EMISSIONS: U.S. fossil fuel emissions caused $1.9 trillion in global income losses from 1990 to 2014 by increasing drought, flooding and other climate-fueled damages — more than any other country, a study finds. (Grist)

ALSO: EPA regulators begin drafting new power plant emissions rules, looking for a balance between insufficient regulations that a conservative Supreme Court will accept and stronger rules that could be flat-out rejected. (E&E News)

POLITICS:
• The Biden administration is backtracking on climate pledges and approving drilling projects in hopes of winning over Sen. Joe Manchin and rescuing its climate bill, administration officials say. (Washington Post)
• Sen. Manchin’s opposition to electric vehicle tax credits remains a sticking point in negotiations over a climate and energy spending package. (New York Times)
• Republicans are attacking major financial firms over their retreat from fossil fuel financing and other climate moves, despite the fact that those plans don’t satisfy many on the left. (Washington Post)

EFFICIENCY: Energy efficiency is the lowest cost way to reduce dependence on coal and Russian fossil fuels, the International Energy Agency says. (Utility Dive)

UTILITIES: The Tennessee Valley Authority issues a request for proposals to generate 5,000 MW of carbon-free power as it prepares to close a massive coal-fired power plant. (Chattanooga Times Free Press, Associated Press)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Ohio electric vehicle startup Lordstown Motors names a former Ford and General Motors executive as its next CEO. (Reuters)
• Walmart orders 4,500 electric vans from electric vehicle maker Canoo to use for online order deliveries. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)
• California startups launch a pilot program in rural Oregon to test electric tractors and other farm equipment. (Inside Climate News)

CLIMATE:
• As President Biden’s proposal for a climate corp program remains stalled in Congress, Maine is the latest state to move forward with a civilian service model for tackling climate change. (Energy News Network)
• The Presbyterian Church votes overwhelmingly to pull investments from five fossil fuel corporations for failing to address climate change. (Associated Press)

OIL & GAS: A fire and subsequent closure of a Texas natural gas export facility continues to affect fuel prices — this time contributing to a domestic price drop because its closure has left more gas in the U.S. (Reuters)

HYDROPOWER: A federal report finds at least one of four hydropower dams on the Lower Snake River in Washington state must be removed to restore salmon to fishable levels in the watershed. (Seattle Times)

BIOGAS: Some New York farmers who bought anaerobic digestion equipment say the money they make from selling renewable electricity hasn’t even covered the cost of maintaining the systems. (E&E News)

COMMENTARY: The six largest U.S. banks have invested $44 billion in liquified natural gas companies in the last 6 years, bolstering fossil fuels and contributing to a growing number of climate-driven natural disasters on the U.S. Gulf Coast, write two climate activists. (Louisiana Illuminator)

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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.