JOBS: The fossil fuel industry continued to shed jobs in 2021 while the energy sector overall saw jobs grow 4%, a Department of Energy report details: Electric vehicle hiring led the way with employment up 26%. (E&E News)

OIL & GAS:
• Natural gas piped into Boston-area homes contains small amounts of chemicals linked to cancer, and often contains inconsistent levels of odorants meant to help people detect small leaks, a peer-reviewed study finds. (New York Times)
• An explosion that has closed one of the country’s biggest liquefied natural gas plants highlights outdated federal LNG regulations and the Transportation Department’s failure to update them since 1980. (E&E News)
• U.S. emergency oil reserves have fallen to their lowest levels since 1986. (Reuters)
• The Biden administration will hold its first onshore drilling auction this week, which will include higher royalty rates and new regulations for producers. (The Hill)

EMISSIONS: Despite world leaders pledging last year to curb methane emissions, they’ve so far only grown, namely in the Permian Basin, a satellite data analytics firm finds. (Washington Post)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The White House announces $700 million in private investment meant to boost electric vehicle charger manufacturing capacity. (Reuters)

CLIMATE:
• Group of Seven world leaders are reportedly set to allow some public financing of overseas fossil fuel projects to continue, so long as the investments are in line with climate agreements. (Bloomberg, subscription)
• The U.S. and other wealthy countries are overreporting the amount of money they’re giving to developing countries to respond to climate change, a report from a humanitarian charity finds. (Forbes)
• Major banks and their supporters submit comments opposing a proposed Securities and Exchange Commission rule that would mandate they disclose their climate risks. (E&E News)

COAL: Grid strain, delayed renewable projects and a bid to keep a coal power plant operating beyond its scheduled retirement date threaten to delay implementation of New Mexico’s landmark energy transition act. (Energy News Network/High Country News)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE:
• Peggy Shepard shares how her environmental justice activism has progressed from fighting pollution in the 1980s to co-chairing the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. (The Hill)
• In a federal trial this week, four Georgians claim Black residents suffer disproportionately from higher power bills and are disenfranchised by the state utility regulator’s candidacy rules. (Georgia Recorder)

GRID:
• A new draft study outlines steps New Jersey should take to reduce the severity of its interconnection queue delays, including codifying who pays for grid upgrades. (NJ Spotlight)
• A renewable energy developer says California’s grid operator’s move to fast-track interconnection for emergency resources could hurt projects already in the grid connection queue. (Utility Dive)

NUCLEAR: Republican Congress members introduce a bill that would require California to issue the permits needed to keep Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant running beyond its planned 2025 retirement date. (news release)

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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.