CARBON CAPTURE: Major tech companies are pouring money into carbon capture, but uncertainty about the technology’s viability and cost have kept states and the federal government from doing the same. (Grist)

UTILITIES: More than 3.5 U.S. households have faced utility disconnections throughout the COVID-19 pandemic while executive compensation “skyrocketed,” a report finds. (Utility Dive)

Sponsored Link
Fresh Energy is hiring
Fresh Energy, a Minnesota-based clean energy nonprofit, is hiring a Senior Associate of Advocacy Campaigns and Senior Policy Associate on the Energy Transition team. Join Fresh Energy and help create a just and equitable clean energy future that benefits all.

GRID: Clean energy advocates challenge how regional grid operator PJM Interconnection values various resources in its capacity market, saying the current system is biased toward coal, gas and nuclear. (E&E News)

POLITICS:
• A group of bipartisan senators discuss clean energy tax credits as they plan a climate and clean energy spending bill. (E&E News)
• House Republicans look to investigate a proposed Securities and Exchange Commission rule that would mandate climate disclosures, questioning its effect on affordable products and services. (The Hill)

SOLAR:
• The U.S. military adds battery storage to a solar array at Maryland’s Fort Detrick, leases a microgrid for a Los Angeles-area base, and builds a solar-plus-storage microgrid at a Las Vegas base. (Microgrid Knowledge)
• Solar advocates worry utilities are fumbling their shared solar programs, as D.C. officials complain about Pepco billing problems and Dominion Energy pursues steep monthly fees for its Virginia programs. (Energy News Network)
• Indiana utility NIPSCO says it will delay the retirement of its largest coal plant by two years, blaming a federal investigation that is causing supply chain uncertainty for solar projects. (E&E News)

OIL & GAS:
• The Gulf Coast plans more gas export terminals to meet demands as European countries look to replace Russian gas, but they’re largely in communities already living with petrochemical pollution. (NPR)
• A wave of litigation and a federal investigation casts a spotlight on pipeline companies’ vast power to demand whatever prices they want in times of gas shortages. (Houston Chronicle)
• California lawmakers who have received large campaign contributions from oil and gas firms have refused to vote on clean energy bills. (Capital & Main)

TRANSPORTATION: New Mexico advocates and regulators testify in favor of a proposed clean car rule that would require electric and hybrid vehicles to make up an increasing portion of new car sales. (Santa Fe New Mexican)

COMMENTARY:
• The head of Harvard Law School’s electricity law initiative suggests changes to FERC’s new transmission proposal to ensure utilities actually invest in needed infrastructure. (Utility Dive)
• Tribal communities looking to build microgrids should partner with developers who have experience working with tribes and will take the time to learn about Native American communities, a grid engineer writes. (Microgrid Knowledge)
• Relying too heavily on carbon capture may overshadow other climate solutions, including reducing energy usage and adopting sustainable behavior changes, two environmental academics argue. (The Conversation)

More from the Energy News Network: Midwest | Southeast | Northeast | West

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.