POLITICS: Funding for a proposed Civilian Climate Corps and environmental justice programs could be on the chopping block as congressional Democrats trim their reconciliation bill to around $2 trillion. (E&E News, The Hill) 

ALSO:
• As congressional infrastructure negotiations drag on, U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia wants to be fully in control of any new mandates or regulations of the coal and energy industry. (Washington Post)
• A compromise energy bill moves through the North Carolina legislature, but environmental groups express concern that it fails poor people who have often borne the brunt of pollution from coal and gas plants. (Associated Press, WUNC)

OIL & GAS:
• House Democrats are working on two bills to address offshore pipeline safety and accountability after a leak released more than 100,000 gallons of crude on California’s shore. (E&E News)
• Government regulators have long failed to sufficiently monitor offshore pipelines like the one that leaked this weekend, according to a federal watchdog agency and environmental groups. (Los Angeles Times)
• Federal investigators say a ship’s anchor likely caused the spill after it snagged the offshore pipeline. (Associated Press)

EMISSIONS:
• U.S. climate envoy John Kerry is lining up pledges from some of the world’s largest companies, namely heavy manufacturers, to accelerate their emissions reductions. (Bloomberg)
• As much as 80% of measures to cut methane leaks from the oil and gas can be implemented at no cost, and the same is true of almost all leaks from the coal sector, research finds. (Bloomberg)
• Attorneys general from five states call on the Biden administration to exceed global standards designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions from flights. (Reuters)

HYDROGEN: The International Energy Agency says the world will need to spend at least $1.2 trillion for the hydrogen industry to grow at the rate needed to reach net zero emissions by 2050. (Utility Dive)

UTILITIES: A coalition of municipalities and power cooperatives ask Congress to alter its infrastructure plan so they are not penalized if the Tennessee Valley Authority doesn’t do enough to decarbonize its energy production. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: General Motors announces plans for an electric vehicle battery research and development center in southeastern Michigan as part of the company’s strategy to reduce electric vehicle and battery costs. (Detroit News)

COAL:
• A coalition of state attorneys general calls on the Biden administration to factor environmental justice and climate impacts into its review of the federal coal leasing program. (news release)
• An Arizona utility’s proposal to distribute $144.5 million to Indigenous communities affected by coal plant closures could serve as a model for other fossil fuel-dependent regions. (E&E News)

PIPELINES: Pennsylvania’s attorney general announces nearly 50 criminal charges against Sunoco Pipeline LP, which is accused of “illegal behavior” during the construction of the Mariner East 2 pipeline that polluted Pennsylvania waterways. (Philadelphia Inquirer, Associated Press)

GRID: Political committees have spent around $60 million campaigning for or against the ballot question concerning Central Maine Power’s controversial power line project in Maine’s upper Kennebec River Valley. (Portland Press-Herald)

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.