Energy Update: Week of January 11

Friends,

It is hard not to start this week without thinking about the terrible events that occurred at the Capitol during last Wednesday’s Electoral College certification. Many of us, especially those of us who have worked in the Capitol, were deeply disturbed by the disrespect for the building, its people and its institutions regardless of your politics.  It was embarrassing and a horrible day for all Americans.  We know we can and must do better. 

Unfortunately, what was likely to be a quieter week with Congress out and lots of focus on the incoming Biden inauguration, its new team members and 2021 agenda-setting will now likely change to address other activity including more impeachment discussions.

Key events planned for this week will still happen though and there are two major 2021 agenda events that are can’t miss: Tomorrow, the Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual State of American Business and on Wednesday, API holds its 12^th annual State of American Energy forum featuring Mike Sommers. Both are always big turnouts that will unfortunately be on-line this year. 

Other events include TODAY at 2:00 p.m. (RIGHT NOW) where Bracewell and Hogan Lovells will host a webinar on trade in the Biden Administration with my colleagues Paul Nathanson and Josh Zive among the panelists. EIA Releases Short-term Energy Outlook tomorrow and WRI’s 18^th annual Stories to Watch event also Wednesday while OurEnergyPolicy holds a webinar on the importance of innovation and cooperation at the city and state level.  On Thursday, MIT hosts a webinar on hydrogen featuring Air Liquide’s Karine Boissy-Rousseau and the Federalist Society previews next Tuesday’s SCOTUS BP v Baltimore climate case with Indiana Solicitor General Tom Fisher.   Finally on Friday, the same MIT program will also host a Hydrogen Start-Up webinar featuring start-up execs and Air Liquide’s David Edwards and Shell’s Matt Blieske and USEA looks at Green Hydrogen. 

Last week, I forwarded you a few energy/enviro/climate items to keep your eyes on this year.  For those who may have missed them last week, I wanted to include them again.  Let me know if I am missing something you are watching and finally, don’t hesitate to follow me for daily action and sparring with my enviro friends on Twitter at @fvmaisano

Finally, SCOTUS in the energy news!!!!  Late Friday, much to many experts surprise, the US Supreme Court took the ethanol case focused on small refinery exemptions that has been in the news over the past 2+ years (which is expected to be heard in April), and of course, next Tuesday after the MLK Holiday, Justices will hear arguments around 11:00 a.m. in the important BP v Baltimore climate case. 

NHL Hockey starts on Wednesday.  I will be watching the Caps, Red Wings and – of course – my friends in stripes!!! Stay safe & healthy. Be back in your in-box NEXT TUESDAY.

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

 

10 KEYS ISSUES IN 2021

As we kick off 2021, there will be a ton of issues to follow with the new Administration.  Here are a few that will start front and center:

1) Climate, Climate, Climate – We know that every part of the new Biden Administration will focus on climate issues.  The key will be to see how much action they can take with the early focus most certainly dedicated to COVID issues and then economic recovery.  As I have mentioned before, Biden has been down this road in 2009-10, so look for that experience to play a role in how they build climate into early discussions on infrastructure and stimulus before going all out on straight climate policy.  PREDICTION: No serious WH/Leadership moves or direct action on climate until late 2021 with mid-2022 as Dems prime target to rally troops for mid-terms. (it is a double-edged political sword though)

2) Progressives vs. middle – As I have mentioned many times, the most interesting fight in Washington and around the country on most issues (including energy/environment) will be the battle of progressives and moderates for Biden’s attention.  We have only started to see this rear its ugly head on the fringes with the Biden cabinet appointments.  While progressives were thrown a bone with Rep. Deb Haaland at Interior, they clearly aren’t very happy about most picks despite keeping a grumbling, low profile (unlike them).  And of course the news hole is still absorbed by Trump and his craziness for now.  But after Jan 20^th that will change and progressive will demand more real victories.  PREDICTION:  Progressives will make a bunch of crazy demands for the stimulus package and that will delay what could be a bipartisan victory to help Americans and get more successful moderate green programs enacted.

3) Electrification fights – Buildings and EV will be the newest battle ground for activists pushing on climate issues.  While it sounds good on paper and they are getting “small mo” in liberal cities, especially in CA, where this idea in way ahead of its time for practical impact.  Appliances are an even tougher sell than all EVs.  While both will require consumer demand to change, the electrification battle is bizarrely even more difficult because of cost, economic disparity and consumer preferences.  On EVs, still major structural challenges persist and while you will see more models, they are really only targeting high-end elite purchasers.  EVs are nowhere near the middle class driver.  PREDICTION: You will continue to see “fo-mo” (fake momentum) on this issue because consumers aren’t ready or willing to give up natgas stoves, furnaces or hot-water heaters – and likely won’t be for a good, long time.  On EVs, you will see more vehicles available/sold, but it remains a high-end, limited purchase pool.

4) Wind, Solar, Offshore Wind: READY to Launch – With the new focus on clean energy, it will really be time for wind, solar and offshore wind to shine.  All three have to step up and succeed even more than they already have…and the Biden Administration is going to have to help with permitting and transmission issues which always have been and remain the major problem/wildcard.  Don’t look for continued steady success - we need bigger than normal moves if Biden wants to have any chance at reaching his 2035 goal.  PREDICTION: Utilities are really already all-in on land-based wind and solar, but don’t expected them to get outside their comfort zone in 2021.  This year has to be a table setter for the challenges the industry faces on transmission. And offshore wind?  We need construction in 2021 for at least 3-5 projects, likely in the NE.

5) CCS Projects Making Due – The CCS issues will continue to be an open battle ground, but serious projects are starting to prove that it can work.  Building on the energy law success that included the USE IT Act and as 45Q tax credit moves closer to public release, huge process and technical successes at Petro Nova and EPA permit efforts for Gulf Coast Sequestration proved that commercialization is closer than activists will admit.  PREDICTION:  The Force is strong with CCS because of its political pull for bipartisanship.  It will remain a major player and see more commercial successes in 2021.

6) Rolling back the Rollbacks – The key question of this issue will be how fast the new Biden team can rollback many of the Trump efforts.  While my friends like John Walke at NRDC think things will fall back into place quickly, I wouldn’t be too sure as the later victories are going to be tougher to undo.  The early EPA missed a lot of administrative issues but after Andrew Wheeler took over, they were much more careful.  As with any regulation, they can be turned around, but the process will be longer and more difficult than the talking points and enviro Twitter screeds will admit. PREDICTION:  Biden and Regan will move fast/early on NAAQS and many other Trump rules, but don’t expect any real turnaround until later in 2022 – or even after mid-term elections because of process which cannot be short-circuited in most cases.

7) Nuclear Start – Finally, after all these years, the nuclear build at Plant Vogtle will see a start-up and will come online. In 2020, Georgia Power completed cold hydro testing for Vogtle Unit 3 with construction is now 94% complete. The total Vogtle 3 & 4 expansion project is approximately 88% complete. The completion of the cold hydro testing milestone prepares the site for the last major test remaining for Unit 3, hot functional testing, ahead of initial fuel load. This means that Unit 3 is expected to meet the November 2021 regulatory-approved in-service date, with Unit 4 going into service in 2022.  While the large-scale plant victory has been a long-time coming, there have been a number of small modular reactors (SMRs).  PREDICTION: Vogtle starts at the end of the year and SMRs continue to expand the role nuclear must play in net-zero strategies.

8) Bipartisan Chances – As mentioned, the President signed into the law the most significant climate legislation ever passed by Congress.  With the bipartisan energy/climate legislative victory still fresh in the minds of Washington policymakers, there is more than can be done.  The next day after Trump signed, Reps. David McKinley and Kurt Schrader introduced their bipartisan energy legislation to provide a mark for potential next steps for a bipartisan approach to climate issues in the utility sector, which they outlined in an opinion piece in the USA Today’s Hidden Common Ground Section.  There are others as well like new programs to help farmers and forestry owners to earn income from carbon credits from Sens. Mike Braun (R-IN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI); Rep. Bruce Westerman’s Trillion Trees Act which also has support in the Senate from Biden-ally Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) and his colleagues Mike Braun (R-IN) and Angus King (I-ME) and a host of bipartisan bills to promote advanced nuclear, energy storage, hydrogen and more.  PREDICTION: Dems will pass on carbon taxes and market-based programs because of internal disagreements and huge political risks.  That means key bipartisan opportunities are the only way to make serious progress.

9) Paris Redux in Scotland – It is well known we will rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement in January when Biden takes office.  But what does that really mean?  Look for John Kerry and Gina McCarthy to play an outsized role of positioning the US and Biden policy for the International community.  Unfortunately, the Biden Admin will have their hands full with a bunch of non-climate and domestic issues for the entire first year, so don’t look for early action on what international commitments.  PREDICTION: Look for the start of the US Climate push just before they approach the December UN Climate meetings in Glasgow, Scotland. This will give Kerry and McCarthy, et al good positioning and talking points without actually having had to put points on the board.  This timing also tees up outreach to activists to engage early in the political midterm year 2022. 

10) Energy Storage: the Missing Link – We all know that batteries and renewables won’t happen without storage technologies making jumps.  So while we expect the rapid growth of wind and solar power, we also know the problem: they don’t work all the time and energy storage is a solution we all need to watch in 2021. Currently, energy storage depends on batteries, but is expensive and may not be the long-term or practical solution. That’s why there’s a race to introduce new, more practical/durable solutions, including hydrogen and pump storage.  The future of clean energy will depend on scaling up technologies that can store massive amounts of baseload power and intermittent renewables.  PREDICTION: Grid-scale storage finally gets reliable federal investment to get into the race and start to commercialize processes that could radically transform the US energy grid.

BONUS ISSUE: Hydrogen Economy Moves Fast – While It is still a longer-term play than 2021, watch for continued interest in hydrogen to drive key polices on it forward. Hydrogen remains a strong driver of the energy transition and investments in hydrogen fueling infrastructure and supply on the West Coast will provide a reliable solution to fuel 40,000 vehicles on the road in California by 2022. Air Liquide is building a $200 million liquid hydrogen plant and infrastructure to serve California’s market. At the same time, Ballard Power Systems fuel cell products are powering 50 transit buses in several states and over 10,000 forklifts in distribution centers across the U.S.  And on the power generation side, the Intermountain Power Agency will retire its coal units in 2025 and replace them with combined cycle technology capable of utilizing 30% renewable hydrogen at the start, reaching 100% by 2045.  PREDICTION:  Hydrogen becomes the cool future talk because there are many advocates that see its promise.  

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“There have been bipartisan proposals for years now for a clean energy standard. There really is potential to find supporters on the Republican side.”

Leah Stokes, an assistant professor of political science at the University of California at Santa Barbara in Bloomberg talking about prospects for Clean Energy Standard legislation.  (NOTE: How often to do I quotes Leah favorably!!!)

“Sometimes policy might happen in an echo chamber where we have a pretty small local group of individuals who are pushing for this policy change without fully appreciating the impacts or, quite frankly, having a larger conversation with the community.”

Daniel Lapato, AGA’s senior director of state affairs in a Washington Examiner article pointing to opposition to gas appliance bans from businesses, homeowners, restaurants, heating and air conditioning contractors, and other local groups.

ON THE PODCAST

LOOKING BACK: RFF Resources Radio Reviews 2020 Issues – On the final 2020 episode of RFF’s Resources Radio, host Daniel Raimi talks with CSIS expert Sarah Ladislaw and Barry Rabe, a professor of public policy, environmental policy, and political science at the University of Michigan. They reflect on some of the most significant developments in energy and environmental policy of the past year and predict how the federal approach to climate change will shift under a new US president. They note that, in spite of the official US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the rest of the world has continued to raise the bar for climate policy. One intriguing open question is whether the incoming Biden administration will enact climate policy by executive powers or the legislative process, both of which have their own trade-offs. And as various nations try to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, developing countries will have unique challenges as they pull out of an economic and public health slump while continuing to reckon with the impacts of climate change.

LOOKING FORWARD: Energy Gang Looks at What Congress May Due in 2021-22 – Greentech Media’s Energy Gang podcast this week focuses on what Congress might do next on Climate.  In the final moments of 2020, the most important U.S. energy legislation passed in a decade flew in under the radar, attached to the coronavirus relief and government funding bill.  A bill this big would alone have merited an entire episode of dedicated discussion, with the possibility of more ambitious legislation under a Democrat-controlled Congress with the Senate wins in Georgia, the group looks are the window of action open and how much can get done in the next two years.

FUN OPINIONS

Letters Blast CA NatGas Policy – In response to an opinion piece in the WSJ recently on California’s effort to ban natural gas, the paper published two letters that raised additional important points.  A letter from Wichita’s Richard Varner said:

Forbidding natural-gas connections in new buildings ensures that more, not less, natural gas will be consumed to meet the new demand for electricity. Similarly, government mandates for electric vehicles, space heating and cooking will increase the total amount of natural gas burned.

Natural gas consumed as a fuel to heat or cook is more than 90% efficient, while electricity produced from natural gas is at best 60% efficient. This means that boiling a pot of water on an electric stove uses 150% as much natural gas as a gas stove. This is before any consideration is given to the inefficiencies of induction heating or losses in transmission.

On the other hand, if all U.S. homes were required to burn natural gas for space heating and cooking, the total amount of natural gas consumed nationwide would probably decline, with the added benefit of increasing the proportion of U.S. energy sourced from renewables. Unintended consequences can be a cruel mistress.

In the Second letter, Rohnert Park, CA’s Robert Saunders writes:

California’s efforts to curb natural-gas use can be devastating to low-income households. The top rate for electricity is more than 40 cents per kilowatt hour, which equates to nearly $12 per therm of heat. Natural gas, by contrast, costs about $2.50 a therm. This means that it costs more than four times as much to cook your dinner, dry your clothes or heat your bath water with electricity than with gas. You can get a somewhat better deal using a heat pump (at a cost of several thousand dollars) to heat your house; the electricity for this costs only twice as much as the gas for a furnace. Many people involved with California real estate are aware of this. Unfortunately, few of them are in government.

FROG BLOG

Solar Permitting Needs Overhaul to Help Businesses – In a piece in PV Magazine, Solar WakeUp Newsletter writer Yann Brandt says improving and update solar permitting is a no-brainer for U.S. job creation.  With 18,000 different jurisdictions are crushing local solar small businesses with permitting requirements, Solar is big enough now that its soft costs are a real drag on local economic activity. Soft costs in the U.S. defy the example of other countries that install solar at one-third the cost because of how the steps that drive soft costs have been structured. These include costs installers have to pass on to consumers for getting local governments to permit an installation to start, then inspecting the completed work. For an average solar home installation cost of $11-15K, soft costs represent roughly $6-7K. With local governments facing an unprecedented need to cut their costs while restarting local economic activity, there’s never been a better time to harmonize codes, and bring permitting and inspection steps into the modern era. Such a step would be fast and non-partisan and would tap a huge, ready-made constituency that’s already behind it.

IN THE NEWS

SCOTUS Takes Small Refinery Exemption Case – The Supreme Court will review a ruling limiting the ability of small refineries to obtain exemptions from federal ethanol RFS biofuel-blending quotas.  The justices without comment agreed to hear an appeal by units of HollyFrontier Corp. and Wynnewood Refining Co., which said the 10^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling wrongly deprives small refineries of economic relief that was specifically authorized by Congress. Under law, small refineries facing an “economic hardship” from the mandates can receive exemptions.  The case, HollyFrontier Cheyenne et al v Renewable Fuels Association et al. (20-472), could be argued before Supreme Court in April.

Refiners: The decision to take the case comes at an urgent time for independent refiners and blue collar jobs all over the country.  Already battered by suppressed fuel demand due to COVID, they currently face RIN prices not seen in 3 years and have to endure some 770 million gallons of unlawful obligation from Small Refinery Exemptions that were never issued. Prompted by the Court’s focus on the program, we hope the incoming Administration will understand that any economic recovery depends on affordable and reliable fuel. But high RINs prices threaten more plant closures and job losses while doing nothing to benefit biofuel producers or farmers.

National Biodiesel Board: “We are disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision to review the case but will continue to vigorously pursue a resolution to the damage that small refinery exemptions do to the biodiesel industry. Refiners are challenging the 10^th Circuit’s findings on a single issue. EPA must still explain how the RFS itself is a hardship to refiners and why it arbitrarily failed to consider its own evidence that refineries recoup” credit costs.

SCOTUS Impact on RIN Prices – OPIS reports today that the fear of a potential pro-refiner Supreme Court decision on Small Refinery Exemption reduced 2021 ethanol Renewable Identification Number (RINs) costs by 7.6% to 82 cents, a loss of 6.75 cents just today.

CA Town Backs Off NatGas Ban – The Windsor Town Council last week rescinded an ordinance banning natural gas in new residential construction rather than fight a lawsuit brought by two developers. The Sonoma County town found itself in a debate over whether natural gas is a significant contributor to climate change over other factors, such as internal combustion engines. Some in the building industry have argued banning gas in new construction will drive up home costs while backers say it will save the costs of installation natural gas hookups. Bill Gallaher of Gallaher Homes and Oakmont Senior Living in the North Bay, and Windsor-Jensen Land Co. filed separate lawsuits saying the ordinance violated California environmental law. The neighboring town of Santa Rosa faces similar litigation from Gallaher, but that council has decided to fight in Sonoma County Superior Court. While Healdsburg has also passed an electric ordinance, it is less restrictive as it allows for gas fireplaces and stovetops.

S&P Report Highlights OPEC Moves on Oil – S&P Global Platts released its survey of OPEC+ crude oil production for December, which finds Libya’s revival and slipping compliance among members with quotas pushed the bloc’s output to a 7-month high:

• OPEC pumps 25.43 mil b/d, non-OPEC allies add 12.74 mil b/d
• Compliance drops to 98.5% from 100.1% in November
• Libya at its highest since June 2013
• UAE, Iraq also post gains, while Nigeria falls
• Saudi Arabia at 9.01 mil b/d, Russia at 9.10 mil b/d

DOE Invests Nearly $7.6M to Develop Energy Storage Projects – Energy storage technologies are vital to balance supply and demand in the power grid and improve quality and delivery, all while playing a pivotal role in protecting American households and industries from power interruptions. In December, the U.S. Department of Energy announced investments of $7.6 million for dozens of projects to develop hydrogen, compressed air and other energy storage technologies.

New Hires at ClearPath, API – ClearPath announced Jena Lococo has joined the team as a Policy Analyst. She will work across ClearPath’s clean energy technology portfolio, with a focus on carbon capture, utilization, and storage, petrochemicals, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, and regulatory reforms that can accelerate technology deployment.  Meanwhile, API has hired DOE Press Secretary Jess Szymanski to become media spokesperson for the American Petroleum Institute.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

MOST EVENTS SCHEDULED ARE NOW ONLINE WEBINARS

Bracewell, Hogan to Host Biden Trade Forum – TODAY at 2:00 p.m., Bracewell and Hogan Lovells will host a webinar on trade in the Biden Administration.  My colleagues Paul Nathanson and Josh Zive will be among the experts on the panel.

Forum to Look at Biden Climate Foreign Policy – The American Security Project holds a webinar today at 3:00 p.m. featuring a discussion on the international cooperation needed for climate change.  The event is part of the series on "Looking Beyond the First 100 Days: Challenges and Opportunities for a New Biden Administration." Speakers include Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. Anniken Krutnes, Vice Admiral Lee Gunn, USN (Ret.), and ASP Director of Climate and Energy Security Alex Hackbarth will discuss what climate competition and cooperation may look like in the Biden administration.

ABA Looks at Forest Service Policy – The American Bar Association holds a virtual discussion tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. on US Forest Service transition and any potential new direction.  Speakers will include Forest Service Deputy Chief Chris French, Alix Murdoch of American Forests and former USDA Undersecretary for Natural Resources Mark Rey.

Chamber Holds State of American Biz – Tomorrow at 12:00 p.m., the U.S. Chamber of Commerce holds its annual State of American Business event.  Chamber CEO Tom Donohue will deliver his annual address, followed by can’t-miss conversations led by our President Suzanne Clark and Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley. Featured speakers will include Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, Edward Jones Investments Managing Partner Penny Pennington, ADP Senior Vice President and Chief Economist Nela Richardson, Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) and John Katko (R-NY).  Following Tuesday’s main event, we will host a series of Policy Power Hours later in the week, where top experts will examine some of the most important challenges and opportunities for businesses at the global, national, and state levels.

Forum Looks at Arctic, Bering Strait – The Woodrow Wilson Center's Polar Institute holds a webcast tomorrow at 1:00 p.m., on the Bering Strait of Alaska and it governance in a climate changing world. Daniel S. Hamilton and Kristina Spohr present their new book The Arctic and World Order with Mike Sfraga, Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson of Iceland, currently the Chair of Senior Arctic Officials of the Arctic Council, and fellow authors, including Wilson Fellow Lawson Brigham and Université de Montréal professor Suzanne Lalonde.

Forum to Look at National Security, Climate – The American Security Project hosts a forum tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. on climate change and national security. In a panel moderated by ASP COO Andrew Holland, Vice Admiral Lee Gunn, USN (Ret.), ASP Director of Climate and Energy Security Alex Hackbarth, and more will discuss what the world expects of the U.S. climate diplomacy and what cooperation with China and Europe might look like.

WRI Looks at Climate 2021 – The World Resources Institute holds the 18^th annual Stories to Watch presentation on Wednesday featuring WRI’s President & CEO Andrew Steer. At this flagship event, they will look at the big moments, trends, places, and people that will shape the world in the coming year.

Energy Economists Host Moody’s Analyst – On Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., the US Energy Economists host Peter Speer of Moody’s to Look at energy transition and new business risks for the oil and gas industry.  While these risks have not been the primary driver of specific rating actions to date, Moody’s expects the credit impact of energy transition to grow in importance in the medium term. This presentation will cover how energy transition informs Moody’s views on the industry, including National Oil companies, what it portends for oil prices, how it could affect access to and cost of capital, and how Moody’s assesses companies’ relative positioning for carbon transition risk.

API Hosts State of Energy Event – The American Petroleum Institute holds its 12^th annual State of American Energy Event on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. and will feature a panel of millennials employed by the oil and gas industry discussing the innovative careers they’ve found in the industry to be part of the climate solution. SOAE will examine energy’s role and actions to build a strong future – restoring our economy today, strengthening national security tomorrow and innovating to deliver continued environmental progress in the future. 2020 has been a year of defining moments that have tested our resilience as a nation. Join us as we examine the policies and innovators advancing American ingenuity, grit and technology that will power our nation’s comeback.

Forum Looks at Fusion – The Stellar Energy Foundation is hosting a virtual event on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. fusion’s promise for the climate. The event will explore fusion's potential for helping to overcome the little-discussed climate challenges. Laban Coblentz, Head of Communications at ITER will share his views on the urgency of acting quickly with long term solutions to how to provide power to the planet. Dennis Whyte, Director of MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center, will discuss why we ought to believe that fusion energy can play a large role in providing such power.

Event to Look at PPPs, Energy Transition – OurEnergyPolicy hosts an upcoming webinar on Wednesday at Noon on Public-Private Partnerships and the energy transition. The event will feature an expert panel discussing the importance of innovation and cooperation at the city and state level.  Speakers include NYC Office of Resiliency/Sustainability Deputy Director Susanne DesRoches, Michael Colgrove of the Energy Trust of Oregon, Denver Renewable Energy Specialist Jonathan Rogers and Xcel Energy’s Tyler Smith.

Forum to Look at EVs, Electric Buses – Green Buildings DC holds a forum on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. looking at both the challenges and opportunities of the economy-wide adoption of electric vehicles and the steps leading organizations are taking to get out in front of this transition. Panelists will cover topics including how transportation electrification will change our built environment, its significant impact on the electric grid, new regulations and incentives designed to move the market, and a local initiative demonstrating the promise of electric buses.  Speakers includes DOE EV Program manager Eric Campbell, Camron Gorguinpour of ENGIE Impact, Pepco’s Jennifer Grisham and DC DOT’s Erik Belmont. 

Forum to Look at Water Management, Decarb – The US Energy Assn hosts a forum on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. looking at sustainable water management for decarbonizing fossil power generation.  In this webinar, experts from DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and Stanford University will share insights into how decarbonizing fossil power generation may impact water usage trends in the sector. Projected changes in water use intensity will be illustrated along with brief summaries of associated challenges and research opportunities identified through analysis and stakeholder engagement activities.

R St Look at FERC 2222 – On Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., the R Street Institute hosts a forum on FERC’s Order 2222 and what it means for electricity markets. Speakers include R Street’s Chris Villarreal, Caitlyn Marquis of Advanced Energy Economy and energy analyst Lorenzo Kristov.

Climate Book Featured – Politics and Prose Bookstore holds a virtual book discussion Wednesday at 6:00 p.m., on "The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet."  Author and climate activist Michael Mann is joined by Bill Nye to discuss his more radical take on addressing climate change.

Forum to Look at Financial Institutions, Climate – WRI holds a forum on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. looking at science-based targets for financial institutions. In October, the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) released a new framework that, for the first time ever, allows financial institutions to set science-based targets that align lending and investment activities with the Paris Agreement. The webinar will provide an in-depth explanation of this new framework. In order to help financial institutions and other stakeholders better understand this framework and how to prepare science-based target submissions, we will discuss the target validation criteria for financial institutions and offer an overview of the SBTi's recommendations for financial institutions.

Axios Team Holds Town Hall – The Axios Media team holds an all-Axios virtual Town Hall on building trust in the world of news, aiming to discuss their plans for 2021 and beyond.  This event will feature conversations with Mike Allen, Yolanda Brignoni, Ina Fried, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Amy Harder, Nick Johnston, Caitlin Owens, Dion Rabouin and Jim VandeHei.

Federalist Events Aim at SCOTUS Case, Cost-Benefit Rule – The Federalist Society holds two teleforum on Thursday.  At 11:30 a.m., the group looks at myths and facts regarding the EPA’s Benefit-Cost Analysis and Science Transparency rules.  Speakers will include NAM’s Rachel Jones and former EPA official Clint Woods.  Then at 3:00 p.m., the group’s Law and Public Policy Studies team holds a conference call briefing on the SCOTUS litigation on BP P.L.C. v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore referring to climate change litigation filed in state court against multiple energy companies seeking damages from the impact of climate change. Indiana Solicitor General Tom Fisher previews this pivotal hearing, the implications for similar litigation around the country and his role in leading a 15-state coalition that is taking a stand against climate change litigation.

Forum to Look at 2021 Agenda for Buildings – The Department of Energy hosts a webinar Thursday at 1:00 p.m. from the Better Buildings Residential Network to look ahead at the coming year in energy efficiency.

MIT Forum to Look at Low Carbon Fuels – MIT's Industrial Liaison Program hosts a webinar on Low-carbon fuels on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Air Liquide’s Boissy-Rouseseau will discuss how Air Liquide made the decision to make a significant investment in hydrogen on a panel with NREL’s Adam Bratis.   The MIT ILP will also host a Hydrogen Start-Up webinar on Friday at 11:00 a.m. as well featuring start-up execs and Air Liquide’s David Edwards and Shell’s Matt Blieske.

WCEE Talks Broadband with NARUC, NASUCA – On Thursday at 2:00 p.m. on Zoom, the Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment hosts former Nat’l Assn of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) President and MS PSC Commissioner Brandon Presley and former Nat’l Assn of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA) President Elin Katz for the next WCEE Virtual Executive Exchange event.  WCEE President Barbara Tyran will host a discussion on broadband access.

USEA to Look at Green Hydrogen – On Friday at 11:00 a.m., the US Energy Assn Holds a webinar on green hydrogen and utilities, especially in the Southwest.  Batteries and other storage systems are all on the table, along with what may have the most promise: green hydrogen. This is hydrogen made by electrolysis, using surplus electricity. The Europeans are ahead of us, but more and more U.S. utilities are looking at hydrogen as the companion to alternative fuels. Speakers include Idaho National Laboratory Bruce Hallbert, Mark Eisenhower of Guidehouse and Michael Green of Arizona Public Service

IN THE FUTURE

Cleantech Forum Set – The Cleantech Forum will be held in San Francisco on January 19 to 21^st.

Mexico Infrastructure Forum Set – The 6^th Mexico Infrastructure Projects Forum will take place virtually from Monterrey on January 19-21^st.  The event brings together high-level executives from various industries in engineering, construction, hydrocarbon, energy, renewables, logistics, service providers, investors, and lenders. The forum connects attendees with international speakers from the private and public sector, including multi-lateral development banks and project sponsors from Mexico, Texas and the United States.

SCOTUS to Hear Baltimore/Oil Climate Case – The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the BP v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore case on January 19^th.  Arguments start at 10:00 a.m. and the case is second on the docket.

Forum to Look at Nuclear Workforce – Next Tuesday January 19^th at 10:00 a.m., the Global America Business Institute holds a webinar implications of current trends in the nuclear workforce.  The webinar will include brief remarks from the Korea Nuclear International Cooperation Foundation (KONICOF) Speakers include American Nuclear Society President Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar, Jae-Joo Ha of the Korean Nuclear Society (KNS) and Paul Dickman of the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)

NYT Climate Forum Set – The NY Times Climate team and OurEnergyPolicy hosts another forum on January 19^th 2021 at 1:30 p.m. discussing whether it is possible to make 2021 the year we break fossil fuel addiction given the potential COVID recovery.  NYT Report Ivan Penn moderates a panel with speakers UK High-Level Climate Action Champion for COP26 Nigel Topping, Kingsmill Bond of Carbon Tracker, Sierra Club’s Mary Anne Hitt and Enel Green Power CEO Salvatore Bernabei.

Forum to Look at AI, Utilities – A new forum on Thursday, January 21^st at 3:00 p.m. will look at Artificial intelligence (AI) tools and their potential for enhancing energy utility service. In this webinar, panelists will present their views on the value of AI to utilities and customers, important concerns regulators should keep in mind when considering AI proposals, and barriers to broader AI use across the utility industry. Speakers include Rick Cutter of Cloud for Utilities, EPRI’s Heather Feldman and FP expert David Victor.

Forum to Look at Cleantech – Potential Energy DC will hold a forum on Thursday January 21^st at 3:30 p.m. to look at innovative financing solutions for "climate tech" companies and projects. This year’s program explores the federal government’s and investors’ approach to accelerating innovative finance in the targeted sectors of climate change, clean energy, and sustainability. The discussion will also show how companies can take advantage of these offerings. It will focus on how climate tech solutions can achieve commercial viability and growth through a combination of grant/equity finance and project finance. The program will consist of two panels of experts that will explore financing arrangements that companies are pursuing.

S&P Global Oil Conference Set – S&P Global Platts holds the Americas Petroleum and Energy Virtual Conference on January 26^th to 28^th.   The event provides comprehensive coverage of the entire energy slate: oil, natural gas, and petrochemicals looking at how the energy sector will reignite operations, reboot business models, and eventually reemerge post-pandemic. Speakers will include OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo, Continental Resources’ Harold Hamm, KinderMorgan CEO Steven Kean and Williams Companies CEO Alan Armstrong.

USEA Holds State of Energy Industry – On January 28^th 2021, the US Energy Assn holds its annual State of the Energy Industry Forum. USEA begins each calendar year with its widely- recognized State of the Energy Industry Forum. The Forum brings together distinguished leaders from the most influential energy trade associations to share their outlook and to discuss dynamic issues facing the energy industry in the new year.

NARUC Winter Conference Set – The National Assn of Regulatory Utility Commissioners will hold its Winter Policy Summit virtually on February 4^th, 5^th and 8-11^th.  The event includes panels on Hydrogen, LNG, DERC order 2222, Grid resilience, COVID impacts on utilities, EVs/grid and natgas decarbonization.  Among the speakers will be NW Natural’s David Anderson, NGSA head Dena Wiggins, NRC Commissioner David Wright, API’s Riley Smith and Laura Nelson of the Green Hydrogen Coalition.

Yergin to Headline National Ethanol Conference – Daniel Yergin, a best-selling author and highly-respected authority on energy, international politics, and economics will Keynote the annual National Ethanol Conference on February 16-18^th. 

Oil, Gas Conference Set – Energy Stream is hosting the 3^rd Houston Oil & Gas Forum 2021 in person on February 17 & 18^th at the Petroleum Club of Houston, Texas. The Forum is an annual market intelligence platform that brings together powerful U.S. Congressmen, Senators, government leaders, C-level energy executives, and investors.  Speakers will include Sen Ted Cruz and TX Reps. Lizzie Fletcher, Kevin Brady, Brian Babin and Lance Gooden, as well as Rep Kelly Armstrong of North Dakota. TX Railroad Commission Chair Wayne Christian and DOE officials are also expected to speak.