WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY: Good afternoon and happy Friday, readers! We have made it to the end of another week. This week in Washington, the city has hosted some of the most highly ranked tennis players at the Mubadala Citi DC Open. If you happen to be attending the semifinals or finals this weekend, you may just spot a familiar face or two – don’t be afraid to say hello if you see us there!
And on the other side of Washington, permitting reform hasn’t left some lawmakers’ minds since the Natural Resources Committee hearing held earlier this week. A bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman and Rep. Jared Golden was introduced this morning, with the aim of overhauling the federal environmental review process required under NEPA. Keep reading to find out what exactly the congressmen wish to see changed in the bedrock environmental law.
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Welcome to Daily on Energy, written by Washington Examiner energy and environment writers Callie Patteson (@CalliePatteson) and Maydeen Merino (@MaydeenMerino). Email cpatteson@washingtonexaminer dot com or mmerino@washingtonexaminer dot com for tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Governors and other state leaders who rely on the grid system operated and managed by PJM Interconnection have grown fed up with the regional transmission operator’s continued price hikes.
“Today, across the region, there are widespread and legitimate concerns about PJM’s current trajectory,” Glenn Davis, director of the Virginia Department of Energy, said during a meeting at PJM’s Pennsylvania headquarters this week, according to the New York Times.
“This is not the matter of a single decision or solitary event, but a consistent pattern of halting, inconsistent and at times contradictory decision-making that has undermined confidence in PJM’s stewardship,” Davis said.
WESTERMAN’S LATEST PERMITTING DRAFT: House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman is taking another stab at overhauling the federal environmental review process for infrastructure and energy projects, securing some Democratic support in a new bill introduced this morning.
Westerman was joined by Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine today in sponsoring the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development Act. Like Westerman’s permitting reform bill introduced in the last Congress, this new legislation targets the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires federal agencies to conduct environmental reviews when issuing permits.
What’s inside: The bill would simplify the scope of review required under NEPA by removing requirements to consider or conduct new scientific or technical research. It would also mandate that federal agencies are not permitted to delay the issuance of an environmental review document or decision on the basis of waiting for new scientific research to be released. Additionally, it would determine that receiving federal funding would not be considered a sole reason to spark an environmental review.
The bill would also limit reviews to only considering environmental impacts that “share a reasonably close causal relationship to, and are proximately caused by” the immediate project or action undergoing the permitting process. This would likely limit the ability to include downstream impacts associated with infrastructure and energy projects in environmental reviews.
The legislation also includes a 150-day deadline for individuals to file a legal claim related to any reviews.
Quick reminder: Westerman attempted to push through similar permitting reforms during the last Congress, working alongside Republican Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso and then-Sen. Joe Manchin. The talks ultimately ended in December over NEPA provisions.
Read more from Callie here.
MAINE LOOKS TO FAST-TRACK RENEWABLE PROJECTS BEFORE SUBSIDIES EXPIRE: As solar and wind developers face tight timelines to get new projects under construction lest they miss out on qualifying for tax credits that are phasing out, some states are taking matters into their own hands to support the renewable energy buildout.
The details: State utility regulators in Maine are reportedly moving to fast-track the procurement of nearly 1,600 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy, with developers facing a deadline of today to submit proposals for their projects, according to Canary Media. They had only been given two weeks to put the proposals together in order for the state to move forward quickly with the selection process.
Maine is aiming to receive enough bids for renewable energy projects to make up roughly 13% of its annual electricity usage. Projects that make use of property contaminated by PFAS – meaning they cannot be used for agricultural purposes – will be given priority.
Previous similar procurement plans from the state regarding solar and wind energy were far from successful, as many projects fell apart during the coronavirus pandemic and more recent ones were not deemed to be cost-effective. In June, the state legislature adjusted its requirements, in order to help meet its goals of 90% renewable energy by 2040.
Key quote: “This work to help deploy solar and other renewable technologies is exactly the kind of siting we need to see more of in Maine,” Maine Audubon’s Francesca Gundrum told the outlet. “Whatever we can do to minimize the turnover of habitat is something we’re going to be supportive of.”
Remember: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act ends incentives for wind and solar projects that are not placed in service by the end of 2027. There is one substantial carve out for projects to claim the credit if they begin construction less than one year after the bill was signed. It remains unclear how many projects will be able to qualify under this accelerated path, as the Trump administration has moved to further stymie renewable energy development through executive order and agency action. Maine’s push is the first notable state-led initiative to get shovels in the ground for these projects.
U.S. AND MEXICO SIGN DEAL TO ADDRESS SEWAGE IN TIJUANA RIVER: The Environmental Protection Agency yesterday evening said it signed an agreement with Mexico to solve the Tijuana River sewage problem.
Sewage has flowed into California from Mexico through the Tijuana River for several years. It has caused contaminations, beach closures, and illness on both sides of the border.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin traveled to Mexico to sign the memorandum of understanding with Mexico’s Secretary of Environmental and Natural Resources, Alicia Bárcena Ibarra.
Zeldin said the two countries have been working together to “urgently finalize a permanent 100% solution to this longstanding issue.”
Mexico agreed to spend the remaining $93 million for infrastructure projects to reduce transboundary wastewaters in the Tijuana River. Mexico also agreed to complete all projects by December 2027. The U.S. said it would release funds for water infrastructure improvements on the border.
HOUSE GOP LAWMAKER SEEKS TO REPEAL IRA HOME APPLIANCE PROVISIONS: Texas Republican Rep. Craig Goldman introduced a bill today that would repeal several Inflation Reduction Act provisions related to programs for energy-efficient home appliances.
The “Homeowner Energy Freedom Act” would repeal IRA provisions and rescind unobligated funds from the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program and the Department of Energy’s financial assistance to states and localities to adopt the latest energy conservation building codes and so-called zero-energy building energy codes.
It would also repeal the State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants program.
Republicans have moved to limit home energy efficiency programs and standards, arguing that they limit consumer choices and raise prices.
“The Homeowner Energy Freedom Act restores homeowners’ choices in home appliances, removes costly regulations, and eliminates wasteful federal government spending,” Goldman said in a press release.
Montana Republican Sen. Tim Sheehy has introduced similar legislation on the Senate side.
EU AND CHINA VOW TO WORK TOGETHER ON CLIMATE: Amid the United States’ departure from a leadership position in tackling climate change on the global stage, the European Union and China have pledged to fill the void.
The details: In a joint statement released Thursday, Brussels and Beijing said they would be delivering updated climate targets for 2035 that will be in line with long-term commitments under the Paris Agreement, according to Bloomberg. They did not reveal the exact goals they have for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but the collaboration is a crucial sign of unity to tackle climate change amid Washington’s own rollback of green policies.
“The two sides agree to demonstrate leadership together to drive a global just transition in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication,” the statement read.
ICYMI – TRUMP TAPS FORMER MINING EXEC TO HEAD NSC OFFICE: President Donald Trump earlier this week tapped David Copley, a former mining executive, to head an office at the National Security Council.
Copley was chosen earlier this year to serve on the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council, but it has been reported that he is now a senior director at the NSC. Sources told Reuters that Copley will focus on boosting domestic critical minerals and strengthening the supply chain.
Many have raised national security concerns as the U.S. continues to rely on foreign adversaries like China for critical minerals and rare earths, both of which are key materials to developing advanced defense technologies and energy products. Copley’s move is part of the administration’s effort to focus on boosting domestic minerals.
RUNDOWN
Los Angeles Times Edison’s plan to pay Eaton fire victims could mean less litigation, less compensation
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