Happy Friday!
In the news today…
Grid:
- Texas Tribune and Associated Press reports that the Texas power grid largely held during this week’s winter storm, but numerous localized outages spur calls for additional reform.
- Utility Dive reports that a national solar trade group urges federal regulators to lift grid operator MISO’s ban on renewable energy producers’ ability to sell ancillary services, which could open up new revenue streams for generators.
WOTUS:
- Politico Pro reports a majority of Congressional Republicans, including every GOP member in the Senate, signed onto resolutions filed Thursday to nullify the Biden administration’s new definition of which streams and wetlands are subject to Clean Water Act regulation.
Minerals:
- Mining.com reports some of the biggest names in copper have found high-ranking political allies to support their efforts to get the wiring metal added to a list of minerals deemed critical to the US.
- E&E Daily reports lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are expressing concerns with the administration’s strategy for securing clean energy supply chains.
Coal:
- E&E Climatewire reports Sen. Joe Manchin pressured a top Energy Department official on Thursday to expand markets for coal waste, a high-polluting energy source that has earned Manchin’s family millions of dollars.
Energy:
- E&E Energywire reports a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday offered a preview of coming battles between the Department of Energy and Congress.