FOSSIL FUELS: Environmental advocates fear that investors’ push for oil and gas companies and utilities to reduce carbon emissions has led to the sale, and potentially prolonged use, of their fossil fuel assets. (Inside Climate News)

ALSO: Advocates say Alaska’s push to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development triggered a backlash, prompting financial institutions to withhold funding from all Arctic drilling. (Anchorage Daily News) 

STORAGE:
• Battery capacity in the U.S. has more than tripled since the start of 2021, reaching 6,702 MW at the end of August. (Utility Dive)
• Growing demand for electric vehicles and their materials could give the U.S. a chance to revamp its dismal battery recycling industry. (Vox)
• South Carolina U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham pledges to hold a hearing on electric vehicle batteries and sourcing issues if Republicans win control of the U.S. Senate in next month’s midterms. (Reuters)

HYDROGEN: States across the U.S. are partnering to create hydrogen “hubs” to secure billions of dollars in federal funding to build out an industry for climate or economic development purposes. (States Newsroom)

CLIMATE: Every New England state except New Hampshire has adopted climate laws requiring greenhouse gas emissions reduction, laying the foundation to secure Inflation Reduction Act funds. (Energy News Network)

POLITICS: President Biden and Democrats struggle to sell promises of climate action and reduced gas prices as the midterm elections approach. (E&E News)

AFFORDABILITY:
• “People are going to suffer” this winter as natural gas prices rise and will likely put upward pressure on electricity prices, says a Democratic member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (E&E News)
• An electrification advocacy group says dire winter heating affordability predictions fail to account for heat pumps’ potential to cut costs. (Washington Post)
• ISO-New England’s territory could face power supply shortages if it faces usually cold weather this winter, while MISO and ERCOT have prepared for a tough winter, federal regulators say. (Utility Dive)

PIPELINES: The Mountain Valley Pipeline withdraws eminent domain actions for land along a proposed extension from Virginia into North Carolina, but leaves the door cracked for the future. (Virginia Mercury)

UTILITIES:
• Vermont utility regulators authorize a semiconductor company — one of the state’s largest employers and energy consumers — to create its own power utility to have more control over its power costs. (Seven Days)
• Multiple large Midwest utilities plan major natural gas investments in the next decade despite long-term pledges to slash greenhouse gas emissions. (Canary Media)

CLEAN ENERGY: A former NRG Energy executive now heads the federal office tasked with boosting emerging clean energy technologies. (Canary Media)

More from the Energy News Network: Midwest | Southeast | Northeast | West

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.