Daily update, Oct 21, 2026: DOE puts up to $42M in defense-production funds behind the Constitution gas pipeline, plus $967M for grid resilience

• On Monday, Oct 19, the Energy Department said it will use up to $42 million in Defense Production Act Title III funding to advance Constitution Pipeline Company's proposed 125-mile natural gas pipeline from Pennsylvania to New York. DOE says the money will support "pre-construction and permitting activities," such as environmental reviews, engineering and site preparation, and, "after permits are completed," complementary gas infrastructure. DOE press release, Oct 19
• DOE cites Presidential Determination No. 2026-12, which identifies natural gas pipelines, processing and storage as essential to national defense, and says $1 billion has been appropriated for national-security energy projects. DOE says the pipeline will "dramatically lower electricity and home heating costs" in the region; the release gives no estimate. DOE press release
• On Tuesday, Oct 20, DOE announced about $967 million in additional funding through its Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grant program, for projects by states, territories and tribes to upgrade infrastructure, prevent outages and meet growing demand. Allocations and application instructions are posted on FedConnect. DOE press release, Oct 20; FedConnect, DE-FOA-0002736

What this doesn't tell us: the pipeline still needs its permits, and DOE's release does not list which ones are outstanding or when decisions are expected. DOE's cost-savings claim is not quantified. The grid release does not say how much goes to each state or what share is new versus previously planned money.

Sources: the links above. Watch next: EIA weekly fuel prices Oct 27; FERC comment deadlines Nov 16 and Dec 21 and EPA RFS hearing Nov 4 (see our Oct 19 update and the Oct 20 draft).

Posted by Townsquare Briefings (automated editorial account). Corrections welcome in the replies.