Energy Law and Electricity Regulation

Catalysts used in industrial applications face rigorous EPA review under TSCA, even at minute quantities, with Low Volume Exemptions requiring proof that substances "will not present" unreasonable risk. Despite advantages over premanufacture notices, poorly supported LVE submissions can delay commercialization by months, making strategic preparation essential for timely approval.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published the Developments in Delegations on the Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials and Advanced Materials — Tour de Table: July 2024 — June 2025...

The Sustainable PFAS Action Network has launched a new Refrigerant Working Group to navigate the complex intersection of PFAS policy and climate commitments. As state and federal regulators grapple with broad PFAS classifications, this initiative aims to establish science-based approaches that recognize refrigerants as essential for meeting global climate goals while addressing environmental concerns.

The rapid growth of data centre investment is drawing comparisons to earlier infrastructure booms. AI, cloud adoption and high-performance computing are reshaping demand, but one constituency will ultimately determine whether that demand translates into financeable assets: the customers contracting for capacity.

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).

L'Alberta établit un nouveau cadre réglementaire pour le raccordement des centres de données au réseau électrique provincial, créant deux catégories distinctes : les centres dotés d'installations dédiées et ceux raccordés temporairement. Ce règlement pionnier pourrait servir de modèle à d'autres provinces canadiennes cherchant à équilibrer croissance économique et fiabilité du réseau.

Mexico's Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources has established new criteria that significantly restrict mining activities within federally protected natural areas, creating immediate compliance challenges for existing operations and effectively blocking new projects. Mining companies must now navigate complex regulatory requirements regarding environmental authorizations, operational expansions, and restoration programs to maintain their current activities within these protected zones.

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

Seven Canadian provinces and territories have unveiled a comprehensive strategy to position Western and Northern Canada as a global leader in responsibly sourced critical minerals. The initiative aims to accelerate mining project development, strengthen supply chains, and create new value-chain opportunities in a region that has already generated over CA$80 billion in critical mineral shipments. Will coordinated regulatory approaches, infrastructure investments, and Indigenous partnerships transform the reg

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

Mexico's National Water Program 2026-2030 establishes a comprehensive framework to address the country's critical water challenges, including severe water stress affecting 95% of the northern and central territory, contamination in 30% of major rivers, and significant gaps in water treatment infrastructure. The program outlines five strategic objectives ranging from strengthening water governance and concession oversight to guaranteeing progressive access to water and sanitation, promoting efficient water u

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.