Dive Brief: President Donald Trump issued an executive order Monday instructing the Secretary of the Treasury to publish guidance within 45 days “to ensure that policies concerning the ‘beginning of construction’ are not circumvented” by wind and solar projects that saw their eligibility for the 45Y and 48E clean energy tax credits slashed by budget legislation signed into law on July 4. “It is unclear how the Treasury will amend the ‘beginning of construction’ language while also keeping in mind that a ‘substantial portion of the subject facility has been built,’” Jefferies analysts said in a Tuesday note. This “could be an attempt to pivot back to the House version of the OBBB which had narrowed credit eligibility with ‘begin construction’ AND ‘placed in service’ language.” Prior to the EO, clean energy advocates were already grappling with the anticipated impacts of the legislation, which is expected to slash capital investment in U.S. electricity and clean fuels production by around $500 billion over the next ten years, according to a report from the REPEAT Project. Dive Insight: The executive order appears to make good on a deal Trump reportedly struck with the Freedom Caucus, in which he promised to use his executive powers to further curtail federal subsidies on wind, solar and EVs in exchange for their support, which was necessary to secure the bill’s passage in the House. The order also instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to “implement the enhanced Foreign Entity of Concern restrictions in the law” and “revise any identified regulations, guidance, policies, and practices […] to eliminate any such preferences for wind and solar facilities.” Even before the executive order, the bill’s introduction of tight eligibility standards for projects in development was expected to lead to uncertainty around capital investment. Wind and solar projects must start construction within

Dave Schryver is president and CEO of the American Public Gas Association. Turning on the stove to cook dinner is often second nature — less often do we think about the natural gas system that keeps our homes and businesses running. Yet, every day, public gas utilities across the country are investing in modern energy infrastructure to enhance safety, improve efficiency and keep energy costs low for consumers. A federal grant program that has recently helped accelerate these upgrades is in jeopardy of not being renewed. Created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) grant program invests $200 million annually, totaling $1 billion over five years in funding for municipal and community-owned utilities seeking to repair or replace natural gas pipeline systems. These grants are at risk of losing funding beyond 2026, despite their instrumental role in strengthening communities, creating well-paying jobs, lowering energy costs and reducing emissions. Hundreds of communities across 29 states have already seen firsthand the value of PHMSA grants. Consider rural Montgomery, Louisiana, where a $1 million grant funding the replacement of five regulator stations created many local jobs. Likewise, in urban Knoxville, Tennessee, a $5 million investment to upgrade 16 miles of aging steel main added 106 jobs. From small towns to major cities, these projects are putting people to work, modernizing infrastructure and delivering long-term value — with nearly 2,900 jobs supported by projects initiated in 2024 alone. The program has also earned the support of the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters, which recognizes PHMSA grants as a vital source of stable job opportunities for its members. With more than 7 million Americans currently unemployed, we can’t afford to lose these opportunities. But this is just

The country that generated the most renewable energy in 2024 was China, according to the Energy Institute’s (EI) 2025 statistical review of world energy, which was released recently. China’s renewable energy generation last year came in at 3,398.8 terawatt hours (TH), the review showed. This comprised 997.0 TH from wind energy, 839.0 TH from solar energy, 1,354.3 TH from hydro energy, and 208.5 TH from “other renewables” the review outlined. The country’s renewable energy generation grew by 17.1 percent year on year, the review pointed out. China’s wind energy generation rose 12.2 percent, its solar energy generation grew 43.2 percent, its hydro energy generation grew 10.2 percent, and its “other renewables” energy generation grew 4.9 percent, year on year, the review showed. The country that generated the second most renewable energy last year was the U.S., with 1,068.7 TH, according to the EI’s review. This generation comprised 458.0 TH from wind energy, 306.2 TH from solar energy, 238.7 TH from hydro energy, and 65.7 TH from “other renewables”, the review showed. U.S. renewable energy generation grew 9.3 percent from 2023 to 2024, the review highlighted. The country’s wind energy generation rose by 7.4 percent, its solar energy generation grew 26.5 percent, its hydro energy generation decreased by 1.4 percent, and its “other renewables” energy generation dropped by 2.1 percent, year on year, the review outlined. Brazil ranked third in terms of renewable energy generation in 2024, with 651.3 TH, according to the review, which showed that this this total comprised 108.5 TH from wind energy, 71.3 TH from solar energy, 413.2 TH from hydro energy, and 58.2 TH from “other renewables”. Brazil’s renewable energy generation has grown 3.1 percent year on year, the review showed. The country’s wind energy generation increased by 12.9 percent, its solar energy generation grew 40.5

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has extended its collaboration with Norway’s Royal Ministry of Energy on water power research and development. The extension builds on the previously signed memorandum of understanding under which the two countries planned and coordinated activities. The DOE said in a media release the cooperation aims to reduce energy costs and strengthen grid reliability and security.   “Strong partnerships drive innovation, and innovation strengthens America’s energy future”, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said. “Hydropower is a tremendous resource – one that supports reliable, affordable power across the country and holds vast potential to bolster America’s grid. “By signing this Memorandum of Understanding with Norway, we are building upon our two nations’ shared expertise and advanced marine energy technologies to support President Trump’s pro-growth energy agenda for the American people”. “Hydropower and marine energy have the potential to reduce energy costs and improve the resilience of our electric grid”, Lou Hrkman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, added. “Our collaboration with Norway – another country that is rich in water power resources – will help us expand our generation capacity, upgrade existing facilities, and cultivate the technical expertise we need to make the most of these opportunities”. In 2020, the DOE and Norway’s Royal Ministry of Energy signed a five-year MOU Annex, under which the DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office would conduct hydropower research and development with the Norwegian Research Centre for Hydropower Technology, the DOE said. The current MOU Annex broadens this collaboration to include marine energy, which could supply locally sourced power to millions of Americans in densely populated areas, the DOE said. Through the extended MOU, both parties will share key information, tools, and technologies aimed at lowering barriers to developing, testing, and advancing marine energy and new hydropower solutions. To contact

The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is proposing updates to land regulations to promote combined production from multiple leases, saying the practice “reduces environmental impacts, lowers operating costs and increases overall efficiency”. The proposed changes to the Bureau of Land Management oil and gas regulations “will implement the One Big Beautiful Bill’s directive to the Secretary of the Interior to approve onshore commingling applications”, the DOI said in an online statement. Commingling is currently restricted to license areas that have “identical mineral ownership, royalty rates and revenue distribution”, the DOI said. “These requirements create unnecessary barriers in many areas of the West where mineral ownership is complex and varied. “The proposed changes would allow commingling even when these conditions differ, unlocking energy potential that is currently tied up in regulatory red tape”. “Thanks to major advancements in metering and measurement technologies, operators can now accurately track production and allocate royalties even at the individual wellhead”, the DOI added. “These technologies meet the precision standards required by the Bureau of Land Management and ensure that all mineral owners receive their fair share”. It estimates up to $1.8 billion in industry savings annually under the updated regulations. “Those savings would give operators the ability to reinvest in new energy production, helping drive domestic energy development while reducing the need for duplicative infrastructure”, the DOI said. “This rule would also allow for greater flexibility in how production is combined and measured, which will not only increase efficiency but also reduce surface disturbance, benefiting both industry and the environment”. “The Bureau of Land Management intends to move quickly to update the relevant regulations under 43 CFR Subpart 3173, with a formal rulemaking process to follow, including opportunities for public comment”, the DOI said. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum commented, “This is about common

Strathcona Resources Ltd. has closed its Montney asset sale in Western Canada, consisting of Groundbirch, Kakwa, and Grande Prairie assets, for a total value of approximately $2.09 billion (CAD 2.86 billion), including closing adjustments. Strathcona said it is now a pure-play heavy oil company producing approximately 120 million barrels per day (MMbpd) with a 50-year 2P reserve life index. The company has plans to grow to 195 MMbpd by 2031, according to a news release. After deducting all debt, Strathcona said it currently has approximately CAD 200 million in positive net cash and marketable securities, inclusive of approximately 4.6 million shares in Tourmaline Oil Corp. and 23.4 million shares in MEG Energy Corp. ARC Resources Ltd. acquired the condensate-rich Montney assets in Alberta’s Kakwa in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately CAD 1.6 billion. The assets are “underpinned by a substantial drilling inventory and include owned and operated infrastructure, reinforcing ARC’s position as Canada’s largest Montney and condensate producer,” the company said in a separate statement. For the remainder of 2025, the assets are expected to deliver average production between 35,000 and 40,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), consisting of approximately 50 percent crude oil and liquids and 50 percent natural gas, ARC said. The acquisition increases ARC’s Kakwa production 24 percent to over 210,000 boepd and increases the Montney inventory duration at Kakwa from 12 years to over 15 years, according to the statement. The transaction includes 100 percent ownership of two natural gas processing facilities and condensate handling infrastructure. In addition, the assets include a 19 percent interest in a third-party natural gas processing facility with deep-cut natural gas liquids (NGL) recovery, ARC said. ARC said its development plans for the assets will target the Montney, which is approximately 100 percent working interest land. ARC will