Insights: Energy

Endangerment Finding

Late last week, the Trump administration announced that it would be repealing the Endangerment Finding, an action it characterized as the “single largest deregulatory action in U.S. history.” The announcement also eliminated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for all vehicles and engines of model years 2012 to 2027 and going forward. Should...

Energy, Financials, Healthcare, Housing, Infrastructure, Macro, Miscellaneous, Tech / Media / Telecom

State of the Union

President Trump will deliver his State of the Union (SOTU) speech next Tuesday, 2/24, and if precedent holds, is likely to issue his FY27 budget request by ~mid-March. The annual budget request provides a more granular overview of the administration’s policy priorities, and along with the speech, influences how the President’s allies in Congress...

Energy, Tech / Media / Telecom

President Trump has somewhat shifted his message on data centers from last year’s focus on facilitating their buildout and ensuring power supply in order to “win the AI race with China” to now emphasizing that “Big Tech” should “pay their own way.” Congressional Republicans also recognize voter concern on this issue, which is reflecting in the...

E15, Small Refinery Exemptions

As the House was wrapping up debate on FY26 government funding bills in mid-January, there was a last-minute effort (that did not succeed) to add a provision that would permanently allow for year-round E15 sales while granting an automatic 75% exemption from biofuel quotas for small refiners (SREs) beginning in 2028. During a speech in Iowa on...

Renewable Fuel Standard

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was ordered by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals in mid-December to provide a status update about the agency’s progress towards finalizing the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) for the 2026 and 2027 compliance years. In its response, the EPA indicated that it anticipates finalizing a rule in the first quarter...

Energy, Infrastructure

Permitting Reform

House Republicans, with the help of several Democrats, are wrapping up a multi-week effort to pass legislation that streamlines the process for acquiring federal permits to facilitate infrastructure build out. The most impactful of the bills is the SPEED Act, which will pass in the House tomorrow. The legislation goes beyond the steps taken by...