[USA] Biden issues National Security Memorandum on critical infrastructure cybersecurity

On July 28, 2021, President Joe Biden signed a National Security Memorandum on improving critical infrastructure cybersecurity.[1] The memorandum aims to encourage critical infrastructure owners and operators to voluntarily adopt better cybersecurity standards. The memorandum specifically focuses on industrial control systems (ICS), which monitor, regulate, and automate operational technologies (OT). Compromised ICS and OT can enable attackers to cause physical damage to systems and even widespread outages.

The memorandum formalizes the ICS Cybersecurity Initiative, which was launched in April 2021 and included a pilot program for the electricity sector. The pilot program is a voluntary, collaborative effort between the federal government and the electricity sector to improve the cybersecurity of these systems. So far, more than 150 utility companies have joined the pilot. A separate pilot is being developed for natural gas pipelines later in 2021, followed by plans for the chemical industry and waste-water treatment plants. The memorandum also directs the Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with the Secretary of Commerce (through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology) and other agencies, to develop and issue cybersecurity performance goals to help critical infrastructure owners and operators improve their individual capabilities.

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/28/national-security-memorandum-on-improving-cybersecurity-for-critical-infrastructure-control-systems/

[USA] Coalition sues Alaska governor to return money rural energy program

On July 19, 2021, a coalition that includes the Alaska Federation of Natives, electric cooperatives, and several local governments[1] filed a lawsuit against Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy (R) to demand that his administration release money intended to subsidize power bills in rural Alaska.[2] The Power Cost Equalization Endowment Fund is a program that reduces rural customers' electric rates to levels comparable to those paid in urban areas of Alaska. The program reimburses utilities for credits they extend to customers. The Power Cost Equalization Endowment Fund serves more than 80,000 citizens who are largely reliant on diesel for power generation. According to the Department of Revenue, the fund was valued at about $1.2 billion as of June 30, 2021.

The lawsuit claims that in 2019 the Dunleavy administration identified without "any legal explanation or justification" a larger list of accounts, including the Power Cost Equalization Endowment Fund, to be swept into the budget reserve compared to previous administrations. A budget reserve is a fund set aside to meet short-term deficits. The sweep happens automatically, and actions to reverse it and return funds to the accounts require three-quarters of legislators to pass. The legislature did not meet the three-quarter vote requirement in June 2021 amid a budget dispute. The attorney for the plaintiffs said that issue isn't with the failed vote but with the administration's decision to sweep money from the endowment fund into the budget reserve.

[1] Alaska Federation of Natives, First Alaskans Institute, Association of Village Council Presidents, Aleutians East Borough, Organized Village of Kake, City of Saint Paul, City of Adak, City and Borough of Yakutat, City of Sand Point, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Inn Electric Cooperative, Inside Passage Electric Cooperative, Kotzebue

Electric Association, Naknek Electric Association, Nushagak Electric & Telephone Cooperative, Unalakleet Valley Electric Cooperative, Cordova Electric Cooperative, and Tanalian Electric Cooperative

[2] https://public.courts.alaska.gov/web/media/MRCF/3AN-21-06737CI/complaint.pdf

[USA] House Democrat launches "Hot FERC Summer" campaign, introduces new legislation for FERC

On July 20, 2021, Representative Sean Casten (D-IL) launched the "Hot FERC Summer" campaign aimed at boosting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's (FERC) visibility in Congress.[1] Hot FERC Summer is a play on rapper Megan Thee Stallion's 2019 song "Hot Girl Summer." The campaign is also intended to highlight the need for President Biden to name a Democratic commissioner to FERC to give Democrats a majority on the commission for the first time in years.

The campaign was launched alongside the Energy PRICE Act, a policy that clarifies that FERC has the responsibility to consider the cost of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in ratemaking decisions. The legislation is co-sponsored by Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA), Mike Levin (D-CA), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). It points out that under the Federal Power Act (FPA), Congress granted FERC the authority and responsibility to include GHG emissions and other external factors when considering what rates are just and reasonable. Under this policy, FERC could conclude that it has the authority to implement a carbon price in U.S. wholesale power markets. In addition to the Energy Price Act, Rep. Casten has plans to introduce or has introduced two other FERC-related bills. The congressman plans to reintroduce the Right to Timely Rehearings at FERC Act, intended to expedite the rehearing process. Additionally, in April 2021, Rep. Casten and Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Interregional Transmission Planning Improvement Act to improve regional transmission planning.[2]

[1] https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-casten-kicks-hot-ferc-summer-introduction-energy-price-act-and

[2] https://casten.house.gov/media/press-releases/casten-heinrich-announce-bicameral-bill-recharge-electric-transmission-planning

[USA] Keystone XL developer launches $15B NAFTA challenge

On July 2, 2021, TC Energy Corporation, the Canadian developer of the Keystone XL pipeline, announced that it had filed a Notice of Intent to initiate a legacy North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) claim under the United-States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to recover damages resulting from the revocation of the pipeline’s presidential permit.[1] The 1,210-mile pipeline project, located in central North America and running north to south, was slated to carry 830,000 barrels of heavy crude per day from Alberta, Canada, to Nebraska, U.S. However, in January 2021, President Biden issued an executive order rescinding the pipeline’s border crossing permit amid concerns that burning oil sands crude would worsen climate change.[2] As a result, TC Energy announced in June 2021 that it was canceling the project.  The developer is seeking to recover more than $15 billion in damages that it has suffered as a result of the Biden administration’s decision.

This is not the first time TC Energy has challenged the U.S. government under NAFTA. In 2016, TC Energy, then known as TransCanada Corp., filed a notice of NAFTA arbitration after President Obama denied the pipeline a border-crossing permit.[3] The company dropped its $15 billion claim when President Trump signed an executive order approving the pipeline and granting TC Energy the border-crossing permit in 2017.

[1] https://www.tcenergy.com/announcements/2021-07-02-tc-energy-commences-nafta-claim-following-revocation-of-keystone-xl-presidential-permit/

[2] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-protecting-public-health-and-environment-and-restoring-science-to-tackle-climate-crisis/

[3] https://www.tcenergy.com/announcements/2016/2016-01-06transcanada-commences-legal-actions-following-keystone-xl-denial/

[USA] DOE announces $52.5 million to advance clean hydrogen technologies

On July 7, 2021, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced $52.5 million to advance cutting-edge clean hydrogen technologies.[1] The funding will support the DOE’s Hydrogen Energy Earthshot initiative, which aims to reduce the cost and accelerate innovation in the clean hydrogen sector. The 31 projects will focus on bridging technical gaps in hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and utilization technologies to help the U.S. reach the Biden administration’s goal of a decarbonized electricity sector by 2035.

The funding includes $36 million from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and $16.5 million from the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM). The EERE will support 19 projects focused on five topics: 1) electrolysis with improved manufacturing and streamlined assembly to reduce costs; 2) clean hydrogen, including biological and electrochemical approaches; 3) fuel cell subsystems and components that are more efficient and durable and are designed for heavy-duty applications; 4) domestic hydrogen supply chain components and refueling technologies; and 5) cost and performance analyses of fuel cell systems, hydrogen production pathways, and hydrogen storage technologies. The FECM will support 12 projects on six topics: 1) degradation mechanisms and pathways in high temperature reversible solid oxide cells (SOC) materials that help assess metrics such as cost; 2) performance, reliability, and durability for hydrogen production using reversible solid oxide cells (R-SOC) systems; 3) cost reductions via improvements in materials, manufacturing and microstructure improvements in R-SOC technologies; 4) design of a commercial-scale advanced carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) system from steam methane reforming plants; 5) design of a commercial-scale advanced CCUS system from autothermal methane reforming plants; and 6) development of a gas turbine combustion system for both hydrogen and hydrogen plus natural gas.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-announces-525-million-accelerate-progress-clean-hydrogen

[USA] Coalition asks Congress for cost analysis of RTOs

A coalition of consumer advocates, pro-market groups, and others sent a letter on July 8, 2021, requesting that Congress direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or other independent oversight organization to conduct a first-of-its-kind cost analysis of organized power markets.[1] The coalition is spearheaded by the Electricity Consumers Resource Council (ELCON) and includes groups such as Public Citizen, Energy Choice Coalition, and R Street Institute. In 1999, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) encouraged participation in organized markets under Order 1000. As a result, about two-thirds of the U.S. by area is now served by Regional Transmission Organizations and Independent System Operators (collectively RTOs). In their letter, coalition members expressed concern that while FERC has promoted RTOs based on the idea that they benefit customers, the commission has not initiated a full-scale, independent study to ensure that RTOs provide reliable and affordable electricity. The coalition is requesting an analysis of the cost impacts of federal policy on market structure, particularly the net benefits to retail consumers of forming RTOs. The study should examine how existing RTO markets have impacted the cost of electricity for retail consumers. The coalition also asked that the study explore the impacts of wholesale market structures on reliability and develop a set of best practices for RTO expansion.

[1] https://elcon.org/independent-study-of-the-cost-of-electricity/

[USA] Senate Democrats introduce bill to extend the production tax credit to existing nuclear plants

On June 24, 2021, U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-DE), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Zero-Emission Nuclear Power Production Credit Act of 2021 (S. 2291). The bill would make existing merchant nuclear power owners/operators eligible for the same $0.015/kWh ($15/MWh) tax credit proposed for wind operators.[1] Nuclear reactors provide one-fifth of the U.S.’s electricity and represent 55% of total emission-free energy across the nation. However, the current production tax credit for eligible nuclear power facilities only applies to nuclear plants for the first eight years of operations. Older nuclear power plants, many of which are retiring early due to low energy prices, are not eligible for any tax credits. The proposed production tax credit would phase out if market revenues reach $0.025/kWh ($25/MWh), if greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) drop 50% from 2020 levels, or after ten years. Several labor groups and other organizations support a nuclear production tax credit, including the American Nuclear Society, the Bipartisan Policy Center Action, GE Hitachi, North America’s Building Trade Unions, Nuclear Energy Institute, and Sensible Energy Matters to America.

[1] https://www.energy.senate.gov/2021/6/manchin-cardin-carper-whitehouse-booker-introduce-bill-to-extend-production-tax-credit-for-zero-emission-energy-sources-to-existing-nuclear-plants

[USA] AEP subsidiary issues RFPs for purchase of wind, solar, and short-term generation

On June 28, 2021, Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), a subsidiary of American Electric Power (AEP), announced three Requests for Proposals (RFP) for renewable and short-term generating capacity to supply the needs of its customers.[1] The RFPs seek bids for the purchase of up to 3,000 MW of wind resources, up to 300 MW of solar resources, and up to 250 MW of short-term accredited deliverable capacity. Wind resources must be at least 100 MW, interconnect to the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), and be located in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, or Missouri. Solar resources must be at least 50 MW, be located with SWEPCO’s service territory, and interconnect to SWEPCO’s transmission system within SPP. Proposals for short-term capacity must be at least 50 MW from SPP resources. The wind and solar projects must be operational by December 15, 2024, or December 15, 2025, which would allow the projects to take advantage of the federal production and investment tax credits before they expire. Proposals are due by August 12, 2021, and will be subject to regulatory approval from regulators in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

[1] https://www.aep.com/news/releases/read/6155/SWEPCO-Issues-Requests-for-Proposals-for-Purchase-of-Wind-Solar-and-Shortterm-Generation

[USA] South Carolina regulators reject Duke IRPs

On June 17, 2021, the South Carolina Public Service Commission (PSC) voted 4-2 to reject the integrated resource plans (IRP) submitted by two Duke Energy subsidiaries, Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress.[1] The decision comes ten months after Duke filed its IRPs with regulators in North and South Carolina. The IRPs outlined six pathways for its electricity mix under different carbon policy scenarios. Duke favors the base case without strict carbon regulations. Under this pathway, Duke would add about 8.6 GW of solar and more than 1 GW of storage by 2035. The utility would also add 9.6 GW of new natural gas and close its remaining coal plants.

According to the PSC, Duke’s IRPs failed to meet the standards set in the state’s 2019 Energy Freedom Act, which aims to boost clean energy technologies by requiring utilities to consider procuring all sources of electricity generation. The commission questioned the modeling Duke used to project future natural gas prices as well as its estimation of the ability of solar to meet the state’s energy needs. The PSC’s directive asks the utility to make several changes to its plan related to modeling and energy price forecasts. The PSC requests that Duke’s assessments include 20-year Purchase Power Agreements for third-party solar priced at $38/MWh as a selectable resource, with additional PPA pricing at $36/MWh and $40/MWh. These prices are roughly on par with other 20-year PPAs in the region. A more detailed order is expected in the coming weeks. Once the order is out, Duke will have 60 days to file its modified IRP, followed by a 60-day comment and review period. The PSC then has 60 days to approve or reject the modified IRP.

[1] https://dms.psc.sc.gov/Attachments/Matter/f30b83c7-3382-4d64-b0b6-b59712378b3d

[USA] ERCOT asks residents to use less energy during heatwave

A high number of outages in Texas combined with potential record electricity usage caused the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) on June 14, 2021, to request that residents reduce electric use during peak hours through June 18, 2021.[1] On June 14, 2021, generator owners reported that about 11,000 MW of generation is on forced outage for repairs. Of that generation, 8,000 MW is thermal energy, and the rest is intermittent resources. Typically, the average for thermal generation outages on hot summer days is about 3,600 MW. Roughly 1,200 MW of power was regained overnight on June 14, 2021, when some repairs were done.[2]

According to ERCOT, the peak load reached a new record. On June 15, 2021, the peak load was 69,943 MW, which exceeds the previous June record of 69,123 MW set on June 27, 2018. ERCOT has requested that residents set their thermostat to 78 degrees or higher. The grid operator has also asked that residents turn off lights and pool pumps and avoid using large appliances like ovens, washing machines, and dryers. In addition, residents have been asked to turn off and unplug all unnecessary devices.

[1] http://www.ercot.com/news/releases/show/233037

[2] http://www.ercot.com/news/releases/show/233159

[USA] Federal judge reverses Biden administration pause on new oil and gas leasing on federal lands

On June 15, 2021, Judge Terry Doughty, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, ordered new oil and gas leasing to restart in public lands and waters.[1] The move reverses President Biden’s January 2021 executive order that paused new lease sales during a review of the federal oil and gas program.[2] The review would likely include an assessment of the climate impacts of drilling for federal resources, which could lead to new restrictions on drilling in sensitive areas or higher royalty rates.

Judge Doughty’s preliminary injunction reverses Biden’s leasing pause until the court decides on the arguments in the case, allowing leasing to resume nationwide. The judge said the Department of the Interior had overstepped its authority by halting new oil and gas leasing and cited the legal requirements to offer leasing under the Mineral Leasing Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. According to Judge Doughty, federal agencies could cancel or suspend specific leases if they had identified problems but could not suspend leases for a review of the leasing program. He also rejected the Biden administration’s argument that the Department of Interior’s pause on new leases is not a final agency action that could be reviewed under the Administrative Procedure Act[3]. Judge Doughty’s decision is a win for Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry (R), who is leading a coalition of 13 attorneys in the case against the Biden administration’s leasing pause. The attorneys argue that the leasing pause could lead to economic harm in their states. The Biden administration cannot move forward until the case is resolved or there are further orders from Doughty, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court.

[1]https://naturalresources.house.gov/imo/media/doc/Terry%20Doughty%20June%2015%20Lease%20Sales%20Opinion.pdf

[2] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/27/executive-order-on-tackling-the-climate-crisis-at-home-and-abroad/

[3] The Administrative Procedure Act governs the way in which administrative agencies of the federal government may propose and establish regulations. The legislation gives U.S. federal courts oversight over all agency actions. Under the Administrative Procedure Act, a court can decide that a final agency action is unlawful and set aside the action if it does not fulfill the legislation’s reasoned decision-making requirement.

[USA] Report: Energy storage deployment could reach 125 GW by 2050

According to a report released on June 1, 2021, by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), energy storage deployment could reach over 125 GW of installed capacity by 2050 under modest assumptions—a more than five-fold increase.[1] Depending on cost and other variables, the report, “Storage Future Study (SFS), Economic Potential of Diurnal Storage in the U.S. Power Sector,” estimates that deployment could total as much as 680 GW by 2050. Currently, there is 23 GW of storage capacity in the U.S., most of which is pumped hydropower.

The report’s authors concluded that new storage deployment would primarily start with shorter durations of about four hours, and as costs drop, durations would gradually increase to 12 hours. By 2030, annual battery storage deployment could range from one to 30 GW. By 2050, deployments could range between seven to 77 GW. According to the authors, energy storage will provide the most considerable value when deployed together with solar and given the ability to provide grid services. In the study, researchers added new capabilities to the NREL’s Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) to model the value of diurnal battery energy storage and its offerings to grid services. They modeled two sets of scenarios: one with storage providing multiple grid services and one that restricted the services that storage can provide. The NREL found that not allowing storage to provide grid services like firm capacity and time-shifting would hinder deployment.

[1] https://www.nrel.gov/news/program/2021/grid-scale-storage-us-storage-capacity-could-grow-five-fold-by-2050.html

[USA] ACORE releases new report on benefits of a transmission ITC

On May 13, 2021, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) released a report that outlines the benefits of a transmission investment tax credit (ITC).[1] The report, titled “Investment Tax Credit for Regionally Significant Electricity Transmission Lines: A Description and Analysis,” was released during a webinar featuring Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Representative Steven Horsford (D-NV). The transmission tax credit, which would provide tax incentives for transmission development, has been proposed by the senator and congressman in Congress and is included in the Biden administration’s American Jobs Plan.

According to the report, a targeted tax credit is necessary to incentivize the construction of necessary high-voltage transmission infrastructure. A transmission ITC would create upwards of 650,000 jobs, enable an additional 30,000 MW of renewable energy capacity, spur more than $15 billion in private capital investment in the near term, and provide $2.3 billion in energy cost savings for the lower 80% of income brackets. The report also argues that there is currently no other functioning means of funding critically needed large-scale regional and interregional transmission in the U.S. The authors said expanding transmission benefits domestic manufacturing, yields public health and environmental justice benefits, improves grid reliability and resilience, and generates carbon emissions reductions.

[1] https://acore.org/report-transmission-itc-would-create-650000-jobs-spur-15-3b-in-investment/

[USA] Biden administration announces new initiatives to cut building emissions and create jobs

On May 17, 2021, the White House announced new federal investments to energy efficiency in buildings and new opportunities to modernize buildings while creating new jobs.[1] The plans include developing the first building performance standards (BPS) for federal buildings. The new BPS will be spearheaded by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and will establish metrics, targets, and tracking methods to reach federal carbon emissions goals. The Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it will invest $30 million into workforce initiatives designed to train people to develop and construct high-performance buildings. In addition, the DOE is launching a low-carbon buildings pilot program, and in coordination with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the program will partner with 55 commercial, industrial and multifamily organizations to participate and share lessons about constructing and developing energy-efficient buildings. The DOE also announced a new initiative in partnership with the Advanced Water Heating Initiative to increase market adoption of heat pump water heaters in residential and commercial buildings.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that it is launching new residential and commercial sector partnerships to accelerate efficiency and electrification retrofits in underserved residential households through the ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade program. The White House also announced new ENERGY STAR standards to improve heat pump technology and fast chargers for electric vehicles.

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/17/fact-sheet-biden-administration-accelerates-efforts-to-create-jobs-making-american-buildings-more-affordable-cleaner-and-resilient/

[USA] Agilitas Energy to begin pre-construction activities on largest battery energy storage system in Rhode Island

On May 6, 2021, Agilitas Energy announced that it is starting pre-construction work on its 3 MW/9 MWh lithium-ion battery storage system in Pascoag, Rhode Island, which will be the largest battery energy storage system in the state.[1] The battery storage project will provide peak shaving services to the Pascoag Utility District, a quasi-municipal, “not-for-profit” utility that serves 4,800 customers, and ancillary services to ISO-New England (ISO-NE). According to Mike Kirkwood, the general manager of the Pascoag Utility District, the project will allow the District to modernize its infrastructure and avoid a more costly transmission line reconstruction project. The project is Agilitas Energy’s first battery energy storage system in Rhode Island and is slated to enter commercial operation by Q2 2022.

In 2020, Rhode Island’s then-governor Gina Raimondo signed an executive order committing the state to meet 100% of its electricity demand with renewables and non-fossil fuel resources by 2030. According to Agilitas Energy, battery storage could enable the state to meet its climate goals by storing electricity generated by renewable energy sources for use at another time. Additionally, the company stated that its system would enable flexibility and result in cost savings for end consumers.

[1] https://agilitasenergy.com/agilitas-energy-to-commence-construction-of-largest-bess-in-rhode-island/

[USA] Biden signs executive order to bolster federal cybersecurity

President Biden signed an executive order on May 12, 2021, to strengthen cybersecurity in the U.S. and protect federal networks.[1] The executive order, titled “Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity,” comes in the aftermath of the ransomware attack that shut down the 5,500-mile Colonial oil pipeline on May 7, 2021. Colonial is the largest gasoline pipeline in the U.S. and supplies an estimated 40-45% of all fuel used on the East Coast. As of May 13, 2021, Colonial has restarted operations of the pipeline, but the brief shutdown caused widespread uncertainty.[2]

The executive order’s main directives are to 1) set more rigorous IT and cybersecurity policy, 2) remove barriers to information sharing among federal agencies, 3) modernize federal government cybersecurity, 4) enhance software supply chain security, 5) establish a cybersecurity safety review board, 6) standardize the federal government’s response to cybersecurity vulnerabilities and incidents, 7) improve detection of cybersecurity issues on federal networks, 8) improve the federal government’s investigative and remediation capabilities, and 9) adopt national systems security requirements. The Cybersecurity Safety Review Board will be co-chaired by the government and the private sector and will analyze lessons learned from major cybersecurity incidents. Although the order does not apply to the private sector, private companies will need to increase their own security to contract with the federal government.

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/05/12/fact-sheet-president-signs-executive-order-charting-new-course-to-improve-the-nations-cybersecurity-and-protect-federal-government-networks/

[2] https://www.colpipe.com/news/press-releases/media-statement-colonial-pipeline-system-disruption

[USA] DOE announces 100-day plan to address threats to the electric grid

On April 20, 2021, the Department of Energy (DOE) launched a 100-day plan to increase the cybersecurity of electric utilities’ industrial control systems (ICS) and protect the electric grid as a part of the Biden administration’s effort to safeguard critical infrastructure in the U.S against threats.[1] The initiative is a coordinated effort between the DOE, the electric industry, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). In partnership with electric utilities, the DOE’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) will advance technologies and systems that will provide cybersecurity capabilities for ICS of electric utilities. The 100-day plan will encourage the implementation of measures or technology that “enhance their detection, mitigation, and forensic capabilities;” include milestones throughout the initiative for identification and deployment of technologies and systems that facilitate near real-time situational awareness and response capabilities in ICS and operational technology (OT) networks; reinforce the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure information technology networks; and include a “voluntary industry effort” to improve threat visibility in ICS and OT systems.

The DOE also released a new Request for Information (RFI) to seek stakeholder recommendations for supply chain security in U.S. energy systems. In addition, the DOE announced that it is revoking the "Prohibition Order Securing Critical Defense Facilities.” The prohibition order, which the Trump administration issued in 2020, blocked utilities that supply critical defense facilities from procuring certain types of bulk power system equipment from China.

[1] https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-administration-takes-bold-action-protect-electricity-operations-increasing-cyber-0

[USA] Biden administration sets a goal of 50% emissions reduction by 2030

On April 22, 2021, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030.[1] The goal was decided through a government process that included the National Climate Task Force, which was formed when the U.S. re-entered the Paris Accord. The 2030 goal advances previous targets set by former President Barack Obama to reduce emissions up to 28% below 2005 levels by 2025. While many details on the new 2030 emissions target have not been released, the plan is consistent with the administration’s efforts to reach net-zero emissions in the power sector by 2035. The announcement was made on the first day of the Leaders Summit on Climate, a two-day virtual summit hosted by President Biden that is expected to include 40 foreign leaders. The event also included executives from financial institutions like the World Bank, union officials, green energy companies, and entrepreneurs.

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/22/fact-sheet-president-biden-sets-2030-greenhouse-gas-pollution-reduction-target-aimed-at-creating-good-paying-union-jobs-and-securing-u-s-leadership-on-clean-energy-technologies/

[USA] Biden’s budget proposal includes major increases in overall clean energy spending

On April 9, 2021, President Joe Biden sent a preliminary outline of his budget request for Fiscal Year 2022 to Congress.[1] The $1.52 trillion budget request included new climate change investments, totaling more than $14 billion more compared to FY2021, across nearly all agencies. This is the first time that a budget request has detailed funding of specific climate programs. The administration is requesting a 10.2% increase to $46.1 billion for the Department of Energy (DOE), a 21.3% increase to $11.2 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and a 16.3% increase to $17.4 billion for the Department of the Interior (DOI). At the DOE, funding for clean energy programs includes $1.9 billion to support the development of a new energy efficiency and clean electricity standard, provide local grants to incentivize clean energy workforce support, and support the development of streamlined transmission. For the EPA, funding requested by the administration includes $110 million to restore EPA staff capacity to pre-Trump administration levels and $1.8 billion in programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Biden’s budget request for the DOI includes $450 million to remediate orphaned oil and gas wells, remediate mining sites, and develop new jobs.

Proposed clean energy spending in other agencies includes $6.5 billion to the Department of Agriculture to spur rural clean energy projects and $300 million to the General Services Administration to electrify its vehicle fleet. The budget request follows the April 2021 release of the administration’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan, which proposed a federal clean electricity standard[2] and expanding clean energy tax credits. Both the budget request and the infrastructure plan are intended to put the U.S. on a path to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/FY2022-Discretionary-Request.pdf

[2] A clean electricity standard requires a percentage of retail electricity sales to come from low- and zero-carbon electricity sources. The share of clean electricity typically increases with time. Clean electricity standards are similar to renewable portfolio standards, which require that a certain percentage comes from renewable sources.

[USA] California Energy Commission announces $50 million project for zero-emission trucks and bus infrastructure

During a virtual event held on April 13, 2021, the California Energy Commission (CEC), the state’s primary energy planning and policy agency, announced the approval of a $50 million multi-year project to add sites for recharging or refueling zero-emission buses and big trucks.[1] The Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles (EnergIIZE) project will use a “concierge-like model” to work directly with private companies and local transit agencies to help plan and fund charging and hydrogen fueling infrastructure additions. CALSTART, a nonprofit consortium focused on the clean transportation industry, will administer the first-of-its-kind project. CALSTART will receive an initial $17 million to design and launch the project, with additional funds subject to annual approval from the state budget and the CEC. Tetra Tech Inc., CALSTART’s long-term incentive program administrator, and GRID Alternatives, a non-profit that manages clean energy programs in low-income communities, will be a part of the project team.

The EnergIIZE project is funded by the CEC’s Clean Transportation Program, which invests more than $100 million annually to support research, development, and deployment of advanced transportation and fuel technologies. According to the CEC, the EnergIIZE project will benefit at-risk communities by meeting the infrastructure needs of companies and public agencies committed to adding clean battery-electric and hydrogen equipment. The project will also help advance Governor Gavin Newsom’s goal of 100% zero emissions from medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles by 2045.

[1] https://www.energy.ca.gov/news/2021-04/energy-commission-announces-nations-first-incentive-project-zero-emission-truck