Energy Update: Week of December 8
Energy Update - December 08, 2025
Friends,
Pantone has revealed its highly anticipated 2026 Color of the Year and it is. . . white. . . Well, technically it’s called Cloud Dancer, but it’s basically white. The company says its “lofty white serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection.” Much needed here in Washington!!! Yesterday, we solemnly remembered the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor 84 years ago – a date that will live in infamy.
Coming off his Kennedy Center weekend, President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will announce $12 billion support payments to farmers suffering from export losses this afternoon. The President also goes to Pennsylvania midweek to highlight the economy and manufacturing.
This is the second-to-last week in session this year for Congress. The Senate returns this afternoon and the House comes back tomorrow evening. It is finally Permitting Week. The next 10 days or so are a key moment to get the Congressional discussion really moving in Congress. House Resources Chair Bruce Westerman will have his SPEED Act on the floor next week, hoping to deliver a strong bipartisan start that can create momentum for Senate action. As reported by our friend Josh Siegel, there is some banter from both sides about trying to block the SPEED Act over either not doing enough or doing too much – which makes me think that Westerman may have the porridge juuussssttt right (at least for a starting-point marker). Happy to discuss those issue and find you sources.
Before the SPEED vote, the House will vote on permitting bills this week from Energy/Commerce and Transportation/Infrastructure committees, including limiting states' Clean Water Act authority under Section 401 to block infrastructure projects (PERMIT Act, HR 3898), two grid bills on reliability/affordability (HR 3628) and the electric supply chain (HR 3638) and expanding FERC’s role in permitting reviews for natural gas pipelines (HR 3668). Leading lawmakers also unveiled the compromise version of the NDAA (annual defense policy bill) that would authorize more than $900 billion in national security spending (and a few energy issues), including provisions intended to shore up the DoD nuclear energy issues, support for critical mineral recycling, expand US leadership in nuclear energy technology, eliminate a “preference” for procuring EVS/hybrids and address PFAS water contamination issues. What is not included is the bipartisan effort to improve mapping of critical minerals and a year-round E15 compromise.
Events this week include CSIS permitting discussion on NPC findings this morning; Axios permitting event tomorrow morning; SAFE critical mineral events tomorrow and Wednesday; US Energy Association presser on permitting and CQRollcall Energy 2025 Energy wrap up on Wednesday; the Atlantic Council’s 2025 Critical Minerals Supply Chains Summit on Thursday; and Friday’s Carbon Capture Coalition launch of a new "Coffee and Carbon Management" briefing series.
Finally, former Hill and Administration tax/budget expert Kimberly Pinter has joined Bracewell’s Policy Resolution Group (PRG) as a senior counsel in DC. Pinter was deputy assistant secretary for legislative affairs (tax/budget) at Treasury and worked on Capitol Hill as tax/economic policy counsel for Sen. Ted Cruz, tax counsel to House Small Business Chairman Steve Chabot and as tax counsel to Sen. Craig Thomas (R-WY) on Senate Finance. She also worked at NAM and Pfizer.
This weekend is my favorite football game of the year: Army-Navy, this year in M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The College Football Playoffs are set with Indiana the top seed (after its big win over Ohio St. in the Big 10 Championship). The Buckeyes fall back to #2 after the close lose, followed by Georgia and Texas Tech. And kudos to Tulane and James Madsion who both made the 12-team playoff field.
Let’s talk permitting….Call with questions.
Best,
Frank Maisano
(202) 828-5864
C. (202) 997-5932
FRANKLY SPOKEN
“There’s probably not any one issue that effects every American more than NEPA other than tax policy. Some way or another the NEPA process effects all Americans.”
House Resources Chair Bruce Westerman on permitting reform, pointing to its impact on ports, airports, pipelines and the grid.
ON THE PODCAST
Harder Discusses Climate Reporting Challenges – In this week’s Columbia Energy Exchange podcast, host Bill Loveless talks to reporter Amy Harder about the state of energy and climate journalism. Amy is the national energy correspondent for Axios and has been covering energy and climate for more than 15 years. They discuss the state of energy and climate journalism and how the rise of AI impacted the beat. They also address what are the most powerful levers energy and climate reporters can use right now to reach wider audiences and cover the energy transition thoroughly and with integrity.
Graff Highlights Hydrogen Future on Baker Institute Podcast – In this episode of the Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies, “The Energy Forum” podcast, energy and transportation policy fellow Ed Emmett talks with Michael Graff, former chairman and CEO of American Air Liquide, about hydrogen’s past, present, and future. Together, they explore how this versatile fuel fits into today’s energy transition and what it will take to make it a truly global solution.
FUN OPINIONS
Lippold: Falling Behind China Poses Real Security Risks – In an op-ed in Sunday’s Providence Journal, former USS Cole Commander Kirk Lippold writes Political fights, policy reversals, and regulatory delays have slammed the brakes on renewable development and discouraged future growth, with investment falling 36% in the first half of 2025. That drop comes despite U.S. electricity demand hitting record levels, with expectations of sharp increases in future years due to data center growth and other demands. The energy policy decisions we make today will shape America’s strength for decades. If we allow countries like China to seize the energy advantage uncontested, we risk becoming dependent in the very arena that underpins national security. We cannot afford to become beholden to a strong and energy diverse China. We still have time to lead—but only if we treat energy innovation as a critical pillar of national security interests instead of a political fight.
FROG BLOG
Gene Simmons, Wahington Post Opinion Maven – First off, Kiss founder and Rock legend Gene Simmons was in Washington last week to testify before Congress and receive an award at the Kennedy Center event. And while I didn't promote it in the update because it is not an energy issue, anytime Gene Simmons has an op-ed in the Washington Post, it seems like it ought to be in my update.
FUN FACTS
Oil remains range-bound as peace negotiations continue: Crude prices and positions have been little changed in recent weeks as traders and investors try to discern the probability of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in negotiations mediated by the United States. Suspension of hostilities would end attacks on Russia’s refineries and exports, and likely be conditional on some relaxation of sanctions, all of which would add to the availability of crude
IN THE NEWS
AES: Vaitheeswaran 2025 Energy Writer of the Year – The American Energy Society named long-time Climate/Energy reporter Vijay Vaitheeswaran has been selected as the 2025 Energy Writer of the Year for his insightful analysis and wide-ranging contributions to energy media, from print articles and in-depth special reports to podcasts and newsletters. The Global Energy and Climate Innovation Editor for The Economist, Mr. Vaitheeswaran was selected to receive the coveted award for his intellectual rigor, his even-handed treatment of competing ideas, his extraordinary command of an enormous subject, and his masterful storytelling. He joins a prestigious list of award recipients that include Pulitzer Prize-winner Daniel Yergin, Vaclav Smil and Katharine Hayhoe.
REPORT: CRA Experts Say Offshore Wind Improved Reliability, Reduces Costs – A new report from energy experts at Charles River Associates says Offshore wind improves reliability and lower electricity costs during the Northeast’s most demanding grid conditions. Without offshore wind, New England energy costs would rise roughly 10% and New York State blackout risks would increase roughly 25%. The new findings coincide with the onset of winter weather in the Northeast, which is causing increasing stress on the region’s electric grid. According to CRA, offshore wind performs strongly during severe cold weather periods when available natural gas supplies are often prioritized for residential heating. It also alleviates pressure on co-generation power plants to burn higher cost alternatives like fuel oil, saving ratepayers money while helping keep available supplies in circulation for homes and buildings that rely on heating oil.
“CRA’s new report highlights how locally generated resources like offshore wind can provide large-scale power during high-stress periods on the Northeast grid, boosting its reliability while helping to control power costs across New England and New York,” said Hillary Bright, Executive Director of Turn Forward. “Offshore wind is emerging as a critical solution to help us cope with surging electricity demand driven by data centers, electrification, and economic growth.”
The new report builds on a November publication by CRA that assessed generation options to bolster the strength and reliability of America’s electric grid in the face of an ‘imminent resource adequacy crisis’ caused by rising power demand and mounting challenges to reliable delivery.
Letter Urges Permit Reform – A broad coalition of business groups from across the energy supply chain sent a letter urging congressional leaders to support long-overdue reforms to the federal permitting system and ensure Americans have access to affordable, reliable energy as demand accelerates. Signers include API, the American Exploration & Production Council, American Gas Association, American Clean Power Association, Edison Electric Institute, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, Liquid Energy Pipeline Association and Natural Gas Supply Association.
“Rising energy demand and increasing power costs are exposing the immediate need for more energy infrastructure. Unfortunately, weaknesses in the existing permitting process are preventing essential projects from advancing,” the groups wrote in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “Clear, consistent, durable permitting statutes and rules are crucial to ensuring that projects proceed through the permitting process to completion.”
Next week, the House is expected to hold floor votes on three critical permitting reform bills, including H.R. 4776 the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, which returns the National Environmental Policy (NEPA) Act to its intended purpose of protecting the environment while enabling timely infrastructure development.
Letter Urges Admin, Congress to Resolve E15/SRE Issue – Another new coalition letter urges the Administration and Congress to provide long-term certainty for the transportation fuels sector and resolve E15/SRE issues after all. The groups signed onto this letter are a broad and uniquely aligned coalition representing the oil refiners, ethanol producers, fuel marketers, convenience stores, and travel plaza operators that have come together with the common goal to provide affordable, reliable liquid fuels for consumers across the United States. The letter underscores two shared priorities: establishing year-round, nationwide access to E15 to reduce regulatory fragmentation, and reforming the Small Refinery Exemption program to ensure greater predictability, stability, and fairness across the fuel marketplace. This coalition reflects support for a more reliable national fuel supply chain and enhance planning and investment across all segments of the industry. Including API, Growth Energy, National Assn of Convenience Stores, NATSO (representing America’s Travel Centers and Truck Stops), the Renewable Fuels Association and SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers.
NASA Awards Liquid Hydrogen Supply Contracts – NASA announced that it has selected Plug Power and Air Products to supply up to approximately 36,952,000 pounds of liquid hydrogen for use at facilities in several states, including Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, and Ohio. NASA’s Agency-wide Supply of Liquid Hydrogen awards are firm-fixed-price requirements contracts that include multiple firm-fixed-price delivery orders critical for the agency’s centers as they use liquid hydrogen, combined with liquid oxygen, as fuel in cryogenic rocket engines, and the commodity’s unique properties support the development of aeronautics. Plug is providing up to 480,000 pounds for two facilities in Ohio for a maximum value of $2.8 million. Air Products is providing up to 36.5 million pounds for various NASA facilities in Florida, Alabama and Mississippi for a value of up to $144.4 million.
New Study Looks at Digital Energy Systems – As energy systems become more digital and decentralized, utilities are grappling with the complexity of managing millions of connected devices. EV chargers, rooftop solar, home batteries and smart appliances are transforming how electricity is generated, stored, and used, creating new opportunities — and new risks — for grid reliability and cybersecurity. This new report from Heatmap Labs and Kraken explores how proven cloud computing strategies can help utilities navigate this transition. The report outlines how cloud thinking can support a smarter, more stable energy system, helping grids remain resilient, secure and flexible as they scale to meet rising demand.
ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
CSIS Looks at Permitting – Today at 9:30 a.m., the Center for Strategic and International Studies holds a discussion on solutions for America's permitting challenge, featuring a presentation of the National Petroleum Council’s report. Speakers include DOE’s Assistant Energy Secretary for Fossil Energy Kyle Haustveit, TC Energy’s Alex Oehler, Williams Erin Potter Sullenger and ClearPath’s Lisa Epifani.
Axios Looks at Permitting – Tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m., Axios holds a discussion on the prospects for permitting reform. The Axios Live event explores the next phase of permitting reform on Capitol Hill by looking at the latest proposed policies and how streamlining permitting could impact America’s economic growth. Speakers include Rep. Julie Fedorchak Se. John Hickenlooper and Sen. Brian Schatz.
SAFE Holds Critical Minerals Webinars – Securing America's Future Energy Center for Critical Mineral Strategy holds two virtual briefings on critical minerals. First at 9:30 a.m., experts will look at price support policies for critical minerals. Speakers will outline the main price support mechanisms available to policymakers, provide grounding in how these tools function in current market conditions, and examine how they can complement other policy measures such as tariffs, traceability, and procurement preferences. Speakers include House Select Committee on the CCP Chairman John Moolenaar. Then on Wednesday, SAFE holds its Waste to Wealth: Leveraging Byproducts for Mineral Dominance webinar. Speakers will dive into recent research on unrecovered critical minerals in U.S. metal mine ores and examine how recovery can support mineral security and what’s needed to enable it at scale. Speakers include House Environment Subcommittee Chair Gary Palmer.
Heritage Hosts Infrastructure Forum – The Heritage Foundation holds a virtual discussion tomorrow at 1:00 p.m., on financing global energy and infrastructure. Former Trump administration officials David Malpass and Mitchell Silk explore how America can deliver a compelling alternative to China's infrastructure projects and financing.
Forum Looks at Environmental Movement – Green 2.0 holds a virtual discussion tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on building a resilient environmental movement. The event focuses on the results of the 2025 Transparency Report and how we can implement employee experience best practices that support all employees to build a resilient environmental workforce.
RFF Forum Looks at Grid, Energy Transitions – Tomorrow at 4:00 p.m., the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy and Resources for the Future hold a conversation with Sanya Carley and David Konisky, co-authors of Power Lines: The Human Costs of American Energy in Transition. RFF’s Daniel Raimi will moderate the discussion unpacking the human centered complexities of America’s energy transition.
Semafor to Look at Permitting Reform – Semafor holds a forum tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. powering America’s future. This program will unpack what’s at stake. Conversations will explore where streamlining the permitting process can unlock opportunity, the political and regulatory hurdles that remain, and the creative, practical solutions with genuine support across the aisle. Govs. Josh Shapiro and Kevin Stitt will address the issues.
House Science Looks at Space, Tech Leadership – The House Science Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on the Genesis Mission, The hearing will prioritizing American science and technology leadership.
Forum Looks at Climate Education – The Brookings Institution holds a virtual discussion on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on empowering adolescents and youths through climate education and action across eastern and southern Africa. The webinar explores insights from over 200 adolescents, youths, educators, and stakeholders across Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa, Rwanda, and Kenya. This event will center adolescent and youths’ experiences, challenges, and solutions in climate education while emphasizing empowerment and future-oriented action.
House Resources Focuses on NGO Enviro Act Legislation Abuse – The House Natural Resources Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:15 p.m. looking at abuse of the Equal Access to Justice Act by Environmental NGOs.
USEA Looks at Permitting in Presser – The US Energy Association holds a virtual media briefing on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., on licensing and permitting reform. The event will look at how the administration will succeed in untying the knots of permitting regulation and results will be. Among the speakers are former FERC commissioner Phil Moeller and TC Energy’s Alex Oehler, while reporters questioners include Our friends Jennifer Hiller of the WSJ and Tim Gardner of Reuters.
Forum Looks at 2025 Energy Policy – CQ Roll Call and FiscalNote hold a virtual discussion on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., on U.S. Energy Policy in 2025. CQ Roll Call’s energy reporters David Jordan and Kelly Livingston unpack the dramatic shift in U.S. energy priorities and what it means for your strategy in the year ahead.
USTR Holds Environment USMCA meeting – On Thursday at 10:00 a.m., the Office of the US Trade Representative holds a meeting of the parties to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement's Environment Committee.
Critical Minerals Forum Set – The Atlantic Council holds its 2025 Critical Minerals Supply Chains Summit. This inaugural summit will convene senior government officials, industry leaders, and global experts to chart a path toward secure and competitive minerals supply chains. Through a series of high-level conversations, the event will explore how evolving US financing authorities, strategic global partnerships, and innovation-led resilience can unlock growth and secure the foundation of the energy and manufacturing economy. Speakers include Inferior’s Leslie Beyer, DOE’s Angelos Kokkinos and our friend Kathryn Clay of WP intelligence, among others.
CEN Webinar Looks at Transmission – The Conservative Energy Network holds a webinar on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. looking at the high cost of inaction on the transmission grid and how they undercut America's growth. This webinar will unpack how postponing transmission development raises costs, shrinks benefits, and limits our ability to meet tomorrow’s demands and what conservative policy leaders can do about it.
Carbon Management Discussion Set – On Friday at 9:45 a.m., the Carbon Capture Coalition launches a new "Coffee and Carbon Management" briefing series. The briefing will be a regular series of informal, on the record briefings about the latest in federal carbon management policy and a look ahead to 2026. The Coalition will host the series in their DC office and online on Zoom several times a year when relevant to the broader national conversation about related issues.
Forum to Look at Clean Energy, EE Issues – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) holds a briefing on Friday at Noon looking at the state of federal clean energy and energy efficiency tax credits. This briefing will review how the One Big Beautiful Bill Act modified or altogether ended 12 key tax credits, including those for electric vehicles, renewables, biofuels, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and energy efficiency. The briefing will share ways companies and consumers are adapting to this new landscape, as well as the short- and long-term implications for the energy industry, developers, and manufacturers. Panelists will also explore the outlook for using federal tax policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy bills for households and businesses, and increase resilience to climate impacts while advancing U.S. competitiveness on the global stage.
IN THE FUTURE
December 14-22 – Hanukkah
CSIS to Holds 2025 Critical Mineral Summit – The CSIS Critical Minerals Security Program holds its flagship event, Critical Minerals: 2025 Year in Review & Looking Ahead to 2026 on Monday December 15th. This full day gathering will bring together policymakers, industry executives, and thought leaders to reflect on key trends in critical mineral markets and policy over the past year and explore what lies ahead. The event will feature a series of fireside chats and keynotes from Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), alongside panel discussions with leaders from government and industry. Speakers will explore how the minerals landscape has shifted in defense, domestic processing, and diplomacy, as well as offer a forward-looking forecast as the U.S. strengthens its mineral production and processing capabilities to meet evolving demand.
Forum Looks at EV Affordability – Advanced Energy United holds a webinar on Monday December 15th at 2:00 p.m. looking at vehicle electrification and affordability. In this webinar, industry experts will discuss how states are using managed charging, flexible load, and proactive planning to turn EV adoption into a tool for affordability. Panelists will explore real-world examples of states that are aligning investment and policy strategies to harness the benefits of EV integration and actionable strategies to prepare the grid for large-scale EV adoption. EPRI’s Katherine Stainken leads the speakers.
Wright Headlines C3 Energy Leadership Forum – Next Monday December 15th at the Spy Museum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright will headline the C3 American Leadership in Energy Innovation Summit where the event will explore the policies needed to ensure families and businesses have access to affordable, reliable power and how the United States can achieve energy dominance. It is a great line up of speakers in addition to Wright, including NEDC Director Jarrod Agen, DOE Energy Dominance Financing Office head Greg Beard, ARPA-A’s Conner Prochaska, Reps. August Pfluger and Celeste Maloy and industry sector experts like CEBA head Rich Powell and ClearPath CEO Jeremy Harrell.
Nuke Group Holds Annual Winter Meeting – The U.S. Nuclear Industry Council holds its annual Winter Members Meeting in Washington, DC on December 16th.
DOE Critical Minerals Forum Set – On Tuesday December 16th at 1:00 p.m., DOE’s Critical Materials Collaborative will convene stakeholders and address how to strengthen education and workforce development efforts to meet the urgent demand for a skilled and abundant domestic critical minerals and materials (CMM) supply chain workforce. The virtual event will spotlight DOE’s current and upcoming efforts to build a strong CMM workforce, share perspectives from educators and innovators driving progress in this field, and invite a broader community of workforce partners to join the conversation and help amplify these efforts nationwide, while also informing opportunities for potential collaboration with other federal agencies.
December 25 – Christmas Day
January 1 – New Year's Day
API Holds State of Energy Event – The American Petroleum Institute holds its annual 2026 State of American Energy forum on Tuesday January 13, 2026 at The Anthem starting at 8:00 a.m.
Chamber Sets State of American Business – The US Chamber holds Its annual State of American Business event on Thursday December 15th at the Chamber HQ. Chamber CEO Suzanne Clark hosts key leaders from different sectors and certainly energy is likely to a major topic.
AGA Talks 2026 NatGas Outlook – the American Gas Assn holds its 2026 Natural Gas Policy Outlook at it DC office on Thursday January 15th at 11:00 a.m. In addition to the year outlook, AGA will introduce its new Chair.