CLIMATE: Climate action by U.S. cities and states reduced emissions 6% in 2018, the equivalent of taking 79 million cars off the road, even as federal climate action lagged, a study finds. (The Guardian)

ALSO:
• Facebook touted its efforts to fight climate misinformation during COP26, then let ads run calling climate change a “hoax” and otherwise dismissing the crisis. (Reuters)
• The University of Michigan is opening a “sustainability clinic” on Detroit’s east side that will support research addressing equitable climate solutions, emission reductions and lowering energy costs. (Energy News Network/Planet Detroit)

POLITICS:
• House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., delayed a vote on Democrats’ reconciliation bill by speaking for eight hours; House Democrats had said they were confident they’d pass it. (New York Times)
• A U.S. senator introduces legislation prodding the Biden administration to restart oil and gas leasing while also stepping up wind, solar and geothermal energy development. (Delta Democrat-Times)
• Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm discusses the U.S.’s contradictory encouragement and criticism of oil and gas, how to pass union-made electric vehicle tax credits, and a proposed methane fee. (Washington Post)

WIND:
• Vineyard Wind 1 developers, supporters and politicians celebrate the groundbreaking of their project, the first commercial-scale U.S. offshore wind farm. (Cape Cod Times)
• Wind turbines more efficiently generate power as they’re scaled up, leading to cheaper electricity for customers, a study finds. (Inside Climate News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: At a White House summit with Canada and Mexico, President Biden held firm to a proposal that would provide tax credits for purchasing U.S.-built electric vehicles. (Toronto Star)

OVERSIGHT: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chair Richard Glick says the appointment of a new Democratic member likely won’t push the board toward partisan decisions as it moves to consider sweeping transmission and pipeline rules. (S&P Global)

EFFICIENCY: Energy efficiency created far and away the most clean energy jobs in 2020, a U.S. Energy Department report finds. (Canary Media)

GRID:
• A federally funded study finds strengthening connections between the Eastern and Western grids would be cost effective, increase reliability, and facilitate generation sharing across regions. (news release)
• Utilities and other organizations participate in a 2-day simulated cyberattack designed to test their security measures. (The Hill)
• The U.S. grid monitor says Texas could see a nearly 40% shortfall in available power in the event of another severe winter storm, despite new winterization requirements for power plants and gas producers. (Associated Press)

CLEAN ENERGY: Indigenous leaders urge federal lawmakers to respect tribal energy sovereignty and remove financial barriers to renewable energy development on tribal lands. (E&E News, subscription)  

TRANSPORTATION: Pointing to other states’ lack of commitment, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker pulls his state out of the Northeast’s Transportation and Climate Initiative. (WBUR)

COMMENTARY:
• An international treaty fighting hydrofluorocarbon use should pass the U.S. Senate unanimously given the gases’ major global warming effects, an editorial board argues. (Washington Post)
• Republicans need to move past their history of climate denialism and put together a global climate agenda if they hope to retake the presidency and Congress, a fellow at a conservative think tank writes. (Politico)

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.