In the news today…
Electric Vehicles:
- Associated Press reports that Ford plans to invest $3.7 billion and add 6,200 factor jobs in Michigan, Ohio and Missouri as it prepares to build more electric vehicles.
- Reuters reports Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Elon Musk wants to implement a hiring freeze and cut 10% of jobs at the electric vehicle company, citing a “super bad feeling” about the economy in an email sent to executives and seen by Reuters. The email follows earlier comments by Musk telling staff they needed to return to the office or leave.
- KCTV reports that Evergy estimates more than 10,000 electric vehicles are now operating in the Kansas City area, and the utility is “preparing the grid alongside that transition.”
Grid:
- Utility Dive reports that the U.S. Department of Energy partners with utilities, grid operators, clean energy developers and state and tribal governments on a new initiative to speed up the grid interconnection process and facilitate clean energy developments.
Congress:
- Axios reports that bipartisan energy talks in the Senate helmed by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) seem to be over, potentially setting the course for a Democrat-only deal, as Republican senators are convinced that Manchin is nearing a reconciliation deal with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), according to people familiar with the matter. Despite Manchin’s potential interest in finalizing a reconciliation package, any deal will still need the support of every Senate Democrat, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and President Joe Biden.
Coal:
- The Wall Street Journal reports soaring coal prices threaten additional upward pressure on electricity bills.
- The Wall Street Journal reports the planned sale of emerging market coal plants is a test case for phaseout plans.
- The Washington Post joins the reporting on the threat of blackouts this summer, pointing to coal closures as a key driver.
- E&E ClimateWire reports India is leaning on coal to get through sweltering heat waves.