SOLAR: Democrats join with Republicans to support re-establishing tariffs on Chinese solar imports, fearing a soft stance on China will cost them re-election votes, even though the domestic solar industry relies heavily on foreign imports. (The Hill, Washington Post) 

ALSO: Rooftop solar advocates push back against a Colorado utility’s proposed rate restructuring, saying it will discourage residents from installing distributed generation. (Sopris Sun)

POLITICS: Republicans plan to campaign on U.S. House legislation that would speed up fossil fuel project permitting, but most Republican and independent voters in swing states say they haven’t heard much about it. (Politico)

EMISSIONS:
• The U.S. Senate votes to overturn a Biden administration rule that aims to reduce heavy-duty truck pollution. (The Hill)
• Portland, Oregon, plans to ban gasoline-powered vehicles from parking in loading zones in a 16-block downtown area, creating the nation’s first zero-emissions delivery sector. (KOIN) 

GRID:
• Despite a court victory allowing construction to resume, New England Clean Energy Connect developers won’t know when they can continue building the transmission line through Maine until later this summer. (E&E News)
• A clean energy group calls for Congress to establish a 30% investment tax credit for building transmission lines that link multiple states and regions. (Utility Dive)

UTILITIES: In the wake of this winter’s utility corruption trial, advocates in Ohio say stronger enforcement of existing laws and measures to hold utilities accountable could prevent future corruption scandals. (Energy News Network)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• On top of supply concerns, lithium refining capacity will also become a choke point in the electric vehicle battery supply chain, Tesla says. (Utility Dive)
• The International Energy Agency estimates global electric car sales will surge 35% this year, growing to nearly 20% of all new car sales. (CleanTechnica)

CLIMATE:
• A new tool aims to help home buyers envision how their climate may change by the time they’re done paying their mortgages. (The Hill)
• Kentucky residents affected by last year’s historic flooding are frustrated by what they describe as an intrusive and incomplete recovery process by state and federal officials. (Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting)
• The Northeast’s warm, dry winter followed by a regional heat wave is driving a longer, more intense spring wildfire season. (Grist)

CLEAN ENERGY: NextEra Energy says its wind and solar projects are moving along, and it’ll more aggressively invest in green hydrogen and renewable natural gas this year. (Utility Dive)

STORAGE: An energy storage startup builds facilities in Texas and China to test the idea of using giant bricks to store energy using gravity. (CNET)

COMMENTARY: A flurry of Western transmission line approvals is needed to enable a clean energy transition, but the permitting process should remain rigorous to ensure environmental impacts are minimized, a columnist writes. (High Country 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.