MINERALS: The Biden administration announces private sector investments and government action to boost supply of rare earth minerals needed for electric vehicles and clean energy development. (The Hill)

ALSO: The U.S. Department of Energy plans a study to quantify lithium resources in California’s Salton Sea geothermal field and to determine whether underground rocks will recharge brine with lithium after extraction. (Utility Dive)

INFRASTRUCTURE:
• Climate advocates push the Biden administration to use last year’s infrastructure law to quickly implement emissions reduction measures as Build Back Better sits on the backburner and legal challenges threaten the EPA’s regulatory powers. (E&E News)
• The U.S. EPA plans to hire 500 more employees to manage toxic waste cleanup, school bus electrification and other measures funded under the federal infrastructure bill. (E&E News)

CLIMATE:
• A judge’s decision blocking the Biden administration from using a higher estimate for the social cost of carbon leaves federal agencies scrambling to redo their analyses of infrastructure projects and is expected to delay the finalization of dozens of federal rules. (Washington Post, E&E News)
• Organizers begin preparing for the COP27 climate conference, which will focus on pressuring rich countries to help developing nations decarbonize. (Associated Press, Bloomberg)
• The exclusion of Black, Brown and Indigenous people from earth sciences has made them more vulnerable to climate change’s worst effects, a scientist and environmental justice advocate says. (Inside Climate News)

TRANSPORTATION: The loss of gasoline and diesel tax revenue as drivers transition to electric vehicles could pose big challenges for state and local budgets in Ohio and elsewhere, according to a recent report. (Energy News Network)

ACTIVISM: 350.org, a prominent environmental group led by author Bill McKibben that helped stop the Keystone XL pipeline, faces internal dissension and overspending as it continues to scale up. (Politico)

CARBON CAPTURE: A series of illustrations describes how peatlands function as one of the world’s best carbon storage sites. (New York Times)

GRID:
• A private equity firm tries to overcome the odds of bringing its $4.5 billion Canada-New York City transmission project online despite a lengthy permit process, conservation concerns and environmental activism. (Wall Street Journal)
• An energy expert warns the spiking tensions between the U.S. and Russia over Ukraine could trigger cyberattacks on the Texas power grid and other energy infrastructure. (KXAN)

ELECTRIFICATION: Circuit-switching devices, smart panels and other advancements can help prevent electric appliances from overwhelming a home’s electric panel. (Canary Media)

RENEWABLES: A new study finds North Carolina could cut electricity costs by more than half and create more than 200,000 long-term jobs if it shifts to renewable energy by 2050. (Winston-Salem Journal)

SOLAR: Florida lawmakers advance utility-backed legislation to lower rooftop solar rates as opposition grows and its sponsor suggests a longer phase-in period. (WLRN)

HYDROPOWER: Federal officials consider adding turbines and generators to Arizona’s Glen Canyon Dam to allow it to continue producing hydropower even when reservoir levels are low. (Salt Lake Tribune)

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.