The UAW has a deal. Will it protect workers in the EV transition?

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The United Auto Workers reach a tentative deal with General Motors after doing the same with Ford and Stellantis, potentially ending a six-week strike with an agreement that includes electric vehicle battery manufacturing plants. (Associated Press, Inside Climate News)

ALSO:

• It’s unclear how well the UAW deal will protect workers as electric vehicle sales slow and automakers trim their EV investments while competing with Tesla and other non-unionized companies. (E&E News)
• Wisconsin could lose out on millions in federal charging infrastructure funding if the state doesn’t pass legislation allowing owners of public chargers to bill drivers per kilowatt-hour of use. (Energy News Network)

GRID:

• The Department of Energy announces it’ll buy $1.3 billion of capacity on three transmission lines — one in New England and two in the Southwest — to help fund the grid projects expected to help bring more clean power to the grid. (Utility Dive)
• California’s grid operator says transmission congestion has pushed it to curtail more than 2.3 million megawatt-hours of solar and wind generation so far this year, putting it on pace to set an annual record. (news release)

EMISSIONS:

• The world’s carbon budget — the amount of carbon it can release before exceeding global goals — has shrunk, and will be exceeded in six years under current emissions levels, analysts say. (Guardian)
• Lawn care equipment released as much smog-forming pollution as 30 million cars in 2020, as well as much carbon pollution as the entire city of Los Angeles. (Grist)

POLITICS: Republican Congress members widen their attacks on the Biden administration’s efficiency proposals, aiming to protect gas stoves, fossil fueled water heaters, and other existing appliances. (E&E News)

TRANSITION: A new labor agreement between a West Virginia battery manufacturer and the mineworkers unions could be a blueprint for helping transition fossil fuel workers into clean energy careers. (Capital & Main)

SOLAR:

• New Orleans officials vote to increase utility bill credits and allow larger projects in the city’s community solar program after hearing from groups interested in providing solar power to low-income residents. (Louisiana Illuminator)
• A Canadian solar panel manufacturer will invest $800 million in a new Indiana plant that will produce up to 20,000 solar modules per day. (PV Magazine)

PIPELINES: The CEO of Summit Carbon Solutions remains committed to a five-state carbon pipeline project despite a competitor’s recently canceled project because of regulatory uncertainty. (S&P Global)

OFFSHORE WIND: Connecticut opens up a 2 GW request for offshore wind proposals that contains provisions to help developers overcome potential financial challenges. (Utility Dive)