Good news even as emissions rise

EMISSIONS: A research group finds U.S. greenhouse gas emissions increased just over 1% last year, but also spots signs the country is emitting less carbon and weaning off coal power even as its economy grows. (Grist)

ALSO: Clean energy groups say the White House’s new greenhouse gas emissions guidance will streamline the permitting process for renewables. (Utility Dive)

WIND: A Massachusetts Institute of Technology study quantifies the public health benefits of displacing fossil fuel generation with wind power, finding that many benefits don’t go to disadvantaged communities. (news release; E&E News, subscription)

SOLAR:
• Solar panel manufacturer Qcells is expected to announce it will expand its Georgia manufacturing facility and build a second factory near Atlanta in what could be the largest clean energy manufacturing investment in U.S. history. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
• Rhode Island wants to cut costs for lower-income residents by leasing and installing solar equipment on their homes. (Energy News Network)

GRID: Tech giants, automakers and other major companies partner to promote virtual power plants, which can coordinate decentralized energy resources like solar, electric vehicles, and battery storage. (Reuters)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Automakers increasingly see building electric vehicle charging stations as essential to claiming a piece of the EV industry and creating trust among consumers. (E&E News)

POLITICS:
• House Republicans outline how they’ll use their new majority to streamline approvals for new mining and drilling projects. (E&E News)
• House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s concessions to the far-right wing of his party will likely cement his opposition to clean energy and climate spending, a centrist think tank leader says. (Grist)
• House Republicans approve chamber rules that will speed the consideration of a petroleum production-boosting measure. (Washington Post)

OIL & GAS: Wyoming researchers find replanting old oil and gas well pads with native grasses and flowers leads to the growth of insect and pollinator populations and diversity. (WyoFile)

UTILITIES:
• Federal prosecutors release new documents showing how FirstEnergy used dark money groups to secretly pay $400,000 to benefit former House Speaker Larry Householder. (Energy and Policy Institute)
• Analysts expect New Mexico’s restructured utility regulatory board will reconsider a proposed PNM-Avangrid merger rejected by the previous commission in 2021. (Utility Dive)

STORAGE: A Michigan battery storage manufacturer is raising $50 million to build a production facility for its long-duration, lead-acid batteries. (MiBiz)