Senate bill accelerates the end of wind and solar tax credits
Renewable energy advocates said that the latest version of the Senate’s massive budget bill, which the Senate will vote on as early as Saturday, deals a death blow to the use tax credits established since 2005 to encourage more wind and solar power. It would also impose a brand new tax for the first-time on these projects. The Senate's leadership introduced a new version of the bill overnight that effectively eliminates the solar and wind incentives immediately. Earlier in the week, there were hopes that the Senate might rework its language regarding the future use of Inflation Reduction Act Tax Credits to make them more useful and extend their use.
Divided US appellate court upholds Biden's biofuel rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2023-2025 renewable fuel standards were not thrown out by a federal appeals court on Friday. However, the court concluded that regulators had failed to assess the impact the rule could have on climate changes and endangered species. The U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, ruled 2-1 in favor of environmental groups and refiners. It also ruled that a renewable fuel manufacturer was not allowed to challenge the fuel volume requirements set by the EPA for corn ethanol. The requirements increased how much biofuel oil refiners had to blend into the country's fuel mix.
EU countries are considering a softening of the methane emission law for gas imports
According to a document obtained by, European Union countries could demand that Brussels simplifies the EU's law on methane emissions, which has raised concerns among companies that it may hinder imports of U.S. liquid natural gas. The EU will require importers of gas and oil to report and monitor the methane associated with their imports starting this year. The second biggest cause of climate changes is methane emissions from gas leaks. The draft conclusions of a Monday meeting between EU energy ministers revealed that governments were preparing to request the European Commission add the methane legislation to its "simplification"…
EPA wants to give Texas the authority to supervise CO2 injection permits
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed Monday to approve Texas' application for its own permitting of projects to inject underground carbon dioxide, a step long sought after by the state's regulators as well as oil and gas firms with projects in development. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that Texas was best positioned to protect drinking water from contamination, while allowing lucrative CO2 injection, also known by the name carbon capture and storage projects (CCS), to mitigate climate changes, to proceed. Carbon injection is a method of permanently storing CO2 emissions deep underground from industrial and power plants.
Australia approves Woodside's North West Shelf LNG Plant to operate until 2070
Australia approved Woodside Energy’s request on Wednesday to extend the lifespan of its North West Shelf Gas Plant until 2070. This follows a six-year process that was plagued by delays, complaints and criticism from environmental groups. North West Shelf, located in Western Australia on the Burrup Peninsula, is Australia's largest and oldest liquefied gas plant. It also serves as a major supplier of LNG to Asian markets. In a press release, Environment Minister Murray Watt stated that the decision to approve an extension of the project was subject to strict conditions.
US accelerates oil and gas land parcel review for federal leasing
Interior Department announced on Tuesday that the Trump administration would reduce the time required to review land parcels for oil and natural gas development on federal lands by half. The new process will take six months. The decision to streamline the leasing process for oil and gas is in line with President Donald Trump’s energy dominance plan, which seeks to increase fossil fuel supplies domestically, reduce fuel costs, and boost national security. Adam Suess said that this policy would put the United States on the fast track to Energy Dominance. It would open up more federal land for development and reduce review times by half.
Woodside, Australia's largest coal company, faces protests and investor anger at its annual meeting
On Thursday, climate change activists shouted and blew whistles as they disrupted the annual general meeting of Australian gas producer Woodside Energy. They also heckled Chief Executive Meg O'Neill. Investors were also involved in the protests against Woodside's sustainability and gas projects, as they had been in previous years. The Australian pension funds HESTA, and Aware, both lodged protest votes, and voted against its director who was charged with overseeing climate risk. O'Neill said to protesters who interrupted the opening of her speech: "I'd like to ask that you be respectful to the other shareholders who are in the room. You should be ashamed!
Taiwan: Buying more US oil and gas is the focus of tariff talks
Taiwan's trade talks with the United States are centered on increasing purchases of U.S. oil and natural gas, said President Lai Ching Te. Lai has promised to pursue a zero-tariff regime with the United States, and to buy and invest more within the country. He is trying to thwart President Donald Trump's import tariffs that are now on hold. Lai, who spoke to environmental groups at the White House, called on the government to support the importation of more energy from America. His office quoted him as saying that "increased purchases from the United States including natural gas and oil…
US proposed looser interpretation of the law protecting threatened species
The Trump administration proposed on Wednesday a major shift in how threatened species are taken into account when agency actions are made. This was done by removing the regulatory language which aims to prevent habitat degradation. This move aligned itself with the pledge of President Donald Trump to reduce what he calls burdensome federal regulations on businesses. When deciding whether or not to issue permits for oil and natural gas, mining, transmission of electric power and other operations, agencies must consider the Endangered Species act.
US no longer requires green analyses for oil and gas leases in Western States
The Trump Administration announced on Thursday that they will no longer be requiring environmental impact statements (EIS) for oil and natural gas leases in the U.S. West. This is a move to remove green barriers that will likely be challenged in court by environmental groups. Interior Department released a statement saying that its Bureau of Land Management will no longer be required to prepare environmental impact assessments for approximately 3,244 oil-and-gas leases in Colorado, Montana and New Mexico. Environmental impact statements provide a detailed analysis of the effects that federal actions will have on the environment.
Sources say that the White House is considering an executive order to speed up deep-sea mines.
Two sources who are directly involved in the White House's deliberations say that they are considering an executive order which would expedite permits for deep sea mining in international waters. This would allow mining companies to bypass a United Nations review process. The order, if signed, would be the latest effort by U.S. president Donald Trump to tap into international deposits of nickel and copper, and other essential minerals that are widely used across the economy, after recent efforts made in Greenland, and Ukraine. Trump also used emergency powers earlier this month to boost domestic mineral production.
Can Trump's drive for critical minerals pass the test of copper? Andy Home
The executive order issued by U.S. president Donald Trump on increasing domestic mineral production is designed to cut through the mine permit maze in the United States. According to S&P Global, it takes on average nearly 29 years to bring a new mine from discovery to production. This is the second longest lead time in the entire world, after Zambia. The U.S. Government is uniquely qualified to address the problem of granting permits on federal land. The Joe Biden administration had a difficult time reconciling its desire to produce more "green metals" for the energy shift with its environmental and socio-political credentials. Trump is not averse to such criticism.
Oil industry unlikely rush to Alaska despite Trump’s call for drilling
U.S. companies will not expand their development in Alaska or the Arctic after President Donald Trump signed an executive order that allows them to do so. Industry representatives and company officials said this, pointing out that a future president would be able to reverse Trump's decision. U.S. Oil Production is Already at Record Levels. This is largely due to the increased production of oil in more accessible areas such as Texas and New Mexico. Companies have also limited their spending on new projects, focusing on returning cash to investors. The executive order will reopen vast regions for drilling and mining and speed up permits for projects.
Can Trump reverse Biden's offshore oil drilling ban?
In an executive order issued on Monday, President Donald Trump revoked the ban placed by former Democratic president Joe Biden against new offshore oil-and-gas development along most of America's coasts. Trump will face legal challenges regarding his authority. What did BIDEN and Trump do? Biden used his authority, granted by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1970, to stop oil and gas drilling in federal waters along the East and Western coasts of the United States as well as the eastern Gulf of Mexico. He also halted the drilling of portions of the northern Bering sea of Alaska. Biden said that the move was in line with his efforts to fight climate change.
Biden team offers nuclear pathway to hydrogen tax credit
Biden's administration announced on Friday that portions of nuclear power plant will be eligible for tax credits in order to produce clean hydrogen, if these credits prevent the reactors from being retired. The new rules deal with one of the most controversial issues in the Inflation Reduction Act. This law, which is set to be implemented by 2022 and aims to combat climate change through subsidizing technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, was enacted to help fight the effects of global warming. Some environmental groups claim…
Biden Administration offers nuclear industry a path to hydrogen tax credits
The Biden administration announced on Friday that nuclear power plants would be eligible for lucrative tax credits if they produce what it calls "clean hydrogen" and if these credits prevent the reactors from being retired. The new rules resolve one of the most controversial issues surrounding the Inflation Reduction Act. This law, which is set to be implemented in 2022 and is designed to combat climate change through subsidizing technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Some environmental groups claim that nuclear reactors, as clean energy sources, should not be eligible for the IRA’s clean hydrogen program.
Woodside's North West Shelf Project Extension approved by Western Australia
Woodside Energy, Australia's largest oil and gas producer in terms of market value, announced on Thursday that the state of Western Australia had granted Woodside Energy approval to extend the project life of its North West Shelf LNG (liquefied Natural Gas) until 2070. You can also find out more about the decision-making process by clicking here. Woodside announced Thursday that the approval marks the end to a six-year waiting period and restarts the federal approval process for environmental protection, which was halted because of pending appeals.
Grid operator PJM faces a new complaint regarding power supply
Consumer advocacy group filed a complaint with PJM Interconnection. They claim that the U.S.'s largest grid operator unfairly awards record-high payments to power plants, driving up electricity prices for households and businesses. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission received a complaint on Monday, the second in recent times regarding PJM Interconnection’s capacity market auction for 2025-2026. This auction set prices that were over 800% higher than those of the previous year. PJM leaders stated that the record-high prices were largely due to the soaring demand for power and the shrinking supply of fossil-fired generators as they retire.
California will vote on stricter regulations for low-carbon fuels policy
California regulators are voting on Friday whether to tighten up a policy that aims to boost low-carbon fuels in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve the state's ambitious goals for climate change. California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which has been around since 2011, is being changed to require a greater reduction in carbon intensity in transportation fuels. This would be required by 2030 for fuel producers in order to receive the tradable credits of the program. Transport accounts for approximately 50% of the greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
Texas voters elect conservative Craddick as oil regulator
Texas reelected Christi Craddick, a conservative incumbent in her third term as the state's chief oil regulator. This is a victory for the industry which has seen its production increase during her tenure. According to the most recent government statistics, Texas, which is home to the Permian basin, is the United States' largest oil producer, producing around 5.8 million barrels of crude oil per day. The Texas Railroad Commission, which Craddick is set to chair for six more years, regulates this industry. It oversees everything from pipeline safety to well permitting. Craddick defeated Democrat Katherine Culbert and Green Party member Eddie Espinoza.
