Good morning! This is Akin’s newsletter on climate change policy and regulatory developments, providing information on major climate policy headlines from the past week and forthcoming climate-related events and hearings...more
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is reviewing 20 major renewable energy projects — mostly solar — across the West that would cover as much as 193,000 acres of federal land, and generate 13,845 MW of electricity, or enough...more
The Biden administration is putting almost $3.5 billion into improving the strength and resiliency of the U.S. electric grid, government officials said on Wednesday. The money is coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,...more
Jobs in the U.S. energy industry rose 3.8% last year, faster than overall employment growth and led by work in clean energy, the Department of Energy said last Wednesday. According to the U.S. Energy and Employment Report,...more
Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced two separate programs that together will award nearly $600 million to fund hydroelectric power and advance marine energy. The DOE will award $554 million through...more
President Joe Biden’s budget proposal for 2024 includes billions of dollars spread across federal agencies to combat climate change, with a bulk of the investment going toward boosting conservation and disaster resilience,...more
On October 21, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) announced three new funding opportunities to support research and development projects for hydropower infrastructure in the United States. The funding totals $28...more
In December 2022, several federal agencies announced awards and recommendations for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding. The BIL represents a core piece of President Biden’s agenda and provides significant funding for...more
Congress was in recess for the month of October for the final push toward the November 8 midterm elections, but executive branch activities related to energy and sustainability have continued. Treasury & IRS Seek Public...more
On September 9, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it would distribute $13.5 million to incentivize hydroelectric generation in the United States. The financial support is part of the Hydroelectric Production...more
As we previously reported, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which President Biden signed into law on November 15, 2021, included over $900 million in...more
On February 14, 2022, the Department of Energy (“DOE”) issued two Requests for Information (“RFIs”) related to its rollout of significant hydrogen programs. The RFIs seek input from the public (including “industry,” “energy...more
On October 21, the Department of Energy (DOE)’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) issued An Examination of the Hydropower Licensing and Federal Authorization Process, in which it examined the various statutory and...more
The new infrastructure law includes key opportunities for institutions of higher education, including through new grant programs and opportunities to partner on research and pilot projects. Rural institutions of higher...more
Environmentalists and dam operators, at war for years, start making peace - The New York Times – October 13 - The National Hydropower Association and several environmental groups announced an agreement this Tuesday to...more
The United States Department of Energy (“DOE”) published a May 21st Federal Register Notice referencing the availability of updated guidance describing the hydroelectric incentive payment requirements. See 84 Fed. Reg. 23043....more
The United States Department of Energy (“DOE”) published a June 20th Federal Register notice announcing updated Guidance for the hydroelectric components of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 program. See 83 Fed. Reg. 28629. ...more
The United States Department of Energy (“DOE”) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy issued a February 27th Federal Register Notice containing a Request for Information (“RFI”) seeking information on: . . ....more
In this four-part series, we revisit 2017’s biggest developments in Energy & Sustainability-related news, milestones, policy changes, and financial transactions. This is the third installment of the series...more
A Note from the Editors - This month’s edition of Energy & Sustainability Connections brings the latest developments in energy investing, legal insights, company activity, and industry events straight to your inbox....more
As the Trump Administration seeks to promote American energy independence, new funding opportunities for deploying tribal energy projects on tribal lands are now available. These opportunities are the first step by the...more
The Trump Administration promotes an "all of the above" energy strategy, but many of the Administration's actions to date seem to favor coal and fossil fuels at the expense of clean and innovative energy solutions. Although...more
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) on Nov. 15, 2016, to deploy funds for clean energy and energy efficiency projects in Indian...more
Renewable Energy Focus - Tesla acquires sister firm SolarCity for $2.6 billion - VentureBeat - Aug 1 - SolarCity Corp agreed to be acquired by sister company Tesla Motors Inc. in a deal worth $200 million...more
Renewable Energy Focus - President Obama requests significant funding boost for clean energy R&D - Solar Industry Magazine - Feb 9 - President Barack Obama’s 2017 budget proposal for the U.S. Department of...more