** The U.S. is trying to seize around 2 million barrels of what it thinks is Iranian oil, according to people familiar with the matter, in Washington’s latest attempt to block the Islamic Republic’s energy exports. Bloomberg reports the crude is on board the Liberia-flagged Achilleas, which is sailing to the U.S. after the Department of Justice issued a seizure order.
** The Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, seeing the handwriting on the wall as the Biden administration takes over, has pledged for its members to pare their carbon footprint and make operations emissions-free by 2050.
** Vineyard Wind, the developer of the first major U.S. offshore wind farm, said on Monday it has asked the Biden administration to restart its permitting process after former President Donald Trump’s government abruptly canceled it last month.
** President Joe Biden said Monday he plans to replace the “enormous fleet” of government vehicles with electric models. The switch will help create one million new autoworker jobs in the US, he said.
** Directors of two New York City pension funds vote to divest of $4 billion worth of fossil fuel securities reported Reuters.
** Chemical manufacturer BASF pays $14 million for the 1,875-acre site of a former Texas power plant, which includes water rights to the Brazos River according to the Waco Tribune-Herald.
** A report by S&P Global says the development of major interstate natural gas pipelines may start to wind down as the market turns toward clean energy and the Biden administration pursues climate policies, analysts say.
** A Minnesota oil refinery is reviewing bids from developers to build a 30 MW onsite solar project to help reduce its electricity costs.
** Cheniere Energy Partners, L.P. declared a cash distribution of $0.655 ($2.62 annualized) per common unit to unitholders of record as of February 8, 2021, and the related distribution to its general partner. These distributions are payable on February 12, 2021.
** After Arizona regulators approved a requirement for utilities to get 100% of their energy from carbon-free sources by 2050, Republicans lawmakers introduce a bill to block all regulatory changes made since June from taking effect reported the Arizona Republic.
** A group of House Republicans wrote Biden on Tuesday asking him not to reverse Trump’s relocation of the Bureau of Land Management’s headquarters to Grand Junction, Colo.