GRID: States are increasingly guaranteeing utilities the right of first refusal to build large transmission lines in their service areas, limiting competition that some say would spur more projects and lower costs. (E&E News)

ALSO:
• In 2022, the power sector will likely prioritize reliability and storage, gear up for cyberattacks, and face increasing federal oversight when it comes to gas and transmission infrastructure, experts predict. (Utility Dive)
• Grid operator MISO’s proposal to ensure adequate power supply in its territory amid the shift to renewable energy draws mixed reviews from states, utilities, large power users and clean energy advocates. (Utility Dive)

POLITICS: Some Democrats are wary of splitting climate provisions from the Build Back Better bill, fearing its other provisions won’t be passed unless the package is kept together. (Washington Post)

OVERSIGHT:
• Utilities and power generators testify in favor of allowing the U.S. EPA to regulate power plant emissions as coal companies and Republican-led states fight the oversight at the Supreme Court. (E&E News)
• The EPA’s steps to regulate coal ash disposal affects not just power plants but cryptocurrency miners using former coal-fired plants to power their operations. (E&E News)

OIL & GAS:
• The Biden administration announces how states can apply for funding from the $4.7 billion federal campaign to clean up orphaned oil and gas wells. (Engineering News-Record)
• Experts criticize Exxon Mobil’s announcement of its “ambition” to reach net-zero carbon emissions in its operations by 2050 as too little, too late. (ABC News)
• New Mexico’s new requirements for reporting venting and flaring reveal the state’s oil and gas facilities have been emitting far more methane and other greenhouse gases than previously reported. (Capital & Main)

UTILITIES: A decade-long shift from coal to wind power has helped stabilize rates for Minnesota’s largest generation and transmission cooperative, part of a trend being seen at other rural co-ops, too. (Energy News Network, MPR News)

CLIMATE:
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture announces plans to thin vegetation in 11 Western states to reduce wildfire risk. (New York Times)
• President Biden promised during his 2020 campaign to support climate lawsuits against polluters, but his administration has so far failed to do so. (E&E News)
• ExxonMobil attempts to use a Texas law to defend itself against California cities’ lawsuits accusing the company of downplaying and denying the climate crisis. (The Guardian)

TRANSPORTATION:
• Several Connecticut environmental justice communities can soon replace 43 diesel-fueled school buses with electric models via a nearly $10 million funding boost stemming from the state’s Volkswagen emissions-cheating settlement. (Energy News Network)
• New smart-transportation tools can map vulnerable communities and help trucks, vans, and cargo ships take routes that avoid those areas to lower their emissions impact. (Canary Media)

COMMENTARY: If Sen. Joe Manchin’s push for nuclear tax credits in the Build Back Better bill would guarantee the package’s passage, other lawmakers should get onboard, a columnist writes. (Bloomberg)

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.