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)
