Avi Zevin
@azevin.bsky.social
energy and climate law and policy. Partner at Roselle LLP (www.rosellellp.com). Until recently: Special Assistant to the President for Clean Energy Implementation, before that Deputy GC at US Department of Energy. in a band (currently on hiatus).
One final note. The EO speaks of the importance of transmission (and specifically high voltage transmission). This is extremely correct. We need much more for data centers, reliability etc.
But it's quite ironic to highlight the importance of high voltage transmission today of all days.
But it's quite ironic to highlight the importance of high voltage transmission today of all days.
July 23, 2025 at 11:24 PM
One final note. The EO speaks of the importance of transmission (and specifically high voltage transmission). This is extremely correct. We need much more for data centers, reliability etc.
But it's quite ironic to highlight the importance of high voltage transmission today of all days.
But it's quite ironic to highlight the importance of high voltage transmission today of all days.
One nugget: I think this is the first time a specific threshold is set for the percent of federal $ that triggers NEPA (50%), though many questions remain for how one calculates this (particularly in the context of loans, tax credits, etc).
July 23, 2025 at 11:19 PM
One nugget: I think this is the first time a specific threshold is set for the percent of federal $ that triggers NEPA (50%), though many questions remain for how one calculates this (particularly in the context of loans, tax credits, etc).
Both support data centers and also the generation needed to power them. Biden required carbon-free power sources (wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal, hydro, CCS) and storage.
The Trump EO references nat gas, coal, nuclear, and geothermal (not hydro storage or of course wind or solar)
The Trump EO references nat gas, coal, nuclear, and geothermal (not hydro storage or of course wind or solar)
July 23, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Both support data centers and also the generation needed to power them. Biden required carbon-free power sources (wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal, hydro, CCS) and storage.
The Trump EO references nat gas, coal, nuclear, and geothermal (not hydro storage or of course wind or solar)
The Trump EO references nat gas, coal, nuclear, and geothermal (not hydro storage or of course wind or solar)
As a lawyer, you know you're having a bad day when a federal judge uses an exclamation point. As the Executive Branch you SHOULD know you're having a bad day when it's used to tell you to follow the law.
July 21, 2025 at 5:26 PM
As a lawyer, you know you're having a bad day when a federal judge uses an exclamation point. As the Executive Branch you SHOULD know you're having a bad day when it's used to tell you to follow the law.
Interior issues new memo in response to anti-wind/solar Executive Order that requires any of 69 types of decisions/actions to go to the Office of the Secretary.
This is the way you stall and kill projects. Intentionally red-tape projects to death.
This is the way you stall and kill projects. Intentionally red-tape projects to death.
July 16, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Interior issues new memo in response to anti-wind/solar Executive Order that requires any of 69 types of decisions/actions to go to the Office of the Secretary.
This is the way you stall and kill projects. Intentionally red-tape projects to death.
This is the way you stall and kill projects. Intentionally red-tape projects to death.
US withdrawal from the IEA because we're mad about modeling assumptions in reports would be extremely shortsighted (and ironic). The IEA coordinates international strategic petroleum withdrawals.
Without it, our ability to respond effectively to a global oil shock would be significantly diminished.
Without it, our ability to respond effectively to a global oil shock would be significantly diminished.
July 16, 2025 at 12:16 PM
US withdrawal from the IEA because we're mad about modeling assumptions in reports would be extremely shortsighted (and ironic). The IEA coordinates international strategic petroleum withdrawals.
Without it, our ability to respond effectively to a global oil shock would be significantly diminished.
Without it, our ability to respond effectively to a global oil shock would be significantly diminished.
not to be the flyspeck nyt copy as if it's the most important thing guy, but seriously wtf is this?
July 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
not to be the flyspeck nyt copy as if it's the most important thing guy, but seriously wtf is this?
This is extremely true of the energy sections too. A paperwork and regulatory mess for businesses.
Any assertion about this Administration's "deregulation" agenda that does not include this new impenetrable web of requirements is missing a key aspect of the story.
Any assertion about this Administration's "deregulation" agenda that does not include this new impenetrable web of requirements is missing a key aspect of the story.
July 1, 2025 at 6:33 PM
This is extremely true of the energy sections too. A paperwork and regulatory mess for businesses.
Any assertion about this Administration's "deregulation" agenda that does not include this new impenetrable web of requirements is missing a key aspect of the story.
Any assertion about this Administration's "deregulation" agenda that does not include this new impenetrable web of requirements is missing a key aspect of the story.
Here's hoping we see 2017 Lisa Murkowski again.
July 1, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Here's hoping we see 2017 Lisa Murkowski again.
Trying to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains and bolster U.S. and allied manufacturing makes total sense. But the bill will do the opposite by undercutting U.S. energy supply and manufacturing with a web of unworkable red tape.
June 30, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Trying to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains and bolster U.S. and allied manufacturing makes total sense. But the bill will do the opposite by undercutting U.S. energy supply and manufacturing with a web of unworkable red tape.
NABTU gets it.
“Equivalent of canceling 1000 keystone XLs”
"Biggest job killing Bill in the history of the country"
“Equivalent of canceling 1000 keystone XLs”
"Biggest job killing Bill in the history of the country"
June 28, 2025 at 8:05 PM
NABTU gets it.
“Equivalent of canceling 1000 keystone XLs”
"Biggest job killing Bill in the history of the country"
“Equivalent of canceling 1000 keystone XLs”
"Biggest job killing Bill in the history of the country"
NABTU gets it.
“Equivalent of canceling 1000 keystone XLs”
"Biggest job killing Bill in the history of the country"
“Equivalent of canceling 1000 keystone XLs”
"Biggest job killing Bill in the history of the country"
June 28, 2025 at 8:04 PM
NABTU gets it.
“Equivalent of canceling 1000 keystone XLs”
"Biggest job killing Bill in the history of the country"
“Equivalent of canceling 1000 keystone XLs”
"Biggest job killing Bill in the history of the country"
when he's right he's right
June 27, 2025 at 9:12 PM
when he's right he's right
Notable admission from the Secretary of Energy: the energy sources that are available now, low cost, low carbon, and the future of global demand are apparently not ones that this Administration wants to see built or made in the US. That will put us on the back-foot in the AI race.
May 8, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Notable admission from the Secretary of Energy: the energy sources that are available now, low cost, low carbon, and the future of global demand are apparently not ones that this Administration wants to see built or made in the US. That will put us on the back-foot in the AI race.
Having to eliminate the FOIA office and moving functions into an already over-stretched GC office (which also does all appropriations law) is another example of how the mindless cuts at DOE will undermine the Department's ability to meet its mission, including this Administration's own priorities.
May 2, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Having to eliminate the FOIA office and moving functions into an already over-stretched GC office (which also does all appropriations law) is another example of how the mindless cuts at DOE will undermine the Department's ability to meet its mission, including this Administration's own priorities.
Strong set of policy recommendations from Google on advancing energy technologies needed to meet growing demand.
Note, in particular the importance of tax credits for meeting this demand growth. Repeal of tech neutral = ceding AI leadership.
Note, in particular the importance of tax credits for meeting this demand growth. Repeal of tech neutral = ceding AI leadership.
May 2, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Strong set of policy recommendations from Google on advancing energy technologies needed to meet growing demand.
Note, in particular the importance of tax credits for meeting this demand growth. Repeal of tech neutral = ceding AI leadership.
Note, in particular the importance of tax credits for meeting this demand growth. Repeal of tech neutral = ceding AI leadership.
Um... excuse me Mr. President... I hate to tell you about this confusing but increasingly popular policy called "foreign entity of concern"
March 19, 2025 at 12:26 AM
Um... excuse me Mr. President... I hate to tell you about this confusing but increasingly popular policy called "foreign entity of concern"
New RIF memo from OMB.
We must make clear to Americans that this caricature of the government will cause real harms. Immediate harms, like closed national parks and reduced medical care. But also long-term harms to competitiveness and growth that will make America weak.
chcoc.gov/sites/defaul...
We must make clear to Americans that this caricature of the government will cause real harms. Immediate harms, like closed national parks and reduced medical care. But also long-term harms to competitiveness and growth that will make America weak.
chcoc.gov/sites/defaul...
February 26, 2025 at 7:08 PM
New RIF memo from OMB.
We must make clear to Americans that this caricature of the government will cause real harms. Immediate harms, like closed national parks and reduced medical care. But also long-term harms to competitiveness and growth that will make America weak.
chcoc.gov/sites/defaul...
We must make clear to Americans that this caricature of the government will cause real harms. Immediate harms, like closed national parks and reduced medical care. But also long-term harms to competitiveness and growth that will make America weak.
chcoc.gov/sites/defaul...
Does the Trump Administration understand that the government provides essential services, like maintaining the reliability of the power grid, that will be at risk by the indiscriminate and fanatical war on public servants from Musk and his lackeys?
www.newsdata.com/clearing_up/...
www.newsdata.com/clearing_up/...
February 14, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Does the Trump Administration understand that the government provides essential services, like maintaining the reliability of the power grid, that will be at risk by the indiscriminate and fanatical war on public servants from Musk and his lackeys?
www.newsdata.com/clearing_up/...
www.newsdata.com/clearing_up/...
Federal regs (5 CFR 315.804(a)) are clear that agencies have to fire for cause--performance or conduct--and give each employee a reason in writing.
Employees can challenge the firing of the agency fails to follow that procedure.
Employees can challenge the firing of the agency fails to follow that procedure.
February 13, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Federal regs (5 CFR 315.804(a)) are clear that agencies have to fire for cause--performance or conduct--and give each employee a reason in writing.
Employees can challenge the firing of the agency fails to follow that procedure.
Employees can challenge the firing of the agency fails to follow that procedure.
Great piece from @robinsonmeyer.bsky.social on the next front in the grant/loan freeze. While the impoundments issue gets most attention, boring old 1L contract law is just as important, for grantees and for the American economic system.
heatmap.news/politics/tru...
heatmap.news/politics/tru...
February 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Great piece from @robinsonmeyer.bsky.social on the next front in the grant/loan freeze. While the impoundments issue gets most attention, boring old 1L contract law is just as important, for grantees and for the American economic system.
heatmap.news/politics/tru...
heatmap.news/politics/tru...
It feels like, if we tried, we could make something of this...?
February 1, 2025 at 9:09 PM
It feels like, if we tried, we could make something of this...?
It's just so obvious that what is happening here has nothing to do with improving government functioning or enhancing "efficiency".
For some it's about intentionally breaking government, for others it's about installing political cronies.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/25/u...
For some it's about intentionally breaking government, for others it's about installing political cronies.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/25/u...
January 26, 2025 at 3:42 PM
It's just so obvious that what is happening here has nothing to do with improving government functioning or enhancing "efficiency".
For some it's about intentionally breaking government, for others it's about installing political cronies.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/25/u...
For some it's about intentionally breaking government, for others it's about installing political cronies.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/25/u...
WH out with a new memo that appears to walk back the scope of the disbursement pause.
Agencies (after consulting OMB) now have discretion to keep spending for the "good" programs.
Assume this is in reaction to uncertainty for nuclear, highways, etc. uncertainty remains for many others, however.
Agencies (after consulting OMB) now have discretion to keep spending for the "good" programs.
Assume this is in reaction to uncertainty for nuclear, highways, etc. uncertainty remains for many others, however.
January 22, 2025 at 3:13 PM
WH out with a new memo that appears to walk back the scope of the disbursement pause.
Agencies (after consulting OMB) now have discretion to keep spending for the "good" programs.
Assume this is in reaction to uncertainty for nuclear, highways, etc. uncertainty remains for many others, however.
Agencies (after consulting OMB) now have discretion to keep spending for the "good" programs.
Assume this is in reaction to uncertainty for nuclear, highways, etc. uncertainty remains for many others, however.