PIPELINES: The Biden administration waives environmental and labor rules to combat fuel shortages after the Colonial Pipeline’s shutdown, with a decision on when operations will restart expected today. (Politico, The Hill)

ALSO:
• Panic buying drains gas stations across the Southeast, while New Jersey, the terminus of the pipeline, is predicted to avoid “apocalyptic” effects of the shutdown. (NPR; NJ.com, subscription)
• The Line 5 standoff puts the Biden administration in yet another difficult pipeline position as it balances oil and gas infrastructure with climate goals. (E&E News, subscription)
• Canadian officials say shutting down Line 5 could undermine diplomatic relationships with the U.S. (Reuters)

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OFFSHORE WIND: Construction on the Vineyard Wind project off the Massachusetts coast is set to begin this summer after the Biden administration approves the first major offshore wind energy project in the country. (New York Times)

CYBERSECURITY:
• A bipartisan group of House lawmakers draft legislation to provide cybersecurity grants to state and local governments following the Colonial Pipeline hack. (Roll Call)
• U.S. senators grill cybersecurity experts and call for expanded Energy Department oversight of pipeline security, while the head of the House’s cybersecurity committee promises a hearing on the incident. (E&E News, subscription)
• The U.S. senator leading the GOP’s infrastructure talks with President Biden says cybersecurity should be part of their discussions this week. (Politico)
• The FBI sends an emergency alert to electric utilities across the U.S. warning of the potential for more cyberattacks on energy infrastructure. (New York Times)

SOLAR:
• Virginia-based Sun Tribe Development dives into large-scale renewable power in Central Appalachian coal country with a plan to build a 75 MW solar facility within the Nature Conservancy’s Cumberland Forest property. (Energy News Network)
• A large Illinois pork processing plant uses commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE) financing to build an onsite solar installation, which advocates hope will inspire other industries. (Energy News Network)

OIL & GAS:
• Lobbying by Texas’ fossil fuel industry may exempt parts of the natural gas system from grid reforms meant to prevent blackouts like those that followed February’s winter storm. (E&E News, subscription)
• Another release of toxic chemicals from an oil refinery in the Virgin Islands forces schools to close for the second time in less than a month. (Inside Climate News)
• A coalition of conservation groups are suing the Bureau of Land Management over a plan to allow fracking on 35,000 acres in Colorado, saying the agency failed to consider climate impacts. (E&E News, subscription)

COAL:
• The Tennessee Valley Authority moves to make good on its promise to end coal power generation by 2035 with a review of the Cumberland Fossil Plant, its largest and most polluting coal plant. (WPLN)
• A new report highlights which Powder River Basin coal mines and communities are most at risk from abrupt closures. (Sightline Institute)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Michigan regulators will require utilities to track the public health and environmental justice impacts of their fossil fuel plants as part of long-term energy plans. (Planet Detroit)

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BIOFUELS: The Department of Energy awards $1 million to four projects researching biofuel use in combustion engines in coordination with national labs. (news release)

COMMENTARY:
• Americans are paying the price for the federal government’s inability to prepare for pipeline cyberattacks, a reporter writes. (Gizmodo)
• An editorial writer says federal approval of a Massachusetts wind farm should point the way for California to follow. (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.