CLIMATE BILL: President Biden will sign Democrats’ reconciliation package today, setting into motion the biggest federal climate investment in U.S. history. (E&E News)

ALSO:
• Utility leaders celebrate tax credits in the bill, saying they’ll facilitate the expansion of solar, wind, storage and critical mineral procurement. (Utility Dive)
• The Inflation Reduction Act will extend wind energy tax credits through 2025, though strong local opposition remains a barrier to projects in some pockets of the country. (Iowa Public Radio)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Broken and unreliable public chargers threaten widespread electric vehicle adoption, especially as automakers roll out more cars that can’t use Tesla’s widespread and proprietary network. (New York Times)
• Seattle tests a solution for people who want an electric vehicle but lack a garage to charge it: Retractable chargers that drop from power poles. (E&E News)
• Funding in last year’s bipartisan infrastructure law will be spent on 1,100 zero-emission buses across the U.S. (Washington Post)
• Youngstown, Ohio, is in the running for a $75 million federal grant to help prepare a site for a battery testing laboratory and workforce training center as the city attempts to lure electric vehicle manufacturers. (Business Journal)

POLITICS: An environmental group plans a six-figure advertising buy in Nevada and Michigan to highlight clean energy initiatives supported by Democratic governors facing close re-election races. (The Hill)

GRID:
• Climate change-exacerbated drought and rising temperatures are straining the Western grid by diminishing hydropower output and increasing electricity demand. (Vox)
• The wobbliness of Texas’ state power grid this summer raises questions about its ability to support energy-hungry crypto miners. (Slate)
• Tesla partners with Southern California Edison to expand its virtual power plant program that compensates battery owners for sending electricity back to the grid. (Electrek)
• National lab researchers use sensors, drones and machine learning technology to try to prevent wildfires and reduce damage to the electric grid by sensing electrical arcing, which can indicate faulty equipment. (WBIR)

HYDROGEN: States are partnering to compete for federal hydrogen hub funding but are keeping the contents of their plans under wraps. (Utility Dive)

CLEAN ENERGY: Researchers find development constraints tend to push renewable energy projects into low-income and rural areas where they could undermine energy justice. (E&E News, subscription)

EFFICIENCY: Efficiency Maine-registered contractors are on pace to insulate twice as many houses this year as last, with state incentives and oil prices driving demand. (Energy News Network)

OIL & GAS: Federal analysts predict Permian Basin oil production will rise to a new all-time high of 5.4 million barrels per day in September. (Reuters) 

MINING: The clean energy transition’s need for minerals and rare earth metals is increasing demand for economic geoscience experts. (Lafayette Daily Advertiser)

COMMENTARY:
• Two Texas-based energy researchers highlight the potential for wind power to see a dramatic expansion in the Gulf of Mexico. (The Conversation)
• A columnist argues against subsidizing electric vehicle purchases, saying lawmakers should prioritize expanding charging stations. (Washington Post)

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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.