Striking UAW workers aren’t thrilled about EVs

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Striking UAW members say they’re worried electric vehicles will eliminate their jobs, and express uncertainty that federal government action — from President Biden or a future Republican administration — will help. (E&E News)

ALSO:

• President Biden’s plan to expand electric vehicle adoption is now the basis for GOP political attacks as UAW workers strike across the country. (E&E News)
• Ford’s pause on construction of a Michigan electric vehicle battery plant renews criticism from Sen. Joe Manchin and Republicans over the factory’s planned use of Chinese battery technology. (E&E News)
• A Tennessee municipal utility becomes the nation’s first public utility to use new software to analyze data from 250,000 electricity meters as it develops a plan for building out chargers. (Knoxville News Sentinel)

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EMISSIONS:

• A new report calls out aluminum production’s huge greenhouse gas emissions footprint — a ​“paradox” considering the metal is a crucial component in solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles. (Inside Climate News)
• Clean energy project interconnection issues and continued use of trash incineration plants will make it hard for Maryland to reach its ambitious climate goals, even as the state receives federal funds for emissions reduction. (Inside Climate News)

STORAGE:

• The U.S. energy storage industry added 1,680 MW of capacity in the second quarter, marking its biggest quarter on record. (Utility Dive)
• The federal government awards $325 million to 15 long-duration energy storage projects. (Utility Dive)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Washington, D.C.’s predominantly Black Ivy City neighborhood is among the recipients of a federal grant to build a technical training center where residents can get help accessing environmental justice funds. (Inside Climate News)

POLITICS: A government shutdown won’t imperil much of the Inflation Reduction Act’s implementation, as the climate law received multiyear funding unaffected by the annual federal budget. (E&E News)

CRITICAL MINERALS: Indigenous and environmental advocates worry that a rush to mine so-called green metals — used in electric vehicles, batteries and other clean energy technology — could stress water supplies in the arid West. (NPR)

WIND: California clean energy officials say a recently passed state bill establishing a central power purchaser will kick-start the state’s nascent floating offshore wind industry. (Canary Media)

SOLAR: Advocates say two Wisconsin utilities’ differing plans for compensating rooftop solar customers show the need for state regulators to devise uniform pay structures. (Energy News Network)

UTILITIES: Federal regulators elevate their scrutiny of investment firm J.P. Morgan’s connections to a private equity firm that owns a Texas public utility, gas-fired power plants totaling close to 5 GW and other energy assets. (Utility Dive)

COAL: Indiana utilities over the next 12 years plan to retire as many as 20 coal-fired generation units as they embrace natural gas and renewables. (Herald Bulletin)

HYDROPOWER: The U.S. Energy Department awards $6.8 million to six wave energy research and development projects. (Offshore Energy)