UTILITIES: Decades of redlining and disinvestment mean Black, Latino and Indigenous communities are more likely to have poor quality infrastructure, exacerbating their utility bills and the likelihood of shutoffs. (Grist)

POLITICS:
• A liberal think tank’s report suggests several executive actions that President Biden could take to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions beyond the Inflation Reduction Act’s likely cuts. (Washington Post)
• White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy will leave her job next week, while Obama-era climate adviser John Podesta will join the administration to guide its clean energy investments. (Politico, New York Times)
• The Inflation Reduction Act’s passage could spell the end of a two-decade push for a carbon tax, as experts point out its political unpopularity and the climate package’s alternatives for incentivizing clean energy. (Grist)
• Congress is expected to take up permitting reform measures, which Sen. Joe Manchin wanted in exchange for his climate bill vote, as it returns from recess this week. (E&E News)

WIND:
• Offshore wind developers are ramping up hiring and training as they prepare to build several projects. (Associated Press)
• Every New England state with a coastline issues a request for information seeking ways to decrease offshore wind transmission costs through improved coordination. (CommonWealth Magazine)

CLIMATE: FEMA’s director says the federal government’s flood maps are outdated and don’t take into account recent rainfall trends. (Guardian)

COAL: Northern Cheyenne tribal officials call on regulators to require the Colstrip power plant’s operators to clean up the 800-acre coal ash facility in Montana — a project that could employ hundreds after the plant shuts down. (Energy News Network)  

GRID: Clean energy advocates say it’s inappropriate for grid operator MISO to be weighing in with support for proposed natural gas plants in its territory when the organization should be neutral on energy sources. (E&E News)

OIL & GAS: A federal judge in Wyoming rules the Biden administration’s oil and gas leasing pause was legal since it was intended to be a temporary reprieve for considering potential environmental impacts. (Reuters)

HYDROGEN: Federal officials announce a $50 million grant for an effort to develop south Louisiana into a “green hydrogen energy cluster.” (NOLA.com)

OVERSIGHT: Virginia regulators ask state lawmakers for more power over decisions to retire fossil fuel plants, which state law requires to happen by 2045, though regulators say that threatens their ability to ensure reliable and secure electric service. (Virginia Mercury)

HYDROPOWER: Federal officials say releasing extra water from upstream reservoirs will no longer be enough to keep Lake Powell’s levels from dropping below the minimum for power production. (Gazette)

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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.