PIPELINES: The Line 5 pipeline is dividing U.S. and Canadian officials and highlighting the challenges of balancing energy security with the clean energy transition. (Washington Post)
ALSO:
• The Republican push to criminalize anti-pipeline protests is expanding beyond states that produce oil and gas, including Kansas, Montana and Arkansas. (Grist)
• Memphis residents rally against the proposed Byhalia Connection pipeline ahead of a Tuesday city council vote on a drinking water regulation ordinance that could potentially stop the project. (E&E News, subscription; WATN)
• Moderate Democratic senators join Republicans to urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to speed up its permitting process for new natural gas pipelines. (E&E News, subscription)
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INFRASTRUCTURE: President Biden is discussing a compromise with Republicans on his clean energy-focused infrastructure bill, though a person familiar with negotiations says the administration may move forward without bipartisan support if there’s no progress in the next month. (E&E News, subscription; NBC News)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• As the Biden administration pushes to build more electric vehicle charging stations, companies that deploy the equipment are struggling to make a profit. (Bloomberg)
• A study finds 20% of California electric car owners switch back to gasoline, with most citing the difficulty of keeping batteries charged. (Business Insider)
• State and local officials, utility executives and researchers warn the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that it needs to prepare for a surge in electric vehicle charging and its strain on the grid. (E&E News, subscription)
OIL & GAS:
• February’s winter storm caused the United States’ oil output to fall to a three-year low, a much bigger dip than previously estimated. (E&E News, subscription)
• Exxon Mobil says it’s in talks with its rivals and government officials to build a carbon capture and storage project along the Gulf of Mexico. (Reuters)
TRANSITION: The multi-day loss of power, heat and water for many Texans during February’s winter storm is driving demand for backup energy systems, at least among wealthy residents who can afford them. (Bloomberg)
EFFICIENCY: Migrant farm workers in Vermont often live in unsanitary housing in some of the most energy-intensive buildings in the state — conditions that activists are fighting to improve. (Energy News Network)
SOLAR: Connecticut towns and solar developers are at odds over the interpretation of a state property tax exemption to renewable energy sources. (Energy News Network)
BIOGAS: Environmental groups say renewable gas plants powered by swine farms pollute rural North Carolina communities of color, and press a major food producer to create safer technologies to manage hog waste. (Fayetteville Observer)
EMISSIONS: The EPA will propose a rule to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons in air conditioners and refrigerators, marking its first emissions-reduction regulation under the Biden administration. (Washington Post)
COMMENTARY:
• Electric cars will only become a viable tool for reducing emissions if they’re made affordable for lower-income drivers, a columnist writes. (Axios)
• Power markets aren’t prepared to handle increased electrification under the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan, an energy transition expert writes. (Utility Dive)
• Carbon taxes alone aren’t enough to fight climate change, a columnist writes, though “done right,” they can significantly contribute to that goal and “boost the economy at the same time.” (Bloomberg)