CLEAN ENERGY: The U.S. added record renewable power and battery storage capacity in the first half of 2021, with renewables making up 92% of new energy installations, an industry report finds. (Axios, news release)

EMISSIONS:
• Carbon emissions from the global power sector in the first half of 2021 surpassed pre-pandemic levels as electricity demand outpaced renewable energy adoption. (Washington Post)
• Internal documents show the Biden administration pushed the EPA to mandate stronger vehicle emissions standards than it actually ended up proposing. (Bloomberg)

POLITICS: The U.S. House votes to advance the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package that includes a clean electricity payment plan and other climate measures. (Al Jazeera)

SOLAR:
• NextEra Energy asks the federal government to either identify an anonymous group of solar manufacturers that wants to expand tariffs on Chinese-linked solar imports or reject its request. (Bloomberg)
• Only one of Alabama’s 22 rural electric cooperatives offers a community solar program, and none assist members with “pay as you save” energy efficiency programs. (Inside Climate News)

OIL & GAS:
• The Biden administration will restart the oil and gas leasing process next week and could have an auction for Gulf of Mexico plots as soon as October. (Reuters)
• A leader of a New Mexico Pueblo and former Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt call on the Biden administration to reform the oil and gas leasing program to protect cultural resources. (Associated Press)
• Progressive Congress members say they will try to use the reconciliation bill to halt oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (E&E News)

PIPELINES:
• Minnesota’s Supreme Court declines to hear an appeal of a recent ruling upholding approval of the Line 3 pipeline. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• Line 3 opponents say a fence around the State Capitol and increased law enforcement presence is an “excessive and harsh response” to a peaceful demonstration planned for today. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION:
• The Federal Aviation Administration announces $20.4 million in grants for airports to purchase zero-emission vehicles and replace other fossil fuel-powered equipment. (Axios)
• Virginia gives school districts around the state $10.5 million to buy 39 electric school buses and 44 that run on propane, but funding for a full-scale conversion remains elusive. (Energy News Network)

HYDROELECTRIC: Hydro Québec CEO Sophie Brochu speaks about the company’s plans to export Canadian hydropower into the U.S. Northeast. (S&P Global)

GRID: Utilities, trade groups and power developers decry a suggested replacement for PJM Interconnection’s contested wholesale pricing rule, which had sought to minimize the impact of individual states’ energy policies on the capacity market. (S&P Global)

NUCLEAR: An Illinois Congress member urges President Biden to use emergency powers to save the state’s nuclear plants. (Reuters)

COMMENTARY:
• A clean electricity standard is the “single most important” piece of Democrats’ budget reconciliation bill, an editorial board writes. (Boston Globe)
• Popularizing FERC and clean energy regulatory reform is key to a clean energy transition, an environmental policy expert at a think tank writes. (Utility Dive)

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.