SOLAR: The solar company that sparked the Commerce Department’s solar imports probe says it aims to end unfair trade practices hurting American manufacturers, and defends itself against the development and supply slowdown stemming from the investigation. (Wall Street Journal)

ALSO: The solar manufacturer that sparked the federal probe reportedly produces far fewer panels than it claims, and installers have complained the panels often have defects. (Canary Media)

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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE:
• The Justice Department and U.S. EPA partner on a new environmental justice office that will investigate and take legal action against polluters. (Washington Post)
• The White House announces Jalonne White-Newsome will head the Council on Environmental Quality’s environmental justice efforts, bringing with her a long resume of government, philanthropic, and advocacy work. (Inside Climate News, E&E News)

TRANSMISSION: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s proposed transmission planning revamp draws affordability concerns, but support from those who say it’ll speed clean energy deployment. (E&E News)

POLITICS: Some Senate Democrats fear Sen. Joe Manchin is stalling meaningful climate action with his bipartisan climate and energy bill talks, with two Republican senators suggesting the bill likely won’t gain traction. (The Hill)

HYDROPOWER: More than 2,200 dams across the U.S. are in poor condition and could endanger lives if they fail — a significantly higher count than an analysis found three years ago. (Associated Press)

OIL & GAS:
• The Biden administration says it will solicit bids to buy 60 million barrels of oil to replenish its strategic reserves. (The Hill)
• New York City fossil fuel workers fear losing good-paying union jobs and benefits as the city electrifies buildings and phases out natural gas. (The City)
• Permian Basin drillers face long delays and steep competition as the industry runs out of the workers, cash and equipment needed to produce more oil. (Wall Street Journal)

PIPELINES: A coalition similar to the one that took a stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline is emerging in Iowa to fight a proposed interstate carbon dioxide pipeline. (Energy News Network)

WIND:
• Eversource says it may sell its stake in an offshore wind partnership with Orsted after companies bid a record $4.4 billion in a February lease auction. (Hartford Courant)
• North America’s Building Trades Unions and Orsted sign an agreement to hire union workers to build the company’s U.S. offshore wind farms. (North American Wind Power)
• A federal environmental review finds northern California offshore wind development would have no significant impact, advancing the lease sale process. (Maritime Executive)

EFFICIENCY: The Department of Energy proposes the first new efficiency standards in over 20 years for commercial water heaters. (E&E News)

SOLAR:
• A small battery startup announces a deal with a Texas-based homebuilder to demonstrate its new zinc-ion batteries in hopes of installing them in more than 200,000 homes over the next decade. (Vox)
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers work to develop a long-duration battery by freezing and thawing molten salt. (Scientific American)

URANIUM: U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says the Biden administration is working on a strategy to source uranium domestically and from allies so it can move away from Russian imports. (Reuters) 

COMMENTARY:
• Driving an electric Ford Mustang Mach-E from North Carolina to Mississippi was slightly more stressful than driving a gasoline-powered vehicle, but those problems could be alleviated with more charging stations, writes the editor-in-chief of an EV publication. (Electrek)
• An environmental advocate urges Congress to reform antiquated federal mining laws to protect public land from the rush to extract minerals used in clean energy. (The Hill)

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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.