CLEAN ENERGY: The U.S. needs to rapidly speed its pace of clean energy deployment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, on the order of installing 800 MW of additional generation each week over 2020 levels, a new report shows. (Bloomberg)

ALSO:
• The solar industry is facing an unprecedented supply crunch after a year of record deployments, with skyrocketing shipping costs and a shortage of materials likely to delay installations this year. (Canary Media)
• Xcel Energy plans to accelerate its decarbonization plans, cutting emissions 85% by 2030 and adding 10,000 MW of renewable energy capacity in Colorado and Minnesota. (Utility Dive)

POLICY:
• The U.S. Senate finalizes its $550 billion bipartisan infrastructure bill, which includes dedicated funding for building electric vehicle charging stations, modernizing the electric grid, and expanding clean energy use. (Associated Press)
• Maine, Maryland, Texas, and Virginia lawmakers each passed more than 10 pieces of energy-related legislation in the second quarter of 2021. (S&P Global)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Advocates praise President Biden for making environmental justice a far bigger priority than past administrations, though disagreements over nuclear power and carbon capture remain. (Inside Climate News)

GRID: California Gov. Gavin Newsom declares a state of emergency and seeks to ease grid strain by paying industrial users to cut back on power use, fast tracking permitting for new power sources and waiving air quality rules to allow big consumers to use diesel generators. (Bloomberg)

BUILDINGS:
• Colorado became the first state to apply the social cost of methane to regulatory decisions this year, also passing several other bills tackling building emissions. (Energy News Network)
• Massachusetts municipalities see pushback from home builders, utilities and some residents amid attempts to ban new natural gas infrastructure and encourage electrification. (Wall Street Journal)

COAL: Critics say CenterPoint Energy’s plan to replace a retiring coal plant with smaller natural gas turbines is unnecessary, uneconomic and environmentally destructive. (Energy News Network)

OIL & GAS:
• Federal officials extend a public comment period on the proposed endangered species listing of the lesser prairie chicken, which could affect oil and gas operations in New Mexico’s Permian Basin. (Santa Fe New Mexican)
• Enbridge officials say the Line 3 replacement and expansion in northern Minnesota will be in service by the end of the year, despite ongoing legal and regulatory challenges. (CBC)

SOLAR: Wyoming’s lack of transmission infrastructure and fossil fuel-favoring politics have kept utility-scale solar projects at bay, industry observers say. (Casper Star-Tribune) 

NUCLEAR:
• A federal report determines a spent reactor fuel repository proposed for southeastern New Mexico will have no impact on the environment. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)
• Critics of a Bill Gates-backed company’s proposal to build an advanced nuclear reactor in Wyoming doubt the feasibility of the project and say it will end with massive public investments gone to waste. (WyoFile)

COMMENTARY:
• Cutting oil production without cutting demand for it will cause gasoline prices to shoot up, likely increasing resistance against climate action that’s seen as harming energy affordability, a columnist writes. (Axios)
• A columnist argues the U.S. needs to end the subsidy that allows oil and gas companies to expense “intangible” drilling and exploration costs, as it benefits the industry far more than other subsidies. (Canary Media)

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.