EPA strips existing gas plants from emissions rule

EMISSIONS: The U.S. EPA plans to weaken its power plant emissions rule by excluding existing natural gas plants from the regulation, instead promising a ​“comprehensive” rule that will also address local pollutants that affect neighborhoods surrounding the plants. (E&E News)

ALSO: The change gets support from environmental justice groups, but climate-focused Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse says the delay may cost the EPA its chance to regulate existing gas plants altogether. (E&E News)

OVERSIGHT: President Biden nominates three new members, two Democrats and one Republican, to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (Utility Dive)

UTILITIES:

• At least a dozen states seek to limit utilities from spending ratepayer money on lobbying, advertising, and other costs in the wake of corruption scandals and rising rates. (States Newsroom)
• The FirstEnergy scandal unfolding in Ohio is part of a resurgence of fraud and corruption in the U.S. utility sector that come as those companies aim to spend billions of dollars in clean energy initiatives. (Floodlight/​Mother Jones)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The Biden administration plans to probe Chinese-made ​“smart cars” that can track drivers’ whereabouts as China increases its foothold in the electric vehicle market. (Associated Press)

GRID: States across the country consider legislation on grid-enhancing technologies that maximize current transmission and increase renewable energy capacity. (E&E News, subscription)

WIND:

• Two proposed New York offshore wind farm projects have been revived after the state awards contracts in a competitive auction. (Canary Media)
• California developers say the 22-year planning, permitting and construction timeline for a new wind power facility on the state’s coast illustrates the challenges for the industry. (Politico)

PIPELINES:

• Developers propose three major gas pipelines for central North Carolina, facing residents with the prospect of increased methane emissions and a higher accident rate in disadvantaged neighborhoods. (NC Newsline)
• South Dakota carbon pipeline opponents raise doubts about the future of a proposed $1 billion sustainable aviation fuel facility that depends on a multi-state carbon pipeline. (South Dakota Searchlight)

EFFICIENCY: The Biden administration announces new washer and dryer efficiency standards. (Grist)

SOLAR: A pollinator scorecard developed at Michigan State University helps solar developers mitigate the effects of utility-scale projects when applying for permits. (Interlochen Public Radio)

CLIMATE:

• Representatives from frontline climate communities across the Americas testify for a human rights commission in Washington, D.C., as worsening weather drives them to more stable areas. (Guardian)
• A study finds human-caused climate change cost U.S. ski areas $5 billion from 2000-2019. (Associated Press)

OIL & GAS:

• Two Republican senators introduce a bill that would reverse the Biden administration’s pause on new liquefied natural gas exports. (The Hill)
• An Arizona nonprofit finds orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells threaten cultural resources in the Southwest and urge the Biden administration to update federal reclamation bonding requirements to mitigate the harm. (news release; E&E News, subscription)

CRYPTOCURRENCY: The Biden administration appears to have reached a settlement with crypto miners after the planned collection of energy usage data led to a lawsuit by a Texas nonprofit that represents the industry. (Utility Dive)