Secrecy cloaks gas export terminal risks

OIL & GAS: Liquified natural gas terminals don’t have to disclose what chemicals they use and what risks they pose to their neighbors, leaving nearby residents in the dark about the danger of potential accidents. (Floodlight)

ALSO: The Gulf Coast’s liquified natural gas export boom has resulted in dramatic price swings for natural gas customers in Louisiana and other states. (Canary Media)

SOLAR:

• Solar power accounted for the most new capacity added to the U.S. grid last year, marking the first time renewable power topped new additions since hydropower surged during World War II. (Grist)
• California regulators side with utilities and propose rejecting a community solar-friendly tariff policy pushed by advocates, lawmakers and pro-solar groups. (Canary Media)
• A New Hampshire legislative proposal would streamline the interconnection process for large solar projects, which right now varies by utility and is causing long and unpredictable delays. (Energy News Network)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Electric and hybrid vehicles are booming on the West Coast but seeing slower growth throughout the rest of the country. (New York Times)
• More than 6,100 new zero-emission full-size buses were built, ordered or funded in the U.S. last year, up 12% from the year before. (Utility Dive)

MANUFACTURING:

• The federal government spent a record $225 billion on business incentives in January, with much of it going toward electric vehicle, battery and other clean energy manufacturing facilities. (The Hill)
• A Pittsburgh-based coalition of groups aims to invest in 14 different supply chains to remake Appalachia into a hub for green manufacturing and clean energy. (Sierra)

FINANCE:

• The Biden administration finalizes tax rules that will let nonprofit entities like schools and local governments receive payouts instead of tax credits when they install clean energy. (E&E News)
• Four major U.S. banks have departed a pact that sets minimum standards for financial institutions to combat environmental and other risks in countries where they finance fossil fuel and mining projects. (Guardian)

NUCLEAR: Federal nuclear regulators release a long-awaited proposal aimed at speeding up the licensing process for small, advanced reactors. (E&E News, subscription)

COAL: A company plans to demolish Alaska’s only coal loading facility, likely permanently ending the state’s coal export industry. (KTOO)

PIPELINES: Summit Carbon Solutions expands its scope in Iowa, seeking to add 340 miles of pipeline and connect more ethanol plants after another company abandoned plans for a similar project. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)