Energy Update: Week of August 13
Energy Update - August 13, 2019
Friends,
How about that energy code I put in the subject line??? Following today’s energy/manufacturing Presidential visit In Western PA, I just wanted to forward a special note because of four other major issues that have been in the news:
1. Clean Water Act reforms released Friday aimed at streamlining permitting and preventing states from creating unnecessary delays for important infrastructure projects like pipelines.
2. The EPA released its Small Refinery Exemptions (SREs) late Friday granting 31 waivers but denying 6.
3. Yesterday, Interior Department released new Endangered Species guidelines designed to increase transparency and effectiveness and bring the administration of the ESA into the 21st century.
4. 22 Blue State AGs are filing a lawsuit to attempt to block the new Trump Affordable Clean Energy rule, which replaced the previous Obama rule that was proposed but never implemented because it was block by a Supreme Court stay.
Bracewell experts and contacts are available to address all of these issues should you need any help. We have a 401 backgrounder below and Christine Wyman and Ann Navaro can help with details. Ann and Kevin Ewing can discuss the ESA, while Jeff Holmstead, a former EPA administrator is available to talk about the ACE rule and its legal challenges (Statement Below).
Outside Bracewell, INGAA President Don Santa can comment on 401 issues and pipeline (below) and the Chamber’s Global Energy Institute is weighing in on 401 and ESA. We have statements from Sen. Barrasso, small refiners and the Fueling American Jobs Coalition on the SRE issues and background. ERCC is available to discuss ACE rule.
Finally, I am adding a few really cool items: 1) a great podcast from the US Chamber with FEMA which came out of the resilience Conference it held in late July; 2) An op-ed from EIRP’s Paul Saunders in MarketWatch that looks at the effectiveness of Elizabeth Warren’s SEC climate disclosure legislation and 3) the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) released a new video out that helps shine a light on an important missing part of today’s conversation around plastic and recycling: Demand drives recycling.
Speaking of resilience and FEMA, note tomorrow’s Senate Small Biz Committee Field hearing at Gulf State College in Panama City where they will look at impacts of Hurricane Michael on small businesses. Here is an op-ed from last year’s Tallahassee Democrat written by MIT’s Jeremy Gregory on the topic of resilience.
I was out yesterday for a fun day of rollercoaster riding at Cedar Point (Ohio), but we are back in the action tomorrow and would love to connect over the next few weeks if you are around.
Call with questions,
Best,
Frank Maisano
(202) 828-5845
C. (202) 997-5932
FRANKLY SPOKEN
““The Clean Air Act requires EPA to grant relief to small refineries suffering disproportionate economic hardship under the Renewable Fuel Standard. During the Obama administration, EPA wrongly denied relief to small refineries and the federal courts rebuked the agency. The administrator deserves credit for upholding the statute and recognizing the importance of small refineries and the communities they support.”
U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) on EPA’s decision to grant small refineries hardship relief under the RFS for compliance year 2018.
ON THE PODCAST
FEMA Address Resilience from Chamber Conference – Before leaving for August recess, the U.S. Chamber Foundation convened over 450 cross-sector leaders to host its 8th Annual Building Resilience Through Private-Public Partnerships Conference, with support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Northern Command. In this podcast, FEMA speaks to private sector partners in disasters to examine best practices among all sectors coming out of recent disasters, and the opportunity for the private sector’s continued support to build a culture of resilience. Marc DeCourcey, Senior Vice President of the U.S. Chamber Foundation, kicks off the podcast to share how businesses can play a leading role in preparing, coordinating, and responding to disasters.
FUN OPINIONS
EIRP: Warren Climate Disclosure ‘Politics as Usual’ – A new op-ed piece by Energy Innovation Reform Project (EIRP) exec Paul Saunders says Presidential Candidate Elizabeth Warren’s approach to business and industry climate disclosure is distinctly politics-as-usual if you just look at her proposed Climate Risk Disclosure Act of 2019. Warren’s legislation goes well beyond the constructive objective of improving transparency and standards surrounding climate risks; it is at heart a political assault on fossil-fuel producers and consumers. The text makes clear that it is a so-called “messaging bill,” intended to send a political signal rather than to produce meaningful results. This is hardly surprising during a presidential campaign, yet it is unequivocally politics-as-usual rather than representing something new.
VIDEO REVIEW
Plastic Recyclers Release New Video: One word: plastics – The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) released a new video out that helps shine a light on an important missing part of today’s conversation around plastic and recycling: Demand drives recycling. Consumers can and do play an important role in the effectiveness of the recycling chain – both by putting recyclable material in the bin and by buying products made from recycled materials. When consumers want more products and packaging made from recycled materials, brands respond by putting more of them on the shelves. Released today, the new video helps audiences visualize the different players responsible for helping a product move along the recycling chain, from consumer to processor and all the way back to our store shelves. The bottom line: Plastic recycling already plays a critical role in the circular economy, but consumers are the ones who ultimately decide what to buy. When consumers demand more recycled material in their products, the market follows. Check out the video here.
IN THE NEWS
401 Rule
The EPA proposed rule on Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) would provide clarity to the 401 certification process and the proper role for state and federal agencies and would promote greater investment in and certainty for national infrastructure projects while continuing to protect local water quality.
Here is link to EPA Docs: https://www.epa.gov/cwa-401/updating-regulations-water-quality-certification
Here is the EPA press release:
ERCC: EPA Proposed Rule is Meaningful Step Forward – Scott Segal, director of the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, said with today’s proposed rule, EPA took meaningful steps to provide consistency and predictability to the permitting process for energy infrastructure. “Through Section 401, Congress recognized the important role states play in protecting water quality, and provided states the opportunity to evaluate the potential water quality impacts of discharges from activities requiring federal approval. Although the vast majority of Section 401 certification requests are processed as Congress intended, the polarized debate over energy infrastructure projects has led to Section 401 being misused to delay and even halt energy infrastructure projects. When the development of new energy infrastructure is frustrated, consumers lose access to clean and diverse fuel sources, costs increase, and reliability is jeopardized. The importance of natural gas pipelines and transmission development cannot be overstated as the power sector advances its goals of developing clean energy sources, electric reliability and affordability. Clarity for Section 401 is an essential prerequisite to advancing these infrastructure goals. EPA’s proposed rule provides a much needed update to outdated regulations and would align implementation of Section 401 with the statutory text and curb opportunities for misuse, while maintaining the authority of states in protecting water quality.”
INGAA Statement – Don Santa, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Clean Water Act Section 401, Water Quality Certification: "INGAA supports EPA’s proposed rule for the implementation of updated guidance pertaining to Clean Water Act Section 401 and the protection of water quality. When an infrastructure project requires federal authorization, Section 401 of the Clean Water Act provides states and tribes the opportunity to certify or deny that any discharges from the project to regulated waters will comply with applicable federal water quality standards. While the statute recognizes the distinctive roles of the federal and state governments in the environmental review process, the balance between those roles has recently been disrupted and some states have viewed Section 401 as a means of determining which interstate pipeline projects are in the public interest and which are not.
“EPA’s draft rule is necessary to restore efficient and consistent implementation of Section 401 reviews. We welcome today’s action to clarify the discrete roles of federal, state and tribal authorities throughout the Section 401 review process.”
Chamber Global Energy Institute – Christopher Guith, Acting President of the U.S. Chamber’s Global Energy Institute said: “Congress never intended for Governors to use the Clean Water Act as a political tool to block projects for reasons unrelated to clean water. We support EPA’s new rule to prevent more abuse, facilitate construction of necessary energy infrastructure, and continue economic growth.”
ADDITIONAL 401 CWA RULE BACKGROUND
Timing of Review
- The certification review period begins upon the state’s receipt of a “certification request.” EPA has proposed to define “certification request” to include several specific items.
- A reasonable period of time for Section 401 review is to be established by the federal agency within 15 days of receiving notice of the certification request from the project proponent.
- The “certifying authority is not authorized to request the project proponent to withdraw a certification request or to take any other action for the purpose of modifying or restarting the established reasonable period of time.”
Scope of Review
- EPA is proposing to define the scope of a CWA certification as limited to “assuring that a discharge from a Federally licensed or permitted activity will comply with water quality requirements.”
- “Water quality requirements” are proposed to be limited to the applicable listed provisions of the Clean Water Act and those EPA-approved state or tribal CWA regulatory program provisions.
- Any denial of a certification request must include the specific water quality requirements with which the project will not comply and an explanatory statement, including any other data that would be needed to assure that the discharge would comply.
- Any condition of a certification shall include a statement on why the condition is necessary assure compliance with a citation to the law that authorizes the condition.
- Where a federal agency determines that a denial does not meet the requirements for denial or was outside the scope of review, the federal agency shall notify the certifying agency. If a reasonable period of time has passed, the federal agency shall treat the certification as a waiver.
- If a federal agency determines that a condition is not within the scope of review or does not follow the appropriate procedure, if the certifying agency does not remedy within the reasonable period of time the federal agency shall not incorporate the condition into the license or permit.
SREs Granted – EPA granted 31 small refinery waiver exemptions from the biofuel blending requirements under the 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard. That represents a slight reduction in exemptions issued for 2017, when EPA approved 35 exemptions in total. EPA said it had denied six requests for 2018 exemptions
What they said – Here are couple of key statements:
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) on Twitter – “I applaud @realDonaldTrump for standing with farmers and refinery workers in Texas and across the country who have helped fuel our economy, agricultural industry, and energy independence.
Senate EPW Chair John Barrasso – Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) – which has jurisdiction over EPA and RFS, Sen. Barrasso applauded Administrator Wheeler for setting aside politics and following the law,” said Barrasso. “The Clean Air Act requires EPA to grant relief to small refineries suffering disproportionate economic hardship under the Renewable Fuel Standard. During the Obama administration, EPA wrongly denied relief to small refineries and the federal courts rebuked the agency. The administrator deserves credit for upholding the statute and recognizing the importance of small refineries and the communities they support.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said the rule was a small step in the right direction, but said he remains very skeptical that every company receiving waivers truly needs them. “I’m concerned about EPA’s RVO estimates. Considering EPA estimated zero waivers last year and now it’s announcing it will issue 30, it is unreasonable to expect EPA will follow through on its zero estimate for next year. EPA needs to provide a more reasonable estimate and account for any anticipated waivers in the next RVO rule in order to not undermine the RFS. “I will continue pushing to ensure EPA issues fewer waivers that are based on true need.”
Small Refiners Coalition – Small Refiners Coalition’s LeAnn Johnson said they pleased that the 2018 decisions are finally out. “Capital planning is difficult without knowing whether your refinery needs to set aside millions of dollars for RIN purchases. USDA’s demand for small refinery hardship information undoubtedly caused or contributed to the delay in issuing the 2018 decisions. The decision to grant small refinery hardship is a legal decision, not a political one, and we’re pleased that USDA’s influence didn’t cause EPA to depart from the rule of law. We believe the myth that granting small refinery hardship causes demand destruction has finally been debunked. EIA’s data demonstrates that the average ethanol blend rate thus far in 2019 is 10.2 percent, which is higher than the 10.03 percent blend rate over the same period last year. The Department of Energy 2011 study on small refinery hardship predicted that the harm to small refineries would become increasingly acute as the volume mandates increased. Therefore, the increase in the number of small refineries receiving relief is entirely consistent with DOE’s prediction.”
Fueling American Jobs – Members of the Fueling American Jobs Coalition said it was pleased that EPA followed the law and the will of Congress to relieve RFS compliance burdens faced by small refineries across the country. SREs provide a critical safety valve for the country’s most vulnerable refineries, and are essential to implementing the RFS in a balanced manner that supports U.S. biofuel production while protecting American refining jobs and consumer fuel supplies.
FAJC: “President Trump and his Administration have devoted both time and effort to finding commonsense RFS policy solutions that protect all stakeholders. The systematic consideration and appropriate granting of SREs, undertaken in accordance with the Clean Air Act and as affirmed by multiple court decisions, is absolutely necessary to ensure that the RFS avoids punitively damaging our country’s critical refining sector and raising consumer fuel costs. Often lost in the relentless political back-and-forth around RFS policy—and the lawful issuance of SREs in particular—is the fact that each and every refinery in this nation requires a tremendous investment of financial and human resources, providing secure fuels and jobs that help sustain entire communities. SREs provide flexibility without any diminishment in the demand for ethanol, as demonstrated by impartial data. We thank the Administration for its strong support of refiners across the United States. The Fueling American Jobs Coalition is a coalition of union workers, mom & pop gas station owners, small retailers, and independent American oil refiners fighting for a commonsense fix EPA's RFS.
ADDITIONAL SRE BACKGROUND
Governors Raising Concerns – Both Democrat and Republican Govs. Greg Abbott (TX), Tom Wolf (PA) and Phil Bryant (MS) argued against limiting the use of small refinery exemptions (SREs), saying it is inconsistent with law and represents a step away from sound energy and environmental policy.
Abbott: http://www.fuelingusjobs.com/library/public/Letters/O-WheelerAndrew201907120355.pdf
Congressional Intent – Congressional intent in the direction of the Appropriations Last year, the Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee John Barrasso (R-WY) and Sen. Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) wrote EPA affirming their “strong support” for “providing, as Congress intended, relief to small refineries suffering hardship” under the RFS. They noted that they were “deeply troubled by the recent attacks on hardship relief for small refineries” and were opposed to any reallocation of SRE volumes back to refineries that do not qualify for relief of this nature.
Barrasso/Capito:
PA House Members Support for SREs:
http://www.fuelingusjobs.com/library/public/Letters/PA-RFS-Refinery-Letter-to-POTUS.pdf
Endangered Species Act Reforms
U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt unveiled new improvements to the implementing regulations of the ESA designed to increase transparency and effectiveness and bring the administration of the Act into the 21st century.
Bernhardt Says – “The best way to uphold the Endangered Species Act is to do everything we can to ensure it remains effective in achieving its ultimate goal—recovery of our rarest species. The Act’s effectiveness rests on clear, consistent and efficient implementation,” Secretary Bernhardt said. “An effectively administered Act ensures more resources can go where they will do the most good: on-the-ground conservation.”
The Changes – The changes finalized apply to ESA sections 4 and 7. Section 4, among other things, deals with adding species to or removing species from the Act’s protections and designating critical habitat; section 7 covers consultations with other federal agencies. ESA directs that determinations to add or remove a species from the lists of threatened or endangered species be based solely on the best available scientific and commercial information, and these will remain the only criteria on which listing determinations will be based. The regulations retain language stating, “The Secretary shall make a [listing] determination solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial information regarding a species’ status.” The revisions to the regulations clarify that the standards for delisting and reclassification of a species consider the same five statutory factors as the listing of a species in the first place. This requirement ensures that all species proposed for delisting or reclassification receive the same careful analysis to determine whether or not they meet the statutory definitions of a threatened or endangered species as is done for determining whether to add a species to the list.
Critical Habitat – While this administration recognizes the value of critical habitat as a conservation tool, in some cases, designation of critical habitat is not prudent. Revisions to the regulations identify a non-exhaustive list of such circumstances, but this will continue to be rare exceptions.
When designating critical habitat, the regulations reinstate the requirement that areas where threatened or endangered species are present at the time of listing be evaluated first before unoccupied areas are considered. This reduces the potential for additional regulatory burden that results from a designation when species are not present in an area. In addition, the regulations impose a heightened standard for unoccupied areas to be designated as critical habitat. On top of the existing standard that the designated unoccupied habitat is essential to the conservation of the species, it must also, at the time of designation, contain one or more of the physical or biological features essential to the species’ conservation. To ensure federal government actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or destroy or adversely modify their critical habitat, federal agencies must consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service under section 7 of the Act. The revisions to the implementing regulations clarify the interagency consultation process and make it more efficient and consistent.
Alternative Consultations – The revisions codify alternative consultation mechanisms that may provide greater efficiency for how ESA consultations are conducted. They also establish a deadline for informal consultations to provide greater certainty for federal agencies and applicants of timely decisions, without compromising conservation of ESA-listed species. Revisions to the definitions of “destruction or adverse modification,” “effects of the action” and “environmental baseline” further improve the consultation process by providing clarity and consistency.
Blanket Rule – In addition to the final joint regulations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a separate revision rescinding its “blanket rule” under section 4(d) of the ESA. The rule had automatically given threatened species the same protections as endangered species unless otherwise specified.
The National Marine Fisheries Service has never employed such a blanket rule, so the new regulations bring the two agencies into alignment. The change impacts only future threatened species’ listings or reclassifications from endangered to threatened status and does not apply to species already listed as threatened. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will craft species-specific 4(d) rules for each future threatened species determination as deemed necessary and advisable for the conservation of the species, as has been common practice for many species listed as threatened in recent years.
From comments received during the public comment period in making these regulatory changes, concerns were raised regarding the lack of transparency in making listing decisions and the economic impact associated with determinations. Public transparency is critical in all government decision making, and the preamble to the regulation clarifies that the ESA does not prohibit agencies from collecting data that determine this cost and making that information available, as long as doing so does not influence the listing determination.
Defenders of Wildlife Opposed – Jamie Rappaport Clark, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, said the world is facing a sixth extinction crisis, but the Trump administration is focused on weakening the world’s most successful law to conserve imperiled species. “Earlier this year, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services sounded the alarm that up to 1 million species may be threatened with extinction in coming years if we don’t take action. Instead of undercutting the Endangered Species Act and other bedrock environmental laws, we should be strengthening these laws to improve their effectiveness for people and wildlife. The sweeping changes made in these new regulations, however, will diminish the effectiveness of the Act and further imperil species already on the brink of extinction. Wildlife depends on the protections provided by the Endangered Species Act for their very lives. Yet, despite strong public opposition, the Trump administration is blindly moving ahead with these destructive and reckless policy changes. Defenders of Wildlife will continue to push the administration and Congress to do what science is telling us and what the overwhelming majority of Americans want – to ensure threatened and endangered wildlife are protected and recovered for future generations.”
See the Rules – The final regulations submitted to the Federal Register can be found here: https://www.fws.gov/endangered/improving_ESA/regulation-revisions.html.
States Sue Over New Affordable Clean Energy Rule
22 States File Challenge – A coalition of mostly Democratic-led states has filed a lawsuit against EPA Affordable Clean Energy rule. Attorneys general from 22 states and several major cities including New York City and Los Angeles argue that the rule violates the Clean Air Act by having virtually no impact on carbon emissions
Holmstead on the ACE Legal Challenge – Jeff Holmstead, a former EPA Air Office head, said there would be lawsuits from lots of folks who are eager to show that they will fight the Trump Administration on anything having to do with climate change, but they would have an uphill battle.
Here are some Quick Points from Holmstead:
- Today’s lawsuit is hardly a surprise, but it shows just how divided states are on these issues. Trump opponents have managed to round up 22 states to challenge the ACE rule – not quite as many as the 27 states that challenge the Obama Clean Power Plant but still a large number. Most of the other states are expected to support the Trump rule. Not many states will be sitting this one out.
- A lot of things that we’ve heard today from the AGs should be viewed as political statements designed to show that they care about climate change and are determined to fight the Trump Administration at every turn. But the legal arguments are much more granular and have to do with the specific language of certain provisions of the Clean Air Act.
- From a public policy perspective, we should hope that this case goes to the Supreme Court – so that everyone who cares about climate change will know the limits of what EPA can do under current law to reduce industrial CO2 emissions. The Obama EPA claimed that it had broad authority to restructure the power sector and ensure that coal-fired power plants are replaced by wind and solar plants. The Supreme Court stepped in to keep this rule from going into effect, but it never made a final ruling on it. The Trump rule takes a much narrower view of EPA’s authority, but it’s not a novel interpretation of the Clean Air Act. It’s the same interpretation that EPA had taken in the 40 years before the Obama EPA announced its Clean Power Plan.
- If Trump gets a second term, it seems almost certain that this case will go to the Supreme Court, and I think there are at least five Justices who will agree with the Trump EPA on this one. If so, it will be clear to everyone that EPA’s authority to mandate CO2 reductions under current law is pretty limited. Yes, they can regulate CO2 emissions from industrial facilities, but those regulations will achieve only modest emission reductions. If this is the case, supporters of aggressive climate change action will need to persuade Congress to pass new legislation. They won’t be able to depend on EPA, regardless of which party controls the White House.
WV AG Morrisey Says States Suing are Dead Wrong – West Virginia AG Patrick Morrisey and a 27-state coalition applauded President Trump’s proposed replacement of the Clean Power Plan. Regarding the suit, Morrisey said his colleagues on the other side of the aisle are dead wrong in their interpretation of the Clean Air Act. Morrisey: “The CAA was not written to compel one type of energy producer to cross-subsidize another. Neither it nor the Constitution allow the EPA to serve as a central energy planning authority. West Virginia will fight this 22-state big government ‘power grab’ lawsuit and advance some of same arguments that helped our 27-state coalition obtain a stay of the so-called Clean Power Plan at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016. Those filing today’s lawsuit will ultimately fail at the Supreme Court.”
ACE Rule – EPA issued the final Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule – replacing the prior administration’s overreaching Clean Power Plan (CPP) with a rule that restores the rule of law and empowers states to continue to reduce emissions while providing affordable and reliable energy for all Americans. The final rule is the culmination of a review of the CPP, which followed challenges from a large number of states, trade associations, rural electric co-ops, and labor unions who argued that the CPP exceeded EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act, and led to an unprecedented stay of the Obama rule by the Supreme Court in 2016.
- The text of the final rule is here: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-06/documents/frn_ace_2060-at67_final_rule_20190618disc.pdf
- Fact sheet: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-06/documents/bser_and_eg_fact_sheet_6.18.19_final.pdf
- Emissions trends under ACE: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-06/documents/ace_co2_trends_6.18.19_final.pdf
- Fact sheet on the RIA: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-06/documents/ace_ria_fact_sheet_6.18.19_final.pdf
- Fact sheet on CPP repeal: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-06/documents/cpp_repeal_fact_sheet_6.18.19_final.pdf
- Fact sheet on revised 111d implementing regulations: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2019-06/documents/111d_implementing_regulations_fact_6.18.19_final.pdf
UPCOMING ON THE SCHEDULE
AWEA’s AMERICAN WIND Week – Remember, this week is the American Wind Energy Assn’s annual American Wind Energy Week through Saturday. Each year in August, wind companies and supporters now host a wide variety of events around the country that show how wind works for all Americans. Elected officials will visit wind farms and factories across the country to show their support.
Forum to Hear Oil, Gas Execs – Tomorrow is the last day of EnerCom’s THE Oil & Gas Conference at the Westin Denver Downtown. The event features the world’s key senior management teams that will present their growth plans and provides industry professionals a venue to learn about important energy topics affecting the global oil and gas industry.
Ethanol Conference Set for Omaha – The 32nd annual American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) conference is set for Omaha on August for tomorrow through Friday. Expect a lot of discussion about the SRE issue detailed above.
NAS Webinar Looks at Water Issues – The National Academy of Sciences Water Science and Technology Board holds a webinar tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. on a report titled "Managing Legionella in Water Systems."
Senate Field Hearing Looks at Hurricane Michael – Tomorrow, the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:30 Central at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL looking at Hurricane Michael's Impact on Northwest Florida's Small Businesses.
Chamber Forum to Look at Sustainability – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation hosts Sustainability and Circular Economy Summit on Thursday and Friday. This year’s Summit will convene a diverse group of decision-makers from across sectors to educate one another on replicable, successful initiatives and benchmark strategies for impact through 2030 and beyond. The agenda will feature insights on how to form innovative cross-industry collaborations, execute on upcoming sustainability commitments, and anticipate and address the next frontier of sustainability issues. Speakers will go beyond the “what” of sustainability programs and priorities to explain the “how” behind implementing such initiatives within an organization.
CNN Sets Climate Town Hall – On Wednesday in New York City, CNN will hold a town hall on the climate crisis for interested Democratic presidential candidates who meet polling thresholds, according to the network. Candidates will appear one after another during the event.
Chatterjee, Cruz, Graves to Headline Oil Forum – U.S. Energy Stream’s Houston Oil Forum 2019 will be held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Petroleum Club of Houston, in Houston, Texas. Sen Ted Cruz, FERC Chair Neil Chatterjee, Reps Garret Graves, Pete Olson and Lizzie Fletcher and many others will speak.
RFG, Biodiesel Conference Set – The OPIS RFS2, RINs & Biodiesel Forum kicks off on September 23-25th in Chicago. The conference will examine the legal landscape for the RFS with a panel of attorneys providing a rundown on how Washington policy may change in the upcoming election year, as well as current cases before the courts, including the oil refining industry challenge to the E15 rule.
National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) set for September – The National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) described by POLITICO as “a veritable who’s who of the Clean Energy World” will be September 23-27 and sent out speaker information ahead of its third annual celebration. ClearPath will be involved, celebrating and raising awareness for reducing emissions through clean energy technologies.