OIL & GAS: Major oil companies are increasingly pledging to embrace clean energy and reduce emissions, but a peer-reviewed study finds the companies are not actually taking meaningful climate action. (E&E News, Guardian)

ALSO:
• Fracking has harmed drinking water quality and infant health in Pennsylvania, according to a new study of state health department data. (Clean Technica)
• A journalist explains how European demand is affecting liquid natural gas development in Texas, including transparency in emissions. (Texas Standard)

NUCLEAR:
• Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania have seen emissions rise after nuclear power plants closed and were largely replaced with natural gas. (E&E News)
• The Department of Energy plans to launch a $6 billion program to keep nuclear power plants from closing. (Utility Dive)
• Coal-heavy states advance nuclear legislation as they consider small modular reactors to fill the dying coal industry’s energy and economic voids. (E&E News)

POLITICS:
• Democrats look to restart Build Back Better negotiations with a focus on how climate and clean energy measures could cut costs for consumers. (E&E News)
• Republican U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer looks to get his party onboard with taxes on carbon-heavy imports from China and Russia. (E&E News)
• Louisiana U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy says he’ll block President Biden’s EPA nominees until the agency moves forward with his state’s application to permit construction of carbon sequestration wells. (Reuters)

CLIMATE:
• After years of activism without results, students at several colleges file legal complaints with their state attorneys general to force fossil fuel divestment. (Washington Post)
• A new Securities and Exchange Commission edict will help shareholders hold corporations accountable for fossil fuel investments as Amazon and Comcast try to block their shareholders from doing so. (Daily Poster)

ELECTRIFICATION: Contractors and experts describe the challenges of electrifying heating and cooking, including the need for electric panel upgrades and a lack of incentives. (Canary Media)

SOLAR: A sweeping Illinois clean energy law last year guaranteed the “right to self-generate,” but many municipal and cooperative utility customers still face barriers. (Energy News Network)

UTILITIES: The municipal utility in Memphis, Tennessee, wrestles with the fallout from a major power outage, questions over its power supplier, and the revelation that all of its board members’ terms have long expired. (Institute for Public Service Reporting at the University of Memphis)

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.