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Oil Surges as Iran Conflict Continues
U.S. crude prices jumped above $80 per barrel as the escalating conflict involving Iran disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for global energy trade that carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply. Tanker traffic through the strait has largely halted following attacks and threats from Iran, including reports from Iranian state media that a missile struck an oil tanker and a British Navy report of a major explosion involving another vessel near Iraq.
Trump Unveils Data Center Energy Plan in State of the Union
President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to strongly defend his economic record, while Trump touched on retirement savings incentives, congressional stock trading bans, immigration restrictions, tariffs, and foreign policy flashpoints, including warnings to Iran and comments on Venezuela’s leader Nicolás Maduro; the data center and energy provisions stood out as among the most forward-looking and economically significant elements of the speech. President Trump framed the issue as both an economic and an infrastructure crisis, arguing that the explosion of AI-driven data centers is straining the nation’s aging electric grid and driving up household utility costs.
U.S. – Canada Trade Dispute and Domestic Backlash
Relations between the United States and Canada are under significant strain as a sweeping trade dispute centered on tariffs, infrastructure leverage, and broader geopolitical alignments intensifies. At the same time, Trump’s broad tariff regime targeting Canadian steel, aluminum, and other imports has provoked retaliation from Canadian authorities, disrupted deeply integrated supply chains, and fueled political backlash within the United States over rising costs and trade policy direction.
A Show of Force in the Western Hemisphere: Reactions from the American Political System and Impact on our Energy Sector
The dramatic events of January 2026 have fundamentally reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the Western Hemisphere. With the execution of "Operation Absolute Resolve," the United States has transitioned from a policy of diplomatic pressure and sanctions to direct military intervention in Venezuela.
SPEED Act Advances to Senate Following Contentious House Debate
The SPEED Act passed the House on Thursday by a vote of 221-196 and is now pending in the Senate. Passage followed a contentious debate on Tuesday, during which an anti-wind amendment was added to the final bill.
What’s Left on Washington’s Agenda Before the Clock Runs Out?
Congress has been racing against the clock to check off as many items on its legislative to-do list as possible ahead of the August recess. Most notably, President Trump has led congressional Republicans in advancing a major budget reconciliation package, the One Big Beautiful Bill, which proposes sweeping changes to tax policy, healthcare, energy production, immigration enforcement, and national defense.
Senate Energy Leaders Announce Bipartisan Permitting Reform Agreement
After over two years of negotiations, Senators Manchin (I-WV) and Barrasso (R-WY) have announced a bipartisan permitting reform agreement. The 'Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024' addresses interstate transmission line expansion and overhauls the regulatory and judicial environments that have become obstacles to traditional energy infrastructure projects.
Biden Administration Eases Oil Sanctions on Venezuela After Election Negotiations
On Wednesday, October 18th the Biden Administration announced that it is easing sanctions against companies that trade oil produced in Venezuela or invest in its oil industry. The United States has imposed sanctions against the Venezuelan government or individuals for more than 15 years, but significantly tightened them in early 2019 after declaring Maduro’s 2018 victory illegitimate. This new deal comes in response to Venezuela announcing they will allow free elections next year, 2024.
The Rise of Geothermal Energy
Geothermal has historically struggled to make a name for itself in the clean energy space. However, in recent years, various companies and projects have emerged that are dedicated to exploring the possibilities that geothermal energy presents.
Price Check: Labor Day Holiday Offers Opportunity for Travel Costs Assessment
As Labor Day Weekend approaches and many families seek to enjoy the final few weeks of summer vacation, lets take a look at where fuel costs for transportation are impacting the cost of travel this Summer compared to recent years.
Judge Rules in Favor of Montana Youth in Landmark Environment Trial
In a landmark case, a Montana state court decided Monday in favor of young activists who alleged the state violated their rights to a clean and healthful environment by promoting the use of fossil fuels. The court decided that a provision in the Montana Environmental Policy Act harmed the environment by preventing the state from considering the potentially harmful effects of some energy projects.
SCOTUS Summer Recap
With Congress back in their respective states and districts during the August recess, we would like to step back and reflect on this Summer's U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) cases that took a backseat in the news cycle while major pieces of legislation were being considered and voted on.
Congress Tackles Permitting Reform
This last week featured new activity in the U.S. Senate on the issue of additional permitting reform for pipelines and electric transmission.
Energy Independence in 2023
As we celebrate American independence and the great freedoms that come with it, it is also a time to recognize America’s greater energy independence in 2023. Why do we say that since we clearly still import energy? And what does it mean to be energy independent anyway? What is the importance? The Constitution Partners team answered all these questions and more in the sections to follow.
Smoke Signals & Taxing Events
It was a busy week in the nation’s capital. The Constitution Partners team reviewed the major events driving American public policy and business interests, and have provided a summarized overview for your review.
Interagency Collaboration on Hydrogen Tax Matters as Biden Administration Publishes First Strategic Roadmap
Technical experts from the Department of Energy are weighing in on how the Treasury Department should devise a production tax credit for hydrogen.
Energy Department Launches New Clean Fuels & Products Effort
On May 24, the Department of Energy announced a new ‘EarthShot’ to find low-carbon alternatives to petroleum-based transportation fuels and chemical feedstocks for plastics. In addition to identifying five critical research areas, the announcement set specific emissions reduction targets for year 2050.
Ways and Means Hearing Re-Cap: Green Energy Tax Credits
On Wednesday, April 19, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing titled “On the U.S. Tax Code Subsidizing Green Corporate Handouts and the Chinese Communist Party.” During the hearing, Republicans slammed the recipients of the Inflation Reduction Act’s energy tax credits, saying large corporations are raking in most of the benefits. The rhetoric marked a shift for Republicans, who traditionally favor cutting taxes for businesses but are increasingly focused on anti-China policies. Meanwhile, Democrats at the hearing emphasized the negative effects that repeal would have, given the jobs already created. Below are some highlights from the hearing broken down by subject matter.
House Passes the Lower Energy Costs Act; Heads to Senate Chamber
House Republicans passed a sprawling energy bill (H.R. 1) on Thursday, March 10th, delivering their biggest legislative win since they took control of the chamber in January. The legislation passed by a 225-204 vote with Representatives Cuellar (D-TX), Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), Golden (D-ME), and Gonzalez (D-TX) joining their Republican colleagues and enabling House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to tout the bill as bipartisan.
Biden Approves Drilling in Alaska: The Willow Project and What This Means
The Biden Administration has approved the Willow Project in Alaska, which is set to be a significant and decades-long oil drilling venture located in the National Petroleum Reserve (NPR-A), previously known as Naval Petroleum Reserve.