IEA: World needs to pick up pace on energy efficiency

EFFICIENCY: The world needs to double the pace at which it’s deploying energy efficiency measures, such as installing heat pumps and LED lightbulbs, if it hopes to meet global climate goals, the International Energy Agency says. (Reuters)

ALSO:

• Rhode Island’s clean heat program has so far dispersed heat pump subsidies to dozens of residential applicants, but none for low-income residents or commercial entities, despite reported interest. (ecoRI)
• Washington state regulators back off from a proposed ban on natural gas appliances in new construction and offer permitting incentives to builders choosing electric heat pumps instead. (Washington State Standard)

CLIMATE:

• A leaked document of talking points for the COP28 climate conference’s leader — an oil executive — suggests he’ll use the summit to lobby in favor of fossil fuels. (New York Times)
• President Biden is missing an opportunity to boost his global climate credentials by skipping the COP28 summit, advocates say. (New York Times)

BIOMASS: The world’s largest wood pellet maker, which operates plants across North Carolina and the Southeast, is rocked by severe financial trouble that could lead to bankruptcy. (Wilmington StarNews)

OVERSIGHT:

• Shareholders suing FirstEnergy want to depose Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and have subpoenaed Gov. Mike DeWine and Husted for documents in connection with the HB 6 bribery scandal. (Cincinnati Enquirer)
• After winning control of both of Virginia’s state legislative chambers, Democrats move to fill two long-running vacancies on the powerful, three-member state board that regulates utilities and other businesses. (Virginia Mercury)

CLEAN ENERGY: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs a sweeping bill package that includes a 100% clean energy target by 2040 and shifts authority over wind and solar projects from local governments to state regulators. (Bridge)

TRANSPORTATION:

• “I don’t see sales lagging at all.” Electric vehicles grew to more than 17% of U.S. light duty car sales in the last quarter and are on track to make up 9% of sales this year. (Utility Dive)
• U.S. efforts to develop a domestic electric vehicle supply chain continue to be complicated by the growth of Chinese EV suppliers. (New York Times)
• A Black-led Chicago nonprofit seeks to break down systemic barriers that have pushed communities of color away from non-motorized transportation options. (Energy News Network)

OIL & GAS:

• Environmental groups call out the Biden administration for allowing a $3.4 million drilling auction in Wyoming as the COP28 climate conference begins. (Axios)
• A new collaboration aims to improve coordination between the natural gas and electric sectors, with a goal of boosting power reliability. (Utility Dive)

LITHIUM: California researchers estimate 18 million metric tons of lithium could be extracted from geothermal brine below the Salton Sea, far more than previously thought. (Los Angeles Times)

SOLAR: Los Angeles looks to increase lower-income residents’ access to distributed clean energy by reducing community solar subscription rates and expanding generation at public and multifamily sites. (PV Magazine)

COMMENTARY: The Federal Reserve needs to treat climate change like other national crises it’s helped fight and consider climate effects in its monetary policy, two professors argue. (The Conversation)