ELECTRIC VEHICLES: New federal incentives that require electric vehicle batteries to contain domestically sourced materials are expected to drive long-term changes to battery composition, including by reducing the use of cobalt, an analysis predicts. (Utility Dive)
ALSO:
• An electric vehicle research group recommends prioritizing charger deployment in high-population states seeing a surge in EV adoption, followed by states with low EV ownership numbers that are expected to grow soon. (Utility Dive)
• A group of Black entrepreneurs and business leaders plan to launch an electric vehicle trade association next month to ensure equity in the EV transition. (Bridge Detroit)
COAL: Industry experts and regulators say recycling and reusing coal ash is preferable to storing it in ponds, though environmental advocates say stronger oversight is needed to avoid exposing people to toxic metals. (Energy News Network/Chicago Investigative Project)
SOLAR: Major panel manufacturer First Solar announces it will invest as much as $1.2 billion to build a fourth U.S. factory, largely crediting incentives in the new federal climate package. (New York Times)
CLIMATE:
• White House climate adviser John Kerry praises China’s action so far on climate change and says he wants to restart climate talks with the country. (Inside Climate News)
• The National Association of Evangelicals makes a biblical case for addressing climate change in a new report. (Washington Post)
• A study suggests building fire-resistant wooden buildings when expanding cities could negate the climate impact of increased urbanization. (The Hill)
• Philadelphia is among the cities showing climate mitigation leadership, but hurdles there underscore problems that will need to be confronted in other cities. (Inside Climate News)
ELECTRIFICATION: A pro-electrification advocacy group debuts a calculator that can help Americans determine which Inflation Reduction Act incentives which they’ll likely qualify for. (Canary Media)
OVERSIGHT:
• Emails obtained under the Freedom of Information Act reveal the commotion within the U.S. EPA in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to limit the agency’s authority on power plant carbon emissions. (E&E News)
• Texas regulators approve new rules requiring natural gas companies to winterize their equipment or face fines that range between $5,000 and $1 million. (Texas Tribune)
OIL & GAS: A federal appeals court overturns two Gulf of Mexico drilling leases authorized under the Trump administration, saying officials failed to analyze environmental risk. (The Hill)
GRID:
• Maine’s top court decides that the referendum that blocked Central Maine Power’s controversial transmission line was likely unconstitutional but sends the matter back to a lower court. (Maine Public Radio)
• Northwest utilities agree to fund the Southwest Power Pool’s effort to develop a regional power market. (Utility Dive)
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