• The Environmental Protection Agency could delay a decision to add electric vehicles to the Renewable Fuel Standard that would give EV manufacturers like Tesla Inc. tradable credits for using electricity generated from renewable fuels, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The threat of expected legal challenges from the proposed rule is drawing concern from the Biden administration, which is expected to finalize the regulation by June 14. (Reuters) 
• All medium- and heavy-duty trucks vehicles sold in California in 2036 must be zero-emission, according to a new rule approved by the California Air Resources Board, which will also mandate that all trucks be zero-emissions by 2042. The rule follows last year’s adoption of a regulation requiring that by 2035, all new vehicles sold in the state must be electric or plug-in hybrids. (CNBC) 
  • A Morning Consult survey taken after California passed its regulations in late August last year showed that 1 in 3 voters would support a ban on sales of new gas-powered vehicles in their own states by 2035, although 47% were opposed to such a ban. 

• Offshore oil and gas drilling leases in the Gulf of Mexico will remain in place after a federal appeals court ruled that the Inflation Reduction Act reinstated the offerings, meaning there was no longer a dispute for the court to decide after the auctions drew lawsuits from environmental groups claiming the Biden administration did not properly account for climate change impacts. The law was cited last year by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management when it reinstated leases from a November 2021 sale, which included winning bids from Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. (Reuters) 

Musk Bets the House of Tesla on Low Prices and Razor-Thin Margins

Bloomberg

Energy spat widens partisan divide over debt ceiling

Emma Dumain, E&E News

The gaping partisan divide over how to avert a national default shows no immediate signs of narrowing, as House Republicans spent the weekend defending their freshly passed debt limit bill while Senate Democrats made clear the GOP proposal would never see the light of day in their chamber.

Oil and gas critics escalate their gripes against Biden

Zack Colman, Politico

But many green campaigners are lamenting administration actions that favored oil drilling and natural gas exports.

The woman in the center of Biden’s climate aid puzzle

Sara Schonhardt, E&E News

Christina Chan started her career helping manage climate-related disasters. Now she has a different challenge to manage: determining how the United States might contribute aid to countries losing land, lives and heritage to global warming.

These House lawmakers crossed the aisle on resolution to undo Biden solar tariff freeze

Mychael Schnell, The Hill

Twelve Democrats and eight Republicans crossed the aisle on Friday with their votes on a resolution that seeks to restart tariffs on solar power imports that were suspended by the Biden administration.

Vermont governor vows to veto climate bill as too expensive

Wilson Ring, The Associated Press

Republican Gov. Phil Scott said Friday he will veto a bill passed by the Legislature that aims to help the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging Vermonters to move away from fossil fuels to heat their homes.

Banks and oil groups place bets on carbon capture schemes

Camilla Hodgson, Financial Times

Four companies including H&M and JPMorgan to spend a collective $100mn on carbon removal credits by 2030.

Rising Mississippi River continuing to test flood defenses

The Associated Press

The rising Mississippi River will continue to test flood defenses in southeast Iowa and northwest Illinois on Monday as it crests in the area.

The business case for green sports stadiums and arenas is growing

Ian Thomas, CNBC

More arenas and stadiums across the U.S. are putting environmentally-friendly practices at the forefront.

Deadly heat waves threaten older people as summer nears

Anita Snow, The Associated Press

In America’s hottest big metro, older people like the Sun Lakes mobile home resident accounted for most of the 77 people who died last summer in broiling heat inside their homes, almost all without air conditioning.

Mitsubishi wants to be the world’s carbon broker

Justine Calma, The Verge

Mitsubishi set up a new market to connect other companies with still contentious carbon removal schemes.

Bi-state sage grouse considered for threatened status, again

Scott Sonner, The Associated Press

For the third time in a decade, federal wildlife officials are contemplating whether the bi-state sage grouse deserves protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Texas Republicans Push Wind Law Developers Call Industry Killer

Josh Saul, Bloomberg

Green-energy developers are pushing back against a Texas bill that would make it harder to build new wind farms in a state that’s become the top producer of renewable power.

Firm that sells clean energy to consumers gets $100-million boost

Ben Geman, Axios

Renewables infrastructure investor True Green Capital Management is acquiring a majority stake in CleanChoice Energy, a firm that helps consumers and businesses tap zero-carbon power.

DOE updates nuclear waste storage plans to reduce impacts on disadvantaged communities

Stephen Singer, Utility Dive

Consent-based siting will be guided by health and safety, environmental responsibility, regulatory requirements and other priorities.

As oil output peaks, US Gulf of Mexico makes room for carbon capture

Sabrina Valle, Reuters

After nearly a century, oil output in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico is heading towards its peak with new platforms providing a last hurrah as the region becomes a hot spot for burying greenhouse gases.

Occidental Hopes to Sell the Carbon It Captures at the World’s Biggest Plant

David Wethe, Bloomberg

When Occidental Petroleum Corp. opens the world’s biggest plant for sucking carbon dioxide out of the sky in two years, the oil giant hopes to sell the captured carbon for the manufacturing of a number of products including plastic and synthetic fuel.

Louisiana’s carbon well permitting application heads to Federal Register

Liz Hampton, Reuters

Louisiana’s application to obtain enforcement authority over carbon capture wells has gone to the Federal Register for public comment, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Friday, a key step in receiving “so-called” primacy and speeding up the permitting process.

After Ninth Circuit tosses Berkeley gas ban for new buildings, climate-focused cities examine their options

Ysabelle Kempe, Utility Dive

Since Berkeley became the country’s first city to ban gas in new buildings in 2019, a spate of other cities and counties have followed, and “they should prepare for litigation because the natural gas industry is fighting for its life,” said Carra Sahler, staff attorney at Lewis & Clark Law School’s Green Energy Institute. 

Exxon, Chevron split over how to manage rising cash piles

Sabrina Valle and Arunima Kumar, Reuters

The two largest U.S. oil companies – Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. – are minting cash from booming oil and gas operations, but are splitting over what to do next.

Pioneer’s Incoming CEO Sees Chance of Oil Hitting $100 This Year

Mitchell Ferman, Bloomberg

Oil demand will continue to increase, helping send crude prices to $80 to $100 a barrel later this year, according to the incoming chief executive officer of Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

The Subtle Strategy Behind Elon Musk’s Price Cuts at Tesla

Tim Higgins, The Wall Street Journal

The EV tycoon is taking a path that has been fraught for other car companies; he maintains he can pull off a twist.

The Boring Old Box Truck Gets the Tesla Treatment

Kyle Stock, Bloomberg

Federal and state incentives are bringing the cost of ownership in line with—or below—that of diesel rigs.

This power plant offers a peek of the future

Timothy Puko, The Washington Post

In Texas, an energy company is building a power plant that can run on hydrogen, a fuel that is gaining steam because of new tax credits and upcoming federal regulations.

Heat pumps are having a breakthrough. They have one issue: The wrong name.

Shannon Osaka, The Washington Post

The newly popular technology faces an issue: No one understands its name.

Pending Senate bill would require 30% transfer capacity between regions: Hickenlooper aide

Ethan Howland, Utility Dive

Building those lines could produce a “stunning payoff,” Daniel Palken, an aide to Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., said. “The technical term for this would be ‘a gold mine.’”

Wildfires in Anchorage? Climate change sparks disaster fears

Mark Thiessen, The Associated Press

Research on a flat spot for air evacuations. Talk of old-style civil defense sirens to warn of fast-moving wildfires. Hundreds of urban firefighters training in wildland firefighting techniques while snow still blankets the ground.

Toxic water floods an Okla. town. Will FERC hold a dam liable?

Miranda Willson, E&E News

When floodwaters encroach on Carol McCool’s home, she knows how to fend off snakes in her living room and remove the orange residue that stains her outside walls.

What to Know About Red-Flag Warnings, an Ominous Wildfire Forecast

Brian K. Sullivan, Bloomberg

When fire weather warnings go out in the Northeast, ‘the hair should stand up on the back of your neck.”

Politicians tell Forest Service: Do more to fight wildfires

Susan Montoya Bryan, The Associated Press

Lawmakers from several western states want the U.S. Forest Service to do more to address a wildfire crisis that they say will surely destroy more landscapes, communities and livelihoods as long-term drought persists around the West.

Lawn wars consume America’s neighborhoods

Jennifer A. Kingson, Axios

The American lawn has become the latest front-line issue in neighborhoods across the country: Some are shelling out to maintain lush greens while others forgo mowing and chemical treatments.

Nevada puts winter storm costs at $10.6M; FEMA help promised

The Associated Press

State emergency managers are projecting clean-up and repair costs of at least $10.6 million following severe winter storms that affected rural parts of Nevada in March.