ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A third of manufacturing investments spurred by the Inflation Reduction Act have gone to South Korean companies, driving an electric vehicle and battery boom in the U.S. (Inside Climate News)

ALSO:
• South Korean-based Samsung announces a second U.S. electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant joint venture with Detroit automaker Stellantis at an as-yet undisclosed location. (Associated Press)
• U.S. House Republicans launch a probe into Ford’s partnership with a Chinese battery company to raise questions about domestic job creation and potential human rights issues. (Politico)

SOLAR:
• The U.S. climate law passed a year ago is already juicing clean energy development, including the installation of solar facilities in places that still rely on cheaply produced coal power. (Associated Press)
• Nevada conservationists urge the state to develop a management plan guiding utility-scale solar development, saying the state and federal incentive-driven land rush is a “free for all.” (Nevada Independent)

CLIMATE:
• A bipartisan group of Congress members introduces legislation that would count extreme temperatures among the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s list of major disasters and let affected areas receive federal aid. (Politico)
• G20 countries fail to agree on a fossil fuel phasedown at a weekend meeting over disagreements on clean energy deployment and other issues. (Guardian)

COAL: Many retired coal miners and advocates are skeptical about a proposed federal rule to reduce black lung cases due to decades of inaction and lingering questions about implementation and enforcement. (Associated Press)

OIL & GAS: Environmental advocates give the proposed oil and gas reforms mixed reviews, while the petroleum industry pans them as an attempt to “restrict essential energy development.” (High Country News)

STORAGE: Corporate financing for energy storage companies in the second quarter increased 67% compared to a year ago, suggesting the industry will continue to grow alongside solar development. (Utility Dive)

EFFICIENCY:
• After hitting a heat pump installation goal early, Maine ups the ante and pledges to install 175,000 more heat pumps by 2027. (WMTW, Portland Press Herald)
• A proposed federal rule would require new water heaters to update their technology to become more energy efficient. (The Hill)

BIOFUELS: Environmental advocates sue the U.S. EPA over its new biofuel program, alleging the agency failed to consider ethanol production’s harms to endangered species. (Guardian)

COMMENTARY: Tackling climate change requires a fundamental shift in the economic system, a California editorial board argues, which includes moving on from corporations that profit from fossil fuel burning. (Los Angeles Times)

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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.