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)