May 13 TO 17

US to speed up immigration cases of recent border crossers in new program

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday approved the first major electric transmission policy update in over a decade that aims to speed up new interregional lines to move more clean energy to meet growing demand amid the explosion of electric vehicles, data centers and artificial intelligence.

Approved in a 2-1 vote, the new rule is also the first time the FERC has ever squarely addressed the need for long-term transmission planning, playing a key role in helping meet the Biden administration's goal of decarbonizing the economy by 2050 and making the grid more resilient to more frequent climate-fueled extreme weather events.

"This rule cannot come fast enough," FERC Chairman Willie Phillips, who voted for the final rule. "There is an urgent need to act to ensure the reliability and the affordability of our grid."

US appeals court upholds biofuel blending mandates for 2020-2022

A U.S.appeals court onTuesday uphelda rulefrom President Joe Biden's administration that set the amount of biofuels that oil refiners were required to blend into the nation's fuel mix from 2020 through 2022, rejecting a challenge by oil refiners to the mandates.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which administers the obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), lawfully exercised its discretion in setting the requirements for the three years at issue.

Under the RFS, oil refiners must blend billions of gallons of biofuels into the U.S. fuel pool or buy credits from those that do. The credits, known as RINs, are used by oil refiners and importers to show compliance with mandates.

In the past, small refiners could receive an exemption from the requirements if they proved financial harm from the mandates.

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Biden administration, Texas duel in US appeals court over floating migrant barrier

The Biden administration on Wednesday urged a U.S. appeals court to rule that Texas cannot keep a 1,000-foot-long floating barrier in the Rio Grande, oneinaseriesofmeasurestakenbytheRepublicanled state to deter illegal border crossings.

The full New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments for about an hour in an appealbyTexasofajudge'srulingthatsaidthestate neededthefederalgovernment's permissionbefore installing the buoys last July.

The case is part of a larger battle between the administration of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, and Republican officials in Texas and other states who say the federal government has failed to address a recent increase in illegal border crossings from Mexico.

New York's summer average electrical prices expected to drop 3%

The New York State Public Service Commission (NYPSC) on Thursday said that the average electricity prices for full-service residential customers are expected to be lower than last year contingent on location, demand, and market prices.

Customers can expect a statewide average supply cost of $207.88 this summer, down nearly 3% from $231.95 previous year, NYPSC added.

NYPSC said peak summer demand for electricity continues to decline due to energy efficiency initiatives.

Commission said the peak forecasts in the upcoming years remain stable due to energy efficiency and system improvements. By 2034, the peak demand is expected to decrease by 6,436 MW.

Souce:

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-administration-texas-duel-us-appealscourt-over-floating-migrant-barrier-2024-05-15/

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FBI working towards nabbing Scattered Spider hackers, official says

The Biden administration will speed up the immigration court cases of some single adults caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border under a new program announced on Thursday, part of a broader effort to reduce illegal immigration in the run-up to Nov. 5 elections, senior administration officials said.

Single adults with court dates heading to five cities - Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York City-couldbeplacedina"recentarrivalsdocket,"senioradministrationofficialssaidonacallwithreporters. U.S. immigration judges will aim to resolve their claims for asylum in 180 days instead of a process that can now take years because of major backlogs, the officials said.

U.S. President Joe Biden, a Democrat seeking reelection in November, has toughened his approach to border security in recent months as immigration has emerged as a top voter concern. Biden's Republican challenger, former President Donald Trump, has criticized Biden's approach and vowed to reinstitute hardline polices.

Souce:

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-speed-up-immigration-cases-recent-bordercrossers-new-program-2024-05-16/

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