016. (ProPublica)
• Arizona regulators scrutinize Salt River Project’s proposed natural gas plant expansion near a historically Black town, with an attorney for the community labeling the project an example of “environmental racism.” (Utility Dive)  

PIPELINES: Federal energy regulators should have considered downstream emissions when they approved Tennessee Gas’ pipeline in Massachusetts, a federal appeals court rules. (Utility Dive)

OFFSHORE WIND: Over a dozen developers have collectively pitched 80 separate transmission projects to service New Jersey’s burgeoning offshore wind industry. (NJ Spotlight)

STORAGE: An energy startup announces it will build an electric battery factory in West Virginia and work with a union to train and employ former coal miners. (Associated Press)

COAL: Illinois coal plants generation rose by 39% last year, the biggest jump among the top 10 coal-burning states, amid high natural gas prices and a pandemic rebound in electricity demand. (Inside Climate News/Chicago Sun Times)

HYDROPOWER: A dry winter has left California reservoirs below historical levels, spurring predictions of diminished hydropower generation this summer. (Associated Press)

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.