Downstream
Energy
NRC approves construction permit for TVA small modular reactor in Tennessee
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved a construction permit for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to build a small modular nuclear reactor at its Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which the agency described as the nation's first commercial small modular reactor.
India's power ministry specifies corporate average fuel economy norms for M1 category vehicles
India's Ministry of Power on Sept 29 notified Corporate Average Fuel Economy Norms for M1 category motor vehicles for April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2032, setting annual average fuel consumption standards for each manufacturer.
Energy Department orders Colorado's Craig coal unit kept available through Dec 25
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an emergency order directing Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and five other entities to ensure that Unit 1 at the Craig Station in Craig, Colorado is available to operate.
California regulator staff propose $16 million penalty for Liberty Utilities over fire
The California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) Safety and Enforcement Division on Sept 25 issued a proposed Administrative Enforcement Order that would penalize Liberty Utilities $16 million for violations related to the 2020 Mountain View Fire in Mono County.
Brazil's ANP fuel distributor fines for abusive price hikes top R$700 million (about $135 million)
Brazil's National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) said its fines against fuel distributors for abusive price increases now total more than R$700 million (about $135 million), though the companies can still appeal the decisions.
Westinghouse says fuel storage software deviation could create substantial safety hazard
Westinghouse Electric Company told the NRC on Sept 30 that a deviation in its TracWorks fuel data system, if left uncorrected, could permit fresh fuel storage configurations that could potentially result in a substantial safety hazard.
South Korea presents grid plan to accommodate over 100 GW of renewables
South Korea's Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (MCEE) said it presented a "Power Grid Innovation Plan" at a State Council meeting on September 29 to redesign the power grid system with the goal of deploying more than 100 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
India's cabinet approves Rs 1,86,405 crore (about $19.4 billion) green corridor transmission and battery scheme
India's Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) scheme, the government said on Wednesday, to strengthen intra-state transmission systems and enable evacuation of up to 135 Gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy.
Briefs
Climate
UK requires permitted waste sites in England to report loads digitally
The British government said that from Thursday over 12,000 permitted waste sites across England must report, in near real-time, every load of waste they receive through a new 'Report Receipt of Waste' service aimed at waste crime.
California governor signs bill requiring environmental review of large coal projects
Governor Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 40, the Community First Coal Review Act, which requires developers of large coal facilities to fully disclose their projects' impacts and develop mitigation measures before they are granted approval, Earthjustice said.
EPA to reconsider Texas ozone nonattainment status for Houston, Dallas, San Antonio
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin sent a letter answering Texas Governor Greg Abbott's request to reconsider several Obama and Biden-era air actions, and the agency said it would reconsider the state's ozone nonattainment classifications.
EPA proposes revising compliance provisions of 2024 gasoline distribution air toxics rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday proposed revising parts of its May 2024 rule for gasoline distribution facilities and bulk gasoline terminals. The agency said the changes would not affect the stringency of the rule's emission standards.
Appeals court rules Clean Air Act preempts residents' Sea-Tac pollution claims
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Clean Air Act preempts state law claims by residents living under Seattle-Tacoma Airport flight paths, reversing a district court's refusal to dismiss their suit.
Briefs
Water
South West Water fined £7,867,733 over sewage discharges in Devon, Cornwall
South West Water (SWW) was fined £7,867,733 at Plymouth Magistrates' Court on Sept 29 for environmental offences across Devon and Cornwall, the largest fine ever imposed for environmental offences in the region, the Environment Agency said.
Water Bill to remove limits on government share ownership in major English water and sewerage companies
The Prime Minister announced on Sept 29 that the strengthened Water Bill will remove current limits on government ownership of shares in the major water and sewerage companies in England, so government can act where water companies let down customers and the environment.
EPA's Zeldin launches voluntary G20 water reuse initiative in Houston
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin launched the G20 Water Reuse Initiative at the G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial Session in Houston, a framework for expanding the safe reuse of treated water, the agency said.
Land & Wildlife
UK government announces £79 million for tree planting and nature recovery
Britain's Environment Secretary on Wednesday announced £79 million of new government funding for communities across England to restore nature and adapt to the impacts of climate change, including £53 million for urban and rural tree planting.
Conservation groups sue Trump administration over Hermosa mine expansion in Arizona
The Center for Biological Diversity and Patagonia Area Resource Alliance sued the Trump administration over its Sept. 2 approval of the expansion of South32's Hermosa mine onto federal public lands in southern Arizona, the groups said.
Briefs