On September 4, 2025, the Board of Directors of Southwest Power Pool (SPP), the regional transmission organization (RTO) responsible for much of the central United States, passed Revision Request 696 (RR 696), paving the way for SPP to propose that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) modify SPP’s Open Access Transmission Tariff (Tariff) to create a 90-day path to interconnection for large loads and supporting generation. SPP is expected to file this Tariff change proposal with FERC in the coming weeks. Pending FERC’s decision, SPP aims to administer one of the fastest interconnection study processes in the nation and allow expedited processing of new large loads on the SPP transmission system.

As renewable energy development sweeps across rural and agricultural landscapes, developers are encountering a growing legal and logistical challenge: severed estates. These occur when surface rights and mineral rights are owned by different parties—a common situation in many energy-rich regions.

While renewable energy projects are designed to provide clean power and long-term value, severed estates can introduce uncertainty and risk. This article provides a structured approach to understanding and managing severed estates, so your projects stay on track and in legal compliance.

Vegan dark chocolate with cannabis leaves. Desert with CBD butter. Medicinal marijuana in food, vegan, supplements consept

Functional foods designed to promote relaxation, better sleep, and improved mood have exploded in popularity, and chocolate is increasingly the delivery method of choice. Calming confections featuring ingredients like melatonin, L-theanine, magnesium, adaptogens, or CBD are marketed as “natural” stress-relievers or sleep aids. But as consumer demand rises, so too does regulatory scrutiny. Federal and state regulators, along with the plaintiffs’ bar, are watching closely as food companies make increasingly bold wellness claims about everyday indulgences.

Wind turbine of wind power generation

Domestic energy production was a subject of much attention in the recently passed federal legislation. That legislation eliminated significant future tax incentives for new construction of large-scale wind and solar projects. Other energy generation sources are expected to be used more intensively and for a longer period of time than previously assumed in order to meet significant anticipated growth in domestic energy demand.

Employee of a solar panel installation company on the roof

As we have discussed in recent articles and as has been well publicized, two recent actions out of Washington are significantly impacting the renewable energy industry. The recently enacted One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) imposes new deadlines on renewable energy facilities to begin construction and/or be placed into service in order to qualify for tax credits. This is discussed in detail in our recent articles here.

In addition to the OBBBA, on July 7, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO), directing the Secretary of Treasury to—within 45 days following enactment of the OBBBA (which is August 18, 2025)—strictly enforce the termination of renewable energy tax credits. This includes issuing new guidance “to ensure that policies concerning the ‘beginning of construction’ are not circumvented, including by preventing the artificial acceleration or manipulation of eligibility and by restricting the use of broad safe harbors unless a substantial portion of a subject facility has been built.”

Photovoltaic solar panels on sunset sky background,green clean e

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, provides for enhanced restrictions on entities claiming many of the renewable energy credits established under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). Namely, the bill prohibits foreign entities of concern (FEOCs), as well as domestic entities that are related to or otherwise engage in significant transactions with FEOCs, from claiming such credits. The credits that are subject to the new FEOC limitations under the bill include:

  • the Clean Energy Production Credit (Section 45Y);
  • the Clean Electricity Investment Credit (Section 48E);
  • the Zero-Emission Nuclear Power Production Credit (Section 45U);
  • the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (Section 45X);
  • the Credit for Carbon Oxide Sequestration (Section 45Q); and
  • the Clean Fuel Production Credit (Section 45Z).
Wind turbine energy generaters on wind farm

On July 4, 2025, the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (the Act) was enacted. Several provisions of the Act will impact renewable energy projects and the tax credits generated by such projects. Such provisions include the accelerated termination for wind and solar credits, as well as restrictions with respect to foreign entities of concern. Most of the energy provisions of the Act will take effect beginning with the taxable year beginning after that date of enactment (i.e., the taxable year beginning January 1, 2026, for most taxpayers), although there are some deviations, as described below.