POLITICS:
• Senate Republicans introduce their own climate plan that would incentivize natural gas, nuclear power, and carbon capture to reduce emissions 40% by 2050. (E&E News)
• Democrats’ big losses in Virginia are a blow to President Biden’s energy agenda, as the state is a key partner for offshore wind development. (E&E News)

COP26:
• The U.S. and 20 other countries pledge to end public financing for overseas fossil fuel projects and repurpose the estimated $8 billion it frees up for clean energy development. (Washington Post)
• The U.S. is missing from a list of dozens of countries, cities and financial institutions pledging to phase out coal power in the 2030s, with smaller economies setting their goals in the 2040s. (The Guardian)

RECONCILIATION:
• House Democrats remove hardrock mining royalties and shorten environmental justice grants in their modified reconciliation bill, but retain methane fees and most other climate policies. (E&E News)
• Utilities and clean energy developers say labor and domestic content requirements in the reconciliation bill’s clean energy tax credits could be difficult to meet. (S&P Global)

EMISSIONS:
• Fossil fuel emissions have rebounded in 2021 after last year’s dip and are approaching record highs, a study finds. (Inside Climate News)
• A report from NASA researchers details how satellite measurements helped detect carbon emissions reductions during the pandemic and how they can steer countries toward emissions reductions goals in the future. (New York Times)
• New Mexico environmental advocates say the Biden administration’s proposed oil and gas methane emissions rule should be expanded to cover low-producing wells and prevent flaring. (NMPolitical Report)

SOLAR:
• The U.S. International Trade Commission will decide next month whether to recommend the Biden administration extend tariffs on solar panels and cells first implemented under the Trump administration. (E&E News)
• Midwest solar projects are testing the potential of incorporating native plants and sheep grazing to improve solar’s ecological benefits. (Associated Press)

BUILDINGS: Ithaca, New York, becomes the first U.S. city to vote to electrify and decarbonize all 6,000 of its residential and commercial buildings. (Washington Post)

GRID: After a Maine referendum rejected its power line project, Central Maine Power’s parent company files a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the ballot initiative. (Portland Press Herald)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• A Kentucky manufacturer plans to add 170 jobs as part of a $27 million expansion to support future electric vehicle-related business. (Associated Press)
• An EV battery manufacturer expands in central Florida with plans to add 100 jobs over five years at a new $25 million R&D facility. (Orlando Business Journal)

WIND: Strong wind resources and existing energy infrastructure off Texas’ Gulf Coast could make it an attractive region to offshore wind developers. (Texas Standard) 

COAL: A letter of intent to sue by environmental groups is meant to trigger state or federal action against a troubled Illinois coal mine over the release of toxic PFAs while attempting to extinguish an underground fire. (Energy News Network)

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.