SOLAR: Adopting policies to boost the U.S. solar industry, such as tax credits for installations and manufacturing facilities, could lead solar to supply more than 40% of the country’s electricity by 2035, a U.S. Energy Department memo says. (Reuters)

ALSO:
• The Biden administration’s ban on solar imports stemming from one Chinese company has held up shipments from other companies, delaying installations and complicating the U.S.’s rapid solar deployment goals. (Bloomberg)
• A new group of U.S. solar companies asks the Biden administration to levy tariffs on Chinese-linked solar imports that are routed through other countries to avoid additional charges. (E&E News)

HYDROGEN:
• Researchers at a federal lab report progress developing a technique that uses a laser to heat and compress hydrogen, which could potentially ignite and release limitless clean energy via fusion. (BBC)
• Hydrogen energy supporters see potential for the fuel in everything from energy storage to decarbonizing natural gas but current regulations limit its applications. (Utility Dive)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Manufacturers are developing prototypes for electrified farming vehicles and equipment but face logistical challenges with charging infrastructure, durability and reliability. (Energy News Network)

EMISSIONS:
• Climate activists are urging President Biden to require heavy-duty truck manufacturers sharply cut nitrogen oxide emissions, and to tackle the problem before his “Clean Trucks Plan” rolls out next year. (Bloomberg)
• A Congress member from Louisiana requests federal, third-party monitoring of air emissions of “nearly 150 oil refineries, plastics plants and chemical plants” to determine their effects on vulnerable communities. (The Advocate)

OIL & GAS:
• U.S. health professionals join in protest against the Line 3 pipeline, saying the expansion jeopardizes human health and the environment. (Grist)
• Oklahoma landowners accuse a federal pipeline inspector of collusion with an energy company over a gas transmission line. (E&E News, subscription)

UTILITIES:
• Pacific Gas & Electric shuts off power to 51,000 homes to reduce the risk of sparking another fire as the Dixie Fire — possibly ignited by the utility’s equipment — grows beyond 600,000 acres and threatens the town of Susanville. (Los Angeles Times)
• The Memphis city council passes a resolution asking the Tennessee Valley Authority not to bury coal ash from the retired Allen Fossil Plant within the municipal utility’s territory — a symbolic gesture that also foreshadows whether the utility will continue to buy power from TVA. (Commercial Appeal)
• A Virginia electric co-op pitches a 20% fee increase critics say will harm low- and moderate-income customers and discourage consumer investment in solar or energy efficiency. (Energy News Network)

WIND: A South Korean company takes over operations at the world’s largest wind tower factory and pledges to create more jobs at the Colorado plant. (Pueblo Chieftain)

POLITICS: Rep. Sean Casten discusses his “Hot FERC Summer” campaign to raise awareness of the regulator and its power in decarbonizing the U.S. grid. (Canary Media)

COMMENTARY: State utility regulators should start modeling risk associated with extreme weather events and place value on climate mitigation tools as a way to make the power grid more resilient, an Illinois regulator says in a joint op-ed. (Utility Dive)

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Kathryn Krawczyk

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.