• The Environmental Protection Agency unveiled the most stringent emissions limits ever for coal- and gas-fired power plants as part of a proposal that would require coal facilities to capture 90% of their emissions by 2030 or shut down the plants by 2032 at the earliest, while large natural gas facilities that run consistently would be required to capture 90% of their emissions by 2035 or burn low-carbon hydrogen by 2038. The proposal, if finalized by June 2024, would regulate existing coal- and gas-fired power plants for the first time, as earlier proposals have been overturned by federal courts. (E&E News) 
• The White House is putting pressure on Congress to pass permitting legislation as the Biden administration reiterated its support for Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) permitting reform proposal, which includes two-year limits on environmental reviews of major federal energy projects and the completion of the $6.6 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline. While President Joe Biden earlier this week told House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) that he was open to discussing the permitting issue as part of debt ceiling negotiations, White House climate adviser John Podesta has called for separating the two issues. (Reuters) 
• The Department of Housing and Urban Development is set to announce nearly $1 billion in funding to make low-income, multifamily housing more energy- and water-efficient, as well as more resilient to climate disasters. The funding will come from the Inflation Reduction Act and will be distributed to tens of thousands of households, but an agency official has said the funding is not enough to reach all multifamily assisted-housing units. (The Washington Post) 

Happening today 

• The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will hold a hearing to examine opportunities for Congress to reform the permitting process for energy and mineral projects. Speakers include Jason Grumet, chief executive of the American Clean Power Association, and Rich Nolan, CEO of the National Mining Association.

Confidence in U.S. Climate Action Grows Among Voters

Morning Consult

Are Democrats finally winning the war on coal?

Josh Siegel, Politico

Some Democrats up for reelection are distancing themselves from Biden’s policies. Others say the GOP is the party out of step with voters on climate change.

Manchin will oppose EPA nominees to protest climate rule

Emma Dumain, E&E News

Sen. Joe Manchin is promising to oppose every pending EPA nominee until the agency agrees to “halt their government overreach,” putting at last two agency picks in serious limbo in a narrowly divided Senate.

Republican states move to block giant asset manager’s ESG push for utility companies

Stephen Neukam, The Hill

A group of Republican-led states have filed a motion with a federal regulator to block BlackRock, the largest asset manager in the world, from imposing sustainable investing practices on utility companies.

US oil lobby blasts EPA emissions cuts plan, California likes it

David Shepardson, Reuters

The largest U.S. oil and gas trade lobby group said on Wednesday it believes sharp emissions cuts proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would result in the elimination of new internal combustion vehicles.

Extreme heat will take an unequal toll on tribal jails

Joseph Lee et al., Grist

Decades of inadequate funding and rising temperatures are putting Indigenous detainees at risk.

US conducts raids at two properties of China’s Jinko Solar

Nichola Groom, Reuters

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security this week raided a factory and sales office operated by one of the world’s largest solar panel makers, China’s Jinko Solar Holding Co Ltd (JKS.N), the agency said on Wednesday.

Microsoft signs nuclear fusion deal as part of sustainability push

Andrew Freedman, Axios

Microsoft has signed a power purchase agreement with nuclear fusion energy startup Helion for at least 50 megawatts of electricity beginning in 2028, the companies announced Wednesday.

The West Needs Russia to Power Its Nuclear Comeback

Jennifer Hiller et al., The Wall Street Journal

U.S., Europe add reactors but still heavily dependent on Moscow for crucial ingredients to produce fuel.

Long popular in Asia, floating solar catches on in US

Isabella O’Malley, The Associated Press

Floating solar panel systems are beginning to boom in the United States after rapid growth in Asia. They’re attractive not just for their clean power and lack of a land footprint, but because they also conserve water by preventing evaporation.

Credit Hurdles Hold Back Corporate Renewable-Energy Plans

Giulia Petroni and Dieter Holger, The Wall Street Journal

Companies and governments are helping small companies and suppliers buy wind and solar power.

Shell Refinery Unit Had History of Malfunctions Before Fire

Dylan Baddour, Inside Climate News

Recent “upsets” like tripped compressors, pressure loss and freezing weather resulted in thousands of pounds of illegal pollution but no fines or citations from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

LNG is surging. Can FERC reviews keep up?

Miranda Willson, E&E News

The United States sent more liquefied natural gas overseas last year than ever before — and energy companies want the total to keep climbing.

US House committee to consider bill on pressuring OPEC oil group

Reuters

The House Judiciary Committee was set to consider a bill on Wednesday to pressure the OPEC oil production group to stop making output cuts that can result in higher fuel prices for U.S. drivers.

Occidental to favor buybacks over funding direct air capture plants

Sabrina Valle, Reuters

Occidental Petroleum Corp. on Wednesday said it will distribute any excess cash from high oil prices to shareholders instead of funding direct air capture (DAC) plants.

New Mexico constitution focus of legal fight over oil and gas drilling

Susan Montoya Bryan, The Associated Press

New Mexico and its Democratic governor are being sued over alleged failures to meet constitutional provisions for protecting against oil and gas pollution, a challenge that comes as the nation’s No. 2 oil-producing state rides a wave of record revenue from drilling in one of the most prolific collection of oil fields in the world.

Energy Stocks Are in the Doldrums After Last Year’s Big Rally

Hannah Miao, The Wall Street Journal

Worries about economy and demand weigh on oil and gas prices.

To meet EV demand, industry turns to technology long deemed hazardous

Rebecca Tan et al., The Washington Post

Indonesia is richly endowed with nickel, but refining this crucial mineral poses a daunting environmental challenge.

The Executive Keeping Tesla Rolling Isn’t Elon Musk

Rebecca Elliott, The Wall Street Journal

Finance chief Zach Kirkhorn is little known outside the company, but inside he is widely admired for his skill navigating the demands of his boss.

US Senate panel advances rail safety bill spurred by Ohio derailment

David Shepardson, Reuters

A U.S. Senate panel on Wednesday approved rail safety legislation that tightens rules on trains carrying explosive substances like the Norfolk Southern-operated train that derailed on Feb. 3 in Ohio, catching fire and releasing over a million gallons of hazardous materials and pollutants.

Head of New Lithium Giant Building Supply Chain for Americas

James Fernyhough, Bloomberg

The soon-to-be chief executive of what will become the world’s third-biggest lithium producer says the new company will focus on building a supply chain in the Americas, as US automakers look for non-Chinese sources of the battery metal.

Honeywell announces tech to turn hydrogen and CO2 into lower-carbon aviation fuel

Stephanie Kelly, Reuters

Honeywell International Inc. announced on Wednesday a new technology to produce lower-carbon aviation fuel from green hydrogen and carbon dioxide captured from industry, which can help cut greenhouse gas emissions from aviation, one of the hardest sectors to electrify and decarbonize.

EV makers poised for a shakeout — just like the early days of auto industry

Julian Mark, The Washington Post

Analysts say financial results from Rivian, Fisker, Lucid and others suggest some companies will emerge as clear winners, while others will fade away.

Japan’s Subaru sets out targets for EV push over five years

Reuters

Japanese automaker Subaru Corp. laid out targets for selling and making battery electric vehicles (EVs) on Thursday, aiming for global sales of 200,000 units a year by around 2026 as it seeks to tap into the growing EV market.

Jackson’s federally appointed water manager may also take over the city’s sewer system

The Associated Press

A federal appointee is managing the water system in Mississippi’s capital city, and the same might soon be true for the city’s sewer system.

DOE proposes framework for national transmission corridors to spur new lines, ease grid congestion

Ethan Howland, Utility Dive

The proposal would allow transmission developers to apply for project-specific corridors, unlocking potential federal funding, the department said.

New Hampshire utility proposes transmission line from Canada to carry renewable power to New England

Wilson Ring, The Associated Press

The newest proposal for a major electrical transmission line from Canada that would be able to carry power to New England from Canada, would also be able to send to Quebec renewable energy produced by future power generators off the New England coast or other sources.

What’s Happening to the Trees in New Orleans?

Philip Kiefer, Bloomberg CityLab

The Louisiana city has struggled to rebuild its tree canopy, devastated by storms and neglect. But an influx of federal aid and a new reforestation plan could offer hope. 

New Mexico officials: FEMA delays lead to mistrust among wildfire victims

Susan Montoya Bryan, The Associated Press

Members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation are criticizing federal emergency managers for missing deadlines as residents seek recovery assistance following the largest wildfire in the state’s recorded history.