Energy
Image
Lion Electric bankruptcy raises concerns over state's EV incentives
Once a cornerstone of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s green agenda, Lion Electric’s Joliet plant will auction its equipment on May 15 after declaring bankruptcy, despite a $50 million state incentive.
Image
Consumer advocates blast gas utility for pipeline spending, proposed rate hike
Citizens Utility Board Executive Director Sarah Moskowitz said the proposal includes a lavish profit rate for Nicor shareholders and wasteful spending on executive bonuses.
Image
Farmers’ protection from discriminating environmental policies approved
The Senate on Wednesday evening gave final passage to a proposal that makes it illegal for a banks “denying or canceling service for agricultural producers based on greenhouse gas emissions or use of fossil-fuel derived fertilizer or powered machinery."
Image
Democrats grill Energy Secretary on his plans to make DOE run efficiently and use taxdollars wisely
Wright testified that the Loans Program Office at the DOE had issued about $40 billion in loans for energy projects over the last 15 years. But in the last 76 days of the Biden administration, that number jumped to $100 billion. Wright said that the rushed loan agreements lacked clauses traditionally required by the DOE.
Image
Fight between rural Louisiana and carbon capture 'not over'
Opponents to unfettered development of carbon capture secured a couple of wins this time around, with the House Natural Resources Committee passing four bills.
Image
Letitia James has 'no leg to stand on' in lawsuit against Trump offshore wind order, experts say
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act grants the Interior Secretary broad authority to suspend activities when necessary to ensure safety, protect the environment, or allow for further study of potential impacts.
Image
CA gas could hit $8.44 per gallon in 2026 due to refinery closures, regulations
The new study from University of Southern California professor Michael A. Mische examined California’s historical gas prices, oil supply and refining capacity, and modeled the likely impact of refinery closures and costly new fossil fuel and refinery fees and regulations.
Image
Trump administration plans to end Energy Star program that certifies appliance energy efficiency
Officials announced the plan to eliminate the office and kill the program at an “all-hands meeting” at the EPA’s offices on Monday.
Image
Republican budget bill boosts oil and gas production, scraps environmental review
Roughly $12 billion in revenue would come from the bill’s expansion of onshore oil and gas leasing on federal lands
Image
Northeast states sue Trump over offshore wind power
The federal lawsuit, filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James and 16 other attorneys general Monday, claims that President Donald Trump doesn't have the authority to enforce a Jan. 20 executive order that indefinitely halted federal wind-energy approvals.
Image
Peoples Gas exec, consumer groups address rates, pipe replacement
Peoples Gas President Maria Bocanegra said Chicago’s natural gas system is one of the oldest in the country and more than 1,100 miles of pipe would need to be replaced. Bocanegra did not rule out a potential rate hike to deal with the costs.
Image
Canada PM Carney likely to continue Trudeau's climate policy, which could impact U.S. energy costs
Canada has more oil reserves than the U.S., and it can produce oil cheaper. As U.S. oil producers watch falling oil prices with growing concern, the election of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney could help keep the situation from getting worse. If he continues to support Trudeau's anti-fossil fuel approach, things could get complicated.
Image
Trump’s DOJ sues states trying to extract billions from ‘Big Oil’ with retroactive fines, lawsuits
Citing President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Protecting American Energy from State Overreach,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement that these laws and lawsuits “threaten American energy independence and our country’s economic and national security.” But they may make some lawyers very rich obstructing the President's policy goals.