<p><strong>WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY</strong>: NASA is scheduled to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope on Sunday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This new space telescope will scan the skies for at least the next five years, investigating mysteries such as dark energy and dark matter. The telescope has a field of view over 100 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope, and photos from its mission are expected early next year.</p>
<ul> <li>The Department of Transportation has proposed changes to fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.</li> <li>A surface transportation reauthorization bill that passed out of a House committee with bipartisan support may not receive a vote before the midterms.</li> </ul>
<p><em>Welcome to</em> <em>Daily on Energy, written by</em> Washington Examiner <em>energy and environment writers</em> <strong><em>Callie Patteson</em></strong> <em>and</em> <strong><em>Maydeen Merino</em></strong>.</p>
<h2><strong>QUOTE OF THE WEEK</strong>:</h2> <p>Two U.S. nationals who survived flash flooding in Nepal spoke with CNN, describing the experience as traumatic. “The way it came, it came just like a tsunami,” said Anjana Raja. “Just seeing so many people die, I think that’s going to last for a while,” added Pattabiraman Venkatesan.</p>
<h2><strong>TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT MOVES TO EASE FUEL EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR TRUCKS:</strong></h2> <p>The Transportation Department has proposed changes to fuel economy standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. In a final interpretive rule, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that the current standards go beyond statutory limits and restrict manufacturers’ ability to design innovative approaches to meet fuel efficiency standards.</p> <p>The rule clarifies that while the agency has the authority to regulate vehicle fuel efficiency, it does not extend to standalone engines or individual vehicle components. This final rule does not repeal existing standards but establishes a legal foundation for future rulemaking.</p> <p>Corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards require car manufacturers to improve the fuel efficiency of their fleets over time. The Trump administration and some Republicans argue that stringent standards reduce consumer options and effectively mandate electric vehicles.</p> <p>Currently, the national average price for diesel is $5.61 per gallon, nearing the all-time record high of $5.82 per gallon from June 2022.</p> <p>The Sierra Club criticized the administration’s move, stating that it would increase costs for consumers during a time of rising diesel prices.</p>
<h2><strong>BIPARTISAN TRANSPORTATION BILL MAY NOT SEE A VOTE:</strong></h2> <p>Congress has limited time to pass legislation to avoid a government shutdown and achieve key party goals. The Build America 250 Act, which would authorize federal surface transportation programs through fiscal year 2031, is unlikely to be voted on before the midterm elections.</p> <p>The bill aims to reauthorize funding for highway safety, bridge programs, railways, and public transportation, and would establish a new registration fee for electric vehicles. It also seeks to strengthen conservation programs, including the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, which aims to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.</p> <p>The bill passed out of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure with bipartisan support. However, the Senate has yet to present its own version of a surface transportation reauthorization bill.</p> <p>House leadership has not provided a timeline for the Build America 250 Act, and with limited legislative days remaining, the chances for a vote are small.</p>
<h2><strong>NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WEIGHS DEAL TO GIVE AWAY PART OF YOSEMITE:</strong></h2> <p>The National Park Service is reportedly considering a deal to transfer a small portion of Yosemite National Park to a private developer for road access. The proposal involves giving a quarter-mile strip of land to Kingsbarn Realty Capital in exchange for land of equal value elsewhere in California.</p> <p>This deal has been under discussion for over a year and is backed by leadership within the Interior Department.</p>
<h2><strong>TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT OIL:</strong></h2> <p>Goldman Sachs estimates that oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz have recovered to about two-thirds of pre-war levels, with current estimates at 15 to 16 million barrels per day. This consistent flow has led to a slight decrease in oil prices.</p> <p>Additionally, Chevron and other U.S. oil firms are reportedly close to a deal for new investments in Venezuela’s oil fields.</p>
<h2><strong>OVER 90,000 PEOPLE AFFECTED BY FLASH FLOOD IN NEPAL:</strong></h2> <p>The Red Cross reports that over 90,000 people have been affected by flash flooding in Nepal, with concerns of a secondary flood. Approximately 1,900 people are currently missing.</p> <p>The State Department indicated that about 90 Americans may have been impacted, with three U.S. citizens rescued.</p>
<h2><strong>LUCID RECALLS MORE THAN 27,000 EV SEDANS OVER FIRE RISK:</strong></h2> <p>Lucid is recalling 27,185 of its Air luxury sedans due to fire risks associated with an exterior lighting circuit. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has advised owners to park their vehicles outside.</p> <p>Lucid has issued an over-the-air software update to address the issue.</p>
<h2><strong>ICYMI – TRUMP’S HEAD OF OFFSHORE LEASING LEAVING FOR HALLIBURTON:</strong></h2> <p>Matt Giacona, acting director of the Marine Minerals Administration, is leaving his position to take a senior role at Halliburton starting September 8.</p> <p>The Marine Minerals Administration was created to oversee offshore energy and mineral resources.</p>
<p><strong>RUNDOWN</strong></p> <p><a href="https://insideclimatenews.org/news/28082026/california-farms-plastic-reliance/">Inside Climate News</a> Can California Farmers Break Free From Plastic?</p> <p><a href="https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-energy/taking-stock-of-the-messy-us-energy-transition">Canary Media</a> So, where exactly does the US energy transition stand?</p> <p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-28/war-in-iran-continues-to-drive-interest-in-renewables?srnd=phx-green">Bloomberg</a> How the War in Iran Is Redrawing the Global Energy Map</p>