ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Global lithium production would need to triple to meet  projected U.S. electric vehicle demand, threatening local water shortages, Indigenous land grabs, and ecosystem destruction, researchers find. (Guardian)

ALSO: Tesla is expected to announce plans today to build a $3.5 billion electric semi manufacturing facility in northern Nevada. (InsideEVs)

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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: The Biden administration did not use race when identifying disadvantaged communities for boosted climate aid, but an analysis shows its colorblind method still prioritized minority neighborhoods. (E&E News)

OVERSIGHT: Environmental activists express frustration with the Biden administration’s delays on implementing emissions-fighting regulations as the EPA remains stretched thin after Trump-era gutting. (The Hill, Washington Post)

FOSSIL FUELS:
• A study finds fossil fuel companies are spending money on social media and targeted media operations to promote climate denialism and hide their operations’ environmental harms. (Bloomberg)
• Experts detail gas stoves’ hazards and suggest ways to mitigate their dangers for those who can’t switch to electric or induction cooking. (ProPublica)
• The largest U.S. oil and gas well owner is on the verge of bankruptcy, which could lead to the abandonment of 70,000 wells throughout Appalachia without plugging them. (Environmental Health News)

CLEAN ENERGY:
• Roughly two-thirds of major clean energy projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act are going to districts represented by Republicans who opposed the legislation. (Politico)
• The world already has 95% of the technology it needs to acquire all of its energy from wind, solar and hydropower, a Stanford University professor estimates. (Guardian) 
• Researchers at an Idaho repository of birds and bats killed by wind and solar facilities work to mitigate clean energy’s impacts on wildlife. (Undark)

GRID:
• U.S. utilities prepare for more distributed energy resources to come online this year, bringing opportunities for load flexibility. (Utility Dive)
• A report notes that interconnection costs in PJM have increased significantly, and are “surprisingly high” for solar and storage projects. (Utility Dive) 

POLITICS: Republican-led states coordinate with conservative think tanks and fossil fuel groups to pressure investment firms to abandon social and climate-friendly goals. (S&P Global)

EFFICIENCY: Engineers and experts say we’re still using dishwashers, refrigerators, and other appliances like their old, less-efficient models, wasting energy and raising our bills along the way. (Washington Post)

SOLAR: Advocates press a Virginia county to streamline its permitting process for rooftop solar after a balky application website, high fees and nitpicky plan reviews slow installations and lead some companies to stop doing business there. (Energy News Network)

OHIO: Opening arguments begin in the bribery trial of former House Speaker Larry Householder, whose attorneys argue that he exercised his free speech to pass power plant legislation that benefits utility customers. (Ohio Capital Journal)

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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.