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 initial funding awards to five. The regional hydrogen hubs are expected to create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure and accelerate the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier.
Power & Pipes
FERC, CFTC, and State Energy Law Developments
The US Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Commerce (DOC) announced on October 30, 2024 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed earlier this year to collaborate on safety research, testing, and standards for artificial intelligence (AI). The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a federal agency within the DOC and a leader in standards development across a range of industries, will represent the DOC under the MOU.
Earlier this year, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or the Commission) issued Order 1977 to address its limited backstop siting authority for electric transmission lines. On October 17, 2024, FERC issued Order 1977-A, adding a new requirement mandating that siting applicants seeking rights of way on Tribal lands must include their Tribal Engagement Plans within their project proposals.
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 FERC’s increasing concern that current controls are not up to the task of preventing bad actors from infiltrating the supply chain of critical electric infrastructure, thereby creating significant risk to electric system reliability.
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.
Our team has prepared a LawFlash discussing the Biden administration’s recently released Voluntary Carbon Markets Joint Policy Statement and Principles for High-Integrity Voluntary Carbon Markets. Through the Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCMs), entities that engage in activities that remove or reduce carbon emissions from the atmosphere may generate carbon credits that can be sold, and entities that emit carbon dioxide can purchase carbon credits to offset carbon emissions.
The European Commission and European consumer authorities announced that on April 30, 2024, they sent letters to 20 airlines alleging potentially misleading green claims and asking them to conform to EU consumer law within 30 days. At issue are the airlines’ claims that carbon dioxide emissions caused by air travel could be offset by climate projects or through the use of sustainable fuels, to which consumers could contribute by paying additional fees.
In our final dispatch from the CERAWeek conference by S&P Global, Felipe Alice shared some insights and key takeaways from a luncheon and dialogue session featuring tech entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist Bill Gates.
Our coverage of the CERAWeek conference by S&P Global in Houston, running from March 18 to March 22, continues with more updates. Today’s missive comes from the Innovation Agora, which is connected to the Executive Conference at CERAWeek. The Innovation Agora is described as a “vibrant and interactive marketplace of ideas on energy innovation and emerging technologies.” It includes several amphitheaters or “hubs” that are designed for presentations and conversations involving the latest trends in climate change, carbon, hydrogen, and emerging energy technologies.
We’re back with another update from CERAWeek 2024 by S&P Global to highlight some key takeaways from day two of the conference. Many of the sessions on this day were dedicated to infrastructure development and highlighted the opportunities and the challenges facing energy project developers.