Inaccessible EV chargers leave disabled drivers behind

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Electric vehicle chargers are often inaccessible for people with disabilities, a growing problem as officials forecast millions more electric vehicles on roads in the coming years. (Mother Jones)

‍

ALSO: After setbacks to adopting electric vehicle sales targets in Maine and Connecticut, frustrated New England clean transportation advocates refocus on charging infrastructure and consumer education. (Energy News Network)

‍

CLEAN ENERGY:

• The Biden administration announces $4 billion in tax incentives for more than 100 clean energy manufacturing projects across 35 states, including for facilities that will make grid and offshore wind equipment, battery components and more. (Axios)
• Texas’ energy industry looks for new ways to build power in a state already flush with natural gas, wind and solar projects, resulting in discussions about hydrogen, geothermal and nuclear power development. (Texas Tribune)

‍

HYDROGEN: As the U.S. Treasury Department tries to ensure its hydrogen tax credits go to projects involving clean energy, industry leaders say the federal rules will discourage nuclear-produced hydrogen and make projects prohibitively expensive. (E&E News)

‍

OIL & GAS:

• The U.S. EPA is expected to finalize a power plant emissions rule this month that could lead utilities to reduce their use of natural gas-fired power plants — including a large plant planned for South Carolina. (The State)
• Colorado lawmakers kill legislation that would have banned new oil and gas drilling beginning in 2030, after industry, regulators and local governments raised concerns about its economic impacts. (Colorado Sun)
• Federal energy regulators were “well within” their authority when granting extensions to two gas pipeline projects, a court writes, striking down environmental groups’ challenges. (E&E News, subscription)

‍

EMISSIONS: The U.S. EPA moves to lower inaccurately high soot measurements taken since 2017, potentially making it easier for some areas to meet new pollution standards. (E&E News)

‍

CLIMATE:

• Former President Trump’s election this year would further risk the world’s chances of meeting climate goals, a former United Nations climate chief says. (Guardian)
• Democratic lawmakers call out the Biden administration for fighting a youth climate case against the federal government (E&E News)
• Vermont state senators advance legislation to create a climate change Superfund and require fossil fuel majors to pay for climate damage in the state, although the state’s governor wants larger states to take the lead. (VT Digger)

‍

CARBON CAPTURE: A Virginia company says it successfully used carbon capture technology to grow lettuce at an indoor farm. (Roanoke Times)

‍

GRID: The ongoing legal dispute over a $649 million transmission line between Iowa and Wisconsin highlights differences between environmental and clean energy advocacy groups. (Inside Climate News)

‍

WIND: After “inflammatory rhetoric” about renewables discouraged bids in last year’s offshore wind auction near Texas, federal officials are shifting their attention to areas off Louisiana instead. (Louisiana Illuminator)

‍