On November 12, 2021, in furtherance of the Biden administration’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030, the US Department of the Interior announced its designation of the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area (WEA) offshore central California. The WEA is about 240,898 acres (376 square miles) and roughly 20 miles
Renewables
Interior Department: Three Milestones for Offshore Wind Energy Development in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
On October 28, 2021, in furtherance of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind energy by 2030, the US Department of the Interior announced three major offshore wind development proposals.
First, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced a proposed lease sale for offshore wind development for approximately 128,000…
North Carolina, a Little Late to East Coast Offshore Wind Race, Goes 8 GW-by-2040 Large

On June 9, 2021, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 218, which targets 2.8 GW of offshore wind by 2030 and 8 GW by 2040 and anticipates the creation of 600,000 related jobs and an annual contribution to North Carolina’s economy of $70 billion. The Legal Update at the link below provides details…
New Mexican Power Regulatory Framework – Defense Mechanisms Available to Investors

The current government launched an attack against the electricity legal framework established by its predecessor. The new framework reflects a major change in policy concerning the participation of the private sector in Mexico’s electricity industry, which could endanger billions of dollars in investments, the creation of thousands of jobs and could result in the emission…
Recent Legislative Proposals Could Drastically Change US Energy Taxation

Over the past number of weeks, a variety of legislative proposals, from both sides of the aisle, have been released that, if enacted, could drastically impact the US energy industry and, in many cases, the taxation of energy in the United States. These proposals come on the heels of the Biden administration’s American Jobs Plan…
Texas Bills Would Burden Renewable Generation
Energy Evolution

The energy industry continues to evolve as sectors converge and as demand, supply and consumer preferences change. The global economy is shifting to lower-carbon sources of energy, coinciding with (or resulting from) a renewed focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. “Energy transition” is commonly used to describe the recent full-court press towards cleaner…
Mexico – Court Suspends Amendment to the Electricity Industry Law

A federal district court suspends, with general effects, President López Obrador’s amendments to the Electricity Industry Law.
This Legal Update details the content of the decision on the injunction or amparo.
Mexico – Senate Approves Amendment of Mexico’s Electricity Industry Law

The Senate discussed and approved the draft of the Amendment of the Electrical Industry Law, now only awaiting President López Obrador’s approval before it can enter into force.
This Legal Update details the session of the Senate and the content of the amendment.
House of Representatives Approves the Amendment of Mexico’s Electricity Industry Law
On February 23, 2021, the House of Representatives discussed and approved the draft of the Amendment of the Electricity Industry Law proposed by Mexico President López Obrador with a total of 304 votes. One of the most relevant features of the Amendment is the modification of the dispatch order, disregarding economic efficiency mechanics, which will…