Subzero temps challenge EV batteries, charging

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Many electric vehicle drivers struggle with slow charging time and faster battery depletion as subzero temperatures sweep the country. (Axios, New York Times)

ALSO:

• Persuading ​“super drivers” who drive around 110 miles or more each day to switch to electric vehicles is key to reducing transportation emissions, researchers say. (New York Times)
• Democrats in the Virginia legislature vote down Republican attempts to roll back ​“clean cars” laws that tie the state’s transportation-related emissions to a California standard that will require all new vehicles to be emission-free by 2035. (Richmond Times-Dispatch, Associated Press)

CLIMATE:

• Much of the U.S. suffers a chilly cold snap that’s boosted power demand and tested the grid, even as other parts of the world swelter in a global illustration of climate change. (Associated Press)
• After rising greenwashing allegations, many companies are now keeping their climate work quiet, potentially decreasing pressure on big emitters to change their ways. (Grist)
• A federally funded phone line offering mental health support after natural disasters and other traumatic events will become increasingly essential as climate change worsens, psychologists and experts say. (E&E News)

UTILITIES:

• An investigation reveals Alabama Power now owns a news service and a historic Black newspaper — neither of which have recently published stories critical of the utility. (Floodlight/​Guardian)
• Connecticut begins offering payments to help environmental justice and ratepayer groups participate in utility regulatory proceedings. (Energy News Network)

GRID: U.S. utilities are increasingly relying on grid-scale storage as more renewables come online and battery prices continue to drop. (Marketplace)

BUILDINGS:

• Cement and concrete decarbonization startups partner to push for policies promoting low-carbon construction practices and products. (Canary Media)
• In New York, a new state law is behind 13 utility pilot projects that will replace fossil fuel pipelines with infrastructure to support geothermal heat pump systems. (Canary Media)
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes slashing building decarbonization program spending by $238 million to address a looming budget shortfall. (Utility Dive)

OIL & GAS:

• President Biden walks a tightrope between appeasing environmentalists and avoiding Republican attacks as he guides oil and gas drilling policies. (The Hill)
• Advocates urge the Biden administration to use an obscure legal tool to override federal regulators’ approval of a proposed natural gas pipeline expansion in the Northwest. (Bloomberg)

CLEANTECH: The leader of the U.S. Energy Department’s new Office of Critical and Emerging Technology discusses how she’s steering research on artificial intelligence, semiconductors and other new technologies. (The Hill)

SOLAR: Hawaii advocates urge regulators to reconsider a new policy slashing compensation for new rooftop solar, saying it could destroy the industry in the state. (Honolulu Civil Beat)