**EnerVest Ltd., a private equity firm that specializes in shale drilling, fired 111 people at its Houston headquarters, citing “challenging times for the industry.” The job cuts were made “in an effort to right-size our company and ensure a successful future,” company spokeswoman Lindsey Welch said in an email on Monday.
** Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee wants more details about John Kerry’s personal finances and how the Biden climate envoy is avoiding conflicts between his official duties and private investments. He sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday seeking more information after Axios revealed new details about Kerry’s lucrative work in finance and energy investing after he completed his tenure as secretary himself.
** Environmental groups sue the Army Corps of Engineers over its streamlined permitting program reauthorized by the Trump administration that allows pipelines to cross rivers, streams and wetlands.
** -The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday proposed a rule to slash the use of a potent climate-warming gas commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners by 85% over the next 15 years, a move it said will play a big part in U.S. plans to halve its greenhouse gas emissions this decade.
** American Electric Power signs a long-term agreement for 480 MW of power from the first phase of a massive $1 billion solar project planned in Indiana.
** Environmental groups say Evergy’s long-term energy plan has key clean energy components but takes too long to fully retire its coal generation.
** A progressive Democrat seeking to fill the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri makes climate change a key part of his platform.
** Louisiana announces plans for a $700 million renewable diesel refinery that will produce up to 32 million gallons of fuel annually.
** As Arkansas’ disconnection moratorium concludes, utility officials encourage customers behind on their bills to seek alternative options before they’re cut off.
** Florida and Texas rank third and fourth after California and New York for installing the largest number of electric chargers in the U.S.
** Some northern Minnesota landowners say Enbridge is not following through with some pledges made to allay opposition to its new Line 3 oil pipeline.
** The Biden administration on Monday said it has approved a major solar energy project in the California desert that will be capable of powering nearly 90,000 homes. The $550 million Crimson Solar Project will be sited on 2,000 acres of federal land west of Blythe, California, the Interior Department said in a statement.
** Ford and BMW, along with the VC firm Volta Energy Technologies, are investing $130 million in the solid-state battery startup Solid Power
