U.S. POLICY

• Trump Administration Ends Biden-Era Fuel Economy Rules
President Trump rolled back fuel economy rules that he claims created an “EV mandate” after former President Joe Biden imposed stricter fuel economy standards last year. Trump said the administration was officially terminating Biden’s “ridiculous” CAFE rules, claiming car prices would come down in response to today’s action.

• Federal Officials Move to Accelerate LNG Export Infrastructure
The U.S. federal government is considering further steps to speed up the buildout of liquefied natural gas export infrastructure as flows of natural gas to LNG plants hit a record high. Exports are also running at all-time highs.

• Trump Administration Reopens Miner Silica-Exposure Rule
The administration announced plans to “reconsider and seek comments” on a rule that would reduce silica exposure limits for miners. The rule aims to address rising black lung disease among younger miners, but mining companies and trade groups are challenging it in court.

• North Dakota GOP Lawmakers Push Transmission Cost Bill
Republican Congress members from North Dakota introduced legislation aiming to prevent red-state ratepayers from covering costs tied to major transmission projects driven by Democratic-led states’ climate policies.

• New England Oil-Fired Plants Face Market Pressure
Aging oil-fired power plants in New England face financial challenges in a shifting energy market but may still need to remain online to meet rising power demand.

• Federal Government Seeks Review of New England Wind Approval
The Biden administration asked a judge to allow reconsideration of a key approval for New England Wind, a project scheduled to begin construction off the Massachusetts coast in 2026.

• Blackstone Funds New West Virginia Gas Plant
Asset manager Blackstone approved financing for construction of a $1.2 billion, 625 MW gas-fired power plant in West Virginia.

• Advocacy Groups Target Data Centers, Coal Plant Extension Orders
Earthjustice and other advocacy groups are considering legal challenges related to data center expansion and the Trump administration’s efforts to override state powers—including orders that keep coal-fired power plants open.

• Georgia Data Center Could Triple County Water Usage
A $10 billion data center project backed by the family of Georgia’s lieutenant governor would be one of the largest ever built and could more than triple the water usage of the county where it’s planned. Few additional details have been released.

WORLD

• South Korea Works to Repair Relations After Hyundai Raid
South Korean diplomats traveled to Georgia to rebuild ties after the Trump administration raided Hyundai’s electric vehicle and battery manufacturing complex, delaying construction and sparking outrage in Korea.

• Putin Heads to India for High-Stakes Energy and Defense Talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India this week for a summit focused on strengthening economic, defense, and energy relationships—testing New Delhi’s balancing act between Moscow and Washington during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

• Russian Oil Flows Continue Despite Ukrainian Attack on Druzhba Line
Hungary reported that crude oil flows from Russia through the Druzhba pipeline remain uninterrupted after Ukraine attacked the system on December 1. Hungary’s main oil company, Mol Nyrt, said flows on the Transneft-owned route have not been affected.

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