** Tesla is turning to Mozambique for a key component in its electric car batteries in what analysts believe is a first-of-its-kind deal designed to reduce its dependence on China for graphite. Elon Musk’s company signed an agreement last month with Australia’s Syrah Resources, which operates one of the world’s largest graphite mines in the southern African country.
** The Biden administration has approved a third major solar project in California, part of a continued drive to achieve carbon-free electricity generation nationwide by 2035.
World
** Europe is gripped by one of the worst energy crunches in history, forcing politicians to step in as soaring prices threaten to leave millions of households unable to pay their bills. Ministers in the five biggest European economies — Germany, the U.K., France, Italy and Spain — have so far come up with a patchwork of grants and time-limited tax cuts to help consumers heat and power their homes.
** High energy prices are bearing down on Europe’s economy like a freight train, and France just pushed its largest electricity producer into the path of the collision. The government will force Electricite de France SA to sell more power at a steep discount, costing the utility almost $9 billion.