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The U.S. Department of Energy has issued a Prohibition Order that restricts the acquisition and use of certain bulk-power system (BPS) electric equipment from China because of national security concerns. This order aims to prevent foreign adversaries from potentially exploiting these equipment vulnerabilities, especially in areas critical to defense facilities. It specifically targets equipment like transformers and circuit breakers operating at 69 kV or higher if they are manufactured or supplied by entities under China's influence. Violation of this order may result in significant civil or criminal penalties.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is proposing to approve new reliability standards related to frequency and voltage settings, known as PRC-024-4 and PRC-029-1. These standards, submitted by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), aim to ensure that electric generators and other inverter-based resources (IBRs) can handle changes in electrical disturbances without shutting down unexpectedly. FERC is seeking public comments on the proposal and plans to direct NERC to provide detailed information on any granted exemptions, especially for older equipment that can't easily meet the new requirements. Comments on this proposal are due by March 24, 2025.

The Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), under the Department of Energy, has issued a notice confirming and approving new Provisional Formula Rates for various services associated with the Central Valley Project. These rates, effective from March 25, 2021, to December 2024, cover Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) Services, Sale of Surplus Products, and updates to existing Energy Imbalance and Generator Imbalance services. The new rates aim to align WAPA’s practices with broader energy markets, manage costs efficiently, and ensure fair pricing for energy services in the Sierra Nevada Region.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering a new rule to allow geostationary satellites in the fixed-satellite service (FSS) to use the 17.3-17.8 GHz band in a space-to-Earth direction, which could improve satellite communications in the U.S. The proposal includes technical safeguards to prevent interference with existing services, like broadcasting and fixed services. The FCC is also suggesting updates to relevant rules, defining an extended Ka-band, and easing the licensing process for satellite operations in these frequencies. They invite comments from the public and industry stakeholders to ensure that the changes balance innovation with protecting current users of the spectrum.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is asking for public comments on its approved information collections, including FERC-725G, which deals with reliability standards for the bulk-power system. These collections focus on maintaining and ensuring the reliability of the electrical grid, such as identifying and correcting system mis-operations, under voltage load shedding, and maintenance of protection systems. The agency aims to gather comments on aspects such as the necessity and utility of the information, how the collection could be improved, and ways to reduce the burden on respondents. Comments are due by April 16, 2025, and the procedures for submission are clearly laid out.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing changes to its fee schedules for fiscal year 2025 to comply with the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act, which mandates recovering nearly all of its annual budget through fees. The updates include amendments to licensing, inspection, and annual fees, and introducing a reduced hourly rate for advanced nuclear reactor applicants and pre-applicants. This reduced rate is set to encourage the development and application of versatile, advanced nuclear technologies, aligning with recent legislative acts. Public comments on these proposals are invited until March 21, 2025.

In a recent notice, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved new standards and a definition related to inverter-based resources (IBRs), following petitions from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). These new standards, named PRC-028-1, PRC-002-5, and PRC-030-1, aim to enhance the monitoring and analysis of disturbances in the Bulk-Power System, especially those involving solar and wind resources connected through inverters. These rules require generator owners to install equipment to track disturbances and ensure data is shared correctly to maintain system reliability. The document also details the expected reporting burdens for compliance with these new standards.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a final rule clarifying the test procedures for general service lamps (GSLs). These clarifications emphasize that GSLs shouldn't be tested as colored lamps, and if a lamp includes extra components not affecting light output, those components should be turned off during tests. For non-integrated lamps, the rule specifies testing with a ballast or driver that's compatible and commercially available, where possible. The final rule is designed to ensure consistent testing without imposing additional costs or burdens on manufacturers.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve West Virginia's plan to address visibility issues caused by air pollution in national parks and wilderness areas, known as Class I areas. This decision reverses a previous proposal to disapprove the state's plan. The approval is based on West Virginia's measures to control emissions and the conclusion that no further actions are needed to improve visibility during the specified period. The EPA's decision reflects a change in their policy, suggesting that if current air conditions are below a certain improvement mark, states are meeting progress requirements.

In a proclamation by President Donald J. Trump, he declared that the situation at the U.S. southern border is an "invasion" under the U.S. Constitution. As a response, he has ordered the temporary suspension of entry for certain aliens who cross the southern border, due to concerns over public health, safety, and national security. The proclamation cites the President's authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Constitution to deny entry and impose restrictions on individuals who do not meet specific criteria. This action aims to address the challenges posed by the influx of illegal aliens and protect the interests of the United States.