CLEAN ENERGY: The Biden administration rolls out several clean energy initiatives, including an offshore wind lease auction, $20 billion in funding to expand transmission, and grants to promote clean energy deployment in rural communities. (The Hill, Bloomberg, news release)

ALSO:
• The February lease auction is expected to result in up to 7 GW of offshore wind power generating projects off the New York and New Jersey coasts. (CNN)
• The transmission buildout will prioritize shovel-ready projects to move clean energy, and seek collaboration with utilities, developers and states, a Biden administration official says. (E&E News)

EMISSIONS:
• Days before the EPA rolled out its landmark tailpipe emissions rule, White House officials told the agency the rule still wasn’t strong enough, but the EPA pressed forward anyway. (E&E News)
• New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham proposes a bill requiring the state’s industries — including oil and gas — to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 50% of 2005 levels by 2030, setting one of the nation’s most aggressive state climate targets. (E&E News)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Two environmental justice leaders on President Biden’s environmental quality team unexpectedly depart, prompting questions from other advisers about how the administration will accomplish its goals. (Politico)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Some forthcoming electric vehicles, including Ford’s, promise to include bidirectional batteries that will allow EVs to power other vehicles and homes. (Axios)
• Members of a U.S. House panel raise doubts about electric vehicle reliability in rural areas despite automakers’ pledges to make more powerful batteries and help expand charging infrastructure. (E&E News)
• GreenPower Motor Company will locate a factory in West Virginia to build electric school buses, with the state committing to buy at least $15 million worth. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)

OIL & GAS:
• U.S. oil production will hit a peak in 2023, the federal Energy Information Administration predicts. (Axios)
• Enbridge has paid more than $4.8 million to cover policing and public safety costs related to Line 3 construction in Minnesota while county courts are clogged with hundreds of cases involving protesters. (Star Tribune)

HYDROPOWER: A U.S. Senate committee calls for speeding up the permitting process for hydropower projects and adding turbines to existing dams and pumped hydro storage projects. (Utility Dive)

EFFICIENCY:
• The U.S. federal mortgage program has spent several years issuing green bonds for apartment energy retrofits, but has so far seen little evidence of actual efficiency improvements. (Grist)
• A Boston-area startup works to commercialize a clear, lightweight material that can be used to make windows more insulating than more expensive alternatives. (Energy News Network)

COAL: The U.S. EPA proposes to deny requests by three coal plants in Indiana, Ohio and Iowa to continue dumping coal ash in unlined surface impoundments, which could lead to the plants’ early retirement. (Utility Dive)

COMMENTARY: The Biden administration needs to set hard standards for phasing out combustion vehicles if the U.S. hopes to meet its climate goals, two clean transportation experts write. (New York Times)

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.