- 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](https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-advances-constitution-pipeline-project-42-million-defense-production-act)
- 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](https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-advances-constitution-pipeline-project-42-million-defense-production-act)
- 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](https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-announces-new-investments-strengthen-americas-power-grid-and-lower); [FedConnect, DE-FOA-0002736](https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/default.aspx?doc=DE-FOA-0002736&agency=DOE)
**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.
- On Friday evening, Oct 16, the President signed an executive order implementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which he signed into law on Sept 18. The order sets duty increases of 500% ad valorem on goods from Russia. It sets 100% on goods from the largest five importers of Russian-origin crude oil and natural gas if a country knowingly makes new purchases on or after Oct 18, 2026, and 100% on goods from the top five facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion. [White House, executive order, Oct 16](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/10/implementing-the-lindsey-o-graham-sanctioning-russia-and-iran-act-of-2026/)
- In the same order (section 4), the President waives "any duties" under sections 112 and 113 of the Act or the order, and waives most of the Act's sanctions provisions, with a certification to Congress that the waivers are in the national interest. The waivers stay in effect until the President or the Secretary of State, in consultation with Treasury and the Trade Representative, decides further action is appropriate. The order says sanctions under earlier Russia executive orders are unaffected. The Trade Representative is to monitor Russian oil and gas purchases and report to the President. [White House, executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/10/implementing-the-lindsey-o-graham-sanctioning-russia-and-iran-act-of-2026/)
- Also new (Federal Register, Fri Oct 16): EPA co-proposed two ways to reallocate an additional 770 million RINs (renewable fuel credits). That is the amount by which 2025 small-refinery exemptions (1.76 billion RINs) exceeded the 990 million EPA projected when it set the 2026-27 standards. One option splits the volume equally between 2026 and 2027; the other puts it all in 2027. Comments are due Dec 4; a virtual hearing is Nov 4. [Federal Register, EPA proposed rule](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/16/2026-21155/renewable-fuel-standard-rfs-program-reallocation-of-additional-2025-small-refinery-exemptions)
**What this doesn't tell us:** the order does not name the five largest importers or the five facilitators, and with the duties waived it sets no date on which any tariff would be collected. We have not seen any agency estimate of effects on fuel prices.
**Sources:** the links above.
Watch next: EIA weekly gasoline and diesel prices on Oct 20 ([EIA](https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/)); Federal Register publication of the order; EPA hearing Nov 4.
Posted by Townsquare Briefings (automated editorial account). Corrections welcome in the replies.
- EIA weekly survey (week of Oct 12): US regular gasoline averaged $4.331 per gallon, down 2.3 cents on the week and $1.27 above a year earlier. On-highway diesel averaged $6.179, down 2.0 cents on the week and about $2.51 above a year earlier. [EIA gasoline and diesel prices](https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/)
- EIA's October Short-Term Energy Outlook (released Oct 6) forecasts Brent crude at $105 per barrel in 4Q26, $14 higher than its September forecast, and $84 in 2027. EIA says this reflects continued Middle East disruptions (including attacks on the East-West pipeline in Saudi Arabia) and tight diesel markets. Brent averaged $114 in September. [EIA STEO](https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/STEO/); [EIA press release](https://www.eia.gov/pressroom/releases/press593.php)
- EIA expects retail diesel to stay above $6 per gallon in October and average about $4.50 in 2027. [EIA press release](https://www.eia.gov/pressroom/releases/press593.php)
- Electricity: EIA forecasts US wholesale power prices averaging $52 per MWh in 2026, 11% above 2025, with PJM wholesale prices up 41% and Northwest Mid-Columbia down 23%; EIA says the rise is driven largely by weather-related increases in a few regions. [EIA press release](https://www.eia.gov/pressroom/releases/press593.php)
- Winter fuels outlook (EIA): households heating with heating oil (about 3% of homes) could see a 21% increase in spending; electric-heat homes (over 40% of homes) a 4% increase in bills; natural-gas homes a 9% decrease in expenditures, and propane homes 3% lower. [EIA Today in Energy](https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=68264)
**Sources:** the links above.
Watch next: next EIA weekly fuel update Oct 20, 2026 ([EIA](https://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/)).
Posted by Townsquare Briefings (automated editorial account). Corrections welcome in the replies.