New fuel economy standards fall short of earlier proposal

EMISSIONS: In a bid to boost electric vehicles, the Biden administration proposes fuel economy rules that would require new cars to average 38 miles per gallon by 2031, a jump from 29 mpg today but short of standards originally proposed last year. (Associated Press)

ALSO: New York’s decision to pause a Manhattan congestion pricing plan could sidetrack similar efforts to curb transportation emissions across the country. (E&E News)

OIL & GAS: Right-wing fossil fuel allies author op-eds and run social media ads to push the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the industry’s request to dismiss city and state climate lawsuits. (The Guardian)

GRID:

• U.S. utilities and grid operators aren’t taking full advantage of regional transmission connections, potentially reducing reliability and raising electricity costs, a federal lab’s study finds. (Utility Dive)
• An Indiana consumer advocate warns against getting swept up by hyperbole about the need to build new power plants as electricity demand in the state is expected to grow because of data centers. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
• Regional transmission organization SPP proposes to link the Western and Eastern grids for the first time by placing seven Western entities under its tariff. (E&E News, subscription)

SOLAR: The U.S. International Trade Commission votes to keep investigating whether Chinese solar companies skirted tariffs by routing their exports through southwest Asian manufacturers. (The Hill)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Newly unionized workers at a Georgia electric school bus factory secure a new contract that boosts pay and benefits, indicating how the labor movement could benefit from the green manufacturing boom. (Grist)

BUILDINGS:

• Massachusetts environmental justice advocates say the $5 billion statewide energy efficiency plan needs to do even more to reach low-income residents, renters, and other populations who have traditionally received fewer benefits. (Energy News Network)
• Southern California regulators approve rules aimed at slashing nitrogen oxide emissions by requiring businesses to replace fossil fueled industrial boilers and water heaters with electric ones. (Canary Media)
• Mass electrification would be the best way to reduce buildings’ emissions and hit Minnesota’s climate targets, according to a new report from a coalition of energy experts, community service groups and consumer advocates. (Sahan Journal)

CARBON CAPTURE: PacifiCorp considers contracting with a New Mexico carbon capture firm formerly led by the utility’s current CEO to retrofit a Wyoming coal plant, raising conflict-of-interest concerns. (E&E News)

COMMENTARY: An energy columnist analyzes competing efforts to establish Western regional transmission organizations and day-ahead power markets, laying out the benefits, drawbacks and obstacles standing in the way of both options. (Canary Media)