Pipelines remain a big obstacle to U.S. hydrogen ambitions

HYDROGEN: As the Biden administration offers billions to ramp up hydrogen production, the fuel is dangerous and costly to transport and there are no clear rules for pipeline siting. (E&E News)

CLIMATE:

• An advocacy group’s review of oil industry climate pledges finds ​“there is no evidence that big oil and gas companies are acting seriously to be part of the energy transition.” (The Guardian)
• A new report says the world can still achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 but will need to accelerate spending to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. (Bloomberg)
• A Maryland circuit court judge dismisses complaints in a wider climate accountability lawsuit against the American Petroleum Institute but gives the city of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County 30 days to prove the trade group engaged in conspiracy. (E&E News, subscription)

POLITICS: Despite recent record profits, oil executives are backing Donald Trump’s presidential campaign, calling the Biden administration’s January decision to pause LNG export permits a ​“wake-up call.” (New York Times)

OIL & GAS: Environmental groups press the Biden administration to stop development of deepwater oil export facilities, similar to its pause on permitting liquified natural gas export terminals. (The Guardian)

EFFICIENCY: The Senate is expected to vote this week on a bill that would scrap new efficiency rules for furnaces. (E&E News, subscription)

SOLAR:

• Analysts say most solar projects awaiting connection to the Western grid are hybrid installations paired with battery storage or wind facilities as California’s solar ​“duck curve” grows more pronounced. (Utility Dive)
• The first publicly available community solar project in New Hampshire hopes to pave the way for more such developments in a state where low net metering rates have made them challenging to complete. (Energy News Network)

NUCLEAR: Michigan is in the center of a debate about the future of nuclear energy, as state officials attempt to revive a shuttered plant along Lake Michigan as a key climate strategy. (MLive)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: General Motors CEO Mary Barra says plug-in hybrid vehicles will be a key piece of the company’s transition to all-electric vehicles. (Detroit News)

CLEAN ENERGY:

• Minnesota Democrats overcome a last-minute dispute to pass sweeping energy permitting reforms that supporters say will speed up renewable energy and transmission projects. (Star Tribune)
• A New Mexico nonprofit launches a climate investment bank designed to finance clean energy projects benefiting low-income, disadvantaged and tribal communities. (Albuquerque Journal)