GRID: A years-long study of U.S. interconnection needs contained in the federal debt ceiling deal is unnecessary and could delay action to address already clear transmission needs, grid experts say. (Canary Media)

CLIMATE:
• The Earth’s atmosphere saw one of its largest year-over-year increases in carbon dioxide levels this May, marking a record not seen in millions of years, federal scientists find. (Washington Post)
• A study calculates wealthy countries could have to pay developing nations as much as $170 trillion as part of an international climate reparations fund; the U.S. owes $80 trillion of that. (Guardian, Grist)
• White House economists know climate change will add to the federal debt but are still trying to quantify exactly how much. (E&E News)
• The Biden administration allocates $2.6 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funds for coastal climate resilience projects. (The Hill)

CLEAN ENERGY:
• Legal experts map more than 200 local restrictions on clean energy development throughout the U.S., as well as nearly 300 renewables projects facing “significant opposition” across nearly every state. (Utility Dive)
• Nearly 100 new clean energy manufacturing projects have been announced since the Inflation Reduction Act’s passage last year, with some of the biggest investments going toward battery plants in the Southeast and Midwest. (Canary Media)
• New Jersey lawmakers hold off on considering what would be the country’s most aggressive state-level clean energy goal — 100% zero-carbon energy by 2035 — until after this year’s elections. (Politico)

OIL & GAS:
• A groundbreaking new study suggests abandoned oil and gas wells spread across the country are leaking carcinogens and other toxic air contaminants. (Inside Climate News)
• The U.S. Supreme Court denies an oil and gas industry request to review a lower court ruling banning hydraulic fracturing in federal waters off California’s coast, letting the fracking ban stay in place. (The Hill)
• Navajo Nation leaders criticize the Biden administration for banning oil and gas leasing around Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, while other Indigenous and environmental advocates praise the ban. (KNAU, E&E News)

COAL: Republican state lawmakers in coal-heavy states like Kentucky and West Virginia are making it harder for power companies to retire coal-fired power plants, propping up the industry even though it costs ratepayers more. (CNN)

HYDROGEN: The U.S. Energy Department rolls out a plan to use hydrogen energy to decarbonize heavy industry, but climate advocates say distinguishing hydrogen derived from water as opposed to fossil fuels will be key to reaching those goals. (The Hill, CNN)

NUCLEAR: An Ohio budget amendment includes $750,000 to create an advanced nuclear energy authority that would promote the fuel source and pursue research and development after previous standalone bills failed. (Energy News Network)

WORKFORCE: A union official discusses its deal with a battery maker to retrain and employ former coal miners at its planned West Virginia factory. (Canary Media)

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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.