Federal Judge Stays Biden’s LNG Pause: On July 1, Judge James Cain of Louisiana's federal court ordered a halt to the Biden Administration’s pause on natural gas export permits, dealing another legal blow to the Biden administration’s climate agenda. Judge Cain granted a request for a stay from 16 red states that had challenged the pause, deciding that DOE failed to justify why it needed to pause approvals. Already, major companies are requesting expedited approval processes for new projects as a result of the ruling.  

House Appropriations Passes Energy-Water and Interior-EPA Funding Bills: Last Tuesday, the House Appropriations Committee reported out its $59.2 billion FY25 bill funding the Department of Energy and its $38.5 billion Interior-EPA funding measure. The proposals, approved along party lines, would trim EPA funding by 20 percent, cut National Park Service and other land management agency staffing, and decrease funding for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by 50 percent. Republicans also passed amendments to prohibit funds for the DOE to finalize, implement, or enforce proposed new energy standards on distribution transformers, manufactured housing, air conditioners, and gas stoves.  

DOE Authorizes $1.7 Billion to Convert Auto Factories to EV Plants: Last Thursday, the White House announced $1.7 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding to transition a dozen closed or at-risk automotive plants to manufacture EV’s and components. The conversion grants — which follow previous EV tax breaks and other incentives provided through the Inflation Reduction Act — are considered significant for converting the huge, multifaceted American auto manufacturing industry to a new, globally competitive electric platform.

Biden Signs ADVANCE Nuclear Act: Last Tuesday, President Biden signed The ADVANCE Act, which will streamline permitting for new nuclear reactor designs, give the Nuclear Regulatory Commission more resources, and promote deployment across the globe. The ADVANCE Act is the first significant nuclear legislation in almost two decades, directing the NRC to revise its mission to include efficiency in licensing and lifting a long-standing ban on majority foreign ownership of U.S. nuclear facilities.

EPA Administrator Questioned before House Oversight Committee: Last Wednesday, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee held a lengthy hearing at which EPA Administrator Michael Regan testified. Regan was grilled by Republican members on a range of issues from power plant greenhouse gas emissions to formaldehyde regulations. Administrator Regan also faced sharp questions regarding the agency’s decision to select Climate Justice Alliance for a $50 million climate justice “grantmaker” award.

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