CLIMATE: The U.S. and China release a joint statement announcing they’ll address climate change “with the seriousness and urgency that it demands” after climate envoy John Kerry’s visit. (New York Times)

ALSO:
• President Biden plans to announce billions of dollars in aid to help developing countries adapt to climate change and build clean energy infrastructure, people familiar with the matter say. (Bloomberg)
• Greta Thunberg and other activists will testify for the House on Thursday as part of a series of hearings amid the White House’s climate summit. (Politico)

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POLITICS: Progressive lawmakers plan to introduce a bill this week promoting the construction of clean-energy powered public housing, as well as reintroduce pieces of the Green New Deal. (New York Times)

TRANSITION:
• President Joe Biden and other Democrats try to win support for clean energy and climate-friendly measures in fossil-fuel reliant states that have previously resisted policies accelerating energy and economic transition. (Politico)
• Some land agents who previously sought and secured oil and gas rights for fossil fuel companies have shifted to lining up properties for solar panels and wind turbines. (Wall Street Journal, subscription)

FOSSIL FUELS:
• BP is expected to announce a plan today to stop routine flaring in the Permian Basin by 2025 using a $1.3 billion network of pipes and other infrastructure to collect and capture natural gas from oil wells. (Bloomberg)
• As Ohio lawmakers repeal portions of the scandal-tainted HB 6, the law continues to favor fossil fuel interests and utilities over clean energy development, critics say. (Energy News Network/Eye on Ohio)

PUBLIC LANDS:
• Interior Secretary Deb Haaland revokes Trump-era orders that ended a moratorium on new coal leasing and rolled back environmental reviews within the oil and gas permitting process, among others. (The Hill)
• In an interview, Haaland promises to center communities of color and economic inequality as she manages the country’s public lands. (Grist)

UTILITIES:
• A group of U.S. electricity companies urge President Biden to ensure their sector cuts emissions 80% from 2005 levels by 2030, though Biden has already indicated he’ll push for full decarbonization of the industry by 2035. (Reuters)
• Just a small fraction of utility companies are halfway to achieving a completely carbon-free energy supply, an industry survey shows, though utilities that made the strongest decarbonization goals are leading the pack. (Utility Dive)
• Despite transparency pledges from FirstEnergy officials, the company still has not provided full details about its contributions to dark money advocacy groups. (Energy News Network/Eye on Ohio)

RENEWABLES:  Texas lawmakers target wind and solar power for additional requirements and costs after February’s outages, but the industry around renewables has grown strong enough to fight back against, if not derail, the legislation. (Texas Tribune, Inside Climate News)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: General Motors and LG Energy Solutions announce a $2.3 billion Tennessee battery plant that will support GM’s auto factory next door. (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

COMMENTARY:
• Former Vice President Al Gore calls the proposed Byhalia Connection pipeline in Memphis a “reckless, racist rip-off” and explains why. (Commercial Appeal)
• An editorial board says President Biden must set tough national goals for reducing carbon emissions now that the U.S. has rejoined the 2015 Paris agreement. (Los Angeles Times)

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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.