In challenges to California development projects, the “usual suspects” typically include environmental NGOs or neighborhood organizations. However, that’s not always the case, as illustrated by a new lawsuit filed by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (“SCAQMD”) against the
Energy
Substantive Development of “Part 53” Kicks Off
The NRC staff is moving forward with development of the 10 CFR Part 53 rulemaking, which will establish a new framework for licensing and regulating advanced nuclear reactors (and potentially also extending to fusion systems). The agency is taking a…
Natural Gas in Brazil: A New Regulatory Framework to Promote a More Competitive Market
On September 1st, 2020, the Brazilian House of Representatives approved the text of the New Gas Law after 7 years of debates among government, institutions, market players and society. To understand the relevance of this expected change in law and…
We're Hiring: Seeking Energy and Environmental Associate to Join Our Team
Verrill seeks to hire an associate attorney to join our Portland office as a member of our Environmental and Energy Groups. Verrill is a full service law firm with more than 135 attorneys conducting a nationwide practice from our offices…
FERC Finds Abrogation of Gas TSAs Would Not Be in the Public Interest Ahead of Possible Bankruptcy Proceeding
On October 28, 2020, FERC declined to abrogate or modify firm natural gas transportation service agreements (“Gulfport TSAs”) between Gulfport Energy Corporation (“Gulfport”) and Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (“Rockies Express”) in response to a Rockies Express petition anticipating a potential…
FERC Affirms PJM’s Voluntary Binding Cost Commitment Requirements Related to RTEP
On October 26, 2020, FERC issued an order on rehearing sustaining its previous order in which it accepted PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.’s (“PJM”) proposed revisions to the PJM Operating Agreement related to the Regional Transmission Expansion Plan (“RTEP”) that allow project…
Danly Named FERC Chairman
On November 5, 2020, President Donald Trump designated sitting FERC Commissioner James Danly to assume the Chairmanship of the Commission. Chairman Danly joined FERC as general counsel in 2017, and served as a Commissioner from March through November 2020. Chairman…
MISO Beefs Up Deliverability Requirements for Conventional Capacity Resources
On October 27, 2020, FERC accepted Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.’s (“MISO’s”) proposal to require conventional, non-intermittent capacity resources with Energy Resource Interconnection Service (“ERIS”) to secure firm transmission service in the amount of the resource’s full Installed Capacity (“ICAP”)…
Recent Changes to Louisiana Tax Penalty Regime
Recent jurisprudential and legislative developments have significantly altered the Louisiana state tax penalty regime. First, the Louisiana Supreme Court on November 4, 2020 denied the Louisiana Department of Revenue’s writ application in Smith International, Inc. v. Kimberly Robinson, Secretary, Louisiana…
Recent Changes to Louisiana Tax Penalty Regime
Recent jurisprudential and legislative developments have significantly altered the Louisiana state tax penalty regime. First, the Louisiana Supreme Court on November 4, 2020 denied the Louisiana Department of Revenue’s writ application in Smith International, Inc. v. Kimberly Robinson, Secretary, Louisiana…