Don’t blame EVs yet for declining gas tax revenue, critics say

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Most states now charge electric vehicle owners an annual fee to fund road upkeep, though critics say improved fuel economy in conventional vehicles has had a far bigger impact on gas tax revenue than electric vehicles. (E&E News)

CLEAN ENERGY:

• Georgia has received $23 billion in clean energy factory investment since the passage of a landmark federal climate package, supercharging communities like the one that hosts Qcells’ solar panel factory. (Canary Media)
• Western state advocates praise Tri-State Generation & Transmission for adding solar generation to their energy mix and making it easier for member cooperatives to generate their own power. (Colorado Sun)

WIND: Federal officials allow Vineyard Wind to resume construction as they undertake a ​“controlled cutting” of the remaining bits of the broken wind turbine blade that haven’t fallen off yet. (Nantucket Current, Utility Dive)

CLIMATE: Wharton is among top business schools launching environmental, social and governance-focused programs, where they’ll learn how climate change can impact investments and other business decisions. (Inside Climate News)

STORAGE:

• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory opens a grid-scale battery energy storage system research and development facility in Washington state. (Yakima Herald-Republic)
• Long-duration energy storage is still expected to cost more than a U.S. Energy Department benchmark by 2030, the department finds, necessitating further innovation. (Utility Dive)

UTILITIES: In an agreement with Ohio’s attorney general, FirstEnergy will avoid state criminal charges in the corruption scandal surrounding a 2019 bailout law by paying a $20 million settlement — a tiny fraction of the windfall the company continues to receive from ratepayers. (Ohio Capital Journal)

OIL & GAS:

• As she looks to secure Pennsylvania voters for the upcoming presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris has downplayed her formerly anti-fracking policy positions. (Washington Post)
• An oil company reports it plans to begin operating a $1.3 billion direct air capture project in Texas next summer while it also increases fossil fuel production in the Permian Basin. (E&E News, subscription)