New permitting reform bill prioritizes renewables, fossil fuels

PERMITTING: After two years of talks, Independent Sen. Joe Manchin and Republican Sen. John Barrasso agree on a permitting reform bill that would pave the way for increased renewable energy and fossil fuel development. (The Hill)

ALSO: Advocates criticize the energy permitting legislation, saying it is a ​“giveaway to the fossil fuel industry.” (Common Dreams)

POLITICS:

• The U.S. is on track to sharply cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but only if Democrats retain the White House and keep current clean energy incentives and regulations in place, a new report finds. (Canary Media)
• The Democratic governors of Kentucky and North Carolina — both of whom have benefitted from electric vehicle investment linked to federal climate legislation — are among the top contenders to run for vice president with likely presidential candidate Kamala Harris. (E&E News)
• Western environmental advocates support Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, pointing to her pro-climate and pro-environmental policies, past prosecution of oil and gas companies and a successful challenge to drilling off California’s coast. (High Country News, Los Angeles Times, Heated)
• Republicans highlight Harris’ support for a fracking ban during her 2020 presidential run as they make a case against her in Pennsylvania, while labor leaders highlight how climate and clean energy action can benefit workers in the state. (Axios,E&E News)

NUCLEAR: A startup looks to build a series of identical next-generation nuclear reactors throughout the country, targeting 6 GW of deployment by the mid-2030s. (Utility Dive)

SOLAR:

• A recent New Hampshire law makes significant changes to the state’s Renewable Energy Fund, directing money to develop municipal solar projects and ending a residential solar rebate program generally viewed as deeply flawed. (Energy News Network)
• Developers discuss their plans to build an 800 MW solar farm in Kentucky atop a massive former coal mine, saying the project will provide equitable access to renewables and training for ​“future-proof energy jobs” as the coal industry declines. (Yale Climate Connections)

COURTS: Baltimore officials say they plan to appeal a circuit court judge’s decision to dismiss their climate deception lawsuit against more than two dozen fossil fuel companies. (Daily Record)

UTILITIES:

• CenterPoint Energy’s $2.3 billion plan to harden its grid infrastructure comes under scrutiny after Hurricane Beryl led to widespread outages and promises by state officials to investigate the utility. (Houston Chronicle)
• A northeastern Colorado utility plans to cut out coal and add wind, solar and 200 MW of natural gas generation over the next several years even though advocates called on it to abandon all fossil fuels. (Coloradoan)

EFFICIENCY: Homebuilders claim a Kansas City ordinance requiring certain energy efficiency standards is slowing construction in an already tight housing market, but advocates say the numbers they’re using are misleading. (The Beacon)