CARBON CAPTURE: With more than 100 projects announced this year, carbon capture, utilization and storage projects seem less likely to die in their journey from concept to operation, the International Energy Agency predicts. (Axios)

ALSO: Iowa’s largest fertilizer plant signs an agreement to capture and transport its carbon emissions through a proposed 1,300-mile network across the Midwest that would store the carbon in Illinois. (S&P Global)

EQUITY: Hundreds of millions of dollars promised by North Carolina politicians to help low-income ratepayers fail to materialize in the state budget. (Energy News Network)

HYDROGEN: A wave of lobbying efforts led to major boosts for hydrogen in the recently passed infrastructure bill and Democrats’ forthcoming Build Back Better Act. (E&E News)

TRANSPORTATION:
• A new wave of U.S. Department of Transportation funding avoids its track record of expanding rural highways in favor of sidewalks and infrastructure for bikes and public transit. (Bloomberg)
• A study finds diesel truck routes expose low-income people of color to 28% more nitrogen oxide than their wealthier white counterparts. (Environmental Health News)

GRID:
• Utility regulators, state attorneys general, and ratepayer advocates push the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reject utilities’ request to get the right of first refusal to build out transmission lines. (Utility Dive)
• PJM Interconnection will require anyone, including employees and contractors, visiting its campus or attending a PJM event to be vaccinated against COVID-19. (RTO Insider, subscription)

POLITICS:
• A direct tax on carbon emissions or a cap-and-trade system could be an alternative to a federal price on carbon, which faces challenges as Democrats try to include it in their Build Back Better bill. (Utility Dive)
• Two Democratic U.S. senators say they’re working to convince Sen. Joe Manchin to support tax credits for union- and U.S.-made electric vehicles in their infrastructure bill. (Reuters)

NUCLEAR: The company decommissioning Massachusetts’ Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station considers dumping 1 million gallons of potentially radioactive wastewater into the Cape Cod Bay. (Patriot Ledger)

COAL ASH: Tennessee regulators sign off on the Tennessee Valley Authority’s plan to move coal ash from ponds in Southwest Memphis and through predominantly Black neighborhoods to bury it in lined pits in a city landfill. (Commercial Appeal)

OIL & GAS:
• Despite a pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2035, CenterPoint Energy is planning a $1.7 billion gas pipeline expansion in multiple areas across the Midwest and Texas. (Energy and Policy Institute)
• Researchers find 6% to 8% of the natural gas extracted in Utah’s Uinta Basin is leaking into the atmosphere, making it the source of one of the nation’s highest methane emission rates. (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Analysts say the Interior Department’s recommended oil and gas leasing reforms could raise drillers’ costs and reduce available acreage, but are unlikely to affect near or medium-term production. (S&P Global)

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.