To overcome protests against oil and gas pipelines, at least 8 states are advancing bills creating new penalties for disrupting pipeline operations. Despite the Trump administration's moves to support pipeline developers, the opposition - consisting of environmentalists, landowners, and a few state governments - has dramatically slowed down some projects.
The Trump administration is seeking new avenues to revive coal and nuclear, such as research to diversify coal use and design new reactors. Although new technologies may slow the downturn of coal and nuclear, hopes of a renaissance remain dim as the industries lose out to cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient resources.
The Trump administration is seeking new avenues to revive coal and nuclear, such as research to diversify coal use and design new reactors. Although new technologies may slow the downturn of coal and nuclear, hopes of a renaissance remain dim as the industries lose out to cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient resources.
Federal agencies have reacted quickly to President Trump’s executive order, issued in March 2017, on reducing undue burdens on domestic energy production. On February 16, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the date for the largest sale of oil and gas leases in U.S. history. Scheduled for March 21, the sale will include all available areas in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. However, over the past year, the administration’s push for deregulation has prompted numerous legal challenges creating uncertainty in the industry.
Federal agencies have reacted quickly to President Trump’s executive order, issued in March 2017, on reducing undue burdens on domestic energy production. On February 16, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the date for the largest sale of oil and gas leases in U.S. history. Scheduled for March 21, the sale will include all available areas in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. However, over the past year, the administration’s push for deregulation has prompted numerous legal challenges creating uncertainty in the industry.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the controversial Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipeline projects denying requests for broader reviews and evidentiary hearings. Recent setbacks due to state decisions and court rulings have now drawn attention to state battlegrounds in pipeline approvals. FERC's apparent inclination to supplant state decisions adds to concerns over jurisdictional issues.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved the controversial Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipeline projects denying requests for broader reviews and evidentiary hearings. Recent setbacks due to state decisions and court rulings have now drawn attention to state battlegrounds in pipeline approvals. FERC's apparent inclination to supplant state decisions adds to concerns over jurisdictional issues.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has rejected the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of the Southeast Market Pipelines Project – a three-part interstate pipeline – over concerns of inadequate review of greenhouse gas emissions. The decision comes while the Trump administration strives to streamline infrastructure permitting, and could broaden the scope of environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act for pipeline projects and other energy infrastructure.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has rejected the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of the Southeast Market Pipelines Project – a three-part interstate pipeline – over concerns of inadequate review of greenhouse gas emissions. The decision comes while the Trump administration strives to streamline infrastructure permitting, and could broaden the scope of environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act for pipeline projects and other energy infrastructure.
Mississippi regulators require the Kemper coal plant – hailed as the first large-scale clean coal facility – to run only on natural gas ending a seven year effort to demonstrate the viability of clean coal technology. The project's failure is a major setback for carbon capture and storage (CCS), particularly given the interest to save the coal industry under the Trump administration. The Kemper plant’s switch to natural gas is part of a broader trend caused by low-cost, low-carbon natural gas, making it difficult for expensive technologies to compete. Faced with adverse economics, the prospects of CCS will likely depend on the policy environment.
Mississippi regulators require the Kemper coal plant – hailed as the first large-scale clean coal facility – to run only on natural gas ending a seven year effort to demonstrate the viability of clean coal technology. The project's failure is a major setback for carbon capture and storage (CCS), particularly given the interest to save the coal industry under the Trump administration. The Kemper plant’s switch to natural gas is part of a broader trend caused by low-cost, low-carbon natural gas, making it difficult for expensive technologies to compete. Faced with adverse economics, the prospects of CCS will likely depend on the policy environment.
Legislation enacted across states in 2017 calls for greater diversity in power sources—from expanding renewables to supporting nuclear and natural gas infrastructure. However, there is a clear trend showing the intent to prioritize clean energy and climate policy. States in the forefront of grid modernization plans continue to support renewable development while others are following their models as a way to emulate effective policies.
