The Biden administration is setting out plans for unprecedented investment in US infrastructure and clean energy plans that are at the heart of the administration’s recovery program to “Build Back Better.” Amid all the fanfare, the key questions for the global investor community will be how and when key projects are structured and brought to … Continue Reading
While President-Elect Biden supported the Obama Administration’s Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, he has since said he would renegotiate the Asia-Pacific pact. He views the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) as the gold standard, especially on enforcement, environment, and labor provisions. Any future trade agreements will likely seek to at least achieve these same standards. Rule of law … Continue Reading
After months on hold responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 US elections are heating up, as Democrats seek to take control of the White House from President Donald Trump. On Thursday, July 9, former Vice President and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden released a broad economic plan during a speech in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. … Continue Reading
President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are being pressured by anti-establishment organizations to provide no further federal spending in response to the coronavirus. But the president and his team appear poised to move in the opposite direction, having recently revealed plans to put forth a US$1 trillion national infrastructure spending blueprint in the coming days … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Department of Energy Cutting Energy Development Regulations This follows our earlier report highlighting the Trump Administration’s recent memo with specifics as to how the President expects agencies to carry out his previously issued energy Executive Order (EO) 13783 – “Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth”. EO 13783 directs agencies to identify regulations that would … Continue Reading
Executive Branch Activity New Guidance Clarifying Energy Executive Order Last week, just four days before federal agencies’ initial plans were due to OMB, the White House issued a memo updating with more specifics as to how President Trump expects agencies to carry out his previously issued energy executive order (Executive Order 13783, “Promoting Energy Independence and … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity New Congress As a result of the November 8 elections, we will have a new Administration and Congress taking office on January 20, 2017. For a comprehensive view of what to expect for the energy, environment and natural resources community, click here for our 2016 Post-Election Analysis. WOTUS Also on Tuesday, November 8, … Continue Reading
Legislative Activity Many Tax Policy Priorities Outstanding as Congress Looks to Home Stretch With Congress back in Washington for several weeks of work before adjourning in advance of the November Election, tax-writers have much work in store – though the lack of legislative days, coupled with the complex and divisive nature of some of the … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity New Hydraulic Fracturing Rule Released The U.S. Department of Interior has released its final agency rule that would regulate the use of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas development on federal and tribal lands. The final rule could have a significant impact on the oil and gas industry given the scope of oil … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Upcoming Ground-Level Ozone Hearings The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold three upcoming public hearings located in Texas, California and Washington, D.C. to address issues related to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Ozone. The hearings will be held on January 29 in Texas and Washington, D.C. and on February 2 … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity EPA to Hold Public Hearings on Clean Power Plan This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold public hearings in Washington D.C., Atlanta, Denver and Pittsburgh to receive comments on its proposed Clean Power Plan. EPA’s Clean Power Plan intends to reduce carbon emissions from existing power plants to 30 percent below … Continue Reading
Regulatory Activity Funding for Autos The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced it will provide $50 million in funding for its FY 14 Vehicle Technologies Program to help “make plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) more affordable and convenient…within the next 10 years.” The funding will be dedicated to target areas including: advanced light-weighting, advanced battery development, … Continue Reading
