ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Just under half of Americans support a proposal to phase out gas-powered vehicles, and 39% say they are likely to consider going electric the next time they buy a vehicle, a survey finds. (Pew Research Center)

ALSO:
• The White House plans to boost domestic battery recycling to curb mining of lithium and other metals needed for electric vehicles, government officials say. (Reuters)
• Ford nearly tripled its electric vehicle sales last month compared to the same period last year in part from growing sales of its electric Mustang. (Bloomberg)
• Electric bus manufacturers discuss how federal funding could give the industry a critical boost. (Canary Media)
• The Biden administration proposes endangered species protections for a rare Nevada wildflower, potentially upending plans to build a lithium mine there. (Nevada Independent)

ELECTRIFICATION: The U.S. has the technology to electrify broad swaths of the economy while relying on greater amounts of wind and solar, according to a new federal study. (Inside Climate News)

UTILITIES:
• Nine former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission members call on the current board to use its “broad authorities” to move the whole country toward “well-structured organized power markets.” (Utility Dive)
• Progressive House members introduce a congressional resolution that would declare electricity a “basic human right” and decry “monopolized, profit-driven utility corporations and providers.” (The Hill)

POLITICS: Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin appear together in West Virginia to tout the coal-heavy state’s role in the transition to clean energy, including use of its manufactured steel in a ship for building offshore wind turbines. (Associated Press, WV News)

PIPELINES:
• Pipeline opponents gear up for a wave of larger demonstrations as a new phase of construction begins on Line 3 in northern Minnesota. (MinnPost)
• Minnesota crisis centers see an uptick in reports of sexual harassment and violence that officials link to an influx in pipeline workers. (The Guardian)
• Kinder Morgan’s CEO warns that converting pipelines to transport CO2 from carbon capture initiatives won’t be financially viable without new federal subsidies. (S&P Global)

OIL & GAS: Nearly 30% of the Permian Basin’s methane emissions come from“routinely persistent” leaks that could be largely eliminated with repairs and diligent monitoring, scientists say. (Bloomberg)

GRID: Western states are looking to regional transmission organizations to improve movement of renewable power. (Canary Media)

SOLAR:
Tesla’s SolarCity factory is 500 jobs short of its promise to bring 1,460 jobs to Buffalo, New York, even after a two-year extension, and could face a $41 million fine if it doesn’t get it done by December. (Buffalo News)
The Interior Department advances a 400-megawatt solar project proposed for Moape Band of Paiute land in southern Nevada. (news release; E&E News, subscription)
• Illinois stakeholders are still hopeful an ambitious clean energy bill can pass during a special session, but solar companies say they can’t hold out much longer without a new influx of state incentives. (Energy News Network)

PUBLIC LANDS: The Biden administration proposes spending $2.8 billion on national park programs and conservation projects across the U.S. (The Hill) 

COMMENTARY:
• An editorial board urges the U.S. to permanently ban drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Washington Post)
• While some news outlets are paying attention to the climate crisis, most are still underplaying its threats, the co-founders of a climate journalism collective write. (Guardian)

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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.