EPA tightens methane reporting rules

OIL & GAS: The U.S. EPA announces new methane reporting rules for oil and gas facilities, which studies show have long underreported emissions. (news release; E&E News, subscription)

ALSO:

• An investigation finds a major gap in pipeline oversight, as federal regulators leave monitoring of pipeline construction largely to private inspectors paid by developers. (Politico)
• A top oil and gas industry trade group issues guidelines for working with landowners on pipeline projects as developers struggle to secure rights to build carbon pipelines across the Midwest. (E&E News)
• In Massachusetts, a flurry of bills aim to stop gas service expansions, ban new pipelines and empower gas utilities to start offering other services, such as geothermal. (Energy News Network)

NUCLEAR: The U.S. Senate passes a bill to ban imports of Russian uranium, unlocking $2.7 billion in federal funding for domestic nuclear fuel production. (Utility Dive)

GRID:

• Observers expect the nation’s grid-scale battery storage capacity to double this year, with California, Arizona and Texas seeing the largest growth. (New York Times)
• Federal regulators prepare to announce major transmission reforms set to overhaul the overburdened grid interconnection process. (Canary Media)
• New England’s grid operator issues an energy forecast suggesting electric vehicles and widespread electrification will increase the region’s power demand by 17% through 2033. (Mass Live, Utility Dive)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• The nation’s first solar-powered electric big-rig charging depot opens in southern California. (KBAK)
• More than 5,000 workers at an Alabama Mercedes-Benz plant consider joining the United Auto Workers ahead of a pivotal vote next week. (NPR)

SOLAR:

• Korean company Qcells begins production at its new solar module factory in Georgia, qualifying it to receive $140 million in federal tax credits. (Korea Economic Daily, Korea Herald)
• Three utility-scale solar projects totaling 650 MW of capacity are scheduled to come online in Wisconsin this year, with three more larger projects in the pipeline. (Wisconsin Public Radio)

UTILITIES: PacifiCorp’s parent company plans to sell off some assets if states do not limit utilities’ wildfire-related liabilities, saying it will not ​“throw good money after bad” as it faces a flurry of fire-related lawsuits. (E&E News)

CLEAN ENERGY: Illinois lawmakers are working on a clean energy and transit bill package that could be a follow up to a 2021 climate law and target gas-sector emissions, battery storage and electric fleet vehicles. (Capitol News Illinois)

EFFICIENCY: Experienced contractors suggest important questions to ask when hiring someone to install electric appliances and make other efficient home improvements. (Washington Post)