North America: Energy and Natural Resources

A decade after the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act transformed TSCA, how have four administrations shaped EPA's approach to chemical risk evaluation? This panel discussion examines the evolution of risk evaluation methodologies, the controversial formaldehyde assessment, and the proposed Risk Evaluation Framework Rule's implications for protecting public health.

Chemical substances regulation under Canada's Environmental Protection Act is creating significant legal and operational risks for businesses. As compliance obligations expand across industries...

Two environmental organizations have filed suit challenging EPA's approval of semiconductor manufacturing chemicals under TSCA, raising concerns about potential health risks including cancer and neurological harm. The case questions whether EPA adequately documented its decision-making process for chemicals containing PFAS properties used in photolithography applications. This litigation could significantly impact the semiconductor industry's ability to onshore chip production and set precedents for future

Falling behind on a Toronto property tax bill is stressful enough on its own. It becomes more complicated when an unrelated debt, such as an unpaid water bill, a by-law fine, or a local improvement charge, suddenly shows up added to the same tax account.

President Trump's Executive Order 14420 prohibits the acquisition and installation of foreign-produced bulk-power system electric equipment from countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, citing national security risks from potential digital backdoors and remote sabotage capabilities. The Order grants the Secretary of Energy broad authority to restrict equipment transactions and may require removal or replacement of previously installed foreign equipment, with implementing regulations expected by

On August 17, 2026, the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) issued Decision 30732-D01-2026 in which it denied Synapse Real Estate Corp.’s (Synapse) application to build and operate a natural gas power plant in Olds, Alberta. Unusually, the decision was made without a hearing.

Illinois has enacted the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, establishing comprehensive statewide zoning and permitting standards for commercial energy storage systems with capacity exceeding 1 MW. The legislation creates uniform requirements for setbacks, decommissioning, financial assurance, and safety standards while limiting local governments' ability to impose more restrictive regulations.

On August 26, 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order (EO) 14420 – Declaring a National Emergency to Secure the United States Bulk-Power System (“Bulk-Power EO”) – invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to safeguard the U.S. bulk-power system from vulnerabilities created by certain components and systems manufactured by foreign parties.

President Trump's Executive Order 14420 invokes emergency powers to restrict foreign-produced bulk-power system equipment that poses national security risks, while directing the Department of Energy to review existing grid infrastructure for vulnerabilities. The order establishes a framework for pre-qualifying equipment and vendors, but leaves critical implementation details—including the complete list of covered foreign entities and specific risk assessment criteria—to forthcoming DOE

Lane Chaplin, head of real estate for EVgo, discusses the rapid expansion of EV charging infrastructure across major retail partnerships and thousands of strategic site rollouts. From Tesla Superchargers to LA Fitness locations, discover how industry leaders are shaping policy through organizations like ICSC while building the foundation for America's electric vehicle future.

Illinois has enacted the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, establishing comprehensive statewide zoning and permitting standards for commercial energy storage systems with capacity exceeding 1 MW. The legislation creates uniform requirements for setbacks, decommissioning, financial assurance, and safety standards while limiting local governments' ability to impose more restrictive regulations.

Following a second national security determination from the Department of War (DoW), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updated the Covered List entry for foreign-produced power inverters on August 20 by narrowing the covered product category, clarifying the applicable connectivity criteria, and revising the definition of “foreign-produced.”