[USA] “EPA Administrator Pruitt: GHG Emissions Standards for Cars and Light Trucks Should Be Revised”

[EPA, 2 April 2018]

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced at the conclusion of the “Midterm Evaluation (MTE) process for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for cars and light trucks for model years 2022-2025” that current emission standards (set by the Obama Administration) are higher than necessary. Accordingly, the EPA and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will work together to begin a notice and comment rulemaking process to set standards that are in line with the Trump Administration’s views on this regard. Pruitt intends the new standard to apply at a national scale and is meant to encourage the affordability of new cars “while still expanding environmental and safety benefits of newer cars.”

[USA] “Department of Energy Partners with NASA to Call for Transformative Energy Ideas”

[Department of Energy, 29 March 2018]

DOE’s ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy) team have announced that they, along with NASA, will launch an iTech challenge. This challenge would feature the country’s top entrepreneurs’ and researchers’ “transformative energy concepts.” This challenge seeks innovative technologies that would “improve energy generation, storage and distribution to the benefit of both space exploration and life on Earth.” Some of the technology groups that will be showcased in this competition include [regenerative] fuel cells, solar power systems, smart grids, wireless distribution systems, small fission power systems, etc. The challenge will continue until April 29, 2018 and the top 10 finalists will present their findings to experts in the field as well as potential investors.

[USA] “President Donald J. Trump Sparks Renewed Focus on American Infrastructure”

[White House, 27 March 2018]

Trump has identified this past week (week of March 26) as infrastructure week in the US. Accordingly, key members of the administration have released their own statements regarding the state of the US’s infrastructure system and the Trump plan.  Some of the key themes from these statements surround topics such as a bipartisan push for infrastructure development and easing regulatory burdens and permitting processes. Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Greg Walden (R-OR), commented on the importance of investing in energy infrastructure in order to ensure reliability and resiliency. The Chairman also mentioned in his statement that 24 energy infrastructure bills have passed the House of Representatives; these bills focus on “pipeline and electric transmission lines infrastructure, hydropower licensing, Brownfields, air quality standards, and energy efficiency.” As seen by the various calls for action put out by the Administration, the push for infrastructure spending remains strong.