Trump on climate: ​“Who the hell cares?”

POLITICS: As voters go to the polls today, they face a stark choice between a continuation of Biden/​Harris administration clean energy policies, or a rapid dismantling under former President Trump that officials say will face fewer roadblocks than during his first term. (E&E News)

ALSO:

• At a rally in Milwaukee over the weekend, Trump repeated his pledge to ​“terminate the green new scam,” insisted the earth is actually cooling, and said ​“who the hell cares” after giving misinformation about sea level rise. (Times of India) 
• Climate change has been rarely discussed during the campaign: ​“we’re in an election that to many people on both sides feels like there’s issues with more immediate stakes,” in the words of one clean energy advocate. (Houston Chronicle)
• The head of a conservative climate group says she’s finding Republicans more willing to talk about cutting emissions, and is focused on preserving Inflation Reduction Act tax credits. (The Hill)
• Regulatory and legislative races in seven states could have an outsized impact on the U.S. clean energy transition. (E&E News)

TRANSMISSION: Lobbyists for Duke Energy and Southern Company have raised concerns about bipartisan energy permitting legislation they say could erode their control over transmission planning. (E&E News, subscription) 

GRID:

• Federal energy regulators grapple with requests to co-locate data centers near power plants, and whether that could further jeopardize the adequate supplies on the grid. (Utility Dive)
• In New Jersey, however, spare generating capacity at nuclear plants and a new tax break program mean the state is well positioned to host data centers, utility PSEG says. (RTO Insider, subscription)
• California researchers find fixed time-of-use rates can reduce power consumption during peak demand by as much as 15%, with the biggest savings on hot days. (Energy Institute Blog)

SOLAR: New solar installations in North Carolina fell 40% from last year after Duke Energy lowered the rate it pays for rooftop solar, but longtime installers remain optimistic because of new home battery incentives. (Energy News Network)

OVERSIGHT: Advocates say a pending U.S. Supreme Court case over a proposed oil-hauling railway in Utah could ​“dramatically remake” federal environmental law if the justices side with industry. (Colorado Sun)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Electric vehicle startup Canoo furloughs 30 workers in Oklahoma as it struggles to raise capital, and company officials report it might have to ​“terminate or significantly curtail” its operations there. (Tulsa World)
• A Vermont electric aircraft startup tops $1 billion in equity capital, but questions remain about the climate benefits of the technology. (Canary Media)