CLEAN ENERGY: U.S. cities bought a record amount of renewable energy in 2020 as they followed through on climate pledges, many made in response to former President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:
• A clean energy standard with a goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035 is at the center of President Joe Biden’s $2.25 trillion infrastructure plan — something utilities may favor over a patchwork of state standards. (Washington Post)
• The Pentagon is reportedly developing a clean energy plan of its own, including potentially mandating all non-combat vehicles be electric by 2030 and transitioning planes and ships off of fossil fuels. (Politico)

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CLIMATE:
• President Biden’s infrastructure plan “is a good start,” climate advocates say, but the U.S. needs a far bigger investment to come out of COVID-19’s economic crisis “with a reimagined society.” (Politico)
• A coalition of 145 climate advocacy groups call on climate envoy John Kerry to push Wall Street to divest from fossil fuels and forest risk commodities. (The Hill)

OVERSIGHT: EPA head Michael Regan will replace 40 Trump administration appointees to the agency’s science and clean air advisory boards. (The Hill)

OIL & GAS:
• The White House’s infrastructure plan proposes $16 billion to clean up oil and gas wells and coal mines, but it’s unclear if that money will go to states’ plugging efforts or a new federal program. (E&E News, subscription)
• The 13 Republican attorneys general suing to block the Biden administration’s oil and gas leasing permit pause ask a federal court to immediately halt the mandate. (E&E News, subscription)

PIPELINES: A Michigan tribe seeks a federal designation of cultural significance to an area of the Straits of Mackinac that, if successful, could complicate Enbridge’s efforts to build a tunnel for Line 5 there. (Energy News Network)

OFFSHORE WIND: Governors of northeastern states have hinged their state’s climate goals on a future full of offshore wind — and need federal follow-through to support the nascent American industry. (Politico)

SOLAR: Republican senators co-sponsor a bill to ban using federal funds to buy solar panels or related equipment from China. (PV Magazine)

EFFICIENCY: The Department of Energy proposes reversing the Trump administration’s rollback of energy efficiency standards for household appliances. (E&E News, subscription)

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BIOFUELS: The White House reportedly tells the EPA to study whether using renewable fuels to power EV charging should generate biofuel credits, laying out a potential new revenue stream for the industry. (Reuters)

COMMENTARY:
• President Biden should take a lesson from U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s failed “build back better” economic stimulus package, which “may have killed more jobs than it spurred,” a reporter writes. (Grist)
• Researchers develop a new method of growing nutrient-rich giant kelp and recommend utilizing it to make biofuel. (The Conversation)

Kathryn brings her extensive editorial background to the Energy News Network team, where she oversees the early-morning production of ENN’s five email digest newsletters as well as distribution of ENN’s original journalism with other media outlets. From documenting chronic illness’ effect on college students to following the inner workings of Congress, Kathryn has built a broad experience in her more than five years working at major publications including The Week Magazine. Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Science in magazine journalism and information management and technology from Syracuse University.