President Donald Trump signed several energy-focused executive orders aimed at increasing production and distribution of domestic fossil fuel resources, including development of Alaska’s natural resources....more
The US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations has announced initial funding awards for two additional regional clean hydrogen hubs, bringing the total number of regional hydrogen hubs with...more
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on September 19, 2024 to tighten its existing mandatory controls for certain electric assets. The proposal reflects...more
The US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources has advanced the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, a bipartisan energy bill that would facilitate permitting for energy infrastructure and mining projects....more
The Biden administration released the Voluntary Carbon Markets Joint Policy Statement and Principles on May 28, 2024, which outlines principles for adoption to build high-integrity voluntary carbon markets (VCMs). This VCM...more
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued a final rule and associated regulatory guide providing an alternative avenue for small modular reactors (SMRs) and advanced reactors to satisfy emergency preparedness...more
The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) has released its annual report on enforcement for fiscal year 2023. As in fiscal year 2022, FERC’s Office of Enforcement (OE) focused on matters involving fraud...more
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC or Commission) released its enforcement results for fiscal year 2023 on November 7, 2023. The CFTC’s Division of Enforcement filed 96 enforcement actions in 2023 charging a range...more
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the much-anticipated selection of seven hydrogen hub projects across the country that are eligible for $7 billion in federal investment. The selectees will now undergo an award...more
In a per curiam decision on October 3, 2023, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed that the Federal Power Act prevents tort suits against the United States relating to damage caused by dams that are licensed...more
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has announced that it intends to issue, by the end of 2023, the final rule and associated regulatory guide that sets emergency preparedness requirements for new reactors. The rulemaking...more
The Nine Mile Point nuclear power station in Oswego, New York began producing hydrogen in March 2023 as part of a demonstration project sponsored by the US Department of Energy. Although Nine Mile Point produced hydrogen...more
Following weeks of anticipation, US Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the text of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2022, his permitting reform legislation, on September 21, 2022. As part of an agreement to win...more
9/23/2022
/ Climate Change ,
Electricity ,
Energy Sector ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Federal Power Act ,
FERC ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Hydrogen Power ,
Jurisdiction ,
Natural Gas ,
Natural Gas Act ,
NEPA
To address changing system needs, FERC ordered each Regional Transmission Organization and Independent System Operator (collectively, RTO/ISO) to submit information to the Commission regarding changes to wholesale markets...more
In an order denying a request to waive filing requirements triggered by changes in ownership of qualifying facility (QF) projects, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reiterated the importance of ensuring QF filings,...more
Through its more recent enforcement actions, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) has sent a clear message to the energy industry, with its Office of Enforcement (OE) shifting enforcement efforts...more
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued show cause orders to two natural pipelines—Rover Pipeline and Midship Pipeline Company—following its December 2021 open meeting, and sent a related dispute involving Midship for...more
At its December 2021 open meeting, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) approved new rules to improve utilization of the transmission system by redefining “transmission line rating” to account for...more
A report presented on September 23, 2021, into the February 2021 power outages in Texas and the US Midwest caused by extreme cold weather identified the causes of the outages and outlined a series of recommendations....more
The US Congress has adopted the first extensive update to US federal energy policies in over a decade in the Energy Act of 2020 (Energy Act), which President Donald Trump signed into law on December 27 as part of the...more
12/30/2020
/ Carbon Capture and Sequestration ,
Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) ,
Department of Energy (DOE) ,
Energy Policy ,
Energy Sector ,
Infrastructure ,
New Legislation ,
Nuclear Power ,
Popular ,
Power Grid ,
Renewable Energy ,
Tax Credits
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on December 19, 2019, directed PJM Interconnection to extend its minimum offer price rule (MOPR) from new natural gas–fired electric generators to also cover any generator that...more
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) recently released its Annual Report on the Whistleblower Program and Customer Education Initiatives for fiscal year (FY) 2019. The report, which details the operation of the...more
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) filed and settled charges on October 24 against Upstream Energy Services LLC (Upstream Energy) for acting as an unregistered futures commission merchant. The Commission’s order...more