HYDROPOWER: A new agreement among tribes, PacifiCorp, and the states of Oregon and California will advance plans to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River, which, if approved by federal regulators, would be the largest dam removal in U.S. history. (Associated Press)

TRANSITION:
• Environmental groups criticize President-elect Biden’s selection of Louisiana Rep. Cedric Richmond as a senior advisor, citing his ties to the oil industry. (The Hill)
• The Biden administration will likely include the Agriculture and Transportation departments in efforts to fight climate change. (The Hill)

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CLIMATE: An annual state climate report says Maryland must accelerate its commitment to greenhouse gas reductions to mitigate the effects of climate change. (Maryland Matters) 

OIL & GAS: Legal experts say legal challenges and a Biden administration reversal could prevent Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil leases from being issued at all. (New York Times)

PIPELINES: Members of a Minnesota agency’s environmental justice advisory group resign in protest after state officials approve a key water quality permit for the Line 3 pipeline replacement and expansion project. (Star Tribune)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• A new lobbying group backed by Tesla, Uber and other companies aims to phase out sale of internal-combustion vehicles by 2030. (Reuters)
• General Motors is planning to announce a further expansion of its electric vehicle offerings tomorrow. (Reuters)
• Virginia could boost electric vehicle adoption by creating point-of-sale rebates and inventory requirements for car dealers such as those in Maryland, a clean energy group’s new report says. (Energy News Network)
• Experts say a new paper from a conservative group claiming environmental harm from electric vehicles is “a grab bag of old and misleading claims.” (DeSmog)

ELECTRIFICATION: Utah lawmakers advance a bill that would prohibit cities from banning natural gas hookups in new buildings. (Salt Lake Tribune)

SOLAR:
• A solar industry trade group urges the incoming Biden administration to end tariffs on imported panels and extend tax credits. (Reuters)
• Developers and advocates say Illinois’ solar industry could face irreparable harm after the pandemic causes state leaders to cancel a November legislative session, delaying action on multiple clean energy bills. (Energy News Network)

WIND: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has developed a material for wind turbine blades that will make them recyclable. (news release)

COMMENTARY:
• An environmental editor notes that Republicans backing President Trump’s efforts to undermine fair elections are heavily backed by fossil fuel industries. (The Guardian)
• Advocates say efficiency provisions in President-elect Biden’s climate plan will benefit communities of color, who disproportionately live in substandard housing. (Natural Resources Defense Council)
• A former FERC commissioner says restructured energy markets may benefit large power users but likely won’t achieve lower prices or a cleaner energy supply. (Utility Dive)

Dan has two decades' experience working in print, digital and broadcast media. Prior to joining the Energy News Network as managing editor in December 2017, he oversaw watchdog reporting at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, part of the USA Today Network, and before that spent several years as a freelance journalist covering energy, business and technology. Dan is a former Midwest Energy News journalism fellow and a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communications from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.