CLIMATE: The White House makes a long-awaited pledge to cut emissions by as much as 52% from 2005 levels in the next decade, though an “emissions gap” remains between promised cuts and what’s needed to combat global temperature rise. (Politico, Inside Climate News)

ALSO:
• Government, business, defense, and conservation leaders from around the world virtually gather today for a White House-led climate summit. (Axios)
• Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says the “bulk” of net-zero investments need to come from the private sector as the U.S. and U.K. announce a program to encourage these investments worldwide. (Bloomberg, Reuters)

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CLEAN ENERGY:
• Senate Democrats introduce a bill that proposes tax credits for energy producers with carbon-neutral facilities and also expanding incentives for electrified transportation. (The Hill)
• More than 100 Nobel laureates urge world leaders to embrace a “transformational plan” to ensure everyone around the world has access to clean energy. (Guardian)
• Experts break down why President Biden’s pledge to purchase 24/7 clean power for federal buildings will be difficult but “doable.” (Grist)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: More than 135 million Americans live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution, with people of color most likely to be affected. (CNN)

OIL & GAS:
• Several oil and gas companies debut plans to reduce emissions, including by investing in hydrogen and renewable natural gas. (E&E News, subscription)
• The Bureau of Land Management suspends oil and gas lease sales from public lands through June. (Associated Press)

PIPELINES:
• The proposed Byhalia Connection pipeline and its disproportionate effects on majority-Black neighborhoods in southwest Memphis become a flashpoint in a national conversation about environmental justice and eminent domain. (Southerly/MLK50/Guardian)
• Conservation groups want President Biden to cancel permits for the Mountain Valley pipeline, saying the natural gas project is “inconsistent” with his order to review projects approved under the Trump administration that disregard science or clash with climate goals. (E&E News, subscription)
• Environmental groups praise a Michigan regulator’s ruling saying it will consider climate impacts of Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel proposal. (Bridge Michigan)

TRANSPORTATION:
• The Department of Transportation names its first chief science officer in 40 years and will reestablish a climate change program focused on cutting the sector’s carbon emissions. (The Hill)
• The Biden administration is expected as early as tomorrow to announce steps to end the federal government’s challenge to California’s emissions authority. (Wall Street Journal, subscription)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Twelve governors sign a letter asking President Biden to ban the sale of gas-powered cars and light trucks by 2035. (NPR)
• Amazon tests electric vehicle maker Rivian’s delivery vans in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as its third national market after Los Angeles and San Francisco. (Orange County Business Journal)

SOLAR: Grid congestion caused by a flurry of community solar proposals south of the Twin Cities is hampering rooftop solar development in a southern Minnesota college town. (Energy News Network)

COAL: A New Hampshire coal plant is pouring millions of gallons of hot water into the Merrimack River, which environmental groups say hurts local aquatic species and gives a boost to invasive ones. (Boston Herald)

COMMENTARY:
• President Biden’s emissions reduction promises are harder to achieve than to make, an editorial board argues, but “the planet depends” on him and Congress “getting this right.” (Washington Post)
• The United Mine Workers’ endorsement of President Joe Biden’s clean-energy transition marks a first step toward talks to help coal-producing regions, but marks only the latest fight for the union’s longtime leader, write an editorial board and state commentator. (Herald-Dispatch, WV Metro News)

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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.