In the news today…
Grid:
- The Hill reports on the attack on two substations in North Carolina, indicating that a firearm had been used to disable the equipment, similar to the 2013 gunfire attack on the Metcalf Transmission Substation in Santa Clara County, CA. Approximately 40,000 customers are still without power. This incident shows the vulnerability of the grid to terrorist attacks.
- Bloomberg reports that New England’s power grid operator is warning it may ask homes and businesses to curtail electricity use during bouts of extreme cold this winter.
Permitting:
- E&E News PM reports a top House Democrat will vote to block consideration of a must-pass defense spending bill if it includes permitting language that could undermine environmental protections.
- Mining.com reports from Bloomberg a previously stalled legislative effort to fast-track energy projects backed by West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin could be attached to a must-pass defense bill after a last-minute push by Democratic leadership, people familiar with the effort said.
- Argus reports President Joe Biden wants to use an annual, must-pass defense policy measure as vehicle to pass US senator Joe Manchin’s (D-West Virginia) legislation to expedite energy infrastructure.
- Washington Examiner reports environmental and other liberal policy groups are warning Speaker Nancy Pelosi not to attach Sen. Joe Manchin’s permitting reform bill to must-pass legislation in these final days of the current Congress — or else tarnish her legacy on climate change.
- E&E Daily reports lawmakers are bracing for a revamped version of Sen. Joe Manchin’s permitting overhaul while congressional leaders continue to negotiate a deal with the West Virginia Democrat.