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Friday, February 17, 2023

CDC Summary For The Week -- February 17, 2023

Updates

February 18, 2023: more than one reader has told me that the tens of thousands of clinical labs across the United states, public and private, free-standing and hospital-based, for-profit and not-for-profit, conspired to report every "seasonal flu" test as negative in 2020 to continue the Covid-19 charade -- see chart in original post, which explains why there was no "seasonal flu" during the pandemic. It gets tedious.

Original Note 

In a long note like this, there will be typographical and content errors

Wow, I'm in a great mood tonight. I might just stay up all night listening to music.

Until a reader sent me a Covid-19 graphic earlier this evening, I had completely forgotten about my weekly CDC postings. 

Link here.  

I have never seen such an interesting "seasonal flu" year as this year. One of the earliest and one of the shortest (flu seasons). Hopefully we'll see some studies of this "seasonal flu" year in a year or two, or at least some "Richard Feynman" thoughtfulness. 

Lots of graphs at that link, most of which I often post, but I'd rather do something else tonight, so for now just one graphic.

This was almost the first thing I posted after the outbreak:

The best historic precedent: The Spanish flu, also known as the 1918 flu pandemic, was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic caused by the H1N1 influenza A virus. Lasting from February 1918 to April 1920, it infected 500 million people – about a third of the world's population at the time – in four successive waves. The death toll is typically estimated to have been somewhere between 17 million and 50 million, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in human history.

1918 - 1920 -- two seasons.

And the graph above? Two seasons: 2020 - 2021. 

Very interesting. 

Very few even knew what a virus was in 1918. Now, there are 330 million viral experts in the US alone. And folks tell us that US public education is failing. LOL. Public schools in the US excel in three areas:

  • urban studies;
  • virology; and,
  • political science.

In Texas, add a fourth: football. 

***********************
From Less Than A Year Ago

Link here, April 27, 2022:

In a long note like this there will be content and typographical errors. I often mis-read things. 

All my posts are done quickly: there will be content and typographical errors. If anything on any of my posts is important to you, go to the source. If/when I find typographical / content errors, I will correct them.  

As you go through this note, remember: the number of deaths -- from all causes -- increased by 20% year-over-year, 2020 over 2019. I think a lot of folks forget that. For me, I easily could have been a statistic but I had two good years with granddaughter Sophia. My wife with several co-morbidities is also a survivor. 

In round numbers from memory:

  • the US generally has about 2.75 million deaths from all causes;
    • in 2020, the year of the plague, the number of US deaths from all causes, jumped from 2.75 to 3.4 million deaths:
    • roughly 30% of deaths from all causes were due to infectious lung diseases
  • back-of-the-napkin:
    • (3.4 million - 2.75 million)/2.75 million = 24% jump in all deaths, year-over-year into the plague year; deaths from "usual" causes did not increase
    • (3.4 million -2.75 million) * 0.30 = 195,000 deaths due to infectious lung diseases and almost none of them bacterial pneumonia, leaving a viral pneumonia
  • just think how better off we are with all the anti-viral medications coming available!

Before we begin, this from August, 2021:

Now, fast forward to April 27, 2022. Almost two years to the day since the lock downs began. Very similar to the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918 - 1920. The pandemic is over for the US: Dr Fauci.

I posted an update earlier this morning with much of the Covid news coming out today. There were several takeaways but I won't repeat them here.

What I find most interesting is looking back on the Covid-19 and "seasonal flu" data compiled by the CDC during the last five years or so. 

Wuhan flu. The blog Coronavirus: statistics    Seasonal flu: CDC.  

From the CDC site today.

I think this is the most interesting graphic. Even Sophia, seven years old, with a little help from an adult, could interpret this graph:

Comments:

  • hospitalizations due to "influenza" -- laboratory diagnosed; probably does not include Covid-19; simply "seasonal flu"
  • for the past seven seasons, 2016 - 2017 to 2021 - 2022 to date, inclusive.
    • the year of the plague, 2020-2021: lowest rate ever; absolutely amazing; there will be much discussion over at the CDC on this one;
    • current year, to date, is running higher than 2011 - 2012 (but just barely) and higher than 2020 - 2021, but well below all previous years, and by quite a bit
    • 2017 - 2018 was particularly bad.

This is my second favorite graphic, influenza- ("flu," "seasonal flu") pediatric deaths:

Comments:

  • this is simply phenomenal
  • from the 20th week in 2020 (the year of the plague) to the 45th week of the following year, 2021, there was one pediatric death recorded in the entire US associated with influenza; 
    • this includes all the undocumented children crossing the southern border, and housed closely together;
    • this includes all the kids with severely compromised immune systems, particularly cancer (think leukemia)
  • during the past winter, it appears there were 20 such deaths in the entire United States;
  • none have been reported in the current last couple of weeks
  • compare the last "clump" with the two larger "clumps" in 2018 - 2019 and 2019 - the fourteenth week of 2020 (pre-Covid)!

After that, you can scroll through the CDC site and check out the other graphs and charts.

This would be my third favorite: this is all deaths due to pneumonia, influenza ("flu," "seasonal flu"), and Covid-19.


Comments:

  • the CDC has separated the deaths by PIC "code" (pneumonia, influenza, Covid-19);
  • because many folks question correct coding, let's forget about the specific cause (code) and just lump everything together
  • it was the 14th week of 2020 (or thereabouts) when the lock downs began;
    • prior to that: three small yellow "clumps": percent of all deaths due to PIC
    • look at the small percentage: at worse (2018): 2%
    • at best, 2019, about 1%, maybe slightly less
    • then, in 2020, upwards of 30% - 35% of all US deaths due to PIC
  • imagine had we done nothing -- no social distancing, no masking (early on) and no vaccines (later on) how angry Americans would have been with this data; and having done nothing, it definitely would have been worse, probably much worse (even if social distancing and testing/quarantining) were all we had
  • back to specific codes: although one can question the accuracy of diagnosing ("flu" vs "Covid") it's hard to believe the entire US health sector conspired to show so few "flu" deaths that no "yellow" made the chart after the 14th week of 2020
  • if this chart doesn't get one's attention, there's no use continuing the discussion.

Think about this. In all my years of practicing medicine, most of the time hospitals had an "occupancy rate" of about 90%. During the "flu" season it was much worse. When I trained at Los Angeles County Hospital -- on par with Cook General and anything NYC has, I assume -- we often "ran out of beds" requiring patients admitted to be on gurneys in hallways. This was not uncommon. And that would have been during periods when deaths from infectious lung diseases were running five percent of all deaths -- I'm amazed the US healthcare system -- hospitals -- in-patient units managed to survive with infectious lung diseases running at 35% of all US deaths.

Without question, "we" learned a lot these last five years: research, diagnosing, treating, public health. We should see some interesting analyses of the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 - 2022. 

My nominee for US Covid-19 health care hero: co-nominees -- the chief nurse and the chief of hospital services at every major hospital across the US: public, private, military, county, city.

**********************
Another Musical Interlude
The Nashville Sound

Slip-note or bent-note.

Floyd Cramer’s slip-note piano style.

Floyd Cramer was one of the architects of the Nashville sound.

Cramer used a style of playing that had not been heard before on a piano. Described as a slip-note style, it was familiar to guitar and steel guitar players, who would slide a half tone. Cramer however was using a whole-tone slur, hitting a note and sliding almost simultaneously into the next. He explained it gave more of a lonesome cowboy sound. 

Late in 1960 he released his own single, “Last Date,” a haunting melody that featured the slip-note sound and which was kept from hitting the top spot in the national charts only by Elvis’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” which ironically featured Cramer himself on piano. 

Cramer’s own style is sparse yet sensitive. In the intro to Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” he uses half-step blue notes, played softly in the upper register, adding an upper note to make the sound even bluer. 

Other variations evolved with other players, but the sound is always unmistakably Nashville.

**************************
Last Date
With The LaGrange (GA) Symphony Orchestra

Jason Coleman.

********************
Pancakes

I love waffles. Pancakes not so much.

I love making waffles. I made them earlier today and I'll probably make them again before the week is over. 

I use a brand-name waffle mix and a brand-name syrup.

It's interesting that pretty much in less than one year an "American icon" was completely erased from the American psyche. Just one year. That's how fast it can happen.

So, now the #1 American waffle mix has no spokesperson, as it were. Maybe ChatGPT.

US LNG -- Will Leapfrog Rivals With Three New Projects -- February 17, 2023

The link.

It's too bad we -- the party with which I used to be affiliated -- has no deep thinkers -- only US senators that can take pot-shots at the US president -- in the old days this would have been a big deal --

My favorite word in that headline: "leapfrog."


******************************
What Makes A Superstar?


********************
And No One's Getting Fat
... except Mama Cass



*******************

The Gig Is Over 

Perhaps their best ever .. and their last. What were you doing in 1965?

Week 7: February12, 2023 -- February 18, 2023

The top stories

  • Global oil demand hits all-time high, December, 2022; 102% of 2019, pre-covid.
  • President Biden makes surprise visit to Ukraine.
The single best story:
  • After complaining that President Biden didn't shoot down "UFOs" in timely manner, GOP now complaining President Biden shot first, only to ask questions later

Top story:

  • Joe Biden is still president;

Top international non-energy story:

  • Ukraine war continues;

Top international energy story



Top national non-energy story:


Top national energy story


Javier Blas:

Focus on fracking: most recent edition.

Top North Dakota non-energy story:


Top North Dakota energy story:

Geoff Simon's top North Dakota energy stories:

Bakken economy:

  • Chugging along.

Commentary:

Entertainment:

 

Don't Stop Me Now -- Queeen -- February 17, 2023

*******************
What A Great Night

It's sweatshirt weather and by this time next week it will be 80-some degrees here in north Texas.

Sophia is on her way to Denver tonight to go skiing with her dad over the three-day weekend.

I rushed out to catch her at the gate to say good-bye (for the third time today / tonight). 

The manager's building was all "alarmed." False alarm but the alarms woke up the neighborhood, and the fire department showed up, and that will be Sophia's last view of the apartment complex before she flies out tonight. 

The dad loves to ski but he has no family members with whom to ski any more. The oldest daughter is at college in Nashville; the middle daughter has a robotics competition in Austin, Texas, tomorrow; and that leaves Sophia, the third grader to ski with her dad. They have close friends at the bottom of the mountain at Vail. I should be so lucky.

But I've gotten soft. I no longer like cold weather. I would much prefer swimming; eagerly looking forward to May when we can start swimming outside again.

If my apartment manager is reading this: thank you for everything you do. The apartment complex is awesome; it's right at my "living beyond my means" level.

I have the weekend free: Sophia will be in Colorado, our daughter (Sophia's mother) will be on the lake; Olivia will be in Austin; my wife will be painting; and, that leaves me. Awesome.  

High on my list: lots of reading. Eight new books from Powell Books in Portland, OR. I'm actually reading all of them, bits and pieces at a time. 

Even Lord of the Rings

**************************
500 Miles

It's All About TOC -- The Technology Will Follow -- The Exquisite Bailey Oil Field -- February 17, 2023

The Bailey oil field is tracked here.

Bailey well with a second large jump in production:

  • 18384, 394, MRO, Glenn Eckelberg 24-8H, Bailey, t5/10; cum 575K 12/22, with huge jump in production;
PoolDateDaysBBLS OilRunsBBLS WaterMCF ProdMCF SoldVent/Flare
BAKKEN12-202224894890091338473556883308
BAKKEN11-2022271410414093218991099210202507
BAKKEN10-20223117872178573535115571141021233
BAKKEN9-20223015750157964533116188159337
BAKKEN8-2022271645116527619681117310846126
BAKKEN7-20227510048022611938353252337
BAKKEN6-20220000000
BAKKEN5-20220000000
BAKKEN4-202200110000
BAKKEN3-20222917932006109011470821
BAKKEN2-20222818481825117811660842
BAKKEN1-20223120652035127813040940
BAKKEN12-20213121062157126113320966
BAKKEN11-20213020441983136712920942

 The first jump in production

BAKKEN1-20153174987589294948368323040
BAKKEN12-20142885428395369148821203695
BAKKEN11-2014301302613128647273912935525
BAKKEN10-20142711742117066005661115463654
BAKKEN9-20143012466125115669729042421535
BAKKEN8-20142515129147993964916547082691
BAKKEN7-20141100000
BAKKEN6-2014271029114484671543421
BAKKEN5-20143113041376837927428173
BAKKEN4-20143013041400837949493137
BAKKEN3-201431139511778661001563103
BAKKEN2-20142812221181767853421133
BAKKEN1-2014311296139787293958925
BAKKEN12-20133113651404819747355206
BAKKEN11-20133013731409877668349139

Initial production:

BAKKEN5-20113038773811308723091968163
BAKKEN4-20112937813838311319871652163
BAKKEN3-2011283577358730482109189844
BAKKEN2-2011283572358330112025182434
BAKKEN1-201127317931292685152613940
BAKKEN12-201031394740613398143612550
BAKKEN11-201030529450724745244322660
BAKKEN10-201018756920618183890
BAKKEN9-20102932003074236210338650
BAKKEN8-201031392839472890146612880
BAKKEN7-20102942454418215811019380
BAKKEN6-201030628362253378278426060
BAKKEN5-201013369032092208174916830

MRO With Six New Permits; Six DUCs Reported As Completed -- February 17, 2023

Active rigs: 47.

WTI: $76.34.

Natural gas: $2.275.

Petro-Hunt acquires thirteeen wells from Lime Rock:

  • file numbers: 2xxxx
  • Dunn, Billings counties

Eight new permits, #39666 - #39673, inclusive:

  • Operators: MRO (6); Slawson; Hydra Services (SWD)
  • Fields:
    • Hydra Services: Burg (Williams)
    • Slawson: Bully (McKenzie)
    • MRO: Lost Bridge (Dunn)
  • Comments:
    • Slawson has a permit for a Barnstormer Federal well, lot 3 section 3-148-100; 
      • to be sited 225 FNL and 2165 FWL;
    • MRO has permits for the following wells -- Ratcliffe USA, Rothigarn USA, Banta USA, Oukrup USA, Restad USA, and Strobeck USA; SENW and NENW 13-148-96; 
      • to be sited between 1389 FNL and 1315 FNL and between 1832 FWL and 2017 FWL;

Six DUCs reported as completed:

  • 38706, 2,784, MRO, Sease 34-8TFH,
  • 38707, 4,536, MRO, KB 34-8H,
  • 38708, 2,181, MRO, Rixman 24-8TFH,
  • 38719, 585, Ovintiv, Calhoun 149-98-10-13H,
  • 38721, 3,150, Ovintiv, Calhoun 149-98-3-10-12H,
  • 38723, 462, Ovintiv, Calhoun 149-98-3-10-11H,

For the Rixman well, two wells of interest:

  • 18384, 394, MRO, Glenn Eckelberg 24-8H, Bailey, t5/10; cum 575K 12/22, with huge jump in production; second occurrence; see this post;
PoolDateDaysBBLS OilRunsBBLS WaterMCF ProdMCF SoldVent/Flare
BAKKEN12-202224894890091338473556883308
BAKKEN11-2022271410414093218991099210202507
BAKKEN10-20223117872178573535115571141021233
BAKKEN9-20223015750157964533116188159337
BAKKEN8-2022271645116527619681117310846126
BAKKEN7-20227510048022611938353252337
BAKKEN6-20220000000
BAKKEN5-20220000000
BAKKEN4-202200110000
BAKKEN3-20222917932006109011470821
BAKKEN2-20222818481825117811660842
BAKKEN1-20223120652035127813040940
BAKKEN12-20213121062157126113320966
BAKKEN11-20213020441983136712920942
  • 16729, 348, MRO, Vihon 44-8H, Bailey, t11/07; cum 409K 12/22; note small halo effect:
PoolDateDaysBBLS OilRunsBBLS WaterMCF ProdMCF SoldVent/Flare
BAKKEN12-20222439453884541134277112302
BAKKEN11-202223496447369647423410352676
BAKKEN10-20220000000
BAKKEN9-20220000000
BAKKEN8-20220000000
BAKKEN7-20220000000
BAKKEN6-2022001330000
BAKKEN5-2022301062103961210740804
BAKKEN4-202229998102548510820818
BAKKEN3-2022301087111153810830822
BAKKEN2-2022281122109748810370778
BAKKEN1-2022311118104449911250840
BAKKEN12-2021311221123751012230921
BAKKEN11-2021268828403848980671
BAKKEN10-2021311125116552011510856
BAKKEN9-2021301112108550911320846
BAKKEN8-2021311163119953411540885

Oops, We Did It Again -- Energy Sector This Year -- You Never Expect To See This -- "Worst Results Ever" -- February 17, 2023

Link here.


**********************
The Book Page
The Rise and Reign of the Mammals
Steve Brusatte
c. 2022

In round numbers:

  • amphibians appear on land, 365 million years ago
  • the "link" from amphibian to reptile/mammal ancestor appears: 300 million years ago
  • mammal/reptile split --> direct mammalian ancestor (cynodont): 260 million years ago
  • dinosaurs appear: 250 million years ago
  • mammals flourish; non-dinosaur reptiles persist (birds, crocodile and their ancestors)

Amphibians --> reptile/mammal ancestor

  • skull difference
    • one group develops two large skull openings behind each of their eyes -->disapsids --> reptiles
    • the other group: the two large skull openings fuse into one --> synapsids --> mammals
  • for test-taking, how does one remember which is which?
    • these large openings -- windows -- fenestrae -- that's where muscles attach
    • the stronger the muscles, the more windows needed
  • which have stronger jaw muscles: crocodiles or humans?
    • so, crocodiles are diapsids; mammals are synapsids
  • note: the synapsides in humans have anatomically closed but one can feel "functional" "windows" - the synapsid -- when opening and closing jaws

This book is c. 2022 but it's already somewhat out of date, or perhaps in period of transition

  • the ancestor -- amphibian -->reptile/mammal ancestor -- has most recently been "called" a pelycosaur
  • but now, pelycosaur is already falling out of favor
    • pelycosaur is still used informally, as in this book, but purists in formal settings use a new term
  • now, the preferred term: Eupelycosauria (Eu = true; pelycosaur)
  • the term Eupelycosauria includes most pelycosaurs, but also Therapsida and Mammalia

The Whiting Nesheim Wells In The Sanish Oil Field

 Coming off confidential list today:

  • 38429, conf, Whiting, Nesheim 11-24H, Sanish,

    DateOil RunsMCF Sold
    12-20221394017358
    11-202293158141
    10-20221757814141
    9-20222001311539
    8-202231432026

Other wells in that section:

  • 17253, 2,045, Whiting, Nesheim 1-24H, Sanish, t9/8; cum 588K 4/22;
  • 19994, 804, Whiting, Eric Nesheim 21-24TFH, Sanish, t8/11; cum 152K 4/22; coming back on line;
  • 25555, 3,079, Whiting, Nesheim 41-24H, Sanish, t8/13; cum 406K 4/22; coming back on line;
  • 18136, IA/1,455, Whiting, Nesheim 21-24H, Sanish, t11/09; cum 509K 4/22;
  • 25554, 1,098, Whiting, Nesheim 13-24H, Sanish, t9/13; cum 396K 4/22; coming back on line; nice jump in production:
PoolDateDaysBBLS OilRunsBBLS WaterMCF ProdMCF SoldVent/Flare
BAKKEN12-2022202711281920592548243575
BAKKEN11-20223034523287249426862505121
BAKKEN10-20221323418115601371120
BAKKEN9-20220000000
BAKKEN8-20220000000
BAKKEN7-20220000000
BAKKEN6-20220000000
BAKKEN5-20220000000
BAKKEN4-202200260000
BAKKEN3-202219825887132223521990
BAKKEN2-20222814051367235329832420

 The maps:




Wow -- This Isn't Rocket Science -- February 17, 2023

Earlier this morning I wrote:

If Hart Energy is reporting it, it's old news, but for the record: link here:

  • BP acquires TA for $1.3 billlion
  • BP acquisition will add 280 travel centers across the US
  • think footprint locations for EV charging;

Now, this is being reported elsewhere:

The two companies on Thursday revealed the plans for BP to acquire TravelCenters of America in an all-cash $1.3 billion deal, subject to regulatory and TravelCenters shareholder approval. TravelCenters of America said the target close date for BP’s purchase of the company is in mid-2023.
"This deal will grow our convenience and mobility footprint across the US and grow earnings with attractive returns," BP CEO Bernard Looney said in a statement. "Over time, it will allow us to advance four of our five strategic transition growth engines. By enabling growth in EV charging, biofuels and renewable natural gas and later hydrogen, we can help our customers decarbonize their fleets."

TGIF -- The Price Of A Big Mac At Every McDonald's In The US -- February 17, 2023

Treat yourself. 

Just in time for Friday. 

A reddit contributor developed a site that tracks the price of a Big Mac at every McDonald's in the US.

App works best on a mobile device, specifically an iPad or large iPhone.

Link here.

Some observations:

  • amazing how prices are pretty much consistent across the US
  • most expensive in these areas:
    • New York
    • New Mexico
    • Arizona
    • Seattle
    • Wyoming

Right now:

  • least expensive: Stigler, OK: $3.49
  • most expensive: Lee, MA: $8.09

****************************
Gourmet Soy Sauce

Specialty gourmet shops in Portland price this about twice what one can find at Amazon where shipping is free; cash back using a credit card; and, almost same day delivery in some areas. And you don't have to drive clear across town to purchase one item.

WTI Plunges; DE Beats -- February 17, 2023

WAG: listening to PARA earnings call yesterday, one analyst said -- "buy Netflix."

CVX: link here.

  • announces upwards of 100,000 bopd from Venezuela

Putin's gift to XOM: link here.

  • huge profits could drive XOM to make huge acquisition

If Hart Energy is reporting it, it's old news, but for the record: link here:

  • BP acquires TA for $1.3 billlion
  • BP acquisition will add 280 travel centers across the US
  • think footprint locations for EV charging;

Ford / CATL

Projection: link here.

Mercedes-Benz: link here.

TSM: cut dividend, to 35.97 cents. 

Enbridge: misses, link here.

  • EPS: 46 cents vs 56 cents; last year, 54 cents;
  • revenue: $9.888 million; down from $9,893 million one year ago
  • the weak quarterly results were primarily driven by lower contributions from the Renewable Power Generation Segment
  • this will not sit well with energy investors
  • is ENB losing its focus?

DE: link here.

  • IBD
  • earnings more than double
  • guides high
  • EPS: jumped 124%; $6.55 vs $5.57 estimate
  • revenue: surged to $12.652 billion vs $12.325 billion
  • guided net income of $8.75 billion to $9.25 billion
  • well above consensus estimates of $8.31 billion
  • DE closed down $7 yesterday; pre-market today, up $10
  • a huge thank-you to a reader getting me into DE over a year ago; it's now a regular part of my "new-money" allocation (40-30-20-5-5) -- for the archives.

Disclaimer: this is not an investment site.  Do not make any investment, financial, job, career, travel, or relationship decisions based on what you read here or think you may have read here.

All my posts are done quickly: there will be content and typographical errors. If anything on any of my posts is important to you, go to the source. If/when I find typographical / content errors, I will correct them

***********************************
Back to the Bakken

Active rigs: 46.

Peter Zeihan newsletter.

WTI: $75.80,

Natural gas: $2.348.

Sunday, February 19, 2023: 54 for the month; 125 for the quarter, 125 for the year
39092, conf, Kraken, Lyman 20-17-8 3H,
37420, conf, Petro-Hunt, Powell 159-93-31C-30-2H,

Saturday, February 18, 2023: 52 for the month; 123 for the quarter, 123 for the year
38884, conf, WPX, Palo Pinto 20-17A,
38429, conf, Whiting, Nesheim 11-24H,
38414, conf, Liberty Resources, AZ W 158-93-13-24-3MBH,
38038, conf, Petroshale, Tahu 4TFH,
38037, conf, Petroshale, Tahu 2TF2H,
38035, conf, Petroshale, Tahu 3MBH,
38034, conf, Petroshale, Tahu 3TFH,
38033, conf, Petroshale, Tahu 2MBH,
37421, conf, Petro-Hunt, Blikre 158-93-6B-7-1HS,

Friday, February 17, 2023: 43, for the month; 114 for the quarter, 114 for the year
39005, conf, CLR, Rhonda 3-28H,
38426, conf, Hess, HA-Dahl-152-95-0706H-9,

RBN Energy: when it comes to forecasting the IRA's full impact, the devil's in the details, part 2. Archived.

It’s not the most accurately named piece of legislation, but that doesn’t mean the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) might not have an outsized impact on everything from electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen production to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon-capture projects. There’s plenty of potential for things to happen in the long run, but before then, a lot needs to get done — including the rules and regulations that will guide the IRA’s implementation. In today’s RBN blog, we look at why the IRA remains a work in progress, the critical role that rulemaking will play, and potential impediments to the law’s long-term success.