POLITICS: U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin throws cold water on Democrats’ $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill, saying he won’t provide its crucial 50th vote and saying its clean electricity payment program “makes no sense.” (E&E News)

ALSO:
• Environmental advocates and lawmakers call out corporations and business groups that claim to support major climate action but so far oppose Democrats’ reconciliation package. (Politico)
• A U.S. House committee advances tax credits for wind and solar installations and electric vehicles for inclusion in Democrats’ reconciliation bill. (The Hill)
• Another U.S. House committee will vote today on the clean electricity payment program and additional tax credits and funding for clean energy and electric vehicles in the reconciliation package. (E&E News)

SOLAR:
• Rising solar panel costs threaten a rapid solar scaleup and the clean energy transition, an energy firm finds. (Bloomberg)
• New Jersey’s push to ramp up solar power could serve as a blueprint for the federal government’s similar effort, with advocates arguing the latter is possible only if the U.S. commits to major grid upgrades. (NJ Spotlight)
• Hurricane Ida prompts Louisiana customers to add solar and battery storage even after state lawmakers and regulators scrapped a generous solar credit program and cut the net-metering standard in favor of lower rates. (NOLA.com)

OVERSIGHT: Clean energy and utility industry groups voice support for President Biden’s FERC nominee Willie Phillips, while an environmental advocate calls Phillips a “gift to corporate utilities and the fossil fuel industry.” (Utility Dive)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE:
• Hurricane Ida left its deepest marks on marginalized communities and people of color who already lost livelihoods to the pandemic in a region of longstanding racial and social inequality. (Associated Press)
• Coastal Louisiana tribes and Native Alaskans are among the most at risk of displacement due to climate change, but say a lack of specialized federal programs has impeded their relocation. (Inside Climate News)

OIL & GAS: More than 2,300 oil and chemical spills have been reported in the two weeks since Hurricane Ida. About 900 have yet to be investigated, but the volume of spills confirmed so far seems significantly less than the 10.8 million barrels released during two hurricanes in 2005. (NOLA.com)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• General Motors takes a more intensive role with South Korea’s LG Corp to fix problems that have led to battery fires in Chevrolet Bolts and represent potential challenges for the company’s EV ambitions. (Reuters)
• Honda and Toyota criticize U.S. House Democrats’ proposal to provide an additional $4,500 tax credit for union-made electric vehicles, saying it discriminates against auto workers who choose not to unionize. (Reuters)

GRID: An outage at a major California battery storage facility raises reliability and safety questions regarding the technology needed to shore up a renewable-heavy grid. (E&E News)

FINANCE: Harvard University divests of its direct investments in fossil fuel companies following years of criticism from both the on-campus and broader environmental community. (Boston Globe)

COMMENTARY: Environmental advocates argue America’s Balkanized approach to transmission planning is preventing it from building a reliable grid that can support needed clean energy investments. (Utility Dive)

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.