How gas producers hide flaring from methane monitors

OIL & GAS: Oil and gas producers are installing ​“enclosed combustors” that hide flaring of unwanted natural gas, making it harder for scientists to detect greenhouse gas emissions and hold major emitters accountable. (Guardian)

ALSO:

• Fossil fuel companies have long known that natural gas isn’t a climate-friendly ​“bridge” to clean energy, but have pushed that claim and other climate disinformation for decades to keep their industry afloat, experts testify at a congressional hearing. (Grist, Guardian)
• Oil and gas companies give more than seven times as much money to Republicans than Democrats, despite record-breaking production under the Biden administration. (Capital & Main)
• A gas industry lobbying group uses ratepayer money from member utilities to try to weaken efficiency rules and fight local bans on gas appliances. (Planet Detroit)

COAL: Experts predict the U.S. EPA’s new power plant emissions rules will further drive coal power’s rapid decline, and maybe even kill the industry completely. (Guardian)

CLEAN ENERGY:

• Nineteen clean energy projects in rural communities will get $78 million in federal funding, including projects to install solar farms, battery storage facilities and heat pumps. (Canary Media)
• The U.S. Energy Department announces $27 million for 37 electric vehicle charger, battery storage, efficiency and other clean energy projects. (Utility Dive)
• Ohio seeks $189 million in federal climate funding to establish a statewide ​“resiliency” fund to electrify government fleets, retrofit public buildings, and install solar on state, city and county properties. (Energy News Network)
• Philadelphia announces a new request for renewable energy projects to help it achieve its goal of 100% renewable power for municipal buildings by 2030; bids are due in July. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

GRID:

• States are taking a varied approach to incentive programs meant to lure data centers as the facilities’ growing electricity use raises concerns about straining the power grid. (Stateline)
• South Carolina’s rising power demand and the lack of new generation lead state lawmakers to consider revamping energy regulation with a bill critics call a ​“blank check” for power companies that would hurt consumers and exacerbate climate change. (Floodlight)

SOLAR: A solar material manufacturing facility in Washington state reopens after sitting idle since 2019, sparking hopes of establishing a complete domestic photovoltaic panel supply chain. (New York Times)

CLIMATE: A federal appeals court rejects a lawsuit filed by young Oregon climate advocates arguing the government’s fossil fuel-friendly policies violate their constitutional rights. (Associated Press)

BIOFUELS: New Treasury Department rules governing sustainable aviation fuel tax credits don’t go far enough to incentivize newer, cleaner types of fuel, some agriculture and environmental advocates say. (E&E News)