On May 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued for public comment its draft Critical Materials Assessment. In the draft assessment, DOE characterized 22 different materials as critical, near critical, or noncritical to the nation’s energy needs based on the importance of those materials to energy applications and supply risk. DOE uses its Critical Materials Assessment — which it anticipates updating every three years — to “prioritize research and development efforts to meet the nation’s energy needs while reducing reliance on materials with high supply risk.” DOE explained that inclusion of a material on the critical materials for energy list may inform critical minerals Research Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application (RDD&CA) Program priorities and eligibility for the Inflation Reduction Act Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Section 48C tax credits.
https://sidley-goodlifesci-wordpress.onistaged.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Sidley Multisitehttps://sidley-goodlifesci-wordpress.onistaged.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSidley Multisite2023-06-06 21:01:192023-06-06 21:01:19U.S. Department of Energy Releases Critical Materials Assessment for Public Comment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued, on May 5, 2023, a request for information seeking input on the availability of zero-emission technologies in the heavy-duty vehicle and port sectors toward establishing funding programs under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). EPA requests comment from manufacturers, distributors, installers, fleet operators, and port operators about their products and experience with zero-emission technologies.
https://energyinfrastructurepulse.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/11/Electric-Vehicles-Technology-Law-and-Policy-505x295-1.jpg295505Sidley Multisitehttps://sidley-goodlifesci-wordpress.onistaged.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSidley Multisite2023-05-09 19:01:232023-05-09 19:01:23U.S. EPA Opens Public Comment on Funding for Zero-Emission Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure Under Inflation Reduction Act
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to approve Louisiana’s request for control over the permitting of carbon sequestration wells in the state. EPA’s approval would provide Louisiana authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Underground Injection Control (UIC) program to administer a “Class VI” injection well program for the geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide, following similar such approvals for North Dakota and Wyoming. Stakeholders should take note of this proposed action because EPA approval of Louisiana’s program could advance carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects stymied by the backlog of permit applications pending before the EPA.
https://energyinfrastructurepulse.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/11/MN-18268-Updated-Environmental-and-Energy-Brief-Blog-STORAGE-TANKS-2.jpg606833Sidley Multisitehttps://sidley-goodlifesci-wordpress.onistaged.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSidley Multisite2023-05-02 16:07:102023-05-02 16:07:10EPA Proposes Granting Louisiana Primacy Over Carbon Sequestration Well Program
On April 7, 2023, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an Order Accepting Tariff Revisions Subject to Condition (183 FERC ¶ 61,009) approving a PJM Interconnection LLC (PJM) proposal to limit the power capacity values of wind, solar, and hybrid resources within PJM’s recently adopted grid reliability framework.
https://energyinfrastructurepulse.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/11/MN-18268-Updated-Environmental-and-Energy-Brief-Blog-OFFSHORE-WIND-TURBINES.jpg606833Sidley Multisitehttps://sidley-goodlifesci-wordpress.onistaged.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSidley Multisite2023-04-19 15:22:462023-04-19 15:22:46PJM Limits Renewable Energy Resource Capacity Values for Allocation of Capacity Interconnection Rights
On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published a Proposed Rule to amend the Environmental Tax Regulations, 25 C.F.R. part 52, specifically those provisions governing the chemical excise taxes used to fund the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund established pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)—known as the Superfund Chemical Tax. Because this is the first time the tax will be applied in over 25 years, its effects may not be well understood by affected industry taxpayers, and the IRS’s Proposed Rule offers critical guidance. Companies engaged in the manufacturing, import, or sale of taxable chemicals should evaluate the Proposed Rule and consider submitting comments by the May 30, 2023, deadline.
On Thursday, March 30, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. The bill — the GOP’s energy policy and permitting bill — passed by a vote of 225 to 204, with four Democrats joining Republicans in voting to pass the bill and one Republican legislator voting against it.
https://sidley-goodlifesci-wordpress.onistaged.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Sidley Multisitehttps://sidley-goodlifesci-wordpress.onistaged.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSidley Multisite2023-04-10 18:08:012023-04-10 18:08:01U.S. House Passes GOP Energy Bill
On April 3, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would put conservation of U.S. managed lands on an equal footing with oil and gas development and other economic activities (the Proposed Rule). Stakeholders interested in development on federal lands should consider carefully the implications of BLM’s proposal.
https://energyinfrastructurepulse.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2025/11/MN-18268-Updated-Environmental-and-Energy-Brief-Blog-DEFORESTATION.jpg606833Sidley Multisitehttps://sidley-goodlifesci-wordpress.onistaged.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSidley Multisite2023-04-05 18:05:382023-04-05 18:05:38U.S. Bureau of Land Management Proposes Rule Promoting Conservation on Federal Land
On March 22, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Court) granted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Motion for Default Judgment and entered a default judgment against Powhatan Energy Fund, LLC (Powhatan Energy Fund). The Court awarded FERC $3,465,108 in disgorgement and $16,800,000 in civil penalties.
https://sidley-goodlifesci-wordpress.onistaged.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Sidley Multisitehttps://sidley-goodlifesci-wordpress.onistaged.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSidley Multisite2023-03-30 16:02:202023-03-30 16:02:20FERC v. Powhatan Energy Fund, LLC Saga Ends With Default Judgment Against Powhatan Energy Fund
U.S. Department of Energy Releases Critical Materials Assessment for Public Comment
On May 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued for public comment its draft Critical Materials Assessment. In the draft assessment, DOE characterized 22 different materials as critical, near critical, or noncritical to the nation’s energy needs based on the importance of those materials to energy applications and supply risk. DOE uses its Critical Materials Assessment — which it anticipates updating every three years — to “prioritize research and development efforts to meet the nation’s energy needs while reducing reliance on materials with high supply risk.” DOE explained that inclusion of a material on the critical materials for energy list may inform critical minerals Research Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application (RDD&CA) Program priorities and eligibility for the Inflation Reduction Act Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Section 48C tax credits.
(more…)
Peter Whitfield
Washington, D.C.
pwhitfield@sidley.com
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
Brittany A. Bolen
Washington, D.C.
bbolen@sidley.com
Jack Raffetto
Washington, D.C.
jraffetto@sidley.com
U.S. EPA Opens Public Comment on Funding for Zero-Emission Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure Under Inflation Reduction Act
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued, on May 5, 2023, a request for information seeking input on the availability of zero-emission technologies in the heavy-duty vehicle and port sectors toward establishing funding programs under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). EPA requests comment from manufacturers, distributors, installers, fleet operators, and port operators about their products and experience with zero-emission technologies.
(more…)
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
Peter Whitfield
Washington, D.C.
pwhitfield@sidley.com
Brittany A. Bolen
Washington, D.C.
bbolen@sidley.com
Marshall R. Morales
EPA Proposes Granting Louisiana Primacy Over Carbon Sequestration Well Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to approve Louisiana’s request for control over the permitting of carbon sequestration wells in the state. EPA’s approval would provide Louisiana authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Underground Injection Control (UIC) program to administer a “Class VI” injection well program for the geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide, following similar such approvals for North Dakota and Wyoming. Stakeholders should take note of this proposed action because EPA approval of Louisiana’s program could advance carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects stymied by the backlog of permit applications pending before the EPA.
(more…)
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
Heather M. Palmer
Houston
hpalmer@sidley.com
Brittany A. Bolen
Washington, D.C.
bbolen@sidley.com
Caleb J. Bowers
Los Angeles
cbowers@sidley.com
PJM Limits Renewable Energy Resource Capacity Values for Allocation of Capacity Interconnection Rights
On April 7, 2023, the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an Order Accepting Tariff Revisions Subject to Condition (183 FERC ¶ 61,009) approving a PJM Interconnection LLC (PJM) proposal to limit the power capacity values of wind, solar, and hybrid resources within PJM’s recently adopted grid reliability framework.
(more…)
Curtis Hart
Washington, D.C.
chart@sidley.com
Sarah Tucker
Washington, D.C.
stucker@sidley.com
Terence T. Healey
Boston
thealey@sidley.com
IRS Proposed Rule on Revived Superfund Chemical Taxes
On March 29, 2023, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published a Proposed Rule to amend the Environmental Tax Regulations, 25 C.F.R. part 52, specifically those provisions governing the chemical excise taxes used to fund the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund established pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)—known as the Superfund Chemical Tax. Because this is the first time the tax will be applied in over 25 years, its effects may not be well understood by affected industry taxpayers, and the IRS’s Proposed Rule offers critical guidance. Companies engaged in the manufacturing, import, or sale of taxable chemicals should evaluate the Proposed Rule and consider submitting comments by the May 30, 2023, deadline.
(more…)
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
Brittany A. Bolen
Washington, D.C.
bbolen@sidley.com
Brooklyn Hildebrandt
Los Angeles
bhildebrandt@sidley.com
U.S. House Passes GOP Energy Bill
On Thursday, March 30, 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. The bill — the GOP’s energy policy and permitting bill — passed by a vote of 225 to 204, with four Democrats joining Republicans in voting to pass the bill and one Republican legislator voting against it.
(more…)
Grace Dickson Gerbas
Dallas
gdicksongerbas@sidley.com
Sarah Tucker
Washington, D.C.
stucker@sidley.com
U.S. Bureau of Land Management Proposes Rule Promoting Conservation on Federal Land
On April 3, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would put conservation of U.S. managed lands on an equal footing with oil and gas development and other economic activities (the Proposed Rule). Stakeholders interested in development on federal lands should consider carefully the implications of BLM’s proposal.
(more…)
Peter Whitfield
Washington, D.C.
pwhitfield@sidley.com
Brittany A. Bolen
Washington, D.C.
bbolen@sidley.com
Greta T. Carlson
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
FERC v. Powhatan Energy Fund, LLC Saga Ends With Default Judgment Against Powhatan Energy Fund
On March 22, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Court) granted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Motion for Default Judgment and entered a default judgment against Powhatan Energy Fund, LLC (Powhatan Energy Fund). The Court awarded FERC $3,465,108 in disgorgement and $16,800,000 in civil penalties.
(more…)
Kenneth W. Irvin
Washington, D.C.
kirvin@sidley.com
Terence T. Healey
Boston
thealey@sidley.com
Christopher J. Polito
Casey Khan
Houston
ckhan@sidley.com
Keturah A. Brown
Washington, D.C.
kbrown@sidley.com
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Meet the Team
Cliff W. Vrielink
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Kenneth W. Irvin
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hmamner@sidley.com
James MacArthur
james.macarthur@sidley.com
Raymond A. Atkins Ph.D.
ratkins@sidley.com
Kevin P. Lewis
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