Energy Update: Week of January 19

Friends,

In your inbox early today because of yesterday’s MLK holiday.  I start with sad news about the passing of my friend (and many of yours) Russ Dawson, a former EPA Press Secretary for Lee Thomas and executive at Potomac Communications, the place where this update started 20 years ago.  E&E‘s Kevin Bogardus wrote a moving obit Friday that featured comments from Thomas and did a great job of capturing Dawson’s contributions to the PR and EPA comms arena. Contributions in his honor can be made to the Parkinson's Foundation of the National Capital Area or the Historical Society of Washington, DC, where he long served on the board of trustees.

This week will be overcrowded with discussion, news and analysis of Wednesday’s inauguration of President Joe Biden.  The ceremony is tomorrow at Noon, but coverage will be wall-to-wall and will trickle into energy and environment issues, including first few days’ issues like rejoining the Paris Climate Accord, Keystone Pipeline and other Climate-related action.

The most interesting non-inauguration action this week is the BP-Baltimore climate case at the Supreme Court.  Arguments begin today probably sometime between 11:00 a.m. and Noon. While the court's decision will certainly have a dramatic effect on the legal exposure fossil fuel producers face for climate change, this case centers mostly on technical legal issues.  Also, today is the last FERC meeting of the Trump administration and Chairman Danley’s schedule is jammed packed. And of course, if there isn’t enough happening, the D.C. Circuit literally JUST remanded the Trump Administration's ACE power plant rule to EPA, giving the Biden team a fresh start. MORE ON THIS LATER!

Other events this week include a NYT Climate/OurEnergyPolicy event today at 1:30 p.m., the Senate Commerce hearing on Pete Buttigieg to head Biden’s Transportation Department on Thursday and a Friday closing policy event of a bipartisan conference on climate solutions with the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, the American Conservation Coalition. Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), and Green for All that runs virtually throughout the week.

Finally, let me say a heartfelt thanks to all of you who offered me birthday wishes over the weekend.  Another year with you all and this update is special, no matter how crazy a year it was.  Stay safe & healthy and looking forward to 2021.

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

 

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“Russ was as wonderful and talented a colleague as you could hope for. He was easygoing and understated; he got along with everyone," adding he was "hardworking" and had "a great sense of humor.”

Former EPA acting Administrator Linda Fisher, who worked with Russ Dawson at EPA and remembered how they were part of the team to move the agency forward at a controversial time at EPA after Anne Gorsuch Burford departed in 1983. She later became Thomas' chief of staff, and Dawson helped handle communications.

ON THE PODCAST

SunCast Podcast Talks with SEIA’s Hopper – The SunCast Podcast has a new episode featuring an interview with SEIA head Abby Hopper, who's been dubbed as the most important woman in solar.  Host Nico Johnson and Hopper discuss the direction of the industry and its role in the clean energy future. 

FUN OPINIONS

SB Chamber Raises Concerns about Electrification Discussion – The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce is raising significant concern about the City of Santa Barbara’s potential “REACH Code” ordinance that would prohibit the use of natural gas in new commercial and residential development, writes Chamber head Kristen Miller in an op-ed for Santa Barbara Noozhawk. Miller says the timing of this proposal is problematic and creates additional economic hardship on business during their time of need.  Shae says the City of Santa Barbara’s economy and tax base, which relies heavily on tourism and hospitality, has been devastated by COVID-19. Hundreds of Santa Barbara businesses have closed their doors, and many will likely never reopen. Miller: “We ask that the city not impose new costs for businesses and property owners right now. Instead, we ask to solely focus on policies that matter most to residents right now: protecting public health and getting Santa Barbara businesses to reopen so residents can get back to work.”

FROG BLOG

Small Nuclear Reactors Have Bright Future – In column in Forbes, nuclear expert James Conca writes the small modular nuclear reactor designed by NuScale, out of Oregon, has moved another step toward its first deployment.  It has received an order to prepare for a combined construction and operating license application to build their SMR as part of the Carbon Free Power Project of Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS).  Conca adds the reason SMRs are so exciting is that the SMR is quite an amazing technologically. The NuScale plant planned for UAMPS will use an air-cooled condenser, which will cut water use by more than 90%. A dry condenser simplifies siting requirements – you don’t need a large water source. It moves nuclear energy closer to being an all-terrain technology. And if you're on the coast, a NuScale plant can make enough potable water for a large city.

IN THE NEWS

Klain Memo Highlights First Day Action – In a memo sent over the weekend from upcoming White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain to other upcoming senior staff highlighted actions on the Four Crises during day/week one. The crises are COVID, the economy, climate and racial equity. The remarks on executive action on climate are limited to re-joining the Paris Accord, a long predicted action. But as Klain reminds, the memo is not intended to be exhaustive and also references “additional executive actions” on climate to be signed between Jan 25 and Feb 1.  See the Full MEMO HERE. 

Trump DOE Moves Furnace Rule – The Trump administration Department of Energy finalized a rule that will complicate the Biden administration's ability to up efficiency standards for some residential furnaces and commercial water heaters by creating a separate class of products for non-condensing venting heaters. The American Gas Assn said it fully supports DOE continuing to raise energy efficiency standards. Designating condensing and non-condensing natural gas heating appliances as separate product classes ensures that homes and businesses have access to energy efficient appliances while avoiding the forced removal of a low-carbon and affordable energy option for consumers. “Carbon emissions from the average natural gas home decline 1.2% per year, a direct result of energy efficiency improvements to buildings and appliances and driven by the commitment by natural gas utilities to helping customers save money and lower their carbon footprints. Ongoing innovation will continue to make efficient natural gas the option for homes and businesses looking to save money and reduce emissions.”  DOE withdrew its March 2015 proposed rule and September 2016 supplemental proposed rule for energy conservation standards for non-weatherized gas furnaces, mobile home gas furnaces, and commercial water heating equipment, determining that use of non-condensing technology and associated venting constitute a performance-related “feature” under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act that cannot be eliminated through adoption of an energy conservation standard. This decision means that both noncondensing efficient furnaces and efficient condensing furnaces can remain on the market and continue to become more efficient. The 2015 and 2016 proposals would have effectively eliminated non-condensing appliances. Regulations that mandate condensing furnaces could require homeowners to make structural modifications to their home that could impose significant costs. Estimates generated in response to DOE’s prior proposals found that condensing furnaces cost about $350 more than non-condensing furnaces on average and would require an additional $1,500 to $2,200 in installation costs.

EPA Takes Action on Ethanol, RFS Policy – On Friday, EPA proposed several actions on ethanol policy that will extend deadlines for refiners to prove compliance with biofuel laws, focus on E15 labeling and move decisions to grant small refinery waivers until the Biden Administration. The agency’s proposal represented mixed news for refiners hard hit by slumping energy demand during the coronavirus pandemic and eager to sidestep regulatory costs associated with U.S. biofuel blending policy. The agency said the decision on waivers was related to pending litigation regarding the waiver program.  They did open a docket for public comment on waiver requests by several state governors raising concerns about the RFS Program. Fueling American Jobs said with unrelenting demand destruction for motor fuels due to the COVID-19 pandemic, EPA took long-awaited action to move forward on bipartisan requests from 6 Governors to waive applicable RFS obligations.  “The move reflects the fact that refineries continue to suffer unprecedented financial losses and facility shut-downs, with limited prospects for immediate recovery. The politically and regionally diverse governors calling for waivers from EPA are keenly aware of the hit that refineries and their surrounding communities are taking from adherence to this flawed government mandate. EPA’s move finally provides an appropriate and overdue ray of hope to these major state employers.” FAJC also noted that on the campaign trail, President-elect Biden long supported initiatives to protect and enhance industrial employment while protecting the environment. “Environmentalists, organized labor and industry hope the next administration takes rapid action on this long overdue effort before irreversible damage is done to the nation’s energy infrastructure. The jobs of thousands of union workers in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ohio and many other states across the country depend on it.”

American Gas Foundation Study Outline Energy Resilience Framework – The American Gas Foundation (AGF) released a new study providing context to the important role natural gas plays in creating a more resilient future.  Building a Resilient Energy Future: How the Gas System Contributes to US Energy System Resilience, found recent high stress events—like storms and weather events—have shown the natural gas system is a key component in our energy resilient future. 

• System resilience needs to be defined as a measurable and observable metric, similar to how reliability is considered on the system.
• Methodologies need to be built for valuing resilience, such that it can be integrated into a standard cost-benefit analysis. Value must consider the avoided direct and indirect costs to the service provider, customers and society.
• Resilience solutions must be considered from a fuel-neutral perspective and across utility jurisdictions, requiring electric, gas, and dual-fuel utilities to work together to determine optimal solutions.

This AGF study serves as the framework for policymakers and stakeholders to use when evaluating our energy future.

U.S. GHGs fell more than 10% in 2020 – A new report from the Rhodium Group said US GHG emissions fell 10% in 2020, reaching their lowest levels in three decades as the coronavirus slowed the economy.  The estimate was the result of the significant economic downturn and extraordinary travel circumstances as millions of people stopped driving to work and airlines canceled flights.  Transportation, the nation’s largest source of greenhouse gases, saw a 14.7% decline in emissions in 2020. While travel started picking up again in the latter half of the year as states relaxed their lockdowns, Americans drove 15% fewer miles over 2019 and the demand for jet fuel fell by more than a third. Emissions from heavy industry, such as steel and cement, dropped 7% as automakers and other manufacturers produced fewer goods amid the economic downturn. America’s buildings, which produce carbon dioxide when they burn oil or natural gas for heat, saw emissions fall 6.2%, driven by both lockdowns and warmer-than-average weather, while, emissions plunged by 10.3 percent in 2020 n the electricity sector, driven by a sharp decline in coal burning.

Renewable Jobs Fall for First time in 2020 – A new report says despite the addition of around 16,900 jobs in December, 2020 marked the first year the clean energy industry saw a decline in jobs compared to the previous year.  The latest analysis of federal unemployment filings prepared for E2, E4TheFuture and the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) by BW Research Partnership shows 10 months after the unemployment crisis began, 70% of the jobs lost in the clean energy sector have yet to be recovered with a total of 429,000 still unemployed. At the rate of recovery since June, the analysis reveals it would take about two and a half years for the clean energy sector to reach pre-COVID employment levels.  The report divides the industry into five sectors: energy efficiency; renewable energy; clean vehicles; clean transportation, distribution and storage; and clean fuels. With more than 302,000 losses, energy efficiency has by far been the hardest hit. Meanwhile, despite adding positions from June to December, the renewable energy segment is down 67,577, mainly due to widespread losses in March and April.

DOT Release Plans for AVs – Last week, the US Department of Transportation released its Automated Vehicles Comprehensive Plan (AVCP), a document that lays out DOT’s strategy to promote collaboration and transparency, modernize the regulatory environment, and prepare the transportation system for the safe integration of automated driving systems. The AVCP details current DOT efforts around AV technology, including regulatory activities, and details future plans. “This comprehensive plan lays out a vision for the safe integration of automated vehicles into America’s transportation system while ensuring that legitimate concerns about safety, security, and privacy are addressed,” said then-transportation secretary Elaine Chao. In particular, the AVCP outlines DOT’s strategy for the regulation and deployment of autonomous trucking. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) plans to host a series of sessions with a variety of stakeholders in the trucking industry, including the manufacturers of automated driving systems for commercial vehicles, truck manufacturers, industry associations and others to develop industry-based standards for driverless trucks.

 

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

MOST EVENTS SCHEDULED ARE NOW ONLINE WEBINARS

Cleantech Forum Set – The Cleantech Forum will be held in San Francisco today to Thursday.

Mexico Infrastructure Forum Set – The 6^th Mexico Infrastructure Projects Forum will take place virtually from Monterrey today through Thursday.  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.

Forum to Look at Climate in Biden Admin – This morning at 9:00 a.m., the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia SIPA together with the Columbia Global Centers will jointly host a discussion examining how climate policy is likely to evolve under a Biden Administration—and what the Administration’s role will be in bringing about those changes.  Speakers will include Columbia’s Jason Bordoff, Columbia Law School’s Michael Gerrard and Kelly Sims Gallagher of the Tufts’ Fletcher School.

Forum to Look at Nuclear Workforce – Today 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)

SCOTUS to Hear Baltimore/Oil Climate Case – The Supreme Court heard arguments in the BP v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore case this morning. 

FERC to Hold Last Meeting of Trump Admin – FERC holds its final meeting of the Trump administration today, with a packed agenda to make the most of the brief time left that Republicans will hold both the gavel and the majority. It is still unclear how much Commissioner Mark Christie will participate since he's been in office only since Jan. 4 and may not have gotten up to speed on the issues.

NYT Climate Forum Set – The NY Times Climate team and OurEnergyPolicy hosts another forum today 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.

Buttigieg Hearing Set – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will convene a nomination hearing Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to consider the presidential nomination of Peter Buttigieg to be Secretary of the US Department of Transportation.  Buttigieg testifies. 

Forum to Look at AI, Utilities – A new forum on Thursday 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 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.

Bipartisan Forum Set to Look at Climate – On Friday starting at 9:00 a.m., the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum, in partnership with the American Conservation Coalition. Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), and Green for All will host the Global Energy Forum.  The event features a lively discussion to identify common sense clean energy solutions that address the triple crises of COVID-19, job loss, and climate change in the new Congress. The Bipartisan Summit on Climate and the Economy will feature congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle with the aim of identifying common sense clean energy solutions that address the triple crises of COVID-19, job loss, and climate change in the new Congress.

IN THE FUTURE

CSIS Forum to Look at India Climate Goals – The CSIS Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies is hosting key stakeholders next Monday at 8:00 a.m. looking at the technical challenges India's power sector faces in meeting their crucial climate change goals, among other key issues. Speakers include Mastercard’s Richard Verma, Sumant Sinha of ReNew Power and Manu Srivastava, Principal Secretary of the Government of Madhya Pradesh.

USEA Looks at 45Q Issues – The US Energy Assn holds a forum next Monday at 1:00 p.m. to look at the revised 45Q Tax Credit that has been finalized by the IRS and the almost 5,600-page Omnibus contained many other provisions relating to CCUS.  USEA's Consensus Team and guest speakers Fred Eames, David Lowman, Keith Tracy, and Max Williamson as we discuss the Finalization of 45Q and discover the pertinent Omnibus sections of interest to the CCUS community. 

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.

WCEE to Look at Next Admin – On Tuesday January 26^th at Noon, the Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment for a discussion about what to expect in environmental and energy regulation and enforcement as a new administration takes the reigns. Environmental and energy law experts who have closely tracked and analyzed developments under the Trump administration and policy goals of the incoming Biden administration, have experience enforcing environmental laws at the DOJ and have been in the federal government during prior presidential transitions will discuss where we are.

WRI Paper Looks at RNG – On Tuesday January 26^th at 1:00 p.m., the World Resources Institute holds a forum on the role of Renewable Natural Gas in state climate policy. During this session, experts will discuss WRI’s newly released guidance paper on RNG as a state climate strategy, followed by speakers from U.S. states and regions that will highlight local developments, current barriers, and opportunities moving forward.  Speakers include WRI’s Dan Lashof, Rebecca Smith of the Oregon Department of Energy, Clean Fuels Ohio CEO Sam Spofforth and Chris Voell of the Danish Trade Council of North America.

Forum to Look at Utility Technologies – On Tuesday January 26^th at 1:00 p.m., ICF hosts an expert live webinar about IEEE Standard 1547-2018, which requires distributed energy resources (DER) to provide specific grid supportive functionalities. These capabilities can help improve power quality for all customers and ensure that DERs can continue to be a reliable grid resource as penetration increases and the grid transforms. Although all DERs will be required to have these functionalities enabled, inverter-based DERs can utilize smart inverters to comply with the new standards.

Businesses Discuss Look for Bipartisan Climate Action – The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) holds a forum on Tuesday January 26^th at 3:00 p.m. to look at the business case for ambitious, bipartisan climate action. At this virtual event, top corporate leaders will outline the business case for climate action. In addition, C2ES will release its detailed recommendations for the new Administration and Congress. C2ES’s Climate Innovation 2050 initiative brings together companies from key sectors to examine challenges and solutions in decarbonizing the U.S. economy. Drawing on these discussions, C2ES’s new recommendations identify top priorities to drive climate innovation, reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience, remedy inequities, and support the post-pandemic economic recovery. Senior executives from Bank of America, LafargeHolcim, and PSEG will outline the steps their companies are taking and why they also support ambitious, bipartisan climate action.

Hydrogen Roadmap Discussed – On Wednesday January 27^th at 12:00 p.m., the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association holds the Northeast Regional debut of the “Road Map to a U.S. Hydrogen Economy” highlighting hydrogen's potential to reduce emissions and drive economic growth.  The findings of the Road Map will be detailed by Kimberly Henderson, Partner at McKinsey & Company.  Other industry panelists include Plug Power CEO Andy Marsh, Air Liquide North America Hydrogen President Karine Boissy-Rousseau, Toyota Motor North America’s Robert Wimmer, Microsoft’s Mark Monroe, Air Products’ Eric Guter and NEL Hydrogen’s Stephen Szymanski.

GWU Host Climate Elements Forum – GWU hosts a forum on Wednesday January 27^th at Noon to discuss Earth, air, wind and fire, key essential ingredients of life. The talk discusses their roles in climate change, the dangers of precipitating an anthropogenic mass extinction, and actions humanity could take to avoid that.  Oxford Experts David Hendry, Jennifer Castle and James Foster Join GWU’s Sunil Sharman and ASU’s Ann Florini for the discussion. 

SEJ Hosts 2021 Agenda Forum – The Society of Environmental Journalists holds its 9^th annual 2021 Journalists’ Guide to Energy & Environment on Wednesday January 27^th at 1:00 p.m. The event will feature leading journalists offering their predictions for the year ahead, plus special guests.  Keynote speaker will be White House National Climate Advisor and former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.  NPR’s Neela Bannerjee will moderate a panel of journalists that currently includes LAT‘s Sammy Roth, Mark Trahant of Indian County Today and Grist’s Yvette Cabrera. 

Report Assesses TX Role in EV Development – On Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., the Advance Energy Economy holds a web event on whether Texas will be the Detroit of EVs.  Drawing on the new report, “Electric Transportation Supply Chain in Texas,” prepared by BW Research Partnership for the Texas Advanced Energy Business Alliance, this webinar, presented by TAEBA and AEE, will look at the opportunities in Texas and other states to enter the auto, truck, and bus industry as it converts from gasoline and diesel to electric power. 

Forum Focuses on MicroGrids – Power Magazine holds a webinar on Wednesday January 27^th at 3:00 p.m. that will look at microgrids. The webcast features experts on microgrid design and installation, who will review the “Why” behind the technology, the “Plan” to incorporate it into the utility portfolio, and the “Install,” with an example of how one utility worked closely with its customer to accomplish the goals of satisfying the customer’s wish for renewable energy and a reliable source of power.

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.

Event Looks at Hydrogen Challenges, Opportunities – On Thursday January 28^th, Reuters Events holds an hour-long panel discussion looking at hydrogen scale and its role in Net zero emissions scenarios.  The event will discuss how, when, and where clean hydrogen production can be achieved at scale, key challenges in scaling up production (both technical and commercial), needed government support, infrastructure development and investor appetite to fund large scale projects.  Speakers include DOE Hydrogen expert Dr. Sunita Satyapal, Noe van Hulst of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), Hydrogen Europe Secretary-General Jorgo Chatzimarkarkis and Valérie Cazaban of H2V Industry.

ELI Looks at Gas Stations, Energy Transition – On Thursday January 28^th at Noon, the Environmental Law Institute, Coltura, and expert panelists to explore research examining gas stations through the lens of the climate crisis and the rise of electric vehicles. The event looks at four emerging trends – the climate crisis, the rise of electric vehicles, the aging of underground storage tanks and new research on gas station pollution. Panelists will review leading policy proposals that empower states and local governments to regulate gas stations to advance their climate goals, reduce pollution of air, soil, and groundwater, improve public health and save taxpayers money.

Forum Discusses Carbon Neutral Building Codes – The New Buildings Institute holds a forum on Thursday January 28^th at 1:00 p.m. on carbon neutral building codes.  The webinar looks at opportunities for states and cities to leverage their energy codes in order to maximize carbon reductions and minimize costs including a broad overview of best practice strategies and approach in action. NBI staff will introduce new “decarbonization code language” that it is compatible with the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and can be adopted as an overlay option. The code language and supporting guidance, which will help adopting agencies move to carbon neutral requirements in newly constructed homes and commercial buildings. 

EPA Green Power Program Detailed – The annual state of the voluntary Green Power Market webinar will be held on Thursday January 28^th at 1:00 p.m. This annual EPA webinar is focused primarily on the voluntary market, through which consumers and institutions voluntarily procure renewable energy for all or part of their electricity needs. The webinar will present information on the various green power product options with information on their trends in green power purchasing; continued growth of new green power procurement options, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), community solar programs, and community choice aggregations; and trends of GPP partners green power use and diversification.  The presentations draw heavily on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's recently published Status and Trends in the U.S. Voluntary Green Power Market (2019 data: https://data.nrel.gov/submissions/151) as well as the Green Power Partnership's program data. Speakers include EPA's Green Power Partnership Program Manager Christopher Kent and Eric O'Shaughnessy, a consultant that specializes in distributed energy resources and voluntary green power market research.

WEN DC Trivia Kick Off Event – On Thursday January 28^th, the DC Chapter of the Women’s Energy Network is hosting a fun night of virtual trivia, games, and networking. The event is will feature raffle prizes, energy themed trivia and games, and a chance for small group networking at the end. Registration is FREE.

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.

FERC’s Clements Headlines WRISE Forum – Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) announced a dynamic lineup of keynote speakers for the upcoming Leadership Forum taking place virtually on February 15-18.  The 2021 WRISE Leadership Forum Keynote Speakers are FERC Commissioner Allison Clements, Nwamaka Agbo and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Founder of Urban Ocean Lab. The WRISE Leadership Forum is a unique experience, combining professional development with tools to advance renewable energy. Renewable professionals from across the country will connect virtually to discuss current renewable energy trends and policy issues; and gain valuable tools to enhance their careers, companies and organizations.

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. 

BCSE, BNEF to Release 2021 FactBook – The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and BloombergNEF (BNEF) will hold an embargoed press briefing on February 16^th at 11:00 a.m. to release the findings of the 9^th annual edition of the Sustainable Energy in America Factbook. The 2021 Factbook will be released to the public on February 17. Each year, the Factbook provides comprehensive information and analysis on major sustainable energy facts and trends from the previous year. The Factbook includes energy statistics on market growth and contraction, and analysis of trends in the energy efficiency, natural gas, renewable energy and other clean energy segments. The 2021 Factbook will look back on year-on-year dynamics, including how COVID-19 business conditions impacted U.S. energy markets and the overall energy transition. The press event will cover several core benchmarks – deployment, technology innovation, policy, emissions, and jobs.

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.