Can collaboration prepare the grid for EVs?

GRID: The rise of electric vehicles could threaten power grid reliability without better collaboration between utilities and charging station companies, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. warns. (Utility Dive)

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ALSO:

• The grid watchdog and federal energy regulators partner to evaluate the power sector’s performance during January’s nearly-nationwide cold snap. (Utility Dive)
• Congress members introduce legislation to require Texas’ standalone power grid to connect with the nation’s major grids. (The Hill)
• State utility regulators call on MISO and PJM to improve joint long-term interregional transmission planning to ensure reliability amid rising demand and more renewables. (Utility Dive)

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CLEAN ENERGY: More than half of the investments directly tied to incentives from two major federal infrastructure laws are flowing to Republican-led states, while the rest is split among Democratic and swing states, an analysis finds. (CNN)

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OIL & GAS:

• A growing number of U.S. gas utilities offer voluntary fee-based programs to customers to offset their emissions, which critics call a greenwashing attempt that avoids electrification and efficiency. (E&E News)
• The Biden administration grapples with holding a congressionally mandated oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge without alienating climate-oriented voters. (Politico)
• At least six liquified natural gas projects are underway in Mexico but will rely mostly on U.S. gas shipped from the Permian Basin and other regions. (Canary Media)
• A newly finalized U.S. EPA rule should help reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations but won’t address smaller, midstream emissions impacting those living in Pennsylvania’s fracking region. (Yale Environment 360)

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OVERSIGHT: President Biden’s allies are anxious for the administration to finalize long-awaited environmental and emissions rules as this year’s election approaches. (E&E News)

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TRANSPORTATION: Environmental justice advocates call for a moratorium on expanding highways, saying they disproportionately affect nearby communities of color through displacement and pollution. (Washington Post)

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WIND: Virginia lawmakers delay until 2025 consideration of a bill to allow entities other than Dominion Energy to build offshore wind facilities, rewarding the utility’s intense lobbying against the bill and disappointing clean energy advocates. (Energy News Network)

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PIPELINES: A lawyer for six landowners along the Mountain Valley Pipeline says they’ll appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court after a judge dismisses their suit challenging the pipeline’s use of eminent domain to build on their property. (Cardinal News)

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