How gas producers hide flaring from methane monitors

OIL & GAS: Oil and gas producers are installing “enclosed combustors” that hide flaring of unwanted natural gas, making it harder for scientists to detect greenhouse gas emissions and hold major emitters accountable. (Guardian)

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ALSO:

• Fossil fuel companies have long known that natural gas isn’t a climate-friendly “bridge” to clean energy, but have pushed that claim and other climate disinformation for decades to keep their industry afloat, experts testify at a congressional hearing. (Grist, Guardian)
• Oil and gas companies give more than seven times as much money to Republicans than Democrats, despite record-breaking production under the Biden administration. (Capital & Main)
• A gas industry lobbying group uses ratepayer money from member utilities to try to weaken efficiency rules and fight local bans on gas appliances. (Planet Detroit)

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COAL: Experts predict the U.S. EPA’s new power plant emissions rules will further drive coal power’s rapid decline, and maybe even kill the industry completely. (Guardian)

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CLEAN ENERGY:

• Nineteen clean energy projects in rural communities will get $78 million in federal funding, including projects to install solar farms, battery storage facilities and heat pumps. (Canary Media)
• The U.S. Energy Department announces $27 million for 37 electric vehicle charger, battery storage, efficiency and other clean energy projects. (Utility Dive)
• Ohio seeks $189 million in federal climate funding to establish a statewide “resiliency” fund to electrify government fleets, retrofit public buildings, and install solar on state, city and county properties. (Energy News Network)
• Philadelphia announces a new request for renewable energy projects to help it achieve its goal of 100% renewable power for municipal buildings by 2030; bids are due in July. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

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GRID:

• States are taking a varied approach to incentive programs meant to lure data centers as the facilities’ growing electricity use raises concerns about straining the power grid. (Stateline)
• South Carolina’s rising power demand and the lack of new generation lead state lawmakers to consider revamping energy regulation with a bill critics call a “blank check” for power companies that would hurt consumers and exacerbate climate change. (Floodlight)

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SOLAR: A solar material manufacturing facility in Washington state reopens after sitting idle since 2019, sparking hopes of establishing a complete domestic photovoltaic panel supply chain. (New York Times)

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CLIMATE: A federal appeals court rejects a lawsuit filed by young Oregon climate advocates arguing the government’s fossil fuel-friendly policies violate their constitutional rights. (Associated Press)

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BIOFUELS: New Treasury Department rules governing sustainable aviation fuel tax credits don’t go far enough to incentivize newer, cleaner types of fuel, some agriculture and environmental advocates say. (E&E News)

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