Energy Update: Week of February 7th

Friends,               

Don’t you just love watching the Olympics.  So much great stuff even with NBC trying to roll in the politics of China and world.  Just forget that and love the competition.  And I don’t know about you, but I will be up tonight at 11:10 p.m. watching the first version of epic US-Canada Women’s hockey battle.  I know there will be a rematch in the Medal round, but I always love watching this game.  It will even be better than the NHL All-Star game that occurred in Vegas on Saturday.

So much going this week.  And it starts tomorrow with the House Oversight Committee holding Round 2 of its investigation of oil/gas companies.  They hoped to get Board Directors from integrated oil companies, but after nearly all told them “no way,” they will now ask oil companies opponents to testify.  That should be useful. If you would rather hear something valuable on this topic, the Bipartisan Policy Center hosts a forum on Investment or Divestment on Wednesday, looking at the role of future oil and gas issues.  Our friend energy analyst Kevin Book is keynoter.

The other big hearing is Thursday’s Senate Energy look at hydrogen in the transportation, utility, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors featuring DOE Hydrogen Office Director Sunita Satyapal and Air Liquide America CEO Mike Graff.

Finally, tune in tomorrow as AGA will provide an overview of its new report, “Net-Zero Emissions Opportunities for Gas Utilities.” The study presents a national-level approach that leverages the unique advantages of gas technologies and distribution infrastructure. America’s natural gas utilities will be essential to meeting our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, including achieving net-zero emissions. AGA head Karen Harbert, Southern Gas CEO Kim Greene and AGA VP of Energy Markets Richard Meyer all address questions.

One other good event Thursday, EPSA’s Todd Snitchler joins the American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF) to look at the current lay of the land in the U.S. electricity markets and the role of competitive wholesale markets in providing reliable and affordable energy in a lower carbon future.

I will be running from event to event this week, but I will be watching the Olympics too…And don’t forget the Super Bowl Sunday from LA. It is looking good on slowing COVID, but it is still out there, so please stay safe and healthy.

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“If there is any hope in addressing global climate change, U.S. policymakers must acknowledge the facts as they are today – not as they were in 1990.”

George David Banks, former Trump Administration climate advisor, Senior Policy Fellow at CRES Forum and a primary author for a new series of papers on critical climate issues.

ON THE PODCAST

Powell Talks Clean Energy Solutions– Our friend and ClearPath CEO Rich Powell joined John Solomon and Amanda Head on Real America’s Voice to discuss clean energy solutions and focus on innovation to bring down the cost of clean energy solutions.

FUN OPINIONS

Germany Dropping Clean Energy Ball – In an opinion in Reason, Quill Robinson of the American Conservation Coalition (ACC) writes on Germany’s failed climate policies that are becoming clearer each day.  While Germany’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions was well-intentioned, its implementation has been disastrous.  Germany is projected to miss its carbon emissions goals for at least the next two year as the government has shut down nuclear power in favor of renewables and Russian natural gas.  Global leaders should learn from Germany’s mistakes and reduce emissions through market forces and economic freedom. “Germans are eagerly awaiting the completion of Nord Stream 2, a pipeline that will deliver natural gas from Russia. It will pump fossil fuel into Germany while lining the pockets of Russian oligarchs with cash. Those excommunicated nuclear plants would have provided emissions-free energy without any reliance on Russia.”

FROG BLOG

RFF/Harvard: Meeting Climate Goals Saves Lives – In a blog post by RFF’s Maya Domeshek and Dallas Burtraw regarding a new study, researchers from RFF and Harvard University look at the national health benefits related to air quality that stem from US actions to meet its nationally determined contribution under the Kyoto Protocol. They use a new method for associating changes in carbon dioxide levels with changes in local air pollutants, estimating the health benefits of a representative policy scenario for reaching the Biden administration’s pledge of a 50–52 percent reduction in net greenhouse gases from economy-wide emissions in the United States by 2030.  They find that the health benefits would be widespread and significant—totaling $33 billion per year (in 2010 dollars)—and they draw additional lessons that have relevance for people and communities across the country.

FUN FACTS

Why Can’t I Ever Find a Parking Spot: There are 8 parking spaces for every car in the US, taking up to 30% of our cities and collectively taking up as much space as the State of West Virginia. No wonder… I have to go to West Virginia to find my spot…

IN THE NEWS

Solar Tariffs Renewed – On Friday, the Biden administration extended Trump-era tariffs on solar components for another four years, with some modifications such as excluding the bifacial solar panels used in large utility-scale projects from the tariffs. This compromise is ostensibly geared toward encouraging the continued development of renewable energy capacity in the United States, while simultaneously protecting domestic solar manufacturers.  Both sides expressed disappointment, but SEIA President Abby Hopper called the administration’s move a “balanced solution.”

Manchin: BBB Dead – If it wasn’t already clear, Sen. Joe Manchin said late last week the president's Build Back Better bill is "dead." However, Manchin also said he would support the bill's provisions on renewable energy, comments that came as other Democrats encouraged both President Joe Biden and congressional leadership to push through the $555 billion in climate change initiatives as a part of passing "the strongest and most comprehensive version" of the bill possible.

Manchin, Murkowski Look to Work Together – Speaking of Manchin, he and Senate Energy ranking Republican Lisa Murkowski appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper yesterday morning, proving two senators from opposing parties can appear together and speak like reasonable adults. Manchin endorsed Murkowski, one of seven Republicans who voted to convict former President Trump in his second impeachment trial.  Trump has blasted her as "disloyal" and endorsed her opponent (which may not be as big a problem now given Alaska recent primary changes. "I'm endorsing my dear friend Lisa Murkowski. Alaska could only be so lucky to have her continue to serve them," Manchin said. "It's hypocritical to basically work with a person day in and day out and when they're in cycle, you're supposed to be against them because they have an R or D by their name."

CRES Forum Unveils Conservative Climate Policy Series – Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) Forum today launched the first installment in a new series of white papers examining the most critical climate and clean energy issues. The paper, titled “Why U.S. Climate Policy Must Focus on Addressing Global Emissions,” kicks off the “Understanding the Facts” series, which is intended to help form a strong foundation for conservative thinking around climate and clean energy solutions. Future installments of the “Understanding the Facts” series will tackle topics including: the climate benefits of using U.S. fossil fuels, critical minerals and national security, American energy innovation, manufacturing and industrial competitiveness, the power sector and consumer costs, permitting modernization and reform, agriculture and natural solutions, and transportation.

DTE Looking for More Renewables – DTE Energy will issue a request for proposals to develop up to 500 MW of wind, solar and battery storage over the next two years as demand grows in the utility’s voluntary renewable energy program. The program is currently supported by 35 industrial customers, 450 small businesses and nearly 50,000 residential ratepayers, and has doubled in size in each of the past three years, according to the utility. DTE officials say demand for the program is pushing the utility beyond the 15 percent renewable energy threshold mandated under state law.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

CA LG to Talk Climate at CSIS – Today at 3:00 p.m., CSIS hosts a conversation with California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis.  Kounalakis joins Matthew P. Goodman and Sarah Ladislaw to discuss trade, technology, climate change, and shifts in the workplace on “Economy Disrupted.” Every month, the CSIS Original Series examines a new set of disruptive forces shaping the U.S. economy and America's international leadership

Forum Looks at Climate Security – Tomorrow at 7:30 a.m., the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IIHS) holds a forum on climate change and scarcity/vulnerability of key natural resources creating additional conflicts. In this webinar, Susanne Schmeier, Mark P. Nevitt, Laura Birkman, Dr Marcus D. King and Dr Irene Mia will discuss the dynamics of natural resources weaponization in conflict in the context of accelerating climate change-induced scarcity and the implications for future policy attention. The webinar will also explore possible early warning methods to identify conflict areas/states most at risk of resources weaponization and multilateral solutions to strengthen the protection of natural resources and prevent their violent instrumentalization in conflicts.

AGA to Discuss Net-Zero Approach – In an event tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the American Gas Association (AGA) will provide an overview of its new report, “Net-Zero Emissions Opportunities for Gas Utilities.” The study presents a national-level approach that leverages the unique advantages of gas technologies and distribution infrastructure. America’s natural gas utilities will be essential to meeting our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals, including achieving net-zero emissions. AGA will provide an overview of the study’s key findings and their significance, followed by Q&A with AGA head Karen Harbert, Southern Gas CEO Kim Greene and AGA VP of Energy Markets Richard Meyer.

House Oversight Holds Another Climate Hearing on Oil Companies – Holding another hearing on oil companies and climate, the House Oversight Committee meets tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to ask industry opponents what they think of the oil companies.  That should be about as useful as the last hearing they held. Witnesses include Michael Mann, Mark van Baal of Follow This and Public Citizen’s Tracey Lewis.

House Resources to Look at Enviro Organizations – The House Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in environmental policymaking.  The hearing will look at the role of environmental organizations and grantmaking foundations.

Senate Energy Hosts Nominees – The Senate Energy Committee holds the rescheduled nomination hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. for Maria Robinson to be an assistant Energy secretary for the Office of Electricity; Joseph DeCarolis to head EIA and Laura Daniel-Davis to be an assistant Interior secretary for land and minerals management.

House Ag Looks at Farm Policy – The House Agriculture General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow to review US farm policy.

CGEP to Host Nuclear Supplier Group Panels – The Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy will host two panels of experts tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to discuss past Nuclear Suppliers Group activities as well as current policy topics confronting the group. The first panel will focus in particular on the NSG export control lists and their associated guidelines, as well as institutional aspects of the group. The second panel will highlight policy topics such as membership, outreach, and implications for the NSG from a potential growth in nuclear energy usage by 2050 to address climate change.

EU Commissioner to Talk Energy Security – The CSIS Energy Security & Climate Change Program is hosting a conversation tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. with the EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson. Commissioner Simson will discuss the reason for her visit to the United States, the meeting of the EU-US Energy Council, and the prospects for transatlantic collaboration on energy and climate. She will also discuss the latest development in European energy and the agenda for strengthening energy security. Commissioner Simon will provide an update on the European Green deal, including key items like the recent EU framework to decarbonize the gas market, promote hydrogen, reduce methane emissions and mobilize private investments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 while ensuring a just transition for workers and communities.

Sandia to Host Energy Storage Workshop – The Sandia National Labs hosts a workshop tomorrow and Wednesday that will bring together members of industry, national laboratories, universities, and government to discuss the needs, challenges, and opportunities associated with carbon-free energy and energy storage for manufacturing and industrial decarbonization.  Energy needs will first be identified for different manufacturing and industrial sectors (e.g., cement/steel production, chemical synthesis, food processing, petroleum refining). The outcome of this workshop will be a summary of needs and gaps (scale and duration), use cases, potential technologies, and a framework for implementation of energy storage for manufacturing and industrial decarbonization (Energy StorM) through initiatives such as the U.S. DOE Energy Storage Grand Challenge.

Forum Looks at Arctic – Tomorrow at Noon, the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and Transatlantic Security Initiative in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security holds a discussion on the energy, resilience, and national security challenges in the Arctic region. This discussion will highlight the opportunities of the Arctic region to ensure environmental protection and resilience, common security, appropriate resource development, and the rights of Indigenous inhabitants.

Forum to Focus on Hydrogen – ICF holds a webinar tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. to look at the future of hydrogen. This webinar will explore what hydrogen potential could be realized over the next decade—and evaluate the levers that will need to be pulled to facilitate a meaningful contribution from hydrogen in meeting U.S. decarbonization goals. 

Forum Focuses on Clean Energy in Rural America – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) holds a briefing series on federal programs that currently deliver a host of climate, environmental, economic, and social benefits nationwide. The first briefing in the series will be tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. and feature the Rural Energy Savings Program (RESP), which provides rural electric cooperatives, other rural utilities, credit unions, and green banks with zero-percent loans to launch or expand energy efficiency, beneficial electrification, and renewable energy on-bill financing programs.  Speakers include Rural Utilities Service Robert Coates, NAACP’s Denise Abdul-Rahman and Travis Neal of the Orcas Power and Light Cooperative.

Forum Looks at EU-US Energy Council – The Atlantic Council Global Energy Center and E3G, hold a forum on Wednesday 8:00 a.m. on the outcomes of the EU-US Energy Council meeting held today. In this discussion, experts will break down key takeaways of the event and discuss their implications looking forward in light of shared security and climate objectives. There is much interest in energy diplomacy given the current energy price crisis and ongoing situation in Ukraine.

Senate Enviro Looks at Nuclear Legislation – The Senate Environment Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. looking at S. 2373 (117), the "American Nuclear Infrastructure Act of 2021"; and S. 1290 (117), the "Sensible, Timely Relief for America's Nuclear Districts' Economic Development (STRANDED) Act of 2021."

BPC Looks at Oil/Gas Investment on Net Zero – On Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., the Bipartisan Policy Center hosts a forum on Investment or Divestment, looking at the role of future oil and gas issues.  Our friend Kevin Book is Keynote speaker, followed by a panel with Chevron’s Bruce Niemeyer, Sarah Ladislaw of RMI and Rhodium’s John Larsen.

SEJ Hosts 2022 Issues Guide Event – In preparation for its upcoming event in Houston in late March, the Society of Enviro Journalists holds its annual Journalists' Guide to Energy & Environment for 2022 on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.  SEJ will look at the year ahead in the just-released Guide moderated by SEJ2022 co-chair Perla Trevizo of the Texas Tribune.

EEI to Hold Wall Street Briefing – The Edison Electric Institute holds is 2022 Wall Street Briefing on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. Members of EEI’s executive team will virtually brief Wall Street analysts, bankers, investors, and other industry stakeholders on the state of the U.S. electric power industry, focusing specifically on EEI’s member companies, America’s investor-owned electric companies.

Senate Energy Takes on Hydrogen – The Senate Energy Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to look at issues surrounding hydrogen. The hearing will focus on opportunities and challenges in using clean hydrogen in the transportation, utility, industrial, commercial, and residential sectors.  Witnesses will include DOE Hydrogen Office Director Sunita Satyapal and Air Liquide America CEO Mike Graff.

EPSA CEO to Talk Clean Energy, Reliability – On Thursday at 12:00 p.m., the American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF) is hosting a forum with Todd Snitchler, President and CEO of the Electric Power Supply Association (EPSA). EPSA represents companies that own competitive power generation assets and advocates for policies that focus on achieving and maintaining well-functioning and properly regulated competitive wholesale electricity markets for the benefit of consumers, a reliable power system and the environment.  The event will address the current lay of the land in the U.S. electricity markets and the role of competitive wholesale markets in providing reliable and affordable energy in a lower carbon future.

State Dept Legal Forum Looks at Climate – The American Society of International Law and the George Washington University Law School holds the virtual 12^th annual "Live from L" discussion Thursday at Noon focused on climate change. “Live from L” is an annual program featuring members of the U.S. Department of State Office of the Legal Adviser discussing a topic of current interest.

Journos Talk Climate at Harvard Event – On Thursday at Noon, the Harvard Environment and Natural Resources Program, the Harvard Kennedy School's Arctic Initiative, and the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy host a webinar covering solutions to the climate and energy crisis.  The event features two leading environmental journalists: Sarah Kaplan of The Washington Post and Sammy Roth of The Los Angeles Times. While much of the news coverage of climate change has focused on the immense global "gloom and doom" problems ahead, there is a new push in journalism to reach out to the public by featuring innovative solutions to the climate and energy crisis.

DOE Solar Webinar Set – DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) holds a webinar, “Heating Up: Advances in Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power,” on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. SETO leadership will be joined by guest speaker Chiranjeev Kalra, Vice President of Power Generation Engineering at Heliogen, to highlight recent developments in the commercialization of next-generation concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) technology. The webinar will also cover the broader scope of CSP research, development, and demonstration work in SETO’s portfolio, which advances DOE goals in renewable power, long duration energy storage, and industrial decarbonization.

Forum Looks at Carbon in Forests – On Friday at 2:00 p.m., the Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy holds a webinar on carbon in forests. In this event, WRI’s Nancy Harris and California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Lab scientist Sassan Saatchi will discuss their recent findings about the status of global forest carbon stocks and fluxes since the year 2000.

IN THE FUTURE

NARUC Winter Meetings Set – The National Assn of Regulatory Utility Commissioners holds it Winter Policy Summit Meeting on February 14 to 16^th in DC.

Dow Jones Event to Look at Energy Transition – Dow Jones hosts a forum on Monday February 14^th at Noon to examine how business leaders, investors and consumers are navigating the challenges of sustainability and the energy transition. The drive toward sustainability will have sweeping implications. Explore how industry, markets and consumer behaviors are evolving and transforming to meet the challenge.

Forum to Look at Chinese High-Carbon Sectors – The Wilson Center’s China Environment Forum holds a panel next Tuesday February 15^th at 9:00 a.m. to shine a light on Chinese investments into steel and cement at home and along the Belt and Road, potentially locking the region into a high-carbon future. Alvin Camba (University of Denver) will draw on his working paper and research at the Climate Policy Lab at Tufts University to discuss how China's investment and export boom in Philippine cement and steel is generating a growing footprint of CO2 emissions. Then, Angela Tritto (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) will share the story of Indonesia’s “cognitive dissonance” in development of fossil fuels. Specifically, how the Belt and Road Initiative has propelled the expansion of the steel industry in Indonesia, which is in turn connected to investments into coal power plants. Edmund Downie (Princeton University) will share a basic overview of the Chinese steel and cement industries as well as their environmental impacts and discuss initial steps by firms and government authorities to reduce the sectors' carbon footprints.

Reuters Forum Reviews Digitalizing Impact on Climate – Reuters and Siemens host a forum on February 15^th exploring the new opportunities digital technology is providing across energy and the built environment in the race to net zero. In this discussion, leaders from across energy, buildings and mobility as we explore the three major infrastructure areas in the race to net zero.

Forum to Look at Direct Air Capture – On Tuesday, February 15^th at 1:00 p.m., the Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy and the Environmental the Policy & Culture Program at Northwestern University holds a webinar on direct air capture facility development in the United States. With funding from the DOE, the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (ISTC) is leading a team to develop the designs and feasibility assessment for the first commercial-scale direct air capture and storage system for carbon removal in the United States. This webinar features Kevin O’Brien, Director of the ISTC and the project’s principal investigator. O’Brien will discuss developments related to this project, as well as projects in Illinois that may help to advance the development of carbon removal and use.

Forum to Look at Climate Financial Risks – On Tuesday February 15^th at 1:00 p.m., the NYU State Impact Center, Woodwell Climate Research Center and the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General hold part II of a three-part virtual event series that will provide essential information and tools to help regulators and advocates understand the latest available public and private data about physical, financial, and transition climate risks, how regulators might address key data gaps, and how to harness climate risk data for government decision-making. 

Climate Panel to Look at Grid Resilience, Reliability – The House Select Committee on the Climate will convene a hearing on Tuesday, February 15^th at 2:30 p.m. focused on strategies for grid resilience and reliability.

Conference Looks at Transportation – The World Bank and WRI hold a two-day event on Wednesday February 16^th and Thursday February 17^th on transforming transportation in 2022.  The event will focus on a climate-centered mobility strategy for a sustainable recovery.

Web Event Looks at Renewable Cost-Effectiveness – On Wednesday February 16^th at Noon, Energy Central and Sitetracker hold a webinar to look at making renewables a more cost-effective reality.  The event will look at the latest industry research report findings from Harvard Business Review Analytic Services on renewable energy and cost-effective solutions; case studies and best practices to reduce EV charging and commercial solar deployment times and how to enhance visibility and control of your alternative energy projects.   

C2ES to Discuss Clean Energy Future with Constellation CEO – The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) holds a forum on Wednesday February 16^th at 1:00 p.m. to look at investing in a clean energy future.  The event features a fireside discussion featuring Joseph Dominguez, CEO of Constellation Energy, and C2ES President Nat Keohane on the business imperative for ambitious climate legislation and how low-carbon investments can help the United States build a clean energy future.

Event to Focus on Mineral Supply Challenge – On Wednesday February 16^th at 3:00 p.m., the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center holds a conversation on the mineral supply challenge facing the United States as it intensifies its climate ambition. Dramatic concentration in mineral supply chains render them vulnerable to disruption, which could threaten the United States’ goals for clean energy leadership in the wake of COP26. It is imperative that the United States assess the new geopolitical paradigm of energy security in a net zero world. But for that to happen, the sheer magnitude of the United States’ mineral challenge must first be understood.  The event features a conversation with former NATO Amb. Douglas Lute and State Department Office of Energy Transformation Director Helaina Matza.

BPC Hosts Sen. Cramer, McMaster on Climate, Trade – On Wednesday February 16^th at 3:30 p.m., the Bi-Partisan Policy Center (BPC) holds an online discussion with Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and former National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster on the benefits of a common approach between the U.S. and its allies on a climate and trade policy. Integrating climate and trade in our broader security architecture could produce multiple national security benefits for the United States, including a reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions, the return of key components of the supply chain, a more robust domestic manufacturing sector and a means to check countries that would use energy as a political weapon. Cramer and McMaster will discuss their thoughts on the policy, as outlined in their Foreign Policy op-ed published late last year. BPC Fellow George David Banks will also discuss his forthcoming issue brief: Understanding America’s Carbon Advantage and Identifying Strategic Goals for a Bipartisan Approach to U.S. Climate & Trade Policy.

Forum Looks at State Oppts for Industrial Decarb – On Wednesday February 16^th 3:30 p.m., National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and the Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) hold a State Industrial Decarbonization webinar. I3 represents a coalition of diverse stakeholders who aim to advance cross-cutting strategies, policies, and programs for achieving industrial decarbonization by midcentury.  I3 experts who will introduce industrial decarbonization as a key climate topic, outline key recommendations as detailed in their Policy Blueprint, and discuss state-level policy opportunities for decarbonizing this important sector.  Speakers include NASEO’s David Terry, Great Plains Institute’s Gabrielle Habeeb and WRI’s Angela Anderson.

Event to Look at Hydrogen, Hard-to-Abate Sectors – On Thursday February 17^th at 9:00 a.m. Reuters hosts a forum focused on decarbonizing the world’s most polluting and fossil fuel dependent industries, such as steel, refining, and cement-making.  The event will focus on green hydrogen, which has emerged as a leading solution to decarbonize these sectors and certainly gained a lot of excitement, with several initiatives being launched to demonstrate green hydrogen’s effectiveness in decarbonizing these industries. Among the speakers is Plug Power’s Benjamin Haycraft.

Forum Looks at Solar Permitting App – SEIA is hosting a webinar on Thursday February 17^th at 1:00 p.m. alongside DOE and NREL to provide insight into the outcomes of these pilot trials of the new SolarAPP+ platform with 5 AHJs across the country.  The event will also discuss how SolarAPP+ helped these communities streamline solar permitting.

JHU Forum to Look at Climate, Indonesia – The Johns Hopkins SAIS Southeast Asian League of Students (SEALS), in collaboration with JHU Arts and Climate Change program holds a forum on Friday February 18^th at Noon with former Ambassador to Indonesia, Robert Blake to discuss the country’s climate adaptation and mitigation strategies along with the hurdles involved with addressing critical risks of climate change following COP26.

Ethanol Conference Set – The Renewable Fuels Association holds the National Ethanol Conference (NEC) in New Orleans on February 21^st to 23^rd.  Since 1996, the NEC has been recognized as the ethanol conference for the latest, timely information on marketing, legislative and regulatory issues facing the industry. With numerous networking opportunities, more business meetings are conducted and contacts made at this conference than at any other ethanol conference.

Biden to Deliver State of the Union – In the latest SOTU Speech ever, the President will address a joint Session of Congress on March 1^st.

NRC holds Conference – The Nuclear Regulatory Commission holds its 34^th Annual Regulatory Information Conference on March 8^th to 10^th.