CLEAN ENERGY: President Biden’s executive order boosting the solar industry also invokes the Defense Production Act to ramp up production of heat pumps, insulation, clean hydrogen, and grid components. (E&E News)

SOLAR:
• The U.S. solar industry installed 24% less capacity in the first quarter of 2022 than the year before, though industry leaders and analysts see hope in the Biden administration’s new actions. (E&E News)
• Some solar panel makers say they’re disappointed with the Biden administration’s allocated funding to kickstart the industry, noting the $500 million fund is also being used to pay for baby formula and military drones. (Bloomberg, subscription)
• The California solar manufacturer that initiated a federal probe of Asian imports considers challenging the Biden administration’s solar tariff pause. (Associated Press)
• A growing number of Puerto Ricans are installing solar panels and batteries as they deal with an unreliable grid and high electricity bills. (Canary Media)

EMISSIONS:
• Researchers develop a detailed roadmap for the U.S. to cut its carbon emissions in half by 2030 by focusing on power generation and transportation. (Inside Climate News)
• Major oil and gas drillers are likely “significantly” underreporting methane emissions in the Permian Basin, a House committee report finds ahead of a hearing on the sector’s methane emissions. (Washington Post)
• Five major automakers voice support for the Biden administration’s efforts to let California set stricter tailpipe emissions standards. (Reuters)

POLLUTION: Researchers deployed their own local air monitoring systems in highly fracked areas of Ohio and found that the U.S. EPA’s regional air quality monitors often miss variations in pollution at the local level. (Energy News Network)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Electric vehicle maker Canoo’s plans to build its headquarters and a research-and-development facility in Arkansas are threatened by its financial troubles. (KNWA)

HYDROGEN: The Department of Energy specifies its vision for nationwide hydrogen development, saying it will grant 6-10 hydrogen hubs up to $1.25 billion each, and is looking to fund hydrogen produced from clean energy, fossil fuels and nuclear. (Utility Dive)

POLITICS: Senate Democrats say they’re optimistic about the chance of passing a reconciliation bill as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Joe Manchin work out a deal. (E&E News)

OIL & GAS: Oil company Shell launches a new company branch to focus on offering clean energy for the residential electricity market. (Houston Chronicle)

WIND:
• Wind turbines correlate with a slight increase in local incomes and home values in rural parts of the U.S., a study finds. (CarbonBrief)
• Rhode Island’s state Senate approves a bill mandating 600 MW of offshore wind power procurement for utilities. (Providence Business News)
• An expert says Texas’ status as America’s wind energy leader was made possible by a $7 billion investment in transmission lines near renewable energy zones. (KHOU)

COMMENTARY: Climate policy expert Leah Stokes breaks down what the Biden administration’s recent solar moves and Senate Democrats’ reconciliation bill discussions mean for U.S. climate goals. (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.