This winter was the U.S.’s warmest on record

CLIMATE: The continental U.S. experienced its warmest winter on record, during which average temperatures throughout the Midwest and Northeast exceeded past averages by as much as 10°F. (Axios)

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ALSO:

• The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s new climate disclosure rule is poised for challenges from both industry and environmental groups, who say the rules go too far and not far enough, respectively. (Utility Dive)
• Texas’ largest wildfire on record continues to burn, having caused at least two deaths and scorched more than 1 million acres. (Washington Post, Texas Tribune)
• A former Washington state transportation department economist sues the state, saying he was forced out of his job after predicting the state’s cap-and-invest program would lead to higher gasoline prices. (King5)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• After falling behind its competitors in developing and building electric vehicles, Toyota now leads the way on plug-in hybrids. (New York Times)
• U.S. automakers are rebalancing budgets and laying off workers as they contend with shifting electric vehicle demand and higher labor costs. (Detroit News, subscription)
• Electric vehicle maker Rivian struggled with supply chain issues, sagging demand and pressure from investors before canceling plans to build a $5 billion factory in Georgia. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, subscription)

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GRID: Four Congress members push the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to institute an incentive that would encourage the use of new technologies to increase capacity on existing and new transmission lines. (Utility Dive)

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ELECTRIFICATION: A recent study shows electric heat pumps reduce emissions compared to other heating systems, even when they run on fossil-fueled grid power. (Canary Media)

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CLEAN ENERGY:

• The U.S. Department of Energy announces $425 million to boost clean energy manufacturers in coal communities. (E&E News, subscription)
• Coal still provides 89% of West Virginia’s power, but Toyota and other companies are beginning to build solar facilities. (State Journal)

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CARBON CAPTURE: The developer of a multi-state carbon pipeline says it remains open to contracts that offtake the carbon for enhanced oil recovery, despite sworn testimony that the project is for underground storage. (Reuters)

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OIL & GAS:

• Texas sues the U.S. EPA’s over its methane emissions rule that would mandate better leak monitoring and other emissions-reducing measures. (The Hill)
• Colorado and federal officials worry a proposed 166-well oil and gas drilling project near Denver could cause a Superfund site’s toxic waste depository to leak into groundwater. (Colorado Sun)

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UTILITIES: Clean energy advocates applaud Minnesota’s largest gas utility for drafting a $105 million decarbonization plan, but say it doesn’t move fast enough to meet state emission-reduction targets. (Energy News Network)

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