Week of October 19, 2026

BRASILIA, Oct 23 — Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) opened a public consultation on Oct 23 on proposed targets for the Energias da Amazônia Program, which provide for a 65.7% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 75.9% by 2035.

The proposal also includes a 70.2% reduction in fossil fuel consumption by 2030 and 73.3% by 2035, and cuts of 55.5% and 60.1%, respectively, in total electricity generation costs in the Isolated Systems, the ministry said. Much of those localities depend on thermal generation run on fossil fuels, according to the ministry.

Interested parties may send contributions until Nov 11 through the MME portal and the Brasil Participativo platform. After reviewing them, the ministry will send a consolidated version to the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) for a final decision on the targets. Decree No. 11,648/2023, which created the program, requires the proposal to undergo public consultation before the CNPE deliberates on it.

WASHINGTON, Oct 23 — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) authorized an emergency exchange of up to 400,000 barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to address a crude oil supply disruption affecting the Phillips 66 Lake Charles Refinery in Louisiana, the department said.

The crude will come from the West Hackberry SPR site for immediate delivery. DOE said it will help offset temporary disruptions to crude oil deliveries to the refinery and support continued production of transportation fuels for Louisiana and surrounding markets. Under the terms of the exchange, all borrowed crude oil will be returned with additional premium barrels at no additional cost to taxpayers, according to the department.

"This emergency exchange helps alleviate supply disruption and requires Phillips 66 to return more barrels to the SPR than are currently being withdrawn," DOE Under Secretary of Energy Kyle Haustveit said. DOE said it will continue working with industry partners to help ensure stability across the fuel supply chain.

WASHINGTON, Oct 22 — President Donald Trump on Oct 22 announced plans to provide up to $150 million in Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III funding to expand domestic petroleum production, storage and logistics at refineries across the United States, the Energy Department said.

The Energy Department (DOE) said the funding is expected to increase U.S. refining output by millions of gallons per day and will help increase domestic production of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other petroleum products. According to DOE, $1 billion in federal funding has been appropriated for energy-related projects deemed critical to national security. Presidential Determination No. 2026-11 identifies domestic petroleum production, refining and logistics capacity as essential to national defense, the department said.

"These Defense Production Act funds will be used strategically and in partnership with private industry to rapidly bolster America’s existing energy infrastructure," U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said. DOE said the selection process is ongoing and will be announced in the near future.

LONDON, Oct 22 — Ofgem approved on Oct 22 an agreement between Interconnector Limited and National Gas Transmission plc (National Gas) to reinforce gas import capability through the Great Britain-Belgium interconnector, and opened a consultation on how National Gas would recover the costs.

The agreement is designed to prevent a further planned reduction in import capability and maintain that option for Great Britain over the coming winters, Ofgem said. Ofgem said the expected bill impact would be around $1.59 (1.19 pounds sterling) per gas customer per year for a total of five years, recouped from gas consumers only.

"We are now seeking views on the proposed funding arrangements before taking a final decision," said Jack Presley Abbott, Director of Energy Systems Management and Security at Ofgem. Ofgem described the measure as precautionary and said approval of the agreement does not prejudge the outcome of the consultation or its final decision on the licence modification. The consultation is open until Nov 20, 2026.

WASHINGTON, Oct 21 — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Oct 21 announced a request for proposal for an exchange of up to 315,000 barrels of ultra-low sulfur distillate from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve (NEHHOR), saying the solicitation is structured to mitigate supply chain challenges disrupting fuel oil supply.

Borrowing companies must return the same volume of fuel oil plus a premium, which the department said ensures the reserve is refilled ahead of the 2027–2028 heating season. The fuel will come from storage sites in South Portland, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; and New Haven, Connecticut. The minimum offer is 25,000 barrels, not to exceed 30,000, and no more than 150,000 barrels are available per site.

"Of course, this is a temporary measure to solve a temporary supply disruption," Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said. Bids are due no later than 11:00 A.M. Central Time on Tuesday, Oct 27, and transfers or deliveries are scheduled to be completed by Nov 13, according to DOE.

LONDON, Oct 21 — Ofgem on Oct 21 launched Tender Round 14 under its offshore transmission owner (OFTO) framework, in which investors will compete to own and operate the transmission assets connecting the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm to Britain's power grid.

Ofgem said the round has an estimated value of around $4.67 billion (3.5 billion pounds sterling) and is expected to be its largest ever tender round. Hornsea 3 is located over 100 kilometres offshore in the North Sea and is due for completion by the end of 2027, according to Ofgem.

Under the OFTO regime, successful bidders receive an inflation-linked revenue stream for up to 25 years, subject to asset availability and performance. In return, they finance, operate and maintain prebuilt transmission assets, including cables and offshore and onshore substations. Ofgem said winning bidders have invested over $13.3 billion (10 billion pounds sterling) in links connecting 28 offshore wind farms since the regime launched in 2009. "By running a competitive process, Ofgem is helping attract the investment Britain needs for a cleaner, more secure energy system while making sure consumers get value for money," Beatrice Filkin, Ofgem's Director of Major Projects, said.

WASHINGTON, Oct 20 — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Oct 20 announced approximately $967 million in additional funding through its Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant program for locally driven projects in states, territories and tribes to upgrade critical infrastructure.

DOE said the funding is meant to modernize critical energy infrastructure, lower electricity costs, prevent power disruptions and meet growing electricity demand. According to the department, projects funded through the program will help states, territories and tribes invest in infrastructure improvements that protect against disruptive events and improve system performance.

"These commonsense investments provide resources directly to states, territories, and tribes to lower electricity costs and strengthen grid reliability for American businesses and families," Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said. The department said states, tribes and U.S. territories can now view their funding allocations and application instructions.

The European Parliament on Tuesday adopted its report on proposed amendments to the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) by 470 votes to 83, with 108 abstentions, and said it is now ready to start negotiations with member states on the final shape of the law.

MEPs call for a critical raw materials centre set up as a self-standing EU agency, according to Parliament. They say it should have the resources it needs, including a CRM Fund of $2.24 billion (2 billion euros) foreseen under the EU's 2028-2034 long-term budget. MEPs also want a conditional export control clause that would allow the Commission to restrict exports of permanent magnet scrap and waste. They are also seeking price-stabilisation mechanisms such as contracts for difference.

The Commission proposed the amendments in December 2025, Parliament said. Lead MEP Mohammed Chahim (S&D, Netherlands) said: "We need a European critical raw materials centre with the financial resources and mandate to act quickly to anticipate supply disruptions".

WASHINGTON, Oct 19 — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) said on Oct 19 it will use up to $42 million in Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III funding to advance a proposed 125-mile natural gas pipeline from Pennsylvania to New York.

DOE said the funding will support eligible pre-construction and permitting activities, which may include environmental reviews, engineering and site-preparation work, and, after permits are completed, the deployment of complementary natural gas infrastructure. The department said Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC's project will carry gas to Northeast markets that currently have limited access to the fuel. "It will also reduce the risk of blackouts during periods of peak electricity demand and make our nation more secure," U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said.

According to DOE, $1 billion in federal funding has been appropriated under the Working Families Tax Cut for energy-related projects deemed critical to national security. The department said Presidential Determination No. 2026-12 identifies natural gas pipelines, processing and storage as essential to national defense.

DENPASAR, Oct 19 — Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia on Oct 19 ordered Bali's fuel reserve raised from 11 days to 15 days to speed the recovery of supplies, the ministry said after a coordination meeting at the Sanggaran Fuel Terminal in Denpasar.

According to the ministry, Bahlil gave the order through the Directorate General of Oil and Gas and the oil and gas regulator BPH Migas, and denied reports that Bali's fuel quota had been cut. Bahlil said delays to fuel tankers from Java had cut Bali's reserves to about 3 to 4 days, and that average reserves had since returned to 11 to 12 days.

Pertamina Patra Niaga is supplying about 3 million liters of fuel a day to Bali, above normal Pertalite consumption of about 2.2 million liters a day, the ministry said. The Governor of Bali said an odd-even purchasing scheme in place since Oct 17 had been effective in easing queues, and the scheme was extended until Oct 23. The government, Pertamina and the Bali provincial government will review distribution every day, the ministry said.

CHICAGO, Oct 23 — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a legal agreement with Gelman Sciences LLC to address contaminated soil and groundwater in Ann Arbor and Scio Townships in Michigan, setting responsibilities for long-term remedial planning and near-term response actions.

Under the agreement, known as an administrative settlement agreement and order on consent, the company must excavate soils contaminated with 1,4-dioxane from the former burn pit area on its property. It must also increase groundwater extraction and treatment rates in the eastern groundwater plume and install additional groundwater monitoring wells, EPA said. The company must conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study and provide grant funding for community groups to hire an independent technical advisor.

The 1,4-dioxane groundwater plume is approximately three miles long and one mile wide and has migrated into aquifers that supply drinking water, according to EPA. The agency finalized adding the site to the National Priorities List in March 2026 and said it will host a public meeting later this fall.

The European Parliament voted on Thursday to delay methane monitoring and reporting rules for oil, gas and coal importers by three years, two more than the European Commission proposed, setting its position for negotiations on the law.

Parliament adopted its position by 341 votes in favour, 225 against and 6 abstentions. Under its proposal, importers would have until May 31, 2031, to show that supply contracts concluded or renewed since Aug 4, 2024 cover only fuel subject to monitoring, reporting and verification measures equivalent to EU rules. EU producers and importers would first report the methane intensity of fuels they place on the EU market by Aug 5, 2031, not Aug 5, 2029.

The existing schedule would continue to apply to oil, gas and coal from countries under EU sanctions that prohibit or restrict such imports, according to Parliament. It also wants the Commission to report by July 1, 2029 on implementation and security of supply. Parliament said it is now ready to start negotiations with the Council on the final shape of the law.

SANTIAGO — Chile's Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) has filed charges against retailer Flores y Cía S.A. and the ReSimple Domiciliario collective packaging management system, opening two sanction proceedings under Law No. 20,920, the extended producer responsibility (REP) law.

The SMA charged Flores y Cía with one very serious, one serious and one minor infraction. The agency alleges the company placed more than 2,135 tons of packaging on the national market between 2022 and 2025 without an authorized management system. ReSimple faces one serious charge. The SMA said ReSimple missed its 2024 collection and recovery targets in four subcategories, including metal, at 0.21% against a 9% target, and glass, at 6.17% against 15%.

Under the law, very serious infractions carry fines of up to 10,000 annual tax units (UTA), serious ones up to 5,000 UTA and minor ones up to 1,000 UTA. Both parties have 15 business days from notification to present a compliance program and 22 business days to file their defense. Superintendent Emanuel Ibarra said the agency had made the REP law a priority.

NEW DELHI, Oct 21 — The CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP on Oct 21 invoked all 25 action points under Stage-I of the extant GRAP across the entire NCR with immediate effect, after Delhi's daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) reached the 'Poor' category.

Delhi recorded a daily average AQI of 244 at 2 PM, which rose to 245 at 4 PM, according to the daily AQI Bulletin of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The measures include enforcement of dust mitigation at construction and demolition sites and of the ban on open burning of biomass and municipal solid waste. They also cover enforcement of PUC norms for vehicles and limits on diesel generator sets. Inter-city and inter-state buses from several states may not ply in Delhi-NCR unless they are EV, CNG or BS-VI diesel. According to the release, all agencies concerned in the NCR will implement, monitor and review the actions. The sub-committee said it would keep a close watch on air quality and review the situation from time to time, depending on Delhi's air quality and IMD/IITM forecasts.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced final approval of Virginia's coal combustion residuals (CCR) permit program, which allows the commonwealth, rather than the federal government, to permit CCR disposal in surface impoundments and landfills.

EPA said it reviewed the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's CCR permit program application and determined that the program meets all standards for approval. According to the agency, Virginia is the sixth state to have its CCR permit program approved by EPA, and approved states cannot have CCR regulations and policies that are less protective of human health and the environment than the federal regulations.

"By putting Virginia’s experts in charge of managing their own resources, landscapes, facilities, and communities, we’re making sure local knowledge guides environmental protection and economic growth," EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said. EPA has proposed approvals for Louisiana, Alabama, Wisconsin and Indiana. The agency said it anticipates finalizing other CCR permit program decisions in the near future.

GREENVILLE, Miss. — The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi on Monday denied the U.S. Department of Justice's attempt to dismiss NAACP's Clean Air Act lawsuit against xAI, ruling that the department cannot unilaterally block the case, Earthjustice said.

The lawsuit challenges xAI's continued operation of a gas-fired power plant supporting its Colossus 2 data center. The plaintiffs say the plant is illegal and has no permit. The court wrote in its order that there is "no ‘fairly possible’ interpretation of the Clean Air Act that would give the United States the right to unilaterally dismiss a citizen suit". It also ruled that the Justice Department (DOJ) can intervene in the case, but said "[w]hat the United States can and cannot do after intervention, however, is another matter."

According to Earthjustice, the order came shortly after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied a DOJ motion to stay the district court proceedings. Earthjustice said the plant can emit more than 5,000 tons of nitrogen oxides each year.

NAVAJO NATION, Oct 21 — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Oct 21 announced the approval of the Navajo Nation's application for "treatment in a similar manner as a state" (TAS) under the Clean Water Act, making it the first tribe eligible to apply to administer the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and sludge management programs, the agency said.

With that authority, the Navajo Nation would be able to issue permits that set discharge limits and monitoring and reporting requirements for discharges of pollutants into Tribal waters. It would also be able to regulate the use and disposal of sewage sludge and carry out related enforcement, similar to states exercising authority under Section 402 of the act, EPA said.

"This approval brings Navajo Nation one step closer to having direct regulatory authority over the water resources on its lands," EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Martucci said, adding that the agency looks forward to working with the Navajo Nation on next steps.

BUTTE, Mont. — Conservation groups represented by Earthjustice sued on Wednesday to overturn a Trump administration rule that rescinded the blanket 4(d) rule, under which species listed as threatened automatically received the same protections as endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The plaintiffs include the Sierra Club, WildEarth Guardians, National Parks Conservation Association, Humane World for Animals, Conservation Council for Hawai‘i and Save the Manatee Club. They argue that federal officials ran afoul of the ESA when they issued the rule. According to Earthjustice, the rule requires officials to write a different conservation plan for every species added to the threatened list. Earthjustice said the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has a backlog of 400 species awaiting consideration for listing and has seen staff cuts affecting at least 500 biologists.

"When federal agencies issue rules, they must explain how their choices relate to facts on the ground. That didn’t happen here," Earthjustice Attorney Clay Samford said. Earthjustice said Florida manatees are one example of a species vulnerable to loss of protections under the rule change.

HONOLULU — A council of matai, or chiefs, from American Samoa's Manu‘a Islands and two community groups have sued in federal court to block a Nov 19 lease sale that would allow deep-sea mining off the coast of American Samoa.

Faleula o le Manu‘atele, Fa‘asao Amerika Samoa (FAS) and Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, represented by Earthjustice, are asking the court to declare the sale unlawful. They also want it to vacate the final leasing notice that the Marine Minerals Administration published the same day. The groups argue that the agency lacks the authority to sell the leases under treaty requirements that must be met before any mineral leasing in American Samoa. They also argue that the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act does not authorize mineral leasing in any U.S. territory and that the agency is violating its own leasing regulations.

"We are bringing this case to protect the Samoan lands and waters that hold histories, feed families, and shelter sacred beings before deep-sea mining causes irreversible destruction," Earthjustice attorney Chris Eaton said.

Members of the European Parliament on Wednesday voted to unlock $548 million (489 million euros) in European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF) aid to help Portugal, Spain, Italy and Malta recover from severe storms and flooding earlier this year.

The aid was approved by 651 votes in favour, 17 against and three abstentions, according to the Parliament. Portugal is to receive $293 million (261.5 million euros), Spain $167 million (149.1 million euros), Italy $84 million (74.9 million euros) and Malta $4.15 million (3.7 million euros). Portugal and Spain have already received advances of $73.3 million (65.37 million euros) and $41.8 million (37.26 million euros). Malta and Italy requested help after storm Harry struck in January 2026. Portugal and Spain requested it after a series of storms caused severe flooding between January and February 2026.

The Parliament said the money helps finance emergency and recovery measures, including restoring energy, water, wastewater, telecommunications and transport infrastructure, clean-up operations, temporary accommodation and rescue services. The Council must also approve the use of the fund.