CLIMATE: A federal agency predicts most of the U.S. will see a hotter than average summer, with the South and the East Coast likely to see the most abnormal temperatures. (Axios)

ALSO: The World Meteorological Organization predicts one of the next five years is all but guaranteed to be the world’s hottest on record as a developing El Niño pattern combines with human-caused global warming. (Washington Post)

CLEAN ENERGY: A U.S. Department of Energy report lists 10 key steps needed to decarbonize the power system, including rapid deployment of clean energy and storage, increased domestic manufacturing, and community engagement. (Utility Dive)

GRID: The Biden administration greenlights the proposed SunZia high-voltage transmission project designed to carry power from eastern New Mexico wind facilities to urban areas in Arizona and California. (Associated Press)

PIPELINES:
• Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm defends her endorsement of the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline, saying it’s necessary to be “a friend” to U.S. allies who need natural gas. (Politico)
• A federal judge signals he will not force Enbridge to shut down its Line 5 pipeline despite the risk of erosion or rupture on the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reservation in Wisconsin. (Associated Press)
• A section of the Keystone Pipeline had been deformed and under stress for more than a decade before causing a massive oil spill in December, according to a newly released third-party investigator’s report. (Kansas City Star)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A small lab at the University of Michigan is a “maker space” for scientists and engineers working on the next generation of electric vehicle batteries. (E&E News)

OFFSHORE WIND: Maine legislators consider commissioning several gigawatts of floating offshore wind power, but the Passamaquoddy tribe is against the plan due to cultural and environmental impacts. (Portland Press Herald, Maine Public Radio)

SOLAR: Clean energy advocates press North Carolina regulators to suspend recently approved net metering rules that would tie solar owners’ compensation to grid demand, arguing they’ll devalue rooftop systems. (Winston-Salem Journal)

OIL & GAS:
• A think tank estimates it will cost $21.5 billion to plug California’s oil wells and dismantle surface infrastructure, decontaminate drill sites and conduct other cleanup work in the state. (ProPublica)
• Democratic Sen. Ed Markey introduces a bill that would bar U.S. fossil fuel exports, pointing to environmental hazards and data that shows U.S. natural gas prices increase with more exports. (The Hill)

STORAGE: A St. Paul, Minnesota, battery startup deploys its first pilot project for a system designed to help businesses manage power. (Energy News Network)

COAL: Republican U.S. Reps. Carol Miller of West Virginia and Morgan Griffith of Virginia will co-chair the newly formed Congressional Coal Caucus. (Bluefield Daily Telegraph)

NUCLEAR: New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says she’ll use all means to block a proposed interim spent nuclear reactor fuel depository in her state. (Politico)

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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.