Hydrogen producers ready for court
If the Treasury Department sticks with its proposed rules for the new hydrogen tax credit known as 45V, opponents will likely challenge the regulations in court, writes Christian Robles. Treasury’s initial guidance in December set requirements for companies to claim the credit, including that hydrogen production facilities must use clean energy sources added to the grid. It immediately faced backlash from hydrogen producers and congressional Democrats, who argued the plan would slow industry growth. The rule could be more vulnerable to legal action if the Supreme Court upends the Chevron doctrine, which has helped federal agencies defend regulations in court for 40 years. Opponents of the hydrogen guidance may argue that Treasury’s tax rules overstep the department’s legal authority, and question whether the department can adopt its proposed method to track emissions caused by hydrogen production’s use of the grid. LNG pause could hurt Biden in Pennsylvania
Democrats in Pennsylvania are worried that the Biden administration’s pause on liquefied natural gas export permits will hurt the key swing state, writes Josh Siegel. The move garnered support from environmentalists but some backlash from Pennsylvania Democrats up for reelection in November like Sen. Bob Casey and Reps. Chris Deluzio and Susan Wild. Pennsylvania has become the second biggest natural gas producer in the country behind Texas, giving the natural gas industry significant sway. The state sealed President Joe Biden’s victory in 2020, but the latest move could upset voters he needs for reelection. Biden is in a similarly precarious situation in Michigan, where his electric vehicle commitments have often clashed with the demands of the United Auto Workers. Tuesday's state primary will be a key test on how he has balanced these interests. European farmers unleash fury
Protesting farmers shut down Brussels’ European Quarter, where they set fire to tires, dumped manure on the street, rammed their trucks into roadblocks and shot flares at police. It’s the latest pressure point in a wave of protests across Europe as farmers air a variety of grievances, from falling revenues to excessive environmental burdens, Alessandro Ford and Claudia Chiappa report. There are unified concerns across Europe over Ukrainian grain, chicken and sugar imports, and the fear of cheap South American beef flooding the market should the European Union finalize a trade deal with the Southern Common Market countries. | 
