• Tesla Inc. finished the first quarter of 2019 with a net loss of $702 million after two better previous quarters, when the automaker made $450 million in after-tax profit. Tesla said its vehicle deliveries were down 31 percent from the previous quarter, and Chief Executive Elon Musk reversed his earlier position against raising more outside capital, but he did not specify the amount or timing of that effort. (Financial Times)

• Global forest loss slowed in 2018, with about 30 million acres of tropical forest depleted last year compared to 42 million acres and 39 million acres in 2016 and 2017, respectively, according to the World Resources Institute. But the 2018 loss of forested areas, which are important to fighting climate change, is the fourth-highest since the satellite analysis started in 2001. (The New York Times)

• The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee launched an inquiry into whether Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler violated the Ethics in Government Act, under which federal officials must disclose any money earned over $5,000 in the two years preceding their entrance into government. According to a letter notifying Wheeler of the investigation, Wheeler did not disclose past lobbying for natural ingredients company Darling Ingredients Inc., and his calendar shows that he met with the company last June while working as EPA’s deputy administrator. (CNN)

Carlos Ghosn set for release after Tokyo court grants $4.5m bail
Kana Inagaki and Leo Lewis, Financial Times

The court decision on Thursday came after Mr Ghosn was indicted earlier this week on a fresh charge that he made personal gains by diverting $5m from the Japanese carmaker. Tokyo prosecutors immediately appealed against the decision.

Could Biden build a new climate coalition?
Adam Aton, E&E News

Many Democratic base voters — especially the young, liberal activists coolest toward Biden — want aggressive emissions reductions. Meanwhile, some unions — especially the building trades close to Biden — fear winding down fossil fuel projects could mean fewer jobs and lower pay.

The betrayal: How a lawyer, a lobbyist and a legislator waged war on an Alabama Superfund cleanup
Steven Mufson, The Washington Post

The Environmental Protection Agency wanted to clean up toxic soil in the 35th Avenue Superfund site in north Birmingham, where residents, about 95 percent of them African Americans, live in the shadow of massive waste berms, industrial chimneys, and the fortresses of steel, coking and cement manufacturing.

Pruitt’s lawyer sought billionaire’s help for fund
Kevin Bogardus, E&E News

Last year, former EPA chief Scott Pruitt’s legal defense fund received a $50,000 contribution from Diane Hendricks, a billionaire businesswoman and Republican donor. That donation was sought by a friend of Hendricks, Cleta Mitchell, partner at Foley & Lardner LLP — and trustee of Pruitt’s fund.

Oil prices fall as soaring U.S. supply offsets tighter Iran sanctions
Henning Gloystein, Reuters

Oil prices fell on Thursday as record U.S. output and rising crude stockpiles dampened the impact on markets of tighter U.S. sanctions on Iran and producer club OPEC’s continued curbs on supply.

U.S. officials say global oil market ready for end to Iran crude exports
Florence Tan, Reuters

U.S. attempts to drive Iranian oil exports down to zero come against the backdrop of a global market that is sufficiently well supplied to avoid price disruptions, senior U.S. officials said on Thursday.

Typical Worker’s Pay Nears $200,000 at Oil Refiner
Patrick Thomas, The Wall Street Journal

Oil-and-gas drillers and refiners had some of the highest-paid median workers in the energy and utility sectors in 2018, according to The Wall Street Journal analysis of annual pay disclosures for hundreds of big U.S. companies as provided by MyLogIQ.

U.S. biofuel trade group asks judge to halt new EPA small refinery waivers: documents
Jarrett Renshaw, Reuters

A U.S. biofuels trade group asked a federal court on Wednesday to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from giving refiners new waivers from the country’s biofuels law until the agency reverts to the tougher criteria it used to assess applications before Donald Trump’s presidency, according to court papers.

Saudi Arabia is set to lead a trillion-dollar regional investment splurge
Dan Murphy, CNBC

The energy sector in the Middle East and North Africa will amass almost $1 trillion in investment over the next five years, as countries build out energy capabilities and pivot to renewables, according to new research.

Valero Energy first-quarter profit falls 70 percent
Arundhati Sarkar, Reuters

Valero Energy Corp reported a 70 percent fall in quarterly profit on Thursday, as the U.S. independent refiner processed less crude and margins were weighed down by lower gasoline prices.

Freeport LNG terminal shows signs of gas activity: Platts Analytics
Harry Weber and Ross Wyeno, S&P Global Platts

Gas deliveries to the Freeport LNG export terminal in Texas appear to have started, S&P Global Platts Analytics data showed Wednesday, as two other US LNG facilities prepare to begin operations.

Green groups ask judge to uphold freeze on Keystone pipeline
Miranda Green, The Hill

In a a motion filed Tuesday with the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Indigenous Environmental Network, Northern Plains Resource Council and Fort Belknap Indian Community asked the court to reject requests by the Trump administration to dismiss the case.

Undisclosed $70,000 payments to Crow Wing Power directors come under scrutiny
Mike Hughlett, Star Tribune

The board president of a Brainerd electricity cooperative, Crow Wing Power, acknowledged Wednesday that several directors took undisclosed compensation in connection with the 2006 sale of an affiliated company.

DC’s transit agency announces Energy Action Plan
Katie Pyzyk, Smart Cities Dive

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) introduced its first Energy Action Plan to reduce energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and long-term operating costs.

GM wanted too much from EV start-up Rivian, opening door for Ford’s $500 million investment
Paul A. Eisenstein, CNBC

Ford’s $500 million investment in electric truck maker Rivian became a possibility shortly after the start-up’s talks with Detroit rival General Motors broke down about eight weeks ago, according to someone familiar with the discussions.

‘Land No One Else Wants’ Gets Solar as Coal-and-Nukes Era Fades
Brian Eckhouse, Bloomberg

For two decades, coal has been pulled from a Bent Mountain mine in eastern Kentucky. But in a startling move in the heart of coal country, a rival — solar — is preparing to move on to the land.

New York targets 1.5 TWh of new renewables with latest solicitation
Robert Walton, Utility Dive

The procurement will help to meet a 70% renewable standard by 2030 under New York’s Green New Deal, and will support 1,000 jobs in the state.

Explosions Threatening Lithium-Ion’s Edge in a Battery Race
Brian Eckhouse and Mark Chediak, Bloomberg

At least 21 fires had already occurred at battery projects in South Korea, according to BloombergNEF. But this latest one, erupting on Friday at a facility owned by a Pinnacle West Capital Corp. utility in Surprise, Arizona, marked the first time it has happened in America since batteries took off globally.

Coal company wins right to mine in northern Wyoming
Heather Richards, Casper Star Tribune

The company trying to open the first coal mine in 50 years in northern Wyoming won the right to mine under another coal company’s surface rights in a court decision recently, bringing Ramaco Coal one step closer mining in Sheridan County.

Legal team ‘deliberating’ Supreme Court appeal for MOX case, S.C. attorney general says
Colin Demarest, Aiken Standard

“We’re looking at all our options,” Wilson said, speaking to the Aiken Republican Club. “I don’t know that it looks that great, but we have not given up.”

Can Humans Help Trees Outrun Climate Change?
Moises Velasquez-Manoff, The New York Times

Foresters began noticing the patches of dying pines and denuded oaks, and grew concerned. Warmer winters and drier summers had sent invasive insects and diseases marching northward, killing the trees.

California cities have highest levels of air pollution in US: study
Zack Budryk, The Hill

Seven of the country’s 10 most air-polluted cities are in California, despite the state’s strict environmental laws, according to a new study by the American Lung Association (ALA).

Electric Vehicles Give Taxpayers Sticker Shock
Gerard Scimeca, Morning Consult

The tax subsidy for Tesla started to wind down at the beginning of this year, and General Motors’ tax credits began to phase out on April 1. But as Ronald Reagan once noted, government programs and subsidies have an immortal life, and now Democrats and even some Republicans are quietly working with EV manufacturers on a deal to lift the cap on the EV tax credit.

Storm clouds hover over Trump’s nominee to NOAA
The Editorial Board, USA Today

Unlike other members of the Trump administration, Myers isn’t a climate change denier. But his nomination raises significant conflict-of-interest questions.

Former AccuWeather CEO has managerial skills NOAA needs
Robert Vanasse, USA Today

One side of NOAA is atmosphere, the other is oceans. As former CEO of AccuWeather, Barry Myers knows atmosphere.

Tribal Consultation: Additional Federal Actions Needed for Infrastructure Projects
U.S. Government Accountability Office

Based on interviews with officials from 57 tribes and 21 federal agencies, as well as comments submitted by 100 tribes in 2016 on tribal consultation for infrastructure projects, GAO identified key factors that tribes and agencies believe hinder effective consultation on infrastructure projects.