Gas Prices & Inflation Pressure: Labor Day travel is hitting drivers hard as AAA shows Minnesota regular gasoline near $4 ($3.98) and diesel at a new state record ($5.73), up sharply from a year ago—another reminder that fuel costs are feeding broader household pressure. Grid Security & Equipment Rules: The White House’s national emergency order banning foreign-made power grid equipment over cybersecurity fears is raising questions for utilities and states about which countries and components are actually targeted, with potential rate impacts depending on how “risky” gear is defined. Geothermal Push: The U.S. Department of Energy opened a Geothermal Center of Excellence at the National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden to help scale hot-rock drilling and power generation. AI for the Electric Grid: Brookhaven Lab will lead an $11.5M DOE project developing AI tools to help utilities plan and operate a more complex grid. Venezuela Oil Deal Fallout: U.S. and Venezuelan officials signed off on a deal giving the U.S. access to tens of billions in Venezuelan oil reserves, while critics warn it could erode Venezuela’s autonomy and leave parts of the U.S. oil industry blindsided. Trade & Steel Costs: South Korea urged the U.S. to ease tariffs on equipment needed for a $5.8B Hyundai-POSCO electric arc furnace steel mill in Louisiana, arguing it’s key to industrial cooperation. Clean Air Regulation: EPA proposed fully approving North Dakota’s regional haze plan, a move that would keep multiple baseload power sources operating without extra emissions controls.