Downstream
Energy
FERC staff let Venture Global start Plaquemines LNG Phase 1 service
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) Office of Energy Projects on Oct 15 granted Venture Global Plaquemines LNG, LLC's request to place Plaquemines LNG Phase 1 facilities in service under Docket No. CP17-66-000.
New York regulators approve two utility thermal energy network pilots worth $111.5 million
The New York State Public Service Commission authorized two utility thermal energy network pilot projects in Buffalo and Haverstraw to move forward with customer enrollment and construction, using thermal energy from wastewater and geothermal borefields to heat and cool connected buildings.
FERC issues certificate for Columbia Gulf's 41.3-mile Kentucky gas pipeline
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a certificate to Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC to build and operate the Pulaski Project, a natural gas pipeline in Kentucky, but stayed the authority while landowners can seek rehearing.
NRC issues direct final rule renewing AP1000 reactor design certification
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on Wednesday published a direct final rule renewing the AP1000 reactor design certification and adding Revision 20 of its design control document, which the agency said reflects changes made at Vogtle Units 3 and 4.
Energy Department orders PJM to dispatch units, allows last-resort backup generation
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Oct 12 issued an emergency order directing PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM) to dispatch specified units, and authorizing it to direct backup generation resources to operate as a last resort in the mid-Atlantic.
FERC accepts PJM large-load definition and registry, rejects interim curtailment service
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Oct. 9 accepted PJM Interconnection's proposed definition of Large Load and a Large Load Registry, effective Oct. 12, 2026, and rejected the grid operator's remaining tariff revisions, including a new curtailment service for new large loads.
Brazil opens 7.52 billion reais (about $1.5 billion) extraordinary credit for fuel subsidies
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Oct 8 signed a provisional measure opening an extraordinary credit of 7.52 billion reais (about $1.5 billion) for the Ministry of Mines and Energy, to fund subsidies for producers and importers of fuel.
Brazil's ANP sells 49 oil and gas blocks in concession offer cycle
Brazil's National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) awarded 49 exploration blocks and three areas with marginal accumulations on Oct 7 in the 6th Cycle of its Permanent Concession Offer (OPC), collecting the highest signature bonus since the Permanent Offer began, the agency said.
Briefs
Climate
EPA approves Colorado's request to permit carbon dioxide injection wells
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday approved Colorado's application for primary enforcement responsibility over Class VI injection wells. The approval will allow a state commission to issue and enforce permits for geologic carbon sequestration.
California joins coalition challenging EPA partial repeal of power plant carbon standards
California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Thursday joined a coalition of 25 states, counties and cities in a lawsuit asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to vacate the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) partial repeal of power plant greenhouse gas standards, Bonta's office said.
EPA seeks comment on plans for 2024 fine particle standard designations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Tuesday asked for public comment on its intended approach for designating areas of the country under the 2024 annual fine particle (PM2.5) air quality standard, according to a notice in the Federal Register.
California-led coalition asks appeals court to review NHTSA fuel economy rule
California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Friday led a coalition of 26 states, counties and cities in asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to review a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) final rule on fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks, Bonta's office said.
EPA issues 2027 HFC allowances, revokes some from Solstice and FluoroFusion
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Tuesday it has issued calendar year 2027 allowances for hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) production and consumption, and has revoked or withheld allowances from specific entities under its administrative consequence rules.
Briefs
Water
Government declares severe drought in parts of England, tightens water monitoring
The government declared severe drought in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex, and told water companies to step up drought planning to protect customer supplies before any disruption occurs.
Groups sue EPA to force Clean Water Act water quality criteria for herbicide atrazine
Three conservation and public health groups sued the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Oct 14, asking a court to order the agency to set national Clean Water Act water quality criteria for the herbicide atrazine, a process it began in 1999.
Briefs
Land & Wildlife
Louisiana trustees select two Deepwater Horizon restoration projects costing about $265.7 million
Louisiana's Deepwater Horizon trustees have selected two coastal projects estimated to cost about $265.7 million to help restore wetlands, coastal and nearshore habitats injured by the oil spill, according to a notice published on Oct 14.
U.S. finalizes 5-year rule on polar bear, walrus take by Alaska oil industry
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has finalized regulations covering the incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears and Pacific walruses during oil and gas activities in Alaska's Beaufort Sea and North Slope. The regulations take effect on publication and run through Oct. 19, 2031.
Mexico replaces vaquita fishing rules; groups say gillnet ban zone shrinks 86%
Mexico's agriculture, environment and navy ministries published an agreement on Wednesday that sets new fishing rules for the northern Gulf of California, including a permanent gillnet ban area meant to protect the vaquita marina.
Park Service final rule allows bear baiting again in Alaska preserves
The National Park Service (NPS) has issued a final rule that restores its 1981 framework for hunting, fishing, trapping and access in Alaska park areas, including allowing all user groups to hunt bears over bait in national preserves under state law.
U.S. judge temporarily blocks further tree removal at East Potomac Golf Course
A federal judge on Tuesday granted a temporary restraining order that bars the Department of the Interior from further carrying out a plan to remove trees from the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington, D.C.
NMFS requires gear marking on West Coast groundfish pot, longline gear
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published a final rule on Oct 13 requiring gear-specific markings on buoys and lines used with pot and bottom longline gear in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery, which it said is intended to help attribute marine animal entanglements to a specific fishery.
Briefs
Built environment
Briefs