ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: While communities of color disproportionately face the worst risks of climate change and environmental hazards, the Biden administration won’t consider race as it looks to address these problems over fears of legal challenges. (New York Times)

CLEAN ENERGY: The U.S. installed less than half of the clean energy capacity it needed last year to stay on track with emissions reductions goals, a report from clean power advocates finds. (Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS:
• The Biden administration plans stringent new tailpipe emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles, and also moves to reinstate California’s authority to set emissions standards more stringent than federal requirements. (New York Times, E&E News)
• Virginia health experts and residents living near plants emitting cancer-causing chemicals identified in a recent investigation call for stricter government oversight. (VPM, ProPublica)
• Early estimates from Massachusetts officials indicate the state more than met its legally mandated 2020 emissions reduction goal, reducing emissions 28.6% over 1990 levels. (State House News Service)

CLIMATE: A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report predicts accelerating climate change will lead sea levels on U.S. shorelines to rise as much as a foot over the next 30 years, exposing millions more Americans to flooding. (Washington Post)

BIOFUELS: Corn-based ethanol may be worse for the climate than gasoline while also converting grasslands and forests into cropland, according to a new study from a University of Wisconsin researcher. (Inside Climate News)

SOLAR:
• A Virginia city will use a 1.4 MW array Dominion Energy is developing to become the first municipal utility in the state to offer a community solar option to customers. (Energy News Network)
• Florida solar companies worry that a net metering bill under consideration by the Florida Legislature will kill the growth they’ve seen in recent years. (Pensacola News Journal)

BATTERIES: The Department of Energy announces more than $3 billion to accelerate battery production and development. (Utility Dive) 

CARBON CAPTURE:
• As the Biden administration releases guidance for “responsible” carbon capture and storage development, environmental justice advocates maintain their opposition to the technology. (E&E News)
• University of Delaware researchers say they can extract 99% of carbon dioxide from air through a hydrogen-powered electrochemical process. (news release)

TRANSMISSION: Wisconsin is the latest Midwest state to consider legislation that would give incumbent utilities the right to build long-range transmission projects without competition from outside bidders. (Energy News Network)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: General Motors will extend until early April a production halt to its Chevrolet Bolt following a recall, but the company plans to resume retail sales. (Reuters)

OIL & GAS:
• U.S. House Republicans urge the Biden administration to approve Conoco-Phillips’ Willow Arctic drilling project in Alaska — a decision seen as a test of Biden’s resolve to fight climate change. (Washington Post)
• The U.S. frac sand market has been turned upside down after being overbuilt and over-supplied, with prices reaching record levels as oil drillers race to boost output. (Reuters)

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.