California's top air regulator: Trump opposes tax credits and EV regulations, but California is accelerating work on them.
California's top air regulator announced that officials will meet with Detroit automakers to discuss the next phase in greenhouse gas regulations for vehicles and trucks. California is fighting President Donald Trump in the U.S. Congress and in?the court against his efforts to dismantle federal vehicle emission standards. Lauren Sanchez, Chair of the California Air Resources Board and Governor Gavin Newsom, said in an interview that Newsom will announce next week details of a $200 million "electric" vehicle incentive program. The program is intended to fill the gap created by Trump's budget bill, which eliminated federal tax credits on new electric vehicles last year.
House Democrats warn oil companies about risks associated with Venezuelan transactions
Twelve House Democrats sent a letter on Wednesday to '21 companies that attended the White House meeting held on Jan. 9, about developing Venezuelan oil resources. They warned them of legal and financial risks associated with any transactions or investments they made there. The letter was written by Democratic Congressman Sean Casten. It stated that despite assurances given by the Trump administration, their failure to inform Congress about its legal basis for exercising control over Venezuela's assets places any investments made at risk of being questioned by Congress, a new U.S. President or Venezuelan Government.
Trump touts the economy in Iowa as protests roil Minnesota
U.S. president Donald Trump arrived in Iowa, Tuesday. He was seeking to shore up his support in a Midwestern battleground. An escalating conflict over immigration enforcement in Minnesota could drown out the economic message. The Republican President, whose economic and immigration policies are lagging, will try to rally his rural supporters in an area that is hosting key congressional elections?in November. The mounting stress on the farm economy, and the delays in biofuel policies are testing the patience and renewable fuel producers. The Republican president is under pressure from voters to show that he's reducing costs.
Trump visits Iowa amid farm stress and biofuel delays
The President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to Iowa, on Tuesday, to boost his political support. This state is critical to the rural coalition of Trump, and farmers and producers of renewable fuels are becoming increasingly frustrated with the 'farm economy and its mounting pressure. The visit to the nation's biggest producer of corn and ethanol coincides with growing concern over low crop prices, high inputs costs, and policy uncertainty that threatens Trump's support across the U.S. Farm Belt. Lance Lillibridge is a 56-year old corn and beef farmer who plans to drive two hours from Vinton, Iowa to Des Moines to meet Trump.
After E15 deal fails, US Congress creates ethanol taskforce
After a failed attempt to include such legislation into a funding bill this week, Republican U.S. legislators plan to form a taskforce to examine the potential for year-round sale of?E15 gasoline blended with higher ethanol in the U.S. Farm groups and Midwest Ethanol advocates have blasted the formation of a taskforce instead of legislation. They called it a blow for American farmers who are already hurt by low prices, uncertainty in global trade and a lack?of clarity regarding U.S. Biofuels Policies. Farm groups want E15 to be sold year-round, as it has a higher ethanol content. This would increase demand for corn as the primary ingredient in ethanol.
Venezuelan oil companies are pushing for rapid reforms to allow them to control oil exports
Sources involved in the talks say that oil executives and lawyers from international oil companies are lobbying for changes to the hydrocarbon laws of OPEC members in order to 'give them the freedom to export the oil produced in Venezuela. Many potential investors want to know how they can make this happen without waiting years for the legal and contractual reforms to protect their investment. Representatives of international oil companies want to get things moving. They are asking for a few changes to the current legal framework in the oil industry.
US Supreme Court rejects Citigroup's appeal in lawsuit against Mexican oil company fraud
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Citigroup’s appeal on Monday, despite the fact that the lawsuit accused the?bank for orchestrating a massive fraud against the Mexican oil and gas company Oceanografia. This lawsuit claimed the?bank caused more than $1 billion in losses. The Justices rejected Citigroup's appeal against a May 2025 lower court decision to revive a decade-old lawsuit brought by over 30 plaintiffs, including Oceanografia bondholders and shipping companies as well as Rabobank of the Netherlands. The Supreme Court, by doing this, allowed the lower court's ruling to stand.
The US government is under pressure from the Fusion Energy Industry to provide billions of dollars in support
On Monday, fusion energy industry leaders met U.S. Department of Energy representatives to encourage them to provide billions of dollars to projects that seek to?generate electrical power by the same process as the sun. In November, the?department?created an Office of Fusion as part of a reorganization which focused on fossil and nuclear energy. Renewable energy offices were eliminated. The Trump administration has reversed billions in funding that former President Joe Biden authorized for?hydrogen- and renewable energy projects. Andrew Holland…
Florida lawmakers ask Trump to reject drilling on the western coast of Florida
Florida's entire U.S. Congress delegation urged President Donald Trump on Thursday to exclude their state from a plan of his administration to expand drilling for oil and gas to new coastal areas. They said it would threaten Florida's tourism and military industries. The letter from Florida Senators Rick Scott, Ashley Moody, and the 28 House members of Florida was a rare example of bipartisan opposition to the Republican President's policies. The majority of Florida's congressional members are Republicans. The letter stated that more than 50,000 jobs are linked to military facilities in the Florida Panhandle.
US solar companies ask Congress to act on Trump's solar permit freezing
In a letter sent to Congress leaders on Thursday, dozens of U.S. Solar companies called for federal lawmakers to reverse a Trump Administration policy that had stalled permits. The letter highlights the growing concerns of project developers about President Donald Trump's Interior Department increasing its scrutiny of solar permits at a time when energy demand is on the rise. CONTEXT In a memo from Doug Burgum, Interior Secretary in July, Burgum requested his signature on dozens of types of solar permits. This included projects on federal land as well as those on private land that involved federal resources or consultation.
Minister says 60% of Morocco's water will be supplied by desalination
Rabat, the capital of Morocco, is accelerating investment in renewable energy-powered desalination plants, and plans to increase its supply of drinking water by 60% by 2030. This will be up from 25%. It is vital to maintain a steady supply of water and the status of Morocco as a major producer and exporter fresh produce in an era of climate change. Droughts have dried up many of its water reservoirs, and underground resources are depleted. Nizar Baraka, speaking on the sidelines at the World Water Congress held in Marrakech on Thursday, said that the North African country intends to produce 1.7 million cubic metres of desalinated drinking water per year by 2030.
Pemex debt should be a red flag to potential partners when Mexico looks to increase oil production
Over a month has passed since Pemex's head made an appeal for partners to assist Mexico's state oil company in boosting production. But national and international companies are still not responding. Pemex has a mountain of debts, ranging from Italian producers such as Eni, to U.S. service companies SLB and Baker Hughes, which, combined with rigid contract terms, have dampened interest among potential partners. Four industry insiders said that foreign oil companies are more worried about Pemex not paying them on time. This puts Pemex’s production goal of 1.7m barrels per day at risk. Pemex's production has plummeted over the last two decades.
US federal funds for energy production will decline by 11% by 2025
Interior Department reported on Friday that revenue from energy production in U.S. public waters and lands fell by 11% to $14.61 Billion during the last fiscal year, citing lower commodity prices like oil. The total is the lowest since 2021 - the first year under the administration of U.S. president Joe Biden - but the fifth highest since 1982. As part of his agenda to dominate the energy sector, President Donald Trump pledged to increase energy production on federal land and waters while keeping prices low for consumers. Interior Department reported that the U.S. spent $14.61 billion on energy production in federal, tribal and offshore areas.
US EXIM will invest $100 billion in order to secure vital mineral supplies, FT reports
John Jovanovic, chair of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, told The Financial Times that the bank will invest $100 billion in order to secure U.S. supply chains and those of its allies for essential minerals, nuclear energy, and liquefied gas. Jovanovic, a journalist, told the paper that the first deal will cover projects in Egypt and Pakistan, as well as Europe. He added that the West is overly dependent on the supply of these essential materials, which "are not fair". Jovanovic told The FT that early deals for the bank would include a guarantee…
Florida Republicans Oppose Trump's Offshore Oil Leasing Plan
Florida Republicans, led by Governor Ron DeSantis have said that they are opposed to a plan of the Trump administration which could allow for new oil and natural gas drilling off Florida's Gulf Coast.The reactions were in response to a proposal by the Interior Department published on Thursday, which contemplated future oil leasing in an eastern portion of Gulf of Mexico that is heavily used for military training and testing.Congress ruled out energy development in the region nearly 20 years ago. President Donald Trump, who is a Republican and was elected during his first term…
Trump administration could delay biofuel credit cuts as refiners balk
According to sources familiar with this matter, the Trump administration may delay for one or even two years the proposed cut in incentives for biofuels imported from the United States. This is due to pressure by U.S. refining companies who claim that the move would increase costs and reduce fuel supplies. The current delay could be welcomed by domestic oil refiners who have invested in bio-based diesel, but it would frustrate U.S. biofuel and agricultural producers. The Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to reduce the value of renewable fuel credit given by the U.S.
Mexico's Pemex claims it has halved its supplier debt under the current government
The chief executive of Pemex, Mexico's state owned oil company, said that the company has paid off half its debts with suppliers since Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum assumed office in October 2024. In a speech to Congress, Chief Executive Victor Rodriguez stated that the company has paid out 300 billion pesos (16.33 billion dollars) in supplier debts as of September. He also said they had used a newly created financial vehicle to settle these debts. In an appearance before Congress, Rodriguez stated that the company had paid off its financial debt on time and correctly. The amounts owed to the suppliers were also cut in half.
US regulators are pushed to connect data centers with grid
The U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright directed federal energy regulators this week to examine a rule that would speed up the connection between power-hungry, data centers and electric grids. Wright sent a rule to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday, allowing customers to submit joint, colocated requests for interconnection of load and generation. The Energy Department said that the rule will reduce the study time and cost for improving the grid while also reducing the amount of time it takes to bring additional power online.
States sue Trump to stop cancellation of $7 Billion Solar Grant Program
According to court documents, nearly two dozen states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for canceling a $7 billion grant aimed at increasing solar energy in low income communities. In a Thursday statement, California Attorney-General Rob Bonta announced that a group states who received grants through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All Program have filed two lawsuits. In August, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin officially announced the end of the Solar for All program. In an email, the agency stated that it will not comment on any pending litigation.
Milei's Argentinean counterparts could face challenges if Vaca Muerta oil production slows down.
The Vaca Muerta oil field in Argentina, which is the fourth largest unconventional oil reserve in the world, has plateaued due to low oil prices and increasing costs. This slowdown could complicate Javier Milei's political agenda. The Vaca-Muerta formation, located in western Argentina, accounts for 64% the country's total oil production despite only 8% being under development. It's vital for Argentina's future economic and Milei's Government, who needs to increase Argentina's energy exports in order to boost Argentina's dollars reserves and build trust in the government's capability to maintain a currency stable.