GRID: This summer’s record-breaking heat across the U.S. has surprisingly not caused major blackouts thanks to rising renewable generation, continued fossil fuel use, and luck, experts say. (E&E News) 

ALSO:
• As transportation and building electrification expand and the power sector transitions to renewables, experts are looking at ways to restructure electric rates and make them more equitable. (Utility Dive)
• The Texas state power grid survives a close call when record electricity demand comes dangerously close to available supply despite a call for residents to conserve power. (Texas Public Radio, Houston Chronicle)
• The Tennessee Valley Authority’s board approves a plan to spend $15 billion in the next three years to build additional generation, upgrade the grid to meet growing power demands and increase reliability and energy security. (WBKO)

EMISSIONS:
• A study of carbon offset projects that claim to slow deforestation shows they’re not achieving that goal, suggesting that offsets alone aren’t an adequate way for businesses to tackle climate change. (Inside Climate News)
• The world’s biggest polluters are responsible for climate damages that exceed their annual profits up to seven times over, economists find. (The Hill)
• Ten Democratic Congress members send a letter calling on the Tennessee Valley Authority to match the Biden administration’s 2035 net-zero goal, but utility officials say they’re already leading on decarbonization. (Utility Dive)

UTILITIES: Maui County sues Hawaiian Electric over the deadly fires there, saying the utility failed to shut off power during high winds and dry conditions. (Associated Press)

SOLAR:
• A Massachusetts Institute of Technology researcher says “soft” technologies used to deploy solar energy infrastructure need to become as cheap and efficient as solar hardware has become in recent years. (Boston Globe)
• Michigan farmers are increasingly working with solar developers to place livestock alongside solar panels. (Interlochen Public Radio)

POLITICS:
• A conservative climate advocate says Republican presidential candidates “deserve to lose” if they don’t acknowledge and push for action on climate change. (Guardian)
• Republicans look to turn bankrupt electric bus company Proterra into the “next Solyndra,” citing the solar company that failed in 2011 after receiving federal funding. (E&E News)

PIPELINES: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects to release an environmental study this fall on the Dakota Access pipeline, which has continued to operate but faces opposition from tribes concerned about a potential spill. (Reuters)

CLIMATE: A historic rainfall that flooded a Detroit resident’s basement prompted her to join a local community group and help develop climate resilience hubs across the city. (Energy News Network/Planet Detroit)

NUCLEAR: A California judge rejects environmentalists’ bid to block the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant from continuing to operate beyond its scheduled 2025 retirement. (Associated Press)

COAL: Texas regulators approve the expansion of a coal mine over opposition from governments and residents, fueling rising concern that coal ash disposal could contaminate a drinking water reservoir. (Inside Climate News)

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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.