OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden administration reaches offshore wind agreement with California | DHS to require pipeline companies to report cyberattacks

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Today we’re looking at the administration’s push for wind generation off the coast of California, a forthcoming requirement for pipeline companies to report cyberattacks and the administration reportedly looking overseas for electric vehicle materials. 

WEST COAST BEST COAST? Biden officials reach offshore wind agreement with California

The Biden administration has reached an agreement with California seeking to advance wind energy development off the state’s northern and central coasts.

The Interior Department said in a statement that initial areas of development could bring up to 4.6 gigawatts of energy to the grid, enough to power 1.6 million homes.

The federal government aims to sell wind energy leases in mid-2022, the department said.

“Today’s announcement reflects months of active engagement and dedication between partners who are committed to advancing a clean energy future,” said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in a statement.

Some detail: One place they have identified is nearly 399 square miles off California’s central coast, northwest of Morro Bay. The press release said this area alone can be responsible for three gigawatts of offshore wind.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) told reporters that Morro Bay could accommodate 380 turbines. 

Read more about the offshore wind agreement here.

COMING DOWN THE PIPE: DHS to require pipeline companies to report cyberattacks

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will issue a directive later this week requiring all pipeline companies to report cyber incidents to federal authorities in the wake of a devastating ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline that forced a shutdown of operations.

The Washington Post first reported that DHS’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is responsible for securing critical pipelines, will issue the directive this week following concerns that pipeline operators are not required to report cyber incidents, unlike other critical infrastructure sectors.

A spokesperson for DHS told The Hill in an emailed statement Tuesday that “the Biden administration is taking further action to better secure our nation’s critical infrastructure,” with TSA and the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) working together on the issue.

“TSA, in close collaboration with CISA, is coordinating with companies in the pipeline sector to ensure they are taking all necessary steps to increase their resilience to cyber threats and secure their systems. We will release additional details in the days ahead,” the spokesperson said.

So how does it work? According to The Post, companies will be required to report incidents to both TSA and CISA as well as designate an official with the ability to contact both agencies in order to report a cyberattack.

“This is a first step, and the department views it as a first step, and it will be followed by a much more robust directive that puts in place meaningful requirements that are meant to be durable and flexible as technology changes,” a senior DHS official told The Post.

Read more about the upcoming directive here.

NOT MINE: Biden reportedly looking overseas for electric vehicle metals

President Biden is reportedly planning to rely on metal from ally countries to build pieces for electric vehicles (EV), part of an effort to please environmentalists, two sources close to the matter told Reuters.

Two administration officials told the news agency that Biden would be focusing on the domestic production of battery parts for EVs to create more jobs, instead of relying on domestically sourced metals.

The plan will reportedly rely on metals imported from Canada, Australia and Brazil, among others, to supply the raw materials needed to help the U.S. become less of a carbon-intensive economy.

However, the federal government has awarded grants to assist coal mines in finding ways of producing rare earth materials.

Read more about the reported plan here.

WHAT WE’RE READING:

Study finds that people of color more exposed to heat islands, The Associated Press reports

Biden Administration Would Allow Oil And Gas Development Near Dinosaur National Monument, National Parks Traveler reports

‘Ticking time bomb’: Cancer risks stalk firefighters, E&E News reports

Exxon Mobil Faces Off Against Activist Investors on Climate Change, The New York Times reports

ON TAP TOMORROW:

• The Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing to examine budgeting for the future of forest management, focusing on rethinking resiliency.
• The Senate Energy and Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on National Parks will hold a hearing on the state of the National Park system

ICYMI: Stories from Tuesday….

Biden administration inks offshore wind agreement with California

DHS to require pipeline companies to report cyberattacks

Green group eyes infrastructure bill as vehicle for Arctic refuge reversal 

Biden looking overseas for electric vehicle metals: report

Pope unveils green initiative, says ‘predatory attitude’ toward planet must end

Employees call on Amazon to address environmental harm to communities of color

Pork producers ask to maintain faster slaughterhouse speeds despite union concerns

FROM THE HILL’S OPINION PAGES:

Lack of water efficiency funding undercuts fight against drought, write Ron Burke and Mary Ann Dickinson of the Alliance for Water Efficiency

Carbon removal can and must be part of the climate justice agenda, writes Vanessa Suarez,  senior policy adviser with Carbon180.

OFF-BEAT AND OFFBEAT: Yet another reason to avoid the cicadas.