Worldwide: Energy and Natural Resources

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and U.S. Department of the Interior's Marine Minerals Administration have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to clarify their respective jurisdictions over civilian nuclear energy projects on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

On July 21, the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) held a public workshop to provide updates on the implementation of SB 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, which requires U.S.-based entities doing business in California with more than $1 billion in annual revenue to disclose their Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions. During the workshop, CARB introduced a revised reporting deadline, a phased-in approach to Scope 3 reporting, changes to the treatment of insurance companies, and proposed assurance requirements that would apply from 2027 and beyond.

As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, the midstream – the processing and refining of raw materials into usable industrial inputs – is increasingly viewed as a strategically important section of the metals value chain and key to industrial sovereignty. However, despite the strong demand narrative, midstream projects in the UK and Europe face significant challenges.

The US Geological Survey has identified up to 2.3 million metric tons of economically recoverable lithium in the Appalachian region, potentially meeting US import needs for over three centuries. As global lithium demand is projected to quintuple by 2040, both the Biden and Trump administrations have deployed executive orders, federal funding, and interagency coordination to accelerate domestic lithium production and reduce dependence on foreign imports. State governments from Mississippi to California are a

As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, the midstream – the processing and refining of raw materials into usable industrial inputs – is increasingly viewed as a strategically important section of the metals value chain and key to industrial sovereignty. However, despite the strong demand narrative, midstream projects in the UK and Europe face significant challenges.

An executive order significantly reduces the boundaries of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, removing federal protections from certain lands. Within 60 days, these lands will become available for mineral leasing, geothermal development, and mining operations under applicable federal law.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott's directive and an upcoming Senate Finance Committee hearing mark a potential turning point for data center regulation in the state. With sales tax exemptions projected to reach $3.3 billion and growing concerns over infrastructure costs, water usage, and electric reliability, lawmakers are poised to reshape the policies that have made Texas a premier destination for data center investment.

New York has adopted comprehensive cybersecurity regulations targeting critical infrastructure, establishing minimum security standards for water systems and public utilities to protect against escalating cyber threats. The regulations mandate incident reporting, response planning, system monitoring, and regular compliance certifications, with implementation timelines extending through 2027.

The electric grid faces unprecedented stress as electricity demand surges while infrastructure buildout lags years behind. Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) have emerged as a practical solution, aggregating distributed energy resources like home batteries, smart thermostats, and EV chargers to function collectively as dispatchable power plants. With regulatory momentum accelerating across multiple states and real-world deployments demonstrating reliability during grid emergencies, VPPs are reshaping how utilities

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 has advanced in both the House and Senate with unanimous committee approval, authorizing new Corps of Engineers projects and policy reforms. While both chambers emphasize project delivery improvements and infrastructure resilience, they differ significantly in scope—the House proposes 131 feasibility studies and 10 construction projects, while the Senate includes 61 studies, 15 construction projects, and billions in EPA drinking water and wastewater i

The EPA has proposed the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6), requiring public water systems to collect data on 30 unregulated contaminants including certain PFAS from 2028 to 2030. Despite petitions from seven state governors and environmental groups, the agency declined to add microplastics to the monitoring list, citing the absence of validated testing methods, though microplastics remain on the draft Contaminant Candidate List 6 for potential future regulation.

While EPA has proposed modifications to certain PFAS drinking water regulations, the PFOA and PFOS limits remain firmly in place, and EPA has signaled that a restarted rulemaking process could yield additional requirements for the rescinded compounds in the future.