Bolivia announces energy sector reforms in order to attract foreign investment and end state control
Bolivia's government announced on Thursday a proposal for a renewable energy and electricity law that aims to 'attract international investment' and reduce 'the 'country's dependency on natural gas. This could be the end of years of state control in this sector. Hydrocarbons Minister Marcelo Blanco announced at a press event that the law would allow for private companies to be involved in energy production, export, and import, thus ending ENDE's monopoly.
EU considering suspending penalties against oil and gas companies that violate methane laws
After?pressure by industry and the United States government, the European Commission has developed plans to let oil and gas firms avoid penalties for 'breaching EU methane emission laws. This follows a call from?oil-and-gas industry groups to suspend the law. They warned that it could disrupt EU fuel exports once tougher provisions come into effect in 2027. The U.S. Government has also requested that the EU exempt U.S. Oil and Gas from the rule.
Venezuela delays new oil contracts as investors wait
Two sources said that energy companies evaluating whether or not to invest in Venezuela were waiting for the OPEC nation’s oil ministry to release specific contract models which would provide terms and conditions to continue, expand,or start businesses in Venezuela. The ministry announced that it would be releasing new models of joint ventures and production contracts in the near future, and working on separate tax legislation.
German petrol stations only allowed one price increase per day to try and curb the Iran war surge
German lawmakers approved initial measures on Thursday to 'curb fuel costs that have risen in the wake of the Iran War. One measure was to limit petrol station price increases to one per day. Petrol stations can only increase their prices in the midday hours (1100 GMT) starting early April. They will still be able make any reductions they want at any time. The legislation passed by lower house of parliament could punish violations with fines up to 100,000 euros ($108,000).
From July, Ukraine's motor gasoline will contain at least 7 percent bioethanol
A law passed on Wednesday requires that Ukrainian motor fuel?contain at least 7% bioethanol by July. This is an increase from the 5% that manufacturers have been required to add since May 2025. The Ukrainian parliament adopted a new law in the winter of this year to align?the country’s legislation with EU regulations. The new'requirements' do not apply for fuel provided to the Ukrainian army or some high-octane gasoline. Up until July 1, the law allows for the sale of petrol without bioethanol.
Oil and Gas Industry urge EU to stop methane emission law
Oil and gas companies warned that the European Union's methane emission law could disrupt Europe’s fuel imports if it is implemented next year. The?industry's call comes after the U.S. The?government asked the EU to exempt U.S. gas and oil from the rules. Brussels has offered more flexible options for companies to comply with the rules, but refused to rollback this policy. It is a key pillar in its climate strategy. A…
Senate Democrats are ready to restart discussions on allowing reform
Two lawmakers said on Thursday that the Senate Democrats were ready to resume negotiations on legislation designed to speed up?permitting for large infrastructure projects. They stated that they had been encouraged by recent Trump administration moves to review renewable energy project applications which had been stalled. Sheldon Whitehouse, Martin Heinrich and other Republicans made a 'joint statement' in response to…
What's in the EU Buy-European Law?
On Wednesday, the European Commission proposed new rules that require a minimum percentage of public funds to be spent in Europe on electric cars, windmills, and other "key technologies" when they are purchased or manufactured. Why do it? The "Industrial Accelerator Act" is part of the EU's efforts to help local industry compete with foreign producers who are not subjected to Europe's strict regulations and higher prices for energy. It aims to avoid losing green tech industries, such as solar panels, to China.
Draft shows EU scraps steel emission label from "Made in Europe" law
A draft proposal revealed that the European Union had scrapped plans to include an emissions label for steel in its "Made -in Europe" legislation. The plan was originally intended to make green steel a central part of efforts to revitalize industries. A last-minute amendment to a proposed law, officially named EU's Industrial Accelerator Act on Wednesday, would be a major blow for low-carbon steelmakers. The label would help make their products more attractive and visible to consumers.
Trump ends US vehicle emission standards, revokes climate regulations
On Thursday, the administration of President Donald Trump announced that it had repealed a scientific conclusion that greenhouse gasses endanger human life and removed federal tailpipe emission standards for cars and trucks. The administration has rolled back its climate change policies in the most dramatic way possible, following a series of regulatory changes and other actions designed to promote fossil fuels and to impede the development of "clean energy".
Tesla executives announce that the company is expanding its solar strategy to include more employees.
According to senior executives, Tesla is currently hiring to help support Elon Musk’s plan to become the largest U.S. manufacturer for solar energy components. The posts indicate that 'the company is implementing Musk's vision to set up 100 gigawatts domestic solar production. Musk announced this goal?last?month. Seth Winger wrote, "This is a bold, ambitious project," in one of many posts made by Tesla executives on LinkedIn.
Tesla executives are hiring to support Musk’s solar expansion strategy
According to senior executives, Tesla is currently hiring to support Elon Musk’s recent announcement to become the largest U.S. producer of solar energy components. The posts indicate that 'the company is implementing Musk's vision to set up 100 gigawatts domestic solar production. Musk announced this goal?last? month. Seth Winger is Tesla's senior manager of solar product engineering. He wrote this in a LinkedIn post. We need ambitious, audacious engineers and scientists who can help us scale up massively.
California's top air regulator: Trump opposes tax credits and EV regulations, but California is accelerating work on them.
California's top air regulator announced that officials will meet with Detroit automakers to discuss the next phase in greenhouse gas regulations for vehicles and trucks. California is fighting President Donald Trump in the U.S. Congress and in?the court against his efforts to dismantle federal vehicle emission standards. Lauren Sanchez, Chair of the California Air Resources Board and Governor Gavin Newsom, said in an…
Venezuelan oil reform encourages immediate investments, but executives still need to go deeper
Foreign and local executives and attorneys said that a proposed reform to Venezuela's oil laws is sufficient to encourage existing companies to expand, and to start investing. However, deeper reforms are needed to attract the $100 Billion the U.S. estimates is necessary to overhaul the nation's energy industry. The U.S. now controls Venezuela's oil revenue and exports after a military invasion to capture President Nicolas…
After E15 deal fails, US Congress creates ethanol taskforce
After a failed attempt to include such legislation into a funding bill this week, Republican U.S. legislators plan to form a taskforce to examine the potential for year-round sale of?E15 gasoline blended with higher ethanol in the U.S. Farm groups and Midwest Ethanol advocates have blasted the formation of a taskforce instead of legislation. They called it a blow for American farmers who are already hurt by low prices, uncertainty in global trade and a lack?of clarity regarding U.S. Biofuels Policies.
Venezuelan oil companies are pushing for rapid reforms to allow them to control oil exports
Sources involved in the talks say that oil executives and lawyers from international oil companies are lobbying for changes to the hydrocarbon laws of OPEC members in order to 'give them the freedom to export the oil produced in Venezuela. Many potential investors want to know how they can make this happen without waiting years for the legal and contractual reforms to protect their investment. Representatives of international oil companies want to get things moving.
Morocco targets $10 billion AI contribution by 2030
The?minister responsible for digital transition announced on Monday that Morocco targets a boost of 10 billion dollars ($100 billion) to its gross domestic product by 2030 from artificial intelligence. This is as the country increases its investment in cloud services, training programs, and sovereign data centers. Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Moroccan Minister of Education, told a Rabat conference that Morocco's current GDP is around $170 billion.
Venezuelan oil reserves: No quick fixes
Even if U.S. Oil Majors invest the billions that President Donald Trump announced just hours after he took office, Venezuela's crude production is unlikely to increase significantly for many years. Venezuela may have the largest oil reserves in the world, but its production has dropped?over the last decade due to a lack investment by foreign firms. In the 2000s Venezuela nationalized oil operations that included?assets? of Exxon Mobil & ConocoPhillips.
What changes have been made to the proposed Indian civil nuclear law?
India has proposed legislation that would end the state's monopoly on nuclear power after six decades. This law would allow private companies, and even individuals?to build and run reactors. The bill must be passed by both the lower and upper chambers of parliament before it becomes law. What is the civil nuclear law? Nuclear projects have been restricted since 1962 to companies under the Department of Atomic Energy. This includes Nuclear Power Corporation of India.
Romania extends OMV Petrom Permits; Onshore royalty tax will jump
The coalition government of Romania announced on Wednesday that it had extended exploration and production licenses for energy group OMV "Petrom" (and agreed to increase its onshore royalties by approximately 40%). OMV Petrom is a majority-owned company by Austrian OMV. It supplies a third of Romanian gas, fuels, and electricity. OMV Petrom, in partnership with the state-owned Romgaz, is developing the deepwater project Neptun Deep, located in the Black Sea.
