• In a 56-41 vote, the Senate voted to reinstate tariffs on solar imports from four Southeast Asian countries, aiming to end the Biden administration’s two-year pause, although the resolution will meet a certain veto when it lands on President Joe Biden’s desk. The Senate resolution gained the support of nine Democrats, as proponents of ending the tariff pause say it’s necessary to support domestic industry instead of relying on China for forced, cheap labor. (Politico)
• Norwegian company Nel Hydrogen plans to build a new $350 million “gigafactory” in Michigan near automaker General Motors Co., as the companies work together to make electrolyzers – which split water into hydrogen and oxygen – more efficient and less costly. GM is currently developing and commercializing hydrogen fuel cells for vehicles and power generation. (The Associated Press) 
• European oil major Shell PLC reported adjusted earnings of $9.6 billion in the first quarter, more than the $9.1 billion posted in the same period last year and beating analyst expectations of $8.6 billion. (CNBC)
• The Environmental Protection Agency released a proposal to set a baseline water quality standard for tribal waters, which would cover 76,000 miles of rivers and streams and 1.9 million acres of lakes, reservoirs and other surface waters. The new proposal would align tribal standards with federal standards, as most tribes with reservations do not currently have water quality standards, the agency said. (The Hill) 

Happening today:

• The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold an oversight hearing on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, with testimony from Chairman Willie Phillips (D).

Solar Panel Orders Point to Clean Energy Boom From US Climate Law

Bloomberg

US climate envoy Kerry says China has invited him for talks

Alexander Ratz et al., Reuters

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said on Wednesday China has invited him to visit “in the near term” for talks on averting a global climate change crisis even as diplomatic relations between the world’s two biggest greenhouse gas emitters remain tense.

Ex-Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga confirmed as World Bank leader

Fatima Hussein, The Associated Press

Former Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga, an Indian army officer’s son with decades of corporate experience, was confirmed Wednesday to lead the World Bank for a five-year term that starts next month.

Auto union withholds support for Biden, citing electric vehicles

Timothy Cama, Politico

The president of the influential United Auto Workers said the group is seeking better pay and benefits for its workers at electric vehicle facilities.

N.Y. enacts landmark gas ban, carbon trading program

David Iaconangelo, E&E News

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed several measures in the state budget into law Wednesday that are expected to hasten the Democrat-controlled state’s shift away from fossil fuels and shape the energy sector for years.

COP28 head at odds with climate leaders over future for fossil fuels

Attracta Mooney and Camilla Hodgson, Financial Times

UN climate summit incoming head and Adnoc CEO doubles down on push for carbon capture technology.

Podesta protégé navigates labor, environment divide

Emma Dumain, E&E News

Democrats think selling the climate benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act will be key to winning back control of the House next year. A first-term Democrat — a protégé of White House adviser John Podesta — wants the party to have a better pitch.

Even as he prepares to leave office, Jay Inslee is pushing for climate action

Brady Dennis, The Washington Post

The longtime Washington governor, who has also shaped national climate policies, said he will continue to focus on the issue in the future. “When you have the kind of passion that I do, it’s not going to be dimmed just because I’m out of public office.”

Four ways Biden is boosting fossil fuels — and drawing heat for it

Saul Elbein, The Hill

President Biden ran on a platform of slowing the dangerous heating of the planet caused by fossil fuel emissions. 

Petrochemical industry in Louisiana plans a ‘defense’ amid growing opposition

Pam Radtke, Floodlight

Chevron and ExxonMobil are among the companies in a ‘sustainability council’ countering grassroots activists.

EV adoption brings cleaner air to California — but mostly in wealthy communities

Sharon Udasin, The Hill

The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) might be helping curb pollution in California’s wealthier neighborhoods, but such improvements may be occurring at the expense of disadvantaged communities, a new analysis has found.

New Mexico delegates renew push for broader Chaco protection

Susan Montoya Bryan, The Associated Press

Members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation are again pushing to make permanent a stop on oil and gas development outside the boundaries of Chaco Culture National Historical Park.

The Water Brokers

Jake Bittle, Grist

A small Nevada company spent decades buying water. As the West dries up, it’s cashing out.

‘A sea of misinformation’: FTC to address industry greenwashing complaints

Tom Perkins, The Guardian

As consumers turn to renewable and recyclable products, protests over industry’s use of misleading terms have proliferated.

Shipping lobby group advises caution on climate targets

Ed Davey, The Associated Press

An influential shipping industry group has quietly warned shippers to think carefully before they sign up for a new plan to reduce pollution and eventually eliminate their contribution to climate change.

Homeowners Will See Long Wait for Rooftop Solar in California

Mark Chediak, Bloomberg

Rooftop solar companies SunPower Corp. and Sunrun Inc. posted higher-than-expected sales in the first-quarter as homeowners in California rushed to install panels before a cut in a key state solar subsidy. Now, customers will have a months-long wait for new installations. 

NJ GOP seeks wind projects halt to see if whales benefit

Wayne Parry, The Associated Press

Republican state lawmakers and other New Jersey opponents of offshore wind turbines called Wednesday for a 30- to 60-day moratorium on construction work at such sites to see if it would lead to a decrease in whale deaths.

Massachusetts energy agency calls for 3,600 MW of offshore wind proposals in state’s largest RFP to date

Emma Penrod, Utility Dive

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and the state’s electric distribution companies filed a draft Request for Proposals that seeks up to 3,600 MW of offshore wind projects.

Warren Buffett Has Been Betting Big on Oil. It’s Time to Find Out Why.

Akane Otani, The Wall Street Journal

One of the most successful stock pickers of all time admitted years ago that he was ‘dead wrong’ on an earlier oil-company investment. What’s changed? The answer could come this weekend.

Iran seizes second oil tanker in a week as tensions with US increase

David Sheppard, Financial Times

Tehran steps up retaliation for seizure of its ship, raising concerns about security in key shipping lane.

Carbon removal features filters, fans — and ivory towers

Corbin Hiar, E&E News

Many of the teams seeking federal money to build direct air capture megaprojects in the United States have one thing in common: They include academic institutions.

Americans Insist on 300 Miles of EV Range. They’re Right

Tom Randall, Bloomberg

US buyers of electric cars are demanding more range than anywhere else in the world, and that’s perfectly OK. 

‘Nasty battle’: States fight states for EV, battery plants

Hannah Northey and Mike Lee, E&E News

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer didn’t waste any time pitching her state as a destination when General Motors and South Korea’s Samsung SDI announced plans last week to build a new electric vehicle battery cell factory.

Senators hopeful they can keep rail safety bill on track after East Palestine

Karl Evers-Hillstrom et al., The Hill

Three months after the devastating East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, senators are optimistic they can pass a bipartisan rail safety bill to prevent similar disasters.  

Carmakers are pushing electric SUVs, but smaller is better when it comes to EVs

Oliver Milman, The Guardian

Electric SUVs are better than their gas counterparts for the climate, but they can be worse than compact gas burners.

Cadillac’s Lyriq EV Might Be a Winner If GM Can Build Enough of Them

David Welch, Bloomberg

After waiting more than a year for delivery, some buyers are scrapping their reservations.

Texas Power Demand Seen Breaking Summer Record in Grid Test

Naureen S. Malik and Josh Saul, Bloomberg

Texans are expected to consume a record amount of electricity this summer, forcing the state’s power grid to rely on wind farms and solar plants for the first time to meet peak demand during the season.

Energy company aims to build $2.1B, 858-MW pumped storage project in Pennsylvania

Julie Strupp, Utility Dive

The 858-MW pumped storage project entails creating a new reservoir that would require flooding 600 acres, and building a 1.9-mile-long, 225-foot-high dam and two smaller dikes. 

Chile’s national lithium strategy raises questions about the environmental and social costs of EVs

Tushar Khurana, Grist

Critics want the move to go beyond raising revenue and to protect ecosystems and communities from unnecessary extraction.

Folium Capital Seeks $500 Million to Invest in Forestry and Agriculture

Luis Garcia, The Wall Street Journal

The specialist firm aims to take advantage of demand for carbon-offset investments and healthy foods.

Big investors call on companies to slash use of plastics

Attracta Mooney and Chris Flood, Financial Times

Coalition overseeing $10tn in assets warns on financial risks of inaction.