The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) proposed to streamline the evaluation criteria for determining whether oil, gas, and sulfur lessees, right-of-use and easement grant holders, and pipeline right-of-way grant holders may be required to provide bonds or other security above the prescribed amounts for base bonds to ensure compliance with their Outer Continental Shelf obligations; BOEM’s portion of the proposed rule also removes restrictive provisions for third-party guarantees and decommissioning accounts, and adds new criteria under which additional bonds and third-party guarantees may be cancelled.

FERC proposed to amend its regulations governing the safety of hydropower projects licensed by the Commission under the Federal Power Act to promote the safe operation, effective maintenance, and efficient repair of licensed hydropower projects and project works to ensure the protection of life, health, and property in surrounding communities. 

FERC seeks comments on any or all topics discussed at its July 8-9, 2020, technical conference on the ongoing, serious impacts that emergency conditions caused by COVID-19 are having on various segments of the United States' energy industry.

FERC reviewed the reasonableness of costs incurred by other federal agencies in connection with their participation in the Commission's proceedings under the Federal Power Act Part I when those agencies seek to include such costs in the administrative charges licensees must pay to reimburse the United States for the cost of administering Part I. 

DOE accepted claims in FY 2021 from eligible uranium and thorium processing site licensees for reimbursement of certain costs of decontamination, decommissioning, reclamation, and other remedial action under Title X of the Energy Policy Act of 1992.

FERC amended its regulations to preclude the issuance of authorizations to proceed with construction activities with respect to natural gas facilities authorized by order pursuant to §3 or §7 of the Natural Gas Act until either the time for filing a request for rehearing of such order has passed with no rehearing request being filed or the Commission has acted on the merits of any rehearing request. 

FERC seeks comment on its proposed index level used to determine annual changes to oil pipeline rate ceilings. 

FERC seeks comment on certain potential enhancements to the currently effective Critical Infrastructure Protection Reliability Standards, particularly on whether the standards adequately address cybersecurity risks pertaining to data security, detection of anomalies and events, and mitigation of cybersecurity events. 

The Secretary of Energy responded to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board's February 21, 2020, Recommendation 2020-1, Nuclear Safety Requirements, in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. 

FERC provided guidance regarding the Commission's response to the effects of the national emergency caused by COVID-19 on oil pipelines.