DOE announced the availability of the preliminary list of potential national interest electric transmission corridors, the designation of which would focus public and policymaker attention on the areas of greatest transmission need and unlock valuable federal financing and permitting tools to advance transmission development.
DOE amended its regulations for the timely coordination of federal authorizations for proposed interstate electric transmission facilities pursuant to the Federal Power Act.
DOE established energy performance standards for the new construction and major renovation of federal buildings per the Energy Conservation and Production Act, as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
BLM updated procedures governing the Bureau’s renewable energy and right-of-way programs, focusing on two main topics: solar and wind energy generation rents and fees; and agency discretion to process applications for solar and wind energy generation rights-of-way inside designated leasing areas.
EPA announced an opportunity for public input on ENERGY STAR product specification development activities.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed to establish two new federal motor vehicle safety standards specifying performance requirements for all motor vehicles that use hydrogen as a fuel source.
Concerned by methane’s potent climate-altering emissions, a growing number of states and municipalities have embraced the phaseout of natural gas as a tool to mitigate climate change. But in April 2023, the California Restaurant Association successfully petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to overturn the city of Berkeley’s ban on natural gas infrastructure in new buildings. The three-judge panel found the ban preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act, and in January 2024, the Ninth Circuit denied Berkeley’s petition for rehearing.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management proposed to hold offshore wind lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico for multiple lease areas using a multiple-factor bidding auction format.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finalized minor technical amendments to the test procedures for heavy-duty engines and vehicles regarding the certification procedures for fuel efficiency standards and related requirements.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and NRC jointly seek comments on issues concerning requirements in the International Atomic Energy Agency regulations for the safe transport of radioactive materials.