WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced up to $65.5 million in federal funding for cost-shared research, development, and deployment projects to strengthen domestic oil and natural gas production, improve the efficiency and reliability of critical energy infrastructure, and convert underutilized resources into valuable products. The funding opportunity supports technologies that maximize the productivity of existing infrastructure, expand the capacity and performance of energy delivery systems, and strengthen the resilience of America’s oil and natural gas supply chain.  The funding opportunity supports President Trump’s Executive Order, “Unleashing American Energy,” and advances the Trump Administration’s commitment to ensuring Americans have access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy through the responsible development of our nation’s abundant oil and natural gas supplies. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the Energy Department is making strategic investments to strengthen America’s oil and natural gas industry and reinforce the critical infrastructure that powers our economy,” said DOE Under Secretary of Energy Kyle Haustveit. “This funding opportunity will help American producers eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and deliver the affordable, reliable, and secure energy that powers our economy and strengthens our national security.” America’s extensive oil and natural gas production and delivery system supplies energy for manufacturing, chemical production, electric power generation, residential consumers, and a growing energy export sector. DOE has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) seeking innovative proposals that address the following areas: Maximize the Value of Stranded and Underutilized Resources: Develop and validate technologies to transform oil, natural gas, and associated product streams—including those that would otherwise be stranded, flared, or limited by contaminants—into high-value, readily transportable products. Funded projects will progress from laboratory-scale validation of new catalysts, reactor systems, and separation processes to field-testing modular, decentralized gas conversion systems and sour gas processing facilities in active production basins. Enhance Supply Chain Durability and

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Saudi Minister of Energy His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman signed a peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement, commonly known as a 123 agreement, alongside an accompanying bilateral safeguards agreement. Together, these two agreements lay the legal foundation for a decades-long, multi-billion-dollar partnership that advances several priority economic and strategic objectives, including nuclear nonproliferation. The 123 agreement provides great access for American companies in the Saudi nuclear energy program, benefiting American industry, workers, and supply chains while helping to meet Saudi energy needs. The two agreements also advance U.S. and regional security by upholding high standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation and strengthening the United States’ competitive edge in civil nuclear technology. “These agreements reflect our two nations’ shared commitment to strengthening U.S.-Saudi commercial relations, delivering prosperity at home and security to our allies abroad,” said Secretary Wright. “Rest assured, these agreements uphold the highest standards of nuclear safety and nonproliferation, while relying on the world’s best nuclear technology and scientists, designed right here in the United States. Thanks to President Trump, the American nuclear renaissance is underway and will deliver long-term benefits to the American and Saudi people.” Under President Trump’s leadership, America is restoring its competitive edge in the global civil nuclear marketplace. This agreement builds on President Trump’s Executive Order, Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security, and specifically Section 8 on Promoting American Nuclear Exports, which supports an expansion of international partners for U.S. civil nuclear cooperation under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended. This partnership will: Expand American nuclear technology exports Create high-paying U.S. jobs and long-term economic growth Strengthen America’s energy and national security posture Reinforce global nonproliferation standards Deepen the strategic partnership between the United States and the Kingdom of

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the first projects selected under the Genesis Mission Request for Applications (RFA) as part of President Trump’s historic Genesis Mission. The national portfolio of research teams will help develop and demonstrate AI-enabled scientific workflows designed to accelerate breakthroughs in energy, discovery science, and national security. Designed to double America’s scientific productivity, the Genesis Mission brings together DOE’s world-class scientific capabilities, advanced AI, high-performance computing, and the nation’s leading researchers to transform how scientific discovery is conducted and strengthen American leadership in science and technology. “America has no shortage of bold ideas or talented scientists, and the response to the Genesis Mission proves that,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “The 278 projects selected today represent the very best of our nation’s scientific enterprise. The remarkable number of high-quality proposals we received demonstrates that America’s innovation pipeline is strong, and it points to even greater opportunities for future investment and continued expansion of the Genesis Mission portfolio.” The Genesis Mission RFA generated the largest response to a funding opportunity in DOE history. Following a rigorous merit review process, the selected projects represent: 278 awards: 87 led by DOE and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) National Laboratories, 168 led by universities, 19 led by companies, and 4 led by nonprofit organizations. 342 participating institutions: 16 DOE and NNSA National Laboratories, 142 universities, 157 companies, 13 nonprofit organizations, and 14 other institutions. These projects will address some of the nation’s most pressing energy, scientific, and engineering challenges, including in nuclear energy, critical mineral extraction, intelligent chip design, and commercial fusion energy.  Among the selected projects, the largest is a three-year, $60 million investment in nuclear energy that will harness AI to help deliver nuclear facilities faster and safer while cutting operating costs to provide Americans with affordable, reliable, and secure energy.

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a framework to accelerate the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, advanced sensors, and other emerging technologies across the nation’s mining sector. The five-year agreement strengthens federal coordination to advance mining innovation while improving worker safety, increasing productivity, and supporting the secure domestic production of critical minerals. By combining DOE’s expertise in energy technologies and resource recovery with DOL’s longstanding leadership in mine safety, the partnership advances the Trump Administration’s commitment to strengthen critical mineral supply chains, support high-paying American jobs, and unleash American energy dominance “America’s security and economic future depend on developing a strong domestic mining sector,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “By pairing the Energy Department’s technical expertise with the Labor Department’s leadership on mine safety, we can support American miners, secure domestic supply chains, and put cutting-edge technology to work for the people who power our nation.” “Today’s agreement ensures that the Department of Labor and the Department of Energy will work side by side to prepare the mining workforce, advance mining technology, and support the safe production of the coal that powers America’s future,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “It is our commitment to you that this MOU will further President Trump’s promise to restore coal as a key driver of America’s energy supply chain and American coal will again be the envy of the world for generations to come.” Under the agreement, DOE’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) and Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) will collaborate closely with DOL’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) to share non-proprietary data, research, and technical expertise that supports the deployment of next-generation mining technologies. The partnership will focus

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an emergency order to mitigate blackout risks and keep Americans powered during the region’s energy emergency brought on by hot weather conditions. The order directs the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) to dispatch specified units and to order their operation as needed to maintain reliability. The order also authorizes SPP to direct backup generation resources to operate as a last resort before declaring an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) 3 or during an EEA 3. The order was issued pursuant to a request from SPP. “The Trump Administration is tapping into an abundant supply of unused backup generation to maintain affordable, reliable, and secure power for hardworking American families and businesses,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “The previous administration’s energy subtraction policies weakened the grid, leaving Americans more vulnerable during emergency events. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are reversing those failures and using every available tool to ensure Americans have continued access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy to power and cool their homes.”  DOE estimates more than 35 gigawatts (GW) of unused backup generation remains available nationwide.   On day one of his second term, President Trump declared a national energy emergency after the Biden administration’s energy subtraction agenda left behind a grid increasingly vulnerable to blackouts.   Power outages cost the American people $44 billion per year, according to data from DOE’s National Laboratories. This order mitigates the possibility of power outages in the region and highlights the common sense policies of the Trump Administration to ensure Americans have access to affordable, reliable, and secure power. The order was effective upon issuance on July 20, 2026, and shall expire at 11:59 PM ET on July 21, 2026. 

Vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained subdued July 10-12 as heightened regional security risks continued to weigh on movements through the strategic waterway, according to S&P Global MINT and S&P Global Commodities at Sea data. A total of 73 vessels transited the strait during the 3-day period, averaging fewer than 25 crossings/day. Transits fell to 11 on July 12, the lowest since June 14, after Iran declared the strait closed amid what the Persian Gulf Strait Authority described as “illegal movements” of US military forces in the region. No inbound crossings were recorded July 12, the first such occurrence since June 12. Six of the day’s 11 transits were assessed as compliant vessels. Total crossings were 32 on July 10 and 30 on July 11. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said July 12 that the regional threat level remained severe. Despite Iran’s closure declaration, JMIC said the southern route remained available and had been expanded for two-way vessel traffic. Energy carriers—including oil, chemical, LPG, and LNG tankers—accounted for about 48% of transits July 10-12. About two-thirds of energy-carrier crossings involved compliant vessels, although only 10 compliant energy carriers entered the Persian Gulf, mostly without visible automatic identification system (AIS) signals. Inbound tanker capacity also softened. An average 6.5 million b/d of new oil and LPG tanker capacity entered the Gulf through Hormuz July 1-12, with VLCCs and Suezmaxes accounting for nearly 80%. Average inbound capacity fell to 6 million b/d July 10-12 from 8.5 million b/d in the first week of July. All compliant outbound energy carriers transiting Hormuz during the 3-day period did so without visible AIS signals, including ADNOC-operated LNG carrier AL HAMRA and several VLCC and product tankers. Iran-linked and US-sanctioned vessels accounted for nearly 60% of all crossings during the period.