U.S. Energy News is one of five regional services published by the Energy News Network. Today’s edition was compiled by Kathryn Krawczyk.

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CRYPTOCURRENCY:
• Environmental groups say a change in how bitcoin mining is coded could reduce its energy consumption by as much as 99%. (The Guardian)
• The White House launches an inquiry into how the expanding use of cryptocurrencies increases energy use and harms the climate. (Axios)

POLITICS:
• The White House’s proposed 2023 budget would spend $3.3 billion on clean energy, including $90 million for a grid deployment office and $502 million to retrofit low-income homes. (E&E News)
• The budget plan also includes an additional $1.5 billion for the EPA over its current funding, $3.4 billion more for the Interior Department, and $11 billion in global climate investments. (The Hill, E&E News)

SOLAR: The U.S. Commerce Department announces an investigation into whether solar panel imports from southeast Asia are circumventing tariffs and rules meant to limit imports from China, earning quick criticism from the domestic solar industry. (Associated Press, E&E News)

BIOFUELS:
• North Carolina residents complain that utilities’ and industrial farms’ growing interest in biogas obscures massive problems with hog farm waste that emits potent odors and pollution. (Southerly/Scalawag)
• Midwest lawmakers in Congress re-introduce proposals to incentivize ethanol production as a way to replace Russian oil, though critics doubt it would help gas prices and also raise environmental concerns. (Grist)

CLIMATE: Residents of a predominantly Black area of New York City fight the city’s plan to rezone parts of a flood-prone neighborhood and build climate-resilient apartment buildings. (The City)

TRANSPORTATION: Major airlines and aviation startups have taken early steps toward replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen, including a partnership between Delta and Airbus to develop a hydrogen-powered passenger plane. (Canary Media)

HEAT PUMPS: A startup aims to create a heat pump that can heat both water and the air. (Canary Media)

OIL & GAS:
• A study finds oil and gas well methane flaring generated almost 16,000 metric tons of black carbon emissions nationwide in 2019, contributing to as many as 53 premature deaths. (E&E News, subscription)
• The California oil and gas industry says it is helping meet state climate goals with biofuels and carbon capture, but critics say the technologies are unproven and harm the environment. (Capital & Main)  

COMMENTARY: A professor of energy economics describes obstacles still preventing electric vehicles from fully powering homes as a backup electricity source. (The Conversation)

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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.