North America: Energy and Natural Resources

Chemical manufacturers and downstream users face critical compliance deadlines as OSHA's updated Hazard Communication Standard requires comprehensive revisions to safety data sheets, workplace labels, and employee training programs. The 2024 rule aligns U.S. standards with the UN's Globally Harmonized System Revision 7, introducing significant changes to hazard classifications, confidentiality provisions, and requirements for compressed gases and pressurized products.

The U.S. Department of Energy has unveiled three major funding opportunities totaling over $200 million across oil and gas recovery, chemical manufacturing innovation, and artificial intelligence advancement. These programs span multiple technology readiness levels and aim to revolutionize energy production, water management, and American competitiveness in emerging technologies. Applications are due between August and September 2026, with awards ranging from $250,000 to $20 million per project.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office has announced plans to fund innovative chemical technologies that utilize alternative and waste feedstocks. With up to $58 million expected to be available through the ASPECT funding opportunity in August 2026, the initiative aims to strengthen domestic manufacturing and chemical supply chains while advancing technologies from bench scale to pre-pilot operations.

Let’s just start by saying kudos to the author for not using the painfully obvious title of “Let’s Get Things Strait Regarding Global Trade and Their Overall Value in Flows.” In the bigger picture, there are about 200 straits worldwide, but only 18–20 of them actually matter for global trade, and 9 are considered truly critical choke points.

On 20 July 2026, the European Commission issued two Recommendations relating to Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 (the EU Methane Regulation): The first provides guidance on how importers may demonstrate compliance with the EU Methane Regulation's import requirements...

Among other measures, the Executive Order directs the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to pause its review of incomplete permit applications for the construction or expansion of data centers that consume or can consume at least 50 megawatts of energy, while the Department of Public Service (DPS) develops a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS).

A California appellate court decision establishes new boundaries for challenging groundwater sustainability plans under SGMA, potentially limiting judicial review scope while clarifying when courts should defer to the Department of Water Resources' technical expertise. The ruling addresses critical procedural questions about reverse validation actions and the application of primary jurisdiction doctrine in groundwater management disputes.

Mexico's National Water Commission has launched a comprehensive regularization program addressing expired water concession titles and administrative backlogs accumulated since 2009. The initiative establishes two distinct pathways for water rights holders to resolve pending matters and achieve legal certainty, with specific eligibility criteria based on water use type and volume thresholds.

California environmental regulators advance new pollution controls while federal agencies shift course on power plant emissions and pipeline approvals. Major infrastructure projects including dam retrofits...

Certain Canadian provinces and territories have taken an important step toward a more coordinated critical minerals economy. Stronger Together: A Critical Minerals Strategy for Western and Northern Canada (the Strategy) brings British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (being together, Western and Northern Canada) together around a shared objective: to position the region as a globally competitive, investment-ready supplier of responsibly sourced critical minerals.

The Trump Administration has revitalized federal financing programs with renewed urgency, particularly through the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF). With recent major announcements including a $17.5 billion commitment for nuclear reactors and comprehensive new guidance issued in May 2026, EDF presents significant opportunities for companies seeking debt financing for energy and critical minerals projects that align with administration priorities across nuclear, advanced geot

The US flat-rolled steel market reveals a critical disconnect between production capacity and actual material availability, creating unexpected financial pressures for industrial manufacturers. As hot-rolled coil constraints intensify due to trade policy shifts and infrastructure demands, procurement challenges are rapidly transforming into enterprise value issues that extend far beyond the purchasing department. Manufacturing leaders must now recognize that steel availability serves as an early warning sys