Corporate giants back clean energy standard

Over 75 companies including big names like General Motors, Apple, Unilever and eBay are urging lawmakers to require that power companies supply sharply rising amounts of zero-carbon electricity.

Why it matters: A new open letter shows an effort to keep a proposed "clean energy standard" (CES) in the mix on Capitol Hill despite huge political hurdles.

What they're saying: "A federal clean electricity standard should achieve 80 percent carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030 on the pathway to 100% clean power by 2035," the letter states.

The effort is organized by the sustainable investment advocacy group Ceres, the Environmental Defense Fund and others.

What we're watching: Whether last month's extreme heat in the Pacific Northwest will influence politics at all.

"Millions of Americans are already feeling the impacts of climate change. From recent extreme weather to deadly wildfires and record-breaking hurricanes, the human and economic losses are profound," it states.

Catch up fast: The White House last week said it wants a CES in the package of energy, health and child care measures Democrats hope to move in a filibuster-proof "reconciliation" package.

• But backers face big challenges corralling votes and need to craft a CES compliant with reconciliation, which is meant for spending and revenue measures, not regulatory policy.

Go deeper: Can Biden's signature climate policy clear Senate rules? (Washington Examiner)