GRID: Many high-voltage transmission projects identified in a clean energy group’s new report as “shovel-ready” are caught up in financial and administrative barriers that could complicate their status as part of President Biden’s push to upgrade grid infrastructure. (Grist)

ALSO:
• The frequency of power failures has increased by 60% since 2015, a study shows, and cities aren’t prepared for their expected further growth as climate change makes heat waves more common. (New York Times)
• Texas lawmakers advance a bill to make power plant winterization mandatory, though their efforts to reform the state’s grid manager may put more political appointees on its board and do little to actually improve the grid’s performance, experts say. (Texas Tribune)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join us for the 16th annual Advancing Renewables Conference on the afternoons of May 18 – 19. Hear about compelling topics from industry leaders during an easy-to-use virtual event. Join us at the forefront of renewable energy! http://advancingrenewables.com/ *** 

SOLAR:
• The Bureau of Land Management approves a 350 MW solar and storage project to be built on public land in southern California. (Reuters, news release)
• Virginia regulators approve nine new solar facilities totalling nearly 500 MW for Dominion Energy in what will be the largest assemblage of new solar power in state history. (Virginian-Pilot)
• The world’s largest roofing company has installed more than 2,000 integrated solar roofs — more than competitor Tesla — and wants them to make up at least 10% of its annual installations. (Canary Media)

RENEWABLES: Clean power projects across the country, including sprawling solar installations and major offshore wind farms, are driving a wedge between environmentalists and conservationists with conflicting priorities. (Associated Press)

PIPELINES:
• Environmental groups sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, claiming it didn’t fully evaluate environmental impacts when approving a nationwide pipeline permit. (The Hill)
• The Army Corps of Engineers maintains its position under the Biden administration that the Dakota Access pipeline should not shut down during an environmental review. (Reuters)

COAL:
• President Biden’s clean-energy agenda hinges on key West Virginia lawmakers and their buy-in for a transition that could revive the economy in a state hit hard by coal’s ongoing decline. (Bloomberg, Charleston Gazette-Mail)
• Ending reliance on coal-fired power is the “single most important issue” countries need to get started on as they prepare for the COP26 climate conference this year, the International Energy Agency’s head says. (Independent)
• Coal’s downward spiral over the past decade suggests the fossil fuel is at the end of its lifetime — though an energy analyst notes it’ll take a massive increase in the pace of new renewable installations to fill the gap it leaves behind. (Bloomberg, Forbes)

OIL & GAS: The EPA issues a notice of violation to a Virgin Islands oil refinery with a history of polluting nearby communities, saying the plant failed to measure its surrounding air quality. (Washington Post)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• The Department of Energy and 14 states launch a three-year program to boost electric vehicle adoption. (CleanTechnica)
• Twenty-five states have at least 1,000 non-residential electric vehicle chargers for both public and private use, with California, New York, Florida and Texas leading the count. (CleanTechnica)
• Uber is partnering with UK-based Arrival to develop an electric car “purpose-built” for ride hailing, though it won’t be exclusive to Uber. (The Verge)

NUCLEAR: The U.S. nuclear fleet includes several plants at risk of early retirement in the coming years as carbon emission reductions are a high priority on the national agenda. (S&P Global)

ADVOCACY: The decade-old nonprofit Soulardarity in Detroit has built up expertise and influence with local officials on clean energy issues. (Energy News Network)

COMMENTARY: President Biden’s appointment of people with backgrounds in community-based clean energy, environmental justice and labor to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s board represent a step toward tackling the climate emergency and building a more just energy system, writes a energy justice campaigner. (Energy News Network)

Avatar photo

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.