On May 1, President Trump signed an executive order on “Securing the United States Bulk-Power System” (the “Order”) that gives the Department of Energy new authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to block or mitigate certain transactions involving bulk-power system electric equipment designed, developed, manufactured or supplied by a “foreign adversary.” The Order declares a national emergency with respect to “the unrestricted foreign supply of bulk-power system electric equipment” and asserts federal oversight over private utility purchases of certain equipment from suppliers deemed to be controlled or influenced by foreign adversaries.
Continue Reading President Signs Executive Order on Securing Bulk Power System Equipment