ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Newly released U.S. Census data will guide the Biden administration’s environmental justice priorities by identifying communities as “disadvantaged” based on their proximity to pollution and environmental burdens, among other factors. (Grist)

CLIMATE: Federal officials declare a first-ever shortage on the drought-addled Colorado River after Lake Mead drops to all-time low levels, triggering water cutbacks for Arizona, Nevada, and Mexico. (New York Times)

GRID:
• Just a small piece of the federal infrastructure bill’s $65 billion for “power infrastructure” is dedicated to grid upgrades, with the rest allocated to batteries, carbon capture, and nuclear and hydrogen production. (Canary Media)
• Scientists warn Texas regulators to account for the worsening effects of climate change as they examine past weather patterns to craft rules for power plant winterization. (Texas Tribune)

FOSSIL FUELS
• A dozen oil, gas and extraction-related industry groups sue in federal court to resume new federal oil and gas leases, even as the Biden administration challenges a previous court ruling that blocks a pause on leasing. (S&P Global, Reuters)
• The Biden administration says it will vote against international banks’ funding of coal- and oil-based projects, with a few exceptions. (The Hill)
• Brooklyn environmentalists say National Grid’s planned gas pipeline through the borough “continues climate denial and environmental racism” despite regulators’ pushback on a proposed rate hike. (Brooklyn Eagle)

CARBON CAPTURE: The bipartisan federal infrastructure bill contains $12 billion in funding for carbon capture projects that climate advocates fear will be used to extend the life of fossil fuel power plants and provide few benefits for reducing emissions. (Inside Climate News)

OFFSHORE WIND:
• In its final environmental review of the South Fork offshore wind project, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management considers reducing the number of planned turbine locations to protect fishery habitats. (RTO Insider, subscription)
• As the offshore wind leasing auction for sections off the New York coast approaches, the local fishing industry asks the federal government to consider their concerns over the turbines’ impacts on the industry. (Standard-Times)

SOLAR: A Canadian solar manufacturer says the Biden administration’s crackdown on Chinese solar panel imports over alleged labor abuses risks holding up all solar imports from China, even those from verified companies. (Bloomberg)

UTILITIES: FirstEnergy critics say more comprehensive reviews by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio are needed to hold the company and others accountable. (Energy News Network)

NUCLEAR: The Havasupai Tribe faces legal hurdles in its fight to stop a uranium mine proposed on federal land near Grand Canyon National Park that the tribe considers sacred. (Arizona Republic)

BIOFUELS: Researchers at the University of Kentucky study innovative uses for spent grains from bourbon and other whiskeys, including livestock feed and energy production. (WTVQ)

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.