Despite pledge, U.S. methane emissions continue to grow

OIL & GAS: Despite U.S. leadership on the Global Methane Pledge, a new study finds domestic methane emissions continue to grow amid increases in natural gas production. (New York Times)

ALSO: At a gas industry conference, former Secretary of State John Kerry challenges fossil fuel companies to prove the viability of carbon capture technologies. (E&E News, subscription)

POLITICS:

• Vice President Kamala Harris has moved away from earlier Democratic Party pledges to end fossil fuel leasing on public land, raising concerns from advocates about political support for future climate action. (E&E News)
• Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin joins a coalition of Republican governors advocating for ​“energy choice,” which climate activists say is a euphemism for continued use of fossil fuels. (Virginia Mercury)
• Indigenous pipeline protestors say praises of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s clean energy record ignore his position that allowed for the Line 3 pipeline expansion. (Mother Jones)

GRID:

• A federal study finds carbon emissions from the Western U.S. power sector could drop 73% if 12 transmission projects under development are completed by 2030. (RTO Insider, subscription; news release)
• A report predicts U.S. wholesale electricity prices could increase as much as 19% by 2028, driven by increased demand from electrification and data centers. (Utility Dive)

EFFICIENCY: A new federal rule will help counter weak building energy codes in North Carolina and other states by requiring new homes with certain federally-backed mortgages to include energy-saving features. (Energy News Network)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The Treasury Department proposes new tax credits for individuals and businesses installing electric vehicle chargers. (Associated Press)

LITHIUM: Environmental advocates suggest that a Pennsylvania company’s faltering plans to extract lithium from wastewater raise questions about the industry’s viability. (Inside Climate News)

INDUSTRY: Finding customers willing to pay a premium for ​“green” steel made with clean energy remains a key hurdle as a major steelmaker considers new emission-reduction technology at its Ohio plant. (Canary Media)

NUCLEAR:

• Georgia Power’s Plant Vogtle expansion has boosted carbon-free power to exceed fossil fuel output in the state for the first time ever. (Reuters)
• Federal regulators say a shuttered Michigan nuclear plant will need more inspections, testing and repairs to its steam generator before the plant can reopen. (WOOD-TV8)

COMMENTARY: A Nevada advocate calls on the Biden administration to limit solar development on public land in the Amargosa Desert and push it onto nearby private lands instead. (Nevada Current)