The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency on Dec. 17 published the draft National Cyber Incident Response Plan, or NCIRP, update for public comment. This update tackles significant changes in cyber operations and policy since NCIRP was released in 2016. The 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy requested for an update of the 2016 National Cyber Incident Response…...
The 2024 hurricane season displayed above average activity, with more hurricanes and named storms than usual, according to an Dec. 17 report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Several hurricanes and storms negatively impacted U.S. energy infrastructure, particularly in the Southeast and Gulf Coast. Electricity markets were in particular impacted by hurricanes during the…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Dec. 16 announced the closing of a $9.63 billion direct loan to Blue Oval SK to build three electric vehicle battery manufacturing facilities: one in Tennessee and two in Kentucky. This marks the largest loan granted by the department’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing, or ATVM, program. The plants would have…...
The U.S. Energy Department on Dec. 13 announced a $2.5 billion conditional loan guarantee for Wisconsin Electric Power Company, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, to finance a portfolio of clean energy projects in Wisconsin. The portfolio would add more than 1,650 megawatts of utility-scale renewable power and energy storage. This diverse portfolio is expected…...
U.S. natural gas consumption increased by one percent during 2023 to a new record yearly high of 89.4 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), according to an Dec. 13 report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. U.S. natural gas consumption has continued to rise during the January to September 2024 period. The increase in…...
The U.S. Energy Department has announced three transportation modal action plans to build a cleaner, more robust and globally competitive transportation network. The action plans pertain to energy and emissions innovation in the maritime, rail, and medium and heavy-duty vehicle sectors. These plans cover the vital elements of the freight sector and convenient and efficient…...
U.S. carbon markets are experiencing a resurgence as key states reinforce their commitment to cap-and-trade systems despite hurdles. Washington’s latest carbon auction saw prices rebound following voter support for its program, while a court ruling has…Read the full report …...
U.S. carbon markets are experiencing a resurgence as key states reinforce their commitment to cap-and-trade systems despite hurdles. Washington's latest carbon auction saw prices rebound following voter support for its program, while a court ruling has invalidated the controversial withdrawal of Virginia from the regional carbon market. Meanwhile, progress in California, Québec, and Washington toward potential program linkage signals a move toward greater market integration, setting the stage for more robust and scalable climate solutions nationwide.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas on Dec. 12 established new rules to improve demand response for residential electricity consumers through smart responsive device programs. The new rule implements legislation enacted by the 88th Texas Legislature in 2023, which sets a target to decrease the total power consumption of customers participating in residential demand response…...
The Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) Board of Directors on Dec. 12 approved the 2024 MISO Transmission Expansion Plan, a grid expansion plan with a portfolio consisting of 488 transmission projects totaling $30 billion. The projects cover 5,000 miles of transmission lines across 15 states and aim to strengthen grid reliability in the face of…...
The eighth quarterly auction of greenhouse gas allowances under Washington’s cap-and-invest program sold all allowances offered, with current vintage allowances settling at $40.26 per allowance, which is nearly 35 percent higher compared to the previous auction, according to the results released on Dec. 11 by the state’s Department of Ecology. The surge in auction prices…...