In the news today…
Puerto Rico:
- Politico reports President Joe Biden said the federal government will pay 100% of Puerto Rico’s recovery costs over the next month, including debris removal, power and water restoration, shelter and food, as the island tries to rebuild after Hurricane Fiona hit over the weekend. The federal government typically pays 75% of disaster recovery expenses and shares the remaining cost with state and local entities.
Permitting:
- E&E News reports Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Richard Glick said the agency is ready to use its new authority as detailed in Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-W.Va.) permitting proposal, but noted that FERC “can’t move forward from a progress perspective on policy related to transmission just at FERC, and the states can’t do it alone.” Manchin’s bill, called the Energy Independence and Security Act, would for the first time give the agency authority to issue permits for long-distance transmission lines listed as being in the national interest.
Minerals:
- Mining.com reports the Biden administration plans to use a gathering of resource-rich nations to spur new investment as part of its bid to shift the supply chain for rare-earths minerals away from China.