The court’s ruling reverses an effort by the Trump administration to overhaul regulation of biotechnology products with the goal of streamlining the review process to accelerate innovation in agriculture. The changes meant that genetically modified crops would be subject to regulation if they’re deemed to be “noxious weeds,” which is determined based on traits from...
The aging U.S. power grid is slowing Big Tech’s data centers and AI’s future
The Trump administration and state policymakers should ease regulations on utilities The United States holds a commanding lead in data-center capacity, hosting 37% of the world’s facilities, and being home to the largest data center providers – Amazon.com (AMZN,) Microsoft (MSFT) and Alphabet (GOOG). These data centers are more than just infrastructure; they are the...
Low-Energy Fridays: Loan guarantees for energy innovation is an interesting idea ruined by politicians
In 2009, then-Vice President Joe Biden was stumping for what was known as the stimulus bill. To paint a picture of the administration’s successes, he was championing a half-a-billion-dollar clean energy innovation project supported by the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office (LPO). That project was called Solyndra, and it promised a novel type of solar power generation. Solyndra...
Regulatory red tape holds back the carbon capture opportunity in Texas
We all know Texas is the energy capital of America, and we know that our ability to lead the country in so many types of energy production — oil, natural gas, wind, solar, battery storage and soon geothermal — is often in spite of federal regulations that are designed to delay and obstruct. Thankfully, the incoming Trump...
Five Bipartisan Actions on Energy Security as Trump Returns to the White House
After a long and divisive election year, it’s tempting to view every policy issue as deeply polarized. Republicans see the world one way, Democrats see it another way, and never the twain shall meet. That may be true for some issues, but it doesn’t have to be true for the complex set of issues that...
Renewable energy transition goals impossible without permitting reform
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management recently expanded Nevada’s electricity grid by giving NV Energy the greenlight to build the 472-mile long Greenlink West Transmission Project that stretches from Reno to Las Vegas. Greenlink West will connect dozens of solar projects to the grid, making it pivotal to Nevada’s clean-energy plan. BLM received more than 200 public comments on...
Takeaways from C3 Solutions’ Energy and Environmental Policy Discussion
The event hosted by C3 Solutions underscored the importance of streamlining permitting processes, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and unlocking domestic resources.
China bans export of critical minerals to US as trade tensions escalate
China on Tuesday banned exports to the United States of the critical minerals gallium, germanium and antimony that have widespread military applications, escalating trade tensions the day after Washington’s latest crackdown on China’s chip sector. The curbs strengthen enforcement of existing limits on critical minerals exports that Beijing began rolling out last year, but apply only to the U.S....
GOP governors urge reauthorization of ‘outdated’ 2018 farm bill
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, along with governors from 15 other states, signed a joint letter Monday urging Congress to pass a new farm bill and provide “immediate financial assistance” to the agricultural sector. “Our nation’s agriculture industry is in trouble and if meaningful support is not provided soon, the well-being of...
EXCLUSIVE: GOP Reps To Grill Top Biden Officials On Natural Gas Exports Pause
The House Oversight and Accountability Committee is bringing in top Biden administration energy officials for a Dec. 4 hearing on the administration’s decision to pause approvals for certain new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities. Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs Chairman Pat Fallon, a Republican from Texas, will be hosting the...