Energy Update: Week of March 11

Friends,

Everything is bigger in Texas and this is a Texas-heavy week for sure.  First, South By Southwest started Friday and runs through next Sunday in Austin, which also happens to be St. Patrick’s Day. Much of the fireworks, including conversations with Jay Inslee, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as well as a number of President Candidates and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy were held over the weekend.  But the bulk of the events continue this week with former Speaker John Boehner keynoting on Friday.

It is also CERA Week 2019 in Houston, one of the biggest weeks in energy.  Among the throngs of high-profile speakers descending on Houston, the daily highlights include EPA Chief Andy Wheeler at lunch and Senate Energy leaders Lisa Murkowski and Joe Manchin later today; John Hickenlooper and Mike Pompeo going tomorrow; Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Wednesday; FERC Chair Neil Chatterjee set for Thursday; and Sen. John Cornyn talking about what’s ahead in Washington on Friday.  See the Full Schedule here.  Speaking of Oil, IEA released its "Oil 2019" report this morning and it says the US will drive global oil supply growth over the next five years thanks to the remarkable strength of its shale industry.

Not to be overshadowed, it is budget week in Washington.  This is the annual important (Constitutionally required), but meaningless exercise (Congress doesn’t care much) where the President sends Congress his budget for the next Fiscal Year.  The request entails his priorities (like the wall) and pays for it with cuts in programs he doesn’t care as much about (like energy and environmental programs).  But as a long-time Appropriations staffer many years ago, I will just remind you that Congress will pretty much do what THEY want.  We have a ton of experts who can help if you have questions.

Lots of hearings again this week, but the most important might be Wednesday’s House Transportation Committee hearing on aligning Federal surface transportation policy to meets 21^st Century needs.  San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Washington State Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar, Texas Transportation official Darran Anderson and several other fight over the details. 

Three good pieces “In the News”: 1) New research conducted by the University of California-Davis, Kansas State University, and University of Wisconsin reveals that the RFS and its implementation is damaging the environment; 2) WV House of Delegates passed a strongly-worded resolution that “categorically condemned counterproductive and economically damaging assaults on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and other urgently needed energy infrastructure projects” and 3) the Business Council for Sustainable Energy says the rapid cost declines for renewable energy have enabled the industry to deliver the lowest cost electricity options in Minnesota according to the 2019 Minnesota State Energy Factsheet.  Finally, take a look at Jen Dlouhy’s latest Bloomberg story today which says the new EPA plan to impose trading restrictions on biofuel credits would slash revenue for big oil companies and truck stops like those owned by Warren Buffett, while forcing Wall Street banks out of the market. 

The NCAA March Madness hoops tourneys have their first teams with Murray State (featuring standout Ja Morant), Liberty, Bradley and Gardner-Webb all punching tickets.  The POWER 5 conferences start their tournaments this week and you can catch all the tournament updates here.  The DII men’s basketball tournament starts Friday with Davenport (IA), Colorado School of Mines, Valdosta St (GA), West Chester (PA), Finley (OH) and Cal-Poly Pomona all on rolls.  On the Women’s side, defending NCAA Champ Notre Dame (ACC), runner-up Mississippi St (SEC), Iowa (Big 10), Oregon (PAC 12), Belmont, Mercer and Fordham are already in.  Men’s DI Selection show is Sunday Night while the Women’s show is next Monday.  Play-in games start next Tuesday with full action on Thursday. 

Finally, for those of you watching the other annual Washington tradition – the Cherry Blossoms, the National Park Service says that peak bloom will be from April 3 to April 6^th.  Fingers-crossed for no cold and limited rain, but I would stay away from that area if you are trying to get across town for a hearing/meeting. 

We are monitoring all the action, following the key stories and are happy to discuss.  Call with questions.  

 

Best,

 

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

 

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“There is no dispute that U.S. biofuels policy is driving environmental harm.”

Aaron Smith, agricultural and resource economics professor at University of California-Davis, one of the authors of a new study, which argues that the RFS mandate has caused higher demand for corn and soybeans which has hurt the environment.  

“The story of how the United States transformed itself into a major exporter within less than a decade is unprecedented. It is due to the ability of the US shale industry to respond quickly to price signals by ramping up production. The United States accounts for 70% of the total increase in global capacity to 2024, adding a total of 4 mb/d. This follows spectacular growth of 2.2 mb/d in 2018.”

                The International Energy Agency "Oil 2019" report released this morning

ON THE POD

CapCrude at CERA Week – On this early edition of Capitol Crude, Meghan and Brian predict the top themes for CERAWeek, the mega-conference where US shale producers, US government officials and OPEC ministers rub elbows.  They also spoke with American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers about surging US oil production, the buildout of pipelines and export terminals, and the US becoming a net oil exporter. Sommers also explains why his group has been lobbying against Congress' anti-OPEC legislation.  Watch for some special episodes of Capitol Crude from Houston throughout the week.

FUN OPINIONS

Murkowki, Manchin Weigh in on Climate in WaPo – Sen Energy Committee leaders Lisa Murkowski and Joe Manchin wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post that focuses on the debate over how to address climate change. "This is often portrayed as an issue with just two sides — those who support drastic, unattainable measures to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and those who want to do nothing," they write. "We believe the time for sensationalism is over. And we are seeking ideas that will bring people together, rather than drive them apart."  While the piece doesn’t specifically mention the Green New Deal, it highlights that “American ingenuity has solved many of the great challenges of our time and is key to addressing climate change. If the United States is going to lead by example, we must continue to lead the world in the development of new and improved technologies.”

AWEA: Transmission Build Out Essential to Expanding Renewables – AWEA head Tom Kiernan writes in a new opinion piece in The Hill that falling costs and technology put the US in a position to move toward a clean energy economy powered by wind and solar now -- not years down the road.  Kiernan calls on Congress to support transmission grid updates that will enhance reliability and help the cities and states that need wind most access it.

IN THE NEWS

WV House Passes Strong Resolution Urging Support for Pipeline – The West Virginia House of Delegates passed a strongly-worded resolution that “categorically condemned counterproductive and economically damaging assaults on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and other urgently needed energy infrastructure projects.”  It also added the attacks are “denying steady employment and income to thousands of West Virginia workers and their families” who would otherwise be employed in the construction and operation of ACP.  Finally, the resolution says “the attacks are also damaging West Virginia’s energy production industry” and “have great potential to damage the environment by hindering the deployment of electric generation powered by solar power, wind and other renewable resources.”

IEA Report Shows – The International Energy Agency released its "Oil 2019" report this morning and it says the US will drive global oil supply growth over the next five years thanks to the remarkable strength of its shale industry, triggering a rapid transformation of world oil markets. By the end of the forecast, US oil exports will overtake Russia and close in on Saudi Arabia, bringing greater diversity of supply.  While global oil demand growth is set to ease, in particular as China slows down, it still increases an annual average of 1.2 mb/d to 2024. Still, the IEA continues to see no peak in oil demand, as petrochemicals and jet fuel remain the key drivers of growth, particularly in the US and Asia, more than offsetting a slowdown in gasoline due to efficiency gains and electric cars.

Researchers: Biofuels Mandate Cause More Harm Than Good With Plowed-Up Land – New research conducted by the University of California-Davis, Kansas State University, and University of Wisconsin reveals that the Renewable Fuel Standard and its implementation is damaging the environment.  The study shows hundreds of thousands of acres of grasslands and wild habitat in the Upper Midwest have been plowed up to plant corn and soybeans in the past decade because of demand created by the government’s ethanol mandate. The study estimates that 1.6 million acres of grass and wetlands nationally were converted to grow crops because the demand for ethanol inflated the prices of corn and soybeans. Another 1.2 million acres of existing farmland, especially in the Midwest, would have been retired to pasture or conservation lands were it not for the mandate.  Add that to the millions of acres of farmland that were switched to corn from other crops and the mandate is responsible for adding about 300,000 tons of nitrogen fertilizer a year that has been draining into waterways and causing algae blooms and dead zones, the study found.

BCSE FACTBOOK: MN Renewables Low Cost – The rapid cost declines for renewable energy have enabled the industry to deliver the lowest cost electricity options in Minnesota according to the 2019 Minnesota State Energy Factsheet, released today. The findings, which show that renewables are the second largest source of electricity generation in Minnesota for the second year in a row, come at a time when state legislators and Governor Tim Walz are proposing to transition the state’s electricity generation to 100 percent clean energy by 2050.  The Minnesota State Energy Factsheet is a companion to the Sustainable Energy in America Factbook, compiled by research firm BloombergNEF for the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE). The Factbook outlines key trends influencing national and state investment and economics, energy supply, and energy demand. As the American energy sector continues its transformation to cleaner, cheaper sustainable energy, Minnesota remains a leader.

Report: Fossil Jobs Up – The 2019 U.S. Energy & Employment Report (USEER) finds that the Traditional Energy and Energy Efficiency sectors in 2018 employed approximately 6.7 million Americans out of a workforce of approximately 147 million. Employment in these sectors increased in 2018 by 2.3% from the previous year, adding 151,700 net new jobs, nearly 7% of all new jobs nationwide. Booming crude and natural gas production helped employment at oil fields and coal mines last year climb 5.7 percent from 2017, according to an Energy Futures Initiative report being released today. Meanwhile, renewable energy jobs declined 1.2%, with modest gains installing wind turbines offset by a decline in solar (as has largely already been reported) because of the impacts of the solar tariff. Former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz’s Energy Future Initiative group jointly produced the report with the National Association of State Energy Officials.

Groups Urges Congress to Push CCS – The Carbon Capture Coalition sent a letter to congressional leaders on the role of carbon capture in climate legislation. The letter lays out several areas where the coalition stands "ready to work" with lawmakers from both political parties, including on the expansion of the 45Q tax credit for carbon capture, utilization and removal projects, and on federal funding for research and development of the next generation of carbon capture technologies.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Pompeo Joins CERA Week Line up – It is CERA Week 2019 one of the biggest weeks in energy.  Among the throngs of high-profile speakers descending on Houston, the daily highlights include EPA Chief Andy Wheeler at lunch today and Senate Energy leaders Lisa Murkowski and Joe Manchin later; John Hickenlooper and Mike Pompeo tomorrow; Energy Secretary Rick Perry speaks Wednesday; FERC Chair Neil Chatterjee set for Thursday; and Sen. John Cornyn talking about what’s ahead in Washington on Friday.  See the Full Schedule here.  The Chamber’s Karen Harbert is also speaking at events today and tomorrow.

Rural Co-Ops Annual Meeting Set – The 77^th National Rural Electric Cooperatives Assn annual meeting and expo is also rolling today through Wednesday at the Orange Co Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.  Speakers include former Disney head Michael Eisner, Presidential Historian Jon Meacham and HGTV's "Home Town" co-stars, Jim and Mallorie Rasberry and Josh Nowell.

City Officials in DC – The National League of Cities holds its Congressional City Conference at the Marriott Wardman Park in DC today and tomorrow.  City officials will hear directly from policymakers and thought leaders about the issues important to cities, discover the latest funding opportunities that will support economic growth and learn emerging practices to strengthen local communities. The conference will culminate with a visit to Capitol Hill. NLC will coordinate meetings for city officials to discuss their community needs with representatives from their congressional district.  They also held a POLITICO deep-dive conversation on infrastructure this morning to discuss the different approaches Congress could take to move forward with a major infrastructure investment package, factors that could bring its efforts to a halt and how the White House could work with lawmakers to make this a rare bipartisan victory.

Forum to Look at Water Energy Efficiency – ACEEE holds its 2019 Hot Water Forum, to discuss the latest technologies and techniques to improve how we make, distribute, and use hot water. In addition to improving water heating efficiency, these new tools can help users respond to the evolving energy paradigm that includes renewable energy and energy storage.

EEI Board of Directors Meets – The Edison Electric Institute’s Board of Directors meets today through Wednesday and will hear from a number of Energy leaders in DC.  During a reception tonight, Rep. Debbie Dingell presents the 2019 John D. Dingell Award to Reps. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR). This distinguished award recognizes leaders who exemplify and promote labor-management cooperation.  They will also present the inaugural Edwin D. Hill Award to IBEW Local Union 396, IBEW Local Union 1245 and NV Energy. The award recognizes advancement of state and local initiatives on behalf of EEI’s member electric companies and IBEW members.

Press Club to Host Discussion of Climate Data –Today at 6:00 p.m. in the Club's Murrow Room, the National Press Club Journalism Institute and Freedom of the Press Committee have organized a panel of climate science journalists and climate policy researchers to lead this lively discussion on how to obtain and improve coverage of climate data.

NAS Workshop to Look at Nuclear Disasters – The National Academy of Sciences Nuclear Radiation and Studies Board is hosting a workshop tomorrow and Wednesday to discuss establishing a registry for long-term health monitoring following radiological emergencies in the U.S.  Agenda topics for the workshop, "Challenges in Initiating and Conducting Long-Term Health Monitoring of Populations following Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies in the United States," include biodosimetry (examining damage to biological markers in the human body to assess how much radiation a person was exposed to), population monitoring and health screening, environmental impacts, and examination of existing health registries following the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear power meltdowns and explosions.

NRC Annual Info Conference Set – The Nuclear Regulatory Commission holds its annual Regulatory Information Conference tomorrow to Thursday at the Bethesda North Marriott. This will be NRC's 31^st annual RIC – the largest technical meeting sponsored by the NRC – bringing together diverse groups of stakeholders to learn, share, and discuss significant and relevant regulatory activities that are important to the nuclear community.

House Science Look at BioEconomy – The House Science Committee’s Research and Technology panel holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on engineering ways to a sustainable bioeconomy.

House Resources to Review Land Management, Forest Service – The House Natural Resources Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. examining the policies and priorities of the BLM, US Forest Service and Power Marketing Administrations.

House Budget Looks at President’s Budget – Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., House Budget Committee holds a hearing on the President's 2020 Budget.

House Approps Panel to Look at Disaster Recovery – The House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. on "Update on Recovery Efforts for 2017 and 2018 Disasters." FEMA Deputy Administrator Pete Gaynor testifies.

House Approps Panel to Look Resilient Communities – The House Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee holds a hearing Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. regarding stakeholder perspectives on building resilient communities.  Witnesses include Houston Public Works Director Carol Haddock, Pew’s Laura Lightbody and Rutgers’ Franklin Moon.

Conference to Look at Nord Stream Pipeline – The Jamestown Foundation holds a conference tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. looking at the Nord Stream Two pipeline and its evolving dynamics.  The event will provide a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the state of this mega project, the stakes of the main players, the implications for European energy security, new developments in Europe and potential stricter U.S. sanctions on Russia that would affect not only the Nord Stream Two pipeline but also gas supplies to the EU through the new Russian pipeline under the Black Sea, TurkStream.

JHU to Look at Oil Policy In Saudi Arabia – Tomorrow at 5:00 p.m., Johns Hopkins University’s Energy, Resources, and Environment's Global Leaders Forum and the Middle East Studies program present a forum on oil policy in Saudi Arabia and status of domestic reforms.  OPEC led by Saudi Arabia, and its allies including Russia, agreed in December to reduce oil production by 1.2 mbd in an effort to stabilize oil prices.  But surging US shale oil output could effectively eat up OPEC's cuts by later this year as the US has become the world's largest crude oil producer.  These developments will be discussed by our speakers along with the status of domestic reforms in Saudi Arabia in the wake of the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Enviro Groups Challenge Trump Science Attacks – The Government Accountability Project, the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Sunlight Foundation holds a discussion tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. on science in the Trump era.  NYT’s Lisa Friedman and the Guardian’s Emily Holden will speak.

House Resources to Look at National Monuments – The House Resources Committee holds a hearing on review and alteration of US National Monuments.

Senate Enviro to Look at Diesel Legislation – The Senate Environment Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2019. The bill modifies requirements governing how the EPA must prioritize projects when providing grants, rebates, and loans. Specifically, the EPA must recognize differences in how vehicles, engines, equipment, and fleets are used across the country as it prioritizes projects that include certified engine configurations, verified technologies, or emerging technologies that have a long expected useful life.

House Energy Panel To Look at Chemical Risk – The House Energy and Commerce Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee holds a hearing Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. on chemical risks and how EPA manages them.

Hudson Releases Trade Report – The Hudson Institute will convene a panel on Wednesday at Noon to discuss a new Hudson report by Senior Fellow Thomas J. Duesterberg, “The Importance of Reform from a Transatlantic Perspective.”  The report explores the need for World Trade Organization (WTO) reform and the progress of current reform efforts.  A keynote address will be given by General Counsel for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, Stephen P. Vaughn. This will be followed by a panel of experts from Japan, the U.S., and Europe.

House Panel to Look at Military Resilience, Climate – The House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. to Look at the resiliency of military installations and operations in response to climate change.

Senate Budget Looks at President’s Budget – On Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., the Senate Budget Committee holds a hearing on the President's 2020 Budget.

Stanford Center Hosts Pershing – The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment hosts former Climate negotiator Jonathan Pershing to discuss climate and international issues on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in California.  Pershing is the Program Director of Environment at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

USEA Hosts CCS Film Screening – As the annual motion picture awards season comes to a close, USEA hosts a screening on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. of the documentary "CCS: Bridge to a Cleaner Energy Future" which was underwritten by the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) and produced to engage the global community in a conversation about the vital role carbon capture and storage (CCS) must play in mitigating climate change. Following the screening, IBB's Cecile Conroy, Director of Government Affairs and Cory Channon, Assistant to the International President and Assistant Director of Construction Sector Operations (Canada) to discuss IBB's role in the documentary and why they support Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage.

Steel Markets Conference Set – The S&P Global Platts 15^th Annual Steel Markets North America Conference is set for W Chicago–City Center on Thursday and Friday.  The event discussed ongoing trends in the steel market and examining evolutions in manufacturing, supply/demand, policy, international influence and more.  This annual event attracts attendees from the entire steel market including producers, traders, buyers, investors from over 100 organizations.

JHU Forum to Look at Green New Deal – The Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies holds a workshop on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. the “Politics and Implementation of U.S. Climate Policy exemplified by the Green New Deal Dialogue. In an effective policy program, evidence-based technical details must be supported by savvy political messaging and organizational implementation. This event will bring together academics, civil society groups, and policymakers for a day-long workshop on the politics and implementation of Green New Deal legislation. The central question for the day will be, what form should the Green New Deal take so as to maximize political sustainability and institutional effectiveness?

RFF, Columbia to Look at Oil Volatility – Resources for the Future and the Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy host a discussion on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. looking at economic volatility in oil producing regions.  The event examines the regional impacts of oil volatility, and discuss whether there might be a federal role in supporting producing communities. Two panels will bring together experts at the federal, state, and local levels to discuss how volatile oil prices have affected and are likely to affect the economies of producing regions, and examine potential avenues for federal intervention to support economic diversification and fiscal health in producing regions.

Senate Energy to Look at Outdoor Recreation Issues – The Senate Energy Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. in 366 Dirksen to examine opportunities to improve access, infrastructure, and permitting for outdoor recreation. 

Argentinian Energy Minister to Speak – On Thursday at 12:30 p.m., the Inter-American Dialogue hosts a conversation about energy policy in Argentina with Energy Secretary Gustavo Lopetegui.  Since the election in 2015, Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri’s has followed market-oriented energy policy, including long-needed price adjustments and gradual subsidy reductions. This policy has attracted significant investments in power generation, including renewable energy and upstream oil and gas - notably in the Vaca Muerta unconventional play.  Over the past year, Argentina has faced macroeconomic challenges that led to an agreement with the International Monetary Fund targeting a sharp fiscal deficit reduction, which requires limits on public spending across the economy. Yet the government is forging ahead in its efforts to attract energy investment, holding its third renewable energy tender since 2016 and accepting the first bids to develop offshore oil and gas in decades, both in March. With legislative and presidential elections slated for October, energy will continue to figure prominently in the Argentine political discussion.

Environmental Film Festival – Speaking of films, the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital is the world’s premier showcase of environmentally themed films.  It starts Thursday and runs to the 24^th.  Since 1993, our mission has been to celebrate Earth and inspire understanding and stewardship of the environment through the power of film.  Each March in Washington, D.C., we host the largest environmental film festival in the world, presenting 100+ films to audiences of more than 20,000. Collaborating with over 110 partners, including museums, embassies, universities, and theaters, the Festival is one of the leading annual cultural events in Washington, D.C., winning the 2017 DC Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Creative Industries.

Energy Economists Host Smart Meter Expert – The US Energy Economists host their March Monthly Luncheon on Friday at Chinatown Gardens featuring a presentation by Pasi Miettinen, CEO of Sagewell, Inc.  Sagewell provides utility smart meter data analytics software, strategic electrification programs and consulting services to utilities.

Youth Climate Rally – Kids Skipping School to go to the National Mall on Friday Afternoon to protest/march on climate. 

IN THE FUTURE

Refinery Annual Meeting Set – The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) will hold its annual meeting on March 17^th to 19^th at the Marriott Riverside in San Antonio.  The meeting is the world's premier refining meeting, assembling key executives and technical experts from refining and marketing organizations worldwide, as well as representatives from associated industries. The general session features high profile speakers who will address current issues of widespread importance to the refining industry. During management and technical sessions, leading industry experts share valuable insights with attendees on major issues, including energy and environmental initiatives, and the latest technological developments impacting refining and petrochemical industry management and performance.

MATS Rule Hearing Set for DC – Next Monday, EPA hosts its public hearing on the Mercury and Air Toxics rule at HQ in Washington

CCS Forum Set – The Global CCS Institute hosts the 8^th Annual DC Forum on CCS on Tuesday, March 19^th at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center looking at new perspectives for a decarbonized economy.  The event brings together a diverse set of speakers from the private sector, government, and NGOs to discuss the realities of decarbonizing the American economy in an effort to fight climate change. Topics will include the business of decarbonizing, the role of government - the California strategy, hydrogen economy issues and much more.

NuScale, ClearPath Nuclear Experts Headline WCEE Event – The Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment (WCEE) holds a forum next Tuesday at ClearPath (611 MD Ave, NE) to look at Nuclear Power. The event will focus on nuclear energy from an electric power perspective and will introduce nuclear energy technology and discuss its successes and failures, legislation, and demonstrations.  Speakers include NuScale’s Lenka Kollar and ClearPath’s Spencer Nelson.

Georgetown Institute to Release Report – Next Tuesday at 2:30 p.m., the Wilson Center is hosting colleagues from various organizations and programs, to inform a report by the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University. The report explores the new, dynamic Arctic and ways in which policies and partnerships may be developed to guide Arctic diplomacy in the decades to come.

Forum to Look at Mexican Energy Sector in First 100 Days of New President – Talanza Energy will host a forum in Houston, TX on March 20^th to discuss the first 100 days of the new Mexican President and its impacts on energy.  The event will look at the challenges and opportunities for the Mexican Energy sector from a risk management perspective.  Speakers will include MIT’s Lourdes Melgar (a former Mexican Undersecretary of Hydrocarbons), UHouston Law Professor Sashe Dimitroff and Talanza CEO and former Director General of E&P in the Mexican Ministry of Energy Marco Cota. 

Forum to Look at US/Ja[an Energy – The Atlantic Council's Asia Security Initiative, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, will hold a discussion on Wednesday March 20^th at 11:00 a.m. to look at how shifting geopolitics are shaping Japan's quest for energy security and its strategic implications for the US-Japan alliance moving forward.

Hogan, Others Headline Baltimore Climate Conference – C2ES and Bloomberg Philanthropies are hosting their 8^th annual Climate Leadership Conference in Baltimore on March 20^th through 22^nd.  The event brings together influential climate, energy, and sustainability professionals from around the globe to address climate change through policy, innovation, and business solutions.   Speakers will include MD Gov Larry Hogan headlines a great line up speakers including Exelon’s Chris Crane, Rep Paul Tonko our friends Abby Hopper of SEIA, BCSE’s Lisa Jacobson, Frank Sesno of GW’s SMPA, NEI’s Monica Trauzzi, Axios’ Amy Harder and CSIS’s Jerry Taylor.

FERC Looks at Cyber – FERC holds a cybersecurity meeting on Thursday March 21

Wilson to Screen China, Water Film – The Wilson Center's China Environment Forum and the Environmental Change and Security Program will host a film screening on Thursday arch 21^st at Noon for the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital. This year we are screening a new documentary, Thirst for Power, on March 21^st that takes a deep dive into water-energy confrontations facing our planet. The documentary is adapted by filmmaker Mat Hames from Dr. Michael E. Webber's book, Thirst for Power: Energy, Water, and Human Survival. Combining anecdotes and personal stories from around the world with insights into the latest science of energy and water, the film identifies a hopeful path toward wise long-range water-energy decisions and a more reliable and abundant future for humanity.  Following the film, Mat will join the China Environment Forum's Director Jennifer Turner, who has managed the Wilson Center's water-energy initiative, Global Chokepoint, for 8 years, for a discussion of the film.

World Water Day – March 22

Wilson To Screen Film for Enviro Film Festival – The Wilson Center is hosting a film screening for the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital (March 14-24). This year, Wilson is screening a new documentary Thirst for Power on Thursday March 21^st at 12:00 noon that takes a deep dive into water-energy confrontations facing our planet. Thirst for Power explores the ruins of Roman aqueducts in France, the mountains and deserts of California, and the vast landscapes of Texas, tracing the mysterious connections and growing confrontations between water and energy use. Combining personal stories with insights into the latest science of energy and water, the film identifies a hopeful path toward wise water-energy decisions and a more reliable and abundant future for humanity.  Following the screening, the filmmaker Mat Hames will join Jennifer Turner, who has managed the Wilson Center’s water-energy initiative Global Chokepoint for 8 years, for a discussion of the film.

USEA to Host African Utility Execs – The US Energy Assn will host 22 heads of utilities and energy companies from West Africa as they discuss the future of energy in the region on March 26^th at 10:00 a.m.  A strategic business plan has been developed by the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) to effectively address needs and ensure that the investment program is effective and relevant.  WAPP and ERERA executives will outline specific generation and transmission projects currently underway and in the pipeline for development and the opportunities for private investment to support and advance the economic and electrical goals of a thriving and growing region. 

RFF to Hold Carbon Price Discussion – On Thursday, March 28^th at 8:30 a.m., Resources for the Future holds an RFF Live event on price on Carbon," where we’ll speak to Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Don Beyer about their proposals for carbon dividends legislation, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing carbon pricing legislation in 2019 and beyond.

Waterpower Week Set – The National Hydropower Association’s Waterpower Week conference is set for April 1^st and 2^nd in DC.  Waterpower Week is comprised of NHA’s Annual Conference and the International Marine Renewable Energy Conference (IMREC).  Marine energy, America's next-gen renewable, is on a path towards commercialization. The conference will look at funding and maritime market opportunities to new deployments, Waterpower Week's IMREC sessions are focusing on the biggest challenges facing marine energy.  FERC’s Rich Glick and ACORE’s Greg Wetstone are speaking. 

Planet Forward Summit Set – The George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs holds the 2019 Planet Forward Summit on April 4-5^th at GW.  It will feature some of the best communicators, photographers, innovators, policymakers, and journalists in the world. Discover what “impact” really means for communicators and creatives alike, and network with influential people and organizations in sustainability and science. 

SEIA, NEI Headline MIT Energy Conference – The MIT Energy Club hosts its 2019 MIT Energy Conference on Thursday April 4^th at the Boston Marriott Cambridge.  The focus this year will be on power grids and what they may look like in 2040.  Speakers include SEIA’s Abby Hopper, NEI’s Maria Korsnick, PSEG CEO Ralph Izzo and our friends at GTM’s Energy Gang Podcast, who will do a live show.

Petraeus to Address Energy Economists Annual Meeting – The National Capitol Area Chapter of the US Association for Energy Economics is holding its 23^rd annual conference on Wednesday April 24^th at the Marvin Center Continental Ballroom at George Washington University. The theme of this year's one-day event is Energy Security.  The confirmed keynote speaker at lunch is David Petraeus, Chairman of the KKR Global Institute. General Petraeus is former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and was commanding general of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and Commander of United States Central Command.  Morning panels will focus on the international role of the United States, the perspective of the U.S. military, and the response of the refining and shipping industries to changes in emissions limits for bunker fuel. Afternoon panels will cover the security of the electric power grid and fossil fuel delivery systems.  There are many leaders from think tanks, government, the private sector and consultancies to explain how energy security concerns are driving the energy markets.