A new Executive Order directs agencies to accelerate federal permitting and environmental review processes for large-scale AI data center projects and supporting components. The DOE has designated four federal sites for...more
Packaging-related EPR laws are rapidly creating complex compliance obligations across multiple states; companies should act to avoid unexpected fees, increased costs and competitive disadvantages....more
As a law firm, Pillsbury’s experience with data centers dates to the dot-com era, when I advised on buildouts in Silicon Valley and New York City and Jamie Bobotek advised on centers of America On-Line (then spelled out!) and...more
Texas emerged from its 89th legislative session with a sweeping set of laws aimed at cementing the state’s leadership in advanced nuclear energy. Through the passage of HB 14, SB 1535 and SB 1061, lawmakers demonstrated a...more
Texas has responded to rapid electrical load growth with legislative reforms. On June 1, 2025, Texas Senate Bill 6 (SB 6), passed both chambers of the Legislature with bipartisan support and was sent to Governor Abbott for...more
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced on May 30 that it will invoke emergency permitting procedures to accelerate environmental review of select geothermal energy projects, with three proposed geothermal...more
Geothermal energy is rapidly gaining support in Texas as a viable and cost-efficient clean energy resource with substantial economic development prospects. With the ability to leverage the state’s existing oil and gas...more
The four orders address nearly all aspects of the federal government’s civilian nuclear apparatus, though some question arise about implementation. Friday, President Trump signed four new Executive Orders (the...more
5/29/2025
/ Department of Energy (DOE) ,
Energy Policy ,
Energy Projects ,
Energy Sector ,
Executive Orders ,
Government Agencies ,
National Security ,
Nuclear Power ,
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Trump Administration
Data centers use various chemicals that have recently been the focus of regulatory efforts at the federal and state level. The historic or future use of these chemicals may create liabilities, obligations, or new costs for...more
5/6/2025
/ Data Centers ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Hazardous Substances ,
PFAS ,
Popular ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Toxic Exposure
The Trump administration’s directive instructs the Council on Environmental Quality to implement technological reforms and establish a unified federal system to conduct environmental reviews and evaluate permits....more
5/1/2025
/ Energy Projects ,
Energy Sector ,
Environmental Policies ,
Executive Orders ,
Infrastructure ,
NEPA ,
Permits ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Technology Sector ,
Trump Administration
On April 7, the Office of Policy for U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from industry professionals, grid operators, local communities, Tribal governments, and other...more
DOE has slightly modified its evaluation process and is offering both previous and new applicants the opportunity to submit proposals for next generation nuclear power projects under the updated criteria....more
EPA recently finalized the HFC Emissions Reduction and Reclamation Rule, which imposes strict requirements on industries relying on HFC-based refrigeration systems. Prior to the Biden administration leaving office, EPA...more
The executive order aims to expedite energy projects, boost domestic production, and strengthen U.S. energy independence through streamlined regulatory reforms. On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued the “Declaring a...more
1/31/2025
/ Defense Production Act ,
Department of Energy (DOE) ,
Endangered Species Act (ESA) ,
Energy Sector ,
Environmental Policies ,
Executive Orders ,
Fossil Fuel ,
Infrastructure ,
Oil & Gas ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Trump Administration
The Trump administration is expected to take quick and decisive action to weaken the IRA once he takes office.
Trump’s vow to end delays in federal drilling permits and leases for oil and gas production could benefit...more
1/17/2025
/ Clean Energy ,
Climate Change ,
Energy Sector ,
Environmental Policies ,
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) ,
Methane ,
NEPA ,
Offshore Wind ,
Oil & Gas ,
Paris Agreement ,
Permits ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Renewable Energy ,
Solar Energy ,
Trump Administration
With a renewed focus on domestic energy production and regulatory reform, the incoming administration signals significant shifts in U.S. energy and climate priorities.
The incoming Trump Administration will prioritize...more
12/19/2024
/ China ,
Clean Energy ,
Climate Change ,
Department of Energy (DOE) ,
Electric Vehicles ,
Energy Costs ,
Energy Policy ,
Energy Projects ,
Energy Sector ,
Energy Storage ,
Export Bans ,
Geothermal Energy ,
Grants ,
Hydrogen Power ,
Incentives ,
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) ,
Infrastructure ,
Keystone XL Pipeline ,
Liquid Natural Gas ,
Minerals ,
Nuclear Power ,
Oil & Gas ,
Paris Agreement ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Renewable Energy ,
Renewable Fuel ,
Solar Energy ,
Tax Credits ,
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ,
Trump Administration ,
UNFCCC ,
Wind Power
The decision signals potential new scrutiny for co-located energy generation and data center projects as concerns grow about grid impacts.
Although decided primarily on procedural grounds, the Federal Energy Regulatory...more
On October 3, 2024, the Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to fund up to $400 million for clean energy projects in rural and remote areas via its Energy...more
On September 30, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice seeking comment on the manufacture of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during the fluorination of high-density...more
Artificial intelligence, data centers, carbon removal and zero-emission power may sound like a winning line (plus the Free Space) on a 2024 Buzzword Bingo card. But the concepts have come into dramatic real-world tension as...more
9/12/2024
/ Artificial Intelligence ,
Carbon Emissions ,
Data Centers ,
Electricity ,
Energy Sector ,
Energy Storage ,
Green Energy ,
Infrastructure ,
Innovative Technology ,
Renewable Energy ,
Technology Sector
The subsidence risk in geothermal projects needs to be effectively managed by careful review of site conditions and legal and permitting precedents.
Production of geothermal fluids can lead to subsidence of the land...more
The landmark nuclear legislation will help drive development, innovation, investment and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies.
The ADVANCE Act takes substantial steps to help expedite the development and deployment...more
If all goes as planned, solar, wind and other clean energy technologies will help us abandon carbon emissions for good. But many green power sources perform their best only when nature cooperates, so an important (and...more
The Defense Innovation Unit has released a solicitation seeking Solution Briefs for full lifecycle micro-reactor power plant(s) that would start operations at an Army installation in the continental United States before the...more
Hydrogen, solar, wind—and even microwave beams from outer space—are a few of the alternative energies being explored as the world strives to cut the cord on carbon emissions. Recently, advancements in geothermal energy...more