Energy
Add to my areasEvery story on LexCircuit filed under energy: court orders, regulation, ethics opinions, litigation and research, each summarized across its sources.
United States directs Commerce study of critical infrastructure manufacturing within one year
The president signed H.R. 1721, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act, on October 20, 2026. The Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct, within one year after enactment, a study identifying high-demand products in each critical infrastructure sector that are imported because of a manufacturing, material, or supply chain constraint in the United States.
Enrolled text (U.S. Government Publishing Office) → · The White House
United States extends BLM drilling permit fee authority through 2037
The License to Drill Act, H.R. 7831, was signed into law on October 20, 2026, amending section 35(d) of the Mineral Leasing Act. The act extends the Interior Secretary's duty to collect a fee for each new application for a permit to drill from 2026 through 2037, and directs that all fees collected for fiscal years 2027 through 2037 are transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund.
Enrolled text (govinfo.gov) → · The White House
West Virginia suspends dyed-diesel enforcement under 60-day emergency order
West Virginia declared a 60-day state of emergency on October 20, 2026, covering all 55 counties, and Executive Order No. 2-26 suspends state penalties for selling, storing, dispensing or using red-dyed diesel in highway vehicles. The order directs agencies to stop inspections aimed at detecting dyed diesel. The state motor fuel excise tax and commercial vehicle safety inspections remain in effect during the emergency.
Text (Office of the Governor of West Virginia) → · WV Office of the Governor, Bloomberg Law, American Quorum
Ashurst Perkins Coie opens Houston office with Bracewell partners Tom Tomlinson and Tamara McKinzie
Ashurst Perkins Coie on October 19, 2026, launched a Houston office with two partners from Bracewell: Thomas Tomlinson, who joins its projects, energy, environment and resources group, and Tamara McKinzie, who joins its real estate group. Houston becomes the firm's third Texas office after Dallas and Austin, and its first new office since the merged firm officially launched in July 2026.
Announcement (The Lawyer) → · Legal Business, Ashurst Perkins Coie
Executive order waives Graham Act sanctions, restrictions and duties on Russia before October 18 start
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 16, 2026 implementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 and waiving its duties, sanctions and restrictions. The order stated duty increases of 500 percent on Russian goods and 100 percent on goods from top importers of Russian oil and gas and top sanctions-evasion facilitators, then waived those duties under section 115 after certifying the waiver was in the national interests of the United States.
Text (The White House) → · Okay News, New Kerala
Ashurst Perkins Coie hires Bracewell energy lawyer Tamara McKinzie in Houston
Ashurst Perkins Coie has hired energy and finance lawyer Tamara L. McKinzie from Bracewell in Houston, even though the firm has no office in the city, Bloomberg Law reported on October 15, 2026, citing two people familiar with the situation. One source said the firm, formed in the June merger of Ashurst and Perkins Coie, is eyeing more Houston hires with energy and mining expertise.
Announcement (Bloomberg Law) → · The Lawyer
Rulings this week
- UK · EWHC Spares 5,000 late-served Dieselgate claims but makes claimants share costs
- 9TH CIR. Keeps California's captive audience meeting ban on hold
- CANADA Ontario Court of Appeal says licensed paralegals can negotiate accident benefits settlements for parties under disability
- UK · UKSC Backs insurer against Spain and France in Prestige oil spill arbitration case
Willkie hires Westinghouse nuclear counsel Raphael Kuyler as Washington energy partner
Willkie Farr & Gallagher hired Raphael Kuyler, a nuclear lawyer who joins from Westinghouse Electric, as a partner in its power and renewable energy practice in Washington, Bloomberg Law reported October 13, 2026. Law360 Pulse covered the hire October 14. Bloomberg Law said Kuyler advised Westinghouse on nuclear regulatory matters worldwide and led contract negotiations for major reactor projects.
Announcement (Bloomberg Law) → · Law360 Pulse
Michigan suspends dyed-diesel road bans for farm and logging vehicles through December 31
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2026-15 on October 12, 2026, declaring a statewide state of energy emergency. The order suspends Motor Fuel Tax Act provisions that bar dyed diesel in farm and wood-harvester vehicles on public roads. The suspension is effective immediately and runs no later than December 31, 2026.
Text (State of Michigan) → · Office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Brownfield Ag News
State and local law roundup, week ending October 9, 2026: 3 developments
Illinois and Iowa suspended state dyed-diesel penalties for farm hauling this week. Illinois Executive Order 2026-08, filed October 6, bars penalties for farm use of dyed diesel on highways through December 31, 2026; Iowa's October 7 disaster proclamation extends its suspension to livestock and feed loads through February 4, 2027. California's SB 799 (Chapter 980) lets the South Bay Regional Housing Trust fund moderate-income housing from January 1, 2027.
Entries (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor of Iowa, State of Illinois, Office of the Governor
Idaho pauses discretionary dyed-fuel inspections for 30 days under Executive Order 2026-07
Under Executive Order 2026-07, Gov. Brad Little directed the Idaho State Police and the Idaho Transportation Department to stop initiating discretionary dyed-fuel inspections under Idaho Code 49-676 for 30 days, the governor's office said. The two agencies must review inspection policy and send recommendations to the governor. The order does not exempt drivers from federal law, other states' laws or warranty terms.
Text (Office of the Governor of Idaho) → · Office of the Governor, Gem State Chronicle
Maryland lets farm and forestry haulers use dyed diesel on public roads without state penalties under EO 01.01.2026.19
Under Executive Order 01.01.2026.19 (Oct. 9, 2026), Gov. Wes Moore declared a state of emergency over diesel prices. Vehicles hauling agricultural or forestry loads may use dyed diesel on public roads without state citations or fines, and fees for 30-day Exceptional Hauling Permits are waived on non-interstate state highways. Federal fuel tax and penalties still apply, and the Comptroller is asked to seek relief from the IRS.
Text (Office of Governor Wes Moore) → · The Equiery
Missouri suspends dyed-diesel highway ban for any purpose under Executive Order 26-20
Under Executive Order 26-20 (Oct. 9, 2026), Gov. Mike Kehoe suspended enforcement of Missouri's on-highway dyed-diesel ban (RSMo 142.932) and its penalties for any purpose. No state agency or officer may assess penalties under that section. The order replaces EO 26-19 and keeps a 90,000-pound limit for qualifying farm loads on non-interstate roads. It ends Dec. 31, 2026 unless extended.
Text (Missouri Secretary of State) → · Office of Governor Mike Kehoe, KCTV
North Carolina sets motor fuel tax to zero through November 30 under Session Law 2026-62
Session Law 2026-62 (HB 3), signed Oct. 9, 2026, sets North Carolina's motor fuel excise tax to zero from Oct. 10 through Nov. 30, 2026. Fuel cost may not include the suspended tax. Through Dec. 31, the Revenue Secretary may not penalize farm use of dyed diesel in highway vehicles. The State Controller must make monthly hold-harmless transfers from the Stabilization and Inflation Reserve; forgone revenue is estimated at $362.3 million, Brooks Pierce reported.
Enrolled text (North Carolina General Assembly) → · Governor Stein (governor.nc.gov), Brooks Pierce Capital Dispatch
OFAC authorizes Russian-origin diesel transactions through April 2027 under General License 135
On October 9, 2026, Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control issued Russia-related General License 135, authorizing transactions otherwise prohibited by the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations and the Ukraine-/Russia-Related Sanctions Regulations that relate to the sale, delivery, offloading or importation of Russian-origin diesel fuel, including into the United States. The authorization runs through 12:01 a.m. EDT on April 7, 2027, and excludes debits to U.S. accounts of Russia's central bank, National Wealth Fund or Ministry of Finance.
Text (Office of Foreign Assets Control) → · Indian Economic Observer
Wyoming extends the federal fuel-hauler hours-of-service waiver to intrastate deliveries through December 16 under EO 2026-10
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon issued Executive Order 2026-10 on October 8, 2026, directing the Wyoming Department of Transportation to recognize and adopt, for intrastate commerce, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hours-of-service waiver for gasoline and diesel haulers. The driving-time limits in 49 C.F.R. 395.3, as incorporated by Wyo. Stat. Ann. 31-18-303, do not apply to carriers and drivers moving gasoline or diesel within Wyoming, subject to the FMCSA waiver terms, until 11:59 p.m. on December 16, 2026.
Text (Governor of Wyoming) → · Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation, Your Wyoming Link
Reynolds widens dyed-diesel penalty suspension to livestock and other farm products
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a disaster emergency proclamation on October 7, 2026, suspending the dyed-fuel restrictions in Iowa Code sections 452A.74 and 452A.74A(1) for motor vehicles hauling soybeans, corn, livestock, livestock feed, soybean meal, fertilizer and other farm products, and suspending sales and fuel tax provisions on that fuel. The proclamation, which expands an earlier proclamation, took effect immediately and expires February 4, 2027.
Kentucky suspends dyed-diesel road-use ban and state penalties under Executive Order 2026-667
Under Executive Order 2026-667 (Oct. 7, 2026), approved by Attorney General Russell Coleman in AG Order 2026-07, Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency and suspended Kentucky's ban on using untaxed or dyed diesel on public roads (KRS 138.502(1)-(3)) and its state penalties, effective Oct. 8. The AG's approval limits the suspension to a period consistent with KRS 39A.090(2), generally 30 days; federal dyed-diesel rules still apply.
Text (Office of the Governor of Kentucky) → · Kentucky Lantern
Australia's High Court rules planners must weigh overseas emissions in Mount Pleasant coal mine case
The High Court of Australia on October 7, 2026, dismissed MACH Energy's appeal over its Mount Pleasant coal mine expansion in a 3-2 ruling, finding planning authorities had to consider conditions minimizing all greenhouse gas emissions, including Scope 3 emissions from coal burned overseas. The decision upholds a 2025 NSW Court of Appeal win by a Hunter Valley residents' group.
Order (ABC News) → · Al Jazeera, AAP
CMS IndusLaw hires GE Vernova's Mehak Oberoi to build construction practice
CMS IndusLaw has hired Mehak Oberoi as a partner in its infrastructure, projects and construction team in Delhi and the NCR. Oberoi, a construction law specialist with nearly two decades of experience on EPC projects, FIDIC contracts and disputes across renewable energy and infrastructure in Asia-Pacific, joins from GE Vernova, where she was legal head for hydro in Asia-Pacific. She will lead development of the firm's construction practice.
Announcement (Bar & Bench) → · Law.asia
Georgia waives penalties for on-road use of dyed diesel through Nov. 5
Gov. Brian Kemp signed Executive Order 10.06.26.01 on Oct. 6, 2026, directing the State Revenue Commissioner to waive penalties under O.C.G.A. 48-9-16(e) for selling, delivering or using dyed fuel oil for highway use. The order amends the Sept. 28 petroleum supply state of emergency, which suspended the state motor fuel tax and lifted commercial-vehicle weight limits, and renews the emergency through Nov. 5.
Text (Office of the Governor, State of Georgia) → · Discover Gordon County
Illinois suspends dyed-diesel road penalties for farm use through December 31
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2026-08 on October 6, 2026, directing the Department of Revenue and State Police not to impose state penalties for the sale or on-road use of dyed diesel for farming and agricultural purposes through December 31. Users must keep records of plates, gallons, fill-up dates and agricultural use for four years. Pritzker also declared all 102 counties disaster areas for 30 days.
Text (Illinois Department of Revenue) → · Office of Governor JB Pritzker, NPR Illinois
Healey declares energy emergency, orders winter heating relief in Executive Order 659
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed Executive Order 659 on October 5, 2026, proclaiming an energy emergency through April 30, 2027. It directs agencies to create a one-time heating-oil benefit for households at 60 to 100% of state median income, supplement HEAP, fund removal of the SMART solar charge for at least three months, cut Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard costs by half and enforce against petroleum price gouging. The governor's office put the package at nearly $150 million.
Text (Mass.gov) → · Cape Cod Times
State and local law roundup, week ending October 2, 2026: 23 developments
Twenty-three state and local measures dated September 25 to 29, 2026. California enacted laws on prescribed fire, children's meals, added-sugar menu warnings, diaper ingredients, disposable vapes, supplement sales to minors and disability-form fees. North Dakota, Texas, Arkansas and Georgia issued fuel emergency orders. New Jersey and New York signed school, reentry, Rutgers and climate bills, Massachusetts set emergency adult foster care rates, and San Jose paused detention-facility applications.
Entries (California Legislative Information) → · North Dakota Office of the Governor, City of San Jose, Office of the City Clerk (Legistar), Office of the Texas Governor +6
Penningtons hires Pinsent Masons' Jean-François Le Gal to lead arbitration
Penningtons Manches Cooper appointed Jean-François Le Gal as partner and head of international arbitration in London, recruiting him from Pinsent Masons, Global Legal Post reported on October 2, 2026. Dual-qualified in England and France, Le Gal will work with the firm's Paris office on energy, infrastructure, life sciences, and other EMEA disputes.
Announcement (Global Legal Post) → · Pulse 2.0
Mori Hamada plans Dallas, Houston, and Kyoto offices for 2027 expansion
Law.com and Global Legal Post reported on October 2, 2026, that Japanese Big Four firm Mori Hamada & Matsumoto plans to open offices in Dallas and Houston in the first half of 2027, plus a Kyoto office that would be its ninth in Japan. The Texas launches would give the firm five U.S. offices after New York and the San Francisco Bay Area, targeting finance, manufacturing, logistics, energy, and Japan-related M&A work.
Announcement (Law.com International) → · Global Legal Post
USDA moves REAP grants to post-completion, performance-validated model
USDA's Rural Business-Cooperative Service published a final rule Oct. 1, 2026, restructuring the Rural Energy for America Program into a post-completion, performance-validated model. Projects must be fully built and operational before applying, with 12 months of pre-installation data and 12 months of production data. Ground-mounted solar and wind systems on certified cropland become ineligible. The rule (91 FR 62600) takes effect Oct. 16, 2026, with a 30-day comment period.
Text (Federal Register) → · Solar Power World, Michigan Farm News
Indiana governor extends gas tax suspension through Nov. 4
Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed Executive Order 26-33 on September 30, 2026, renewing the state's energy emergency for 30 days, Oct. 6 through Nov. 4, in all counties. The Gasoline Use Tax and Gasoline Excise Tax are suspended for that period, and the Department of Revenue must not collect them. WDRB reported it is the sixth extension of a holiday that began in April.
Text (Office of the Governor of Indiana) → · Indiana Capital Chronicle, WDRB
Indiana governor signs EO 26-34 letting farmers run road trucks on dyed diesel
Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed Executive Order 26-34 on September 30, 2026, suspending the special fuel restriction in Ind. Code § 6-6-2.5-62(c) for farmers and timber harvesters for the duration of the state energy emergency, now renewed through Nov. 4. They may run untaxed dyed diesel in highway vehicles for farm and timber work; motor carrier safety rules other than hours of service still apply.
Text (Office of the Governor of Indiana) → · Indiana Capital Chronicle
California blocks state tidelands infrastructure for new federal offshore oil leases
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1448 on September 29, 2026. The bill amends Public Resources Code section 6245 to bar the State Lands Commission and local trustees from entering new leases or conveyances authorizing new oil and gas infrastructure on tidelands and submerged lands to support Pacific outer continental shelf leases issued after January 1, 2026. Lease renewals tied to such federal leases require an informational agenda item and a 180-day pause before any vote.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor
California creates single coordinated 60-day review for wildfire mitigation projects
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1370 on September 29, 2026. New Public Resources Code sections 4240 and following direct the Natural Resources Agency, with CalEPA, to run a single consolidated review of covered wildfire mitigation projects such as fuel breaks, defensible space and prescribed fire. CEQA does not apply, and decisions are due within 60 calendar days of a complete application. Authority to issue expedited authorizations ends January 1, 2029.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor
California orders removal of abandoned transmission facilities and utility liaisons to emergency centers
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 742 on September 29, 2026. By January 1, 2028, the Public Utilities Commission must update General Order 95 to require each electrical corporation to remove all permanently abandoned transmission facilities. Wildfire mitigation plans must account for all transmission facilities and set removal timelines, and certain utilities must assign liaisons to local emergency operations centers.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor
California creates a Wildfire Resilience Loan Program without ratepayer funds
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 894 (Ch. 770, Stats. 2026) on September 29, 2026. It adds Public Resources Code sections 26090 and 26091, creating the California Wildfire Resilience Loan Program at the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority. Upon appropriation, the program will finance home hardening, defensible space and other wildfire-resilience improvements, and it may not use money collected from electrical or gas corporation ratepayers.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor
California opens CEQA-streamlined certification to fusion component plants and orders a fusion plan
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 925 (Ch. 831, Stats. 2026) on September 30, 2026. It lets developers of facilities that manufacture, produce or assemble components integral to fusion energy apply to the Energy Commission for certification as environmental leadership development projects, with CEQA streamlining, under Public Resources Code 25545. It also requires the commission to deliver a fusion energy strategic plan, including a licensing and permitting roadmap, to the Legislature by December 31, 2029.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, Neutron Bytes
Gibson Dunn hires Raymond Azar as New York power and renewables co-chair
Dr. Raymond Azar joined Gibson Dunn as a partner in its energy and infrastructure practice in New York and as co-chair of the power and renewables practice group, the firm and Bloomberg Law reported on September 29, 2026. Azar advises developers, borrowers, and lenders across renewable energy, energy transition, conventional power, oil and gas, petrochemicals, and infrastructure financings. He previously practiced at White & Case.
Announcement (Gibson Dunn) → · Bloomberg Law
Jones Day adds five partners in Australia across disputes, finance, energy, corporate, and IP
Jones Day hired five partners in Australia, Law.asia and Bloomberg Law reported on September 29, 2026. Dylan McKimmie joined global disputes in Brisbane from Norton Rose Fulbright; Leigh De Jong (financial markets/real estate), Christopher Flynn (energy), Lance Sacks (corporate), and Ken Saurajen (intellectual property) joined in Sydney from MinterEllison, Gilbert + Tobin, Baker McKenzie, and Clayton Utz respectively. Jones Day said it has added 10 lateral partners in Australia in 2026.
Announcement (Law.asia) → · Bloomberg Law, Jones Day
State law roundup: 20 California laws on licensing, EV charging, elections and welfare, plus Alaska game rules
Twenty California laws signed September 18 to 25 and one Alaska regulation package. California extended three licensing boards to 2031, capped multifamily EV charger permit fees, widened streamlined EV permitting, allowed E15 under existing vapor-control certifications, set in-person vote-by-mail procedures, expanded translated election materials, dropped the CalWORKs 100-hour work test and will revoke licenses for six years after an injury DUI with four prior convictions. Alaska's archery and predator-control rules took effect September 23.
Entries (Alaska Online Public Notices) → · California Legislative Information
California streamlines permits and caps fees for residential heat pumps
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 222 on September 28, 2026, adding Chapter 7.5 to the Government Code as a matter of statewide concern. Cities and counties must offer asynchronous inspections of residential heat pump water heater and HVAC installations by July 1, 2027, cap permit fees at $150 and $200 respectively, and run online real-time automated permitting for qualifying swapouts by July 1, 2028. Plug-in ready window heat pump units rated 120 volts or less need no permit or inspection.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor
California suspends summer-blend gasoline rule and orders fuel spot-market reports
On September 28, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom suspended California's seasonal summer-blend gasoline requirement for the remainder of the season and directed state agencies to enable winter-blend gasoline to be manufactured, imported, distributed, and sold immediately, exercising authority under SB 237 (Grayson, 2025). He separately directed the California Energy Commission, consulting CARB and the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight, to publish a regular public spot-market report for gasoline and diesel and to collect information on renewable diesel pricing.
Text (Office of Governor Gavin Newsom) → · Office of the Governor
New Jersey makes EV charger installations at existing buildings a ministerial permit, barring site plan review
Governor Sherrill signed S-3739 (P.L.2026, c.94) on September 28, 2026. Municipal administrative officers must approve applications to install electric vehicle supply equipment at existing gasoline stations, retail establishments and other existing buildings through a non-discretionary permit, without site plan or land use board review or variance relief. Municipal and county review is limited to specific, identifiable public health or safety impacts supported by substantial evidence. The act took effect immediately and applies to pending applications.
Enrolled text (New Jersey Legislature) → · Office of the Governor
Trump signs Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act requiring annual FERC reports
President Trump signed the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act (H.R. 3657) on September 25, 2026. The law requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to report to Congress within 180 days, and annually thereafter, on pending hydropower license applications for which applicants gave at least three years’ notice of intent to apply, listing each docket, its status and the anticipated issuance date. Sponsored by Rep. Kim Schrier, the bipartisan bill took effect on signing; no public law number had yet been assigned.
Enrolled text (GovInfo (U.S. Government Publishing Office)) → · The White House, Congress.gov, Renewable Energy World
Nebraska declares fuel emergency, allows untaxed dyed diesel on highways
Governor Jim Pillen signed Executive Order 26-21 on September 24, 2026, declaring a statewide emergency over distillate fuel shortages. For 90 days, registered highway vehicles may hold and use untaxed dyed diesel without state penalty, sales of the fuel to those operators are permitted, the Tax Commissioner must seek IRS penalty relief within three business days, and diesel taxes on Nebraska agricultural hauling are refundable via Form 84AG.
Text (State of Nebraska, Office of the Governor) → · Office of Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen
Greenberg Traurig adds Sofiya Bumagin as London energy shareholder and Hayley Çapani as restructuring of counsel
Greenberg Traurig added Sofiya Bumagin as a shareholder in its London energy and natural resources practice from Sidley Austin and Hayley Çapani as of counsel to its London litigation practice from Shoosmiths, the firm announced on 23 and September 22, 2026; Bloomberg Law reported both hires on September 23. Bumagin advises financial sponsors on energy-transition and digital-infrastructure M&A including battery storage, district heating, data centers and fibre; Çapani advises on contentious restructuring and insolvency.
Announcement (Bloomberg Law) → · Greenberg Traurig
Western District of Michigan dismisses Michigan’s antitrust suit against oil majors for lack of antitrust standing
U.S. District Judge Jane M. Beckering dismissed Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s antitrust suit against BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell, and the American Petroleum Institute on September 22, 2026. The court held Michigan lacked antitrust standing under the Sherman and Clayton Acts: the alleged decades-long conspiracy was not plausibly pleaded to have proximately caused retail energy overcharges, and Illinois Brick bars most indirect-purchaser overcharge damages. Beckering dismissed the federal claim with prejudice and declined supplemental jurisdiction over the state claim.
Opinion (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan) → · Reuters, Legal Newsline, The Seattle Times
California and Energy Commission sue Trump administration over $111 million Morro Bay offshore wind lease buyout
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Energy Commission sued the Department of the Interior, federal officials, and Invenergy California Offshore in federal court on Tuesday. The fifty-four-page complaint challenges a June 2026 agreement paying Invenergy over $111 million to surrender its two-gigawatt Morro Bay offshore wind lease. California alleges the buyout violates the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and constitutional spending limits while requiring fossil-fuel investments.
Filing (U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California) → · Associated Press, The Morning Call, California Department of Justice +1
Eight states sue Trump administration and Bluepoint Wind over $765 million offshore wind lease buyout
New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of eight states sued the Department of the Interior, federal officials, and Bluepoint Wind in Brooklyn federal court on Tuesday. The eighty-one-page complaint challenges a $765 million Judgment Fund settlement that canceled Bluepoint's 2.4-gigawatt New York Bight offshore wind lease. The states allege the agreement illegally diverts taxpayer funds to a liquefied natural gas project, violating federal energy and environmental statutes.
Filing (U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York) → · Associated Press, The Morning Call, Office of the New York State Attorney General
Sidley Austin hires Squire Patton Boggs energy partner James Schneider in Miami
James Schneider joined Sidley Austin as a Miami partner in its energy, transportation and infrastructure practice from Squire Patton Boggs, Law.com’s Daily Business Review and Law360 Pulse reported on September 22, 2026. The hire follows Sidley’s August Miami energy launch and brings the Miami office past 70 lawyers and professionals.
Announcement (Law.com Daily Business Review) → · Law360 Pulse
California orders utility-rate review so data centers bear grid costs
SB 1168 (Chapter 440), signed September 21, requires the Public Utilities Commission, in a new or existing proceeding, to assess rate-structure opportunities ensuring data centers pay a reasonable share of transmission and distribution costs, their proportionate share of load increases and procurements, consistent with integrated resource planning. The review must also alleviate cost pressures on residential ratepayers, including CARE and FERA program customers.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California
California assigns data centers interconnection, transmission-upgrade, and stranded-cost risks
SB 886, the California Technology Innovation and Ratepayer Protection Act (Chapter 438), signed September 21, directs the Public Utilities Commission to establish interconnection and service tariffs for large data centers by January 1, 2028. Tariffs must prevent stranded costs and cost shifts to other customers, assign transmission upgrade costs to the data center, impose early termination fees for departures within ten years, and require utilities to publish maps of low-upgrade interconnection sites.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California
California requires data-center tariffs that prevent ratepayer cost shifts
AB 2383 (Chapter 435), signed September 21, requires the Public Utilities Commission to order electrical corporations to file transmission, distribution, and generation tariffs for data centers that keep incremental costs off other ratepayers. Community choice aggregators and electric service providers must adopt equivalent generation tariffs by January 1, 2028. The tariffs must run at least ten years, with upfront collateral, minimum payments tied to projected load, and early termination fees.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California
California requires large data centers to report energy and operating metrics
AB 1577 (Chapter 434), signed September 21, requires owners or operators of data centers with at least 10 megawatts of electrical capacity to report energy and operating data to the California Energy Commission at energization and annually thereafter. The commission must publish the data in anonymized, aggregated form on its website and assess data-center electricity load trends in its biennial Integrated Energy Policy Report beginning in 2029.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California
California directs PUC to weigh consolidating load-serving-entity plans by 2030
AB 2266 (Chapter 389), signed September 20, requires the Public Utilities Commission, by January 1, 2030, to consider consolidating the procurement plans load-serving entities file under specified provisions into a single plan. Where feasible, the commission must consolidate compliance reporting for reliability requirements and explain in a decision or ruling if consolidation is not feasible. Commission-issued reporting templates must be final at least 30 business days before reports are due.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California
California orders long-range, risk-prudent renewable transmission planning
AB 2111, the Accelerating Renewable Energy Delivery Act (Chapter 382), signed September 20, requires the Public Utilities Commission, consulting the Energy Commission, to give the Independent System Operator transmission-focused guidance on portfolios of expected renewable and zero-carbon resources. The commission must submit at least three risk-prudent, near-term resource portfolios spanning plausible futures and request approval of transmission projects it finds reasonable, with projections covering at least 20 years.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California
California requires utilities to report taxpayer funding and pass savings to ratepayers
AB 1715 (Chapter 372), signed September 20, requires each electrical or gas corporation to file quarterly reports with the Public Utilities Commission on taxpayer funding of $1 million or more from federal programs including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, or CHIPS Act. Reports must detail sources, spending plans, and expected ratepayer savings. The commission must require utilities to pass funding benefits through to ratepayers via rate adjustments. The reporting duty ends January 1, 2037.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Governor of California
California requires large data centers to report energy and operational data to the Energy Commission
Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1577 on September 21, 2026, chaptered as Cal. Stats. 2026, ch. 434 and adding Public Resources Code section 25302.10. From January 1, 2027, owners and operators of data centers of at least 10 megawatts must report operational data to the Energy Commission upon energization and after any substantive change. The Commission publishes the data annually in anonymized, aggregated form and adds biennial data-center load assessments to integrated energy policy reports from 2029.
California conditions zero-emission truck incentive eligibility on manufacturers' pricing-data disclosure
Governor Gavin Newsom approved SB 1213 on September 20, 2026, as Chapter 349, effective January 1, 2027. Beginning January 1, 2027, the State Air Resources Board and the Energy Commission must condition inclusion of any medium- or heavy-duty vehicle model in incentive programs funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, including the Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project, on receipt of the pricing data specified in new Health and Safety Code Section 43216.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor
California strengthens HOA residents' access to member-owned EV chargers in common areas
Governor Gavin Newsom approved SB 1267 on September 20, 2026, as Chapter 350, effective January 1, 2027. The law amends Civil Code Section 4745 so a homeowner in a common interest development may install an EV charging station in a common area for the owner's exclusive use when installation in a designated parking space is impossible or unreasonably expensive. Associations must authorize installation through a license agreement, and associations or owners may also install shared chargers for all members.
Enrolled text (California Legislative Information) → · Office of the Governor
EPA finalizes repeal of 2024 carbon pollution standards for coal and gas power plants
The Environmental Protection Agency published a final rule on September 17, 2026 repealing most of the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants, effective November 16, 2026. The repeal removes emission guidelines for existing steam units and the carbon capture-based standards for modified coal units and new base load gas turbines. Administrator Lee Zeldin announced it in Houston on September 14, projecting $310 billion in savings; EPA also proposed rescinding all remaining power-sector greenhouse gas standards.
Enrolled text (Federal Register) → · EPA, CNN, NPR Illinois