In 2021, we witnessed a number of important developments in the future role of hydrogen as part of the United States’ energy transition pathway. President Biden has empowered the secretary of energy, through new legislation...more
On August 10, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) by a bipartisan vote of 69–30. In addition to funding for roads and bridges, the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package establishes a...more
The Biden administration has committed to supporting increased renewable power generating capacity, calling to decarbonize the national electric grid by 2035. President Biden has already begun taking steps to support this...more
On January 15, 2021, the Department of Energy (DOE) stated[1] that it intended to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking later this year as directed under the May 2020 Executive Order on Securing the United States Bulk-Power...more
President-elect Joseph Biden announced on December 15 that he intends to nominate former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to serve as secretary of energy in his new administration. Ms. Granholm previous served as the...more
The Electric Vehicle Mobility Area Planning Act (“EV MAP Act”) was introduced November 24th in the United States House of Representatives. H.R. 8807 was introduced by Congressman Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) and Congressman...more
On August 4, 2020, U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) voted against Mark Menezes, who is nominated to become Deputy Secretary of Energy. In a statement, both Senators said that “[g]iven the uncertainty...more
The Department of Energy (DOE) has solicited the electric industry to request information to assist the DOE in drafting forthcoming rules that will prohibit the U.S. bulk-power electric system from using equipment sourced...more
As discussed in detail in a previous McGuireWoods alert, on May 1, 2020, President Trump issued Executive Order 13920 (EO) prohibiting the acquisition, importation, transfer or installation of certain equipment tied to a...more
On May 1, 2020, President Trump issued Executive Order 13920 (“Executive Order”), which prohibited certain transactions involving bulk-power system electric equipment manufactured or supplied by persons owned by, controlled...more
On May 1, 2020, the White House ratcheted up cybersecurity protection for the nation’s power grid by empowering the Secretary of Energy to prohibit the sale of certain foreign-made equipment for use in the US bulk power...more
On May 1, 2020, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled “Securing the United States Bulk-Power System” which gives the Secretary of Energy the authority to prohibit certain interests from supplying the U.S....more
On May 1, 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order prohibiting the acquisition, importation, transfer, or installation of certain “bulk-power system electric equipment” where the transaction involves property in which...more
On May 1, 2020, President Trump declared a national emergency relating to threats facing the bulk-electric power system in the United States. Specifically, the President issued Executive Order on Securing the United States...more
On Friday, May 1, 2020, President Trump issued a new Executive Order (the Bulk-Power Order) to prohibit transactions within the U.S. for the acquisition or installation of certain “bulk-power system electric equipment” which...more
President Trump’s May 1, 2020, Executive Order prohibiting certain transactions involving bulk-power system electric equipment developed, manufactured or supplied by a foreign adversary could have far-reaching implications...more
New Secretary of Energy Sworn in by President Trump - On December 11, President Trump presided over the swearing in of Dan Brouillette to serve as the 15th Secretary of Energy, with Vice President Pence administering the...more
Congress returned from a two-week recess on April 29, with the next one-week recess scheduled for the week of May 27. Since our last update, a number of energy-related bills have been introduced and congressional committees...more
Trump Signs Orders to Speed Up Oil and Gas Pipeline Construction - "President Trump signed two executive orders that he says will speed up construction of pipelines and other projects to enhance the production and...more
On April 10, 2019, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order seeking to address permitting and policy obstacles preventing the export of coal and other energy resources through West Coast ports. New port facilities and...more
How DC Unleashed Fossil-Fuel Exports Despite Climate Worries - "Since Donald Trump took office in 2017, exports of LNG and crude oil have surged, rivaling the likes of Saudi Arabia and Russia." Why this is important: The...more
Gas Drilling Not Damaging Forests' Waterways, State Finds - "Pennsylvania's state forests agency says it isn't finding damage to waterways amid the expansion of natural gas drilling in recent years, although it is reporting...more
Judge Boots the Global Warming Cases of San Francisco and Oakland Against Oil Companies - "In a 16-page order, U.S. District Judge William Alsup granted the motions to dismiss from the five targeted companies - Chevron,...more
State Files Motion to Dismiss Federal Lawsuit by EQT - "Lawyers representing the Secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection have filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit by the natural gas company EQT over a...more
U.S. Agencies Agree to Slash Approval Times for Infrastructure Projects - "More than a dozen federal agencies agreed to slash the time needed for environmental reviews and permitting on major infrastructure projects, a...more