Energy Update: Week of January 9th

Energy Update - January 09, 2023

Friends,

Welcome to 2023. I was out all last week in the Galapagos Islands. What a fabulous trip and one that I would recommend to anyone. 

So, what did I miss while I was gone? Sounds like not much other than some Speaker shenanigans. I was in the airport in Galapagos when EPA rolled out its PM announcement on Friday, so I was able to share some comments with many of you despite the not-so-good internet. Of course, more details below.

While Congress returns this week, don't expect much in the way of action other than organizing. This week is a big week though for a focus on energy with several major events. On Wednesday, API hosts its annual State of American Energy event which provides a detailed look at the significant oil, gas, energy and climate issues facing consumers and markets. Then on Thursday, the Chamber of Commerce does its annual State of American Business which always has an important look at energy and climate issues.  Also Thursday, AGA holds a presser with its new Chair Suzanne Sitherwood of Spire Energy. Sitherwood will outline her vision for the year ahead and the role of natural gas in the US. Given last week’s RMI study on gas stoves, this will be a good event.

Other important events this week include EPA’s virtual public hearing to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard Program Standards for 2023-2025 tomorrow and Wednesday, OurEnergyPolicy’s Thursday Breakfast event at the National Press Club on its energy jobs and the IRA’s impacts with former Energy Secretary Moniz and ASE’s Paula Glover and on RFF looks at EVs on Friday featuring Dan Sperling and moderated by POLITOCO’s Tanya Snyder.

Finally, stay tuned next week as we launch the first five of our top 10 issues of 2023.  Of course, always willing to hear your suggestions on what you think is a top issue for this coming year, so please feel free to reach out and let me know.  

TCU-Georgia tonight for the college football national championship. I still can't believe Michigan didn't win that game in the semifinal. And just as surprised that Ohio State missed that field goal to let Georgia off the hook.  Oh well, the Big 10 seems jinxed.

 

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“We need to be talking about regulating gas stoves, whether that’s drastically improving emissions or banning gas stoves entirely. And I think we ought to keep that possibility of a ban in mind, because it’s a powerful tool in our tool belt and it’s a real possibility here.”

Consumer Product Safety Commissioner Richard Trumka

“AGA is eager to submit for the record objective technical information related to the safety of gas cooking appliances and ways to reduce cooking process emissions — which are produced both by cooking with electricity and cooking with gas — from impacting indoor air quality.” 

American Gas Association VP of energy markets, analysis and standards Richard Meyer responding to Trumka.

 

ON THE PODCAST

Factor This! Looks at Demand for Clean Energy Investment – Corporate demand for clean energy couldn't be hotter. And it's not just for far-away solar and wind farms anymore. In a year plagued by trade disputes, supply chain constraints, and missed targets, onsite commercial and industrial deployment of solar, batteries and EV charging grew in 2022 when other areas sank. Leaders in the C&I space say it's about to explode. That growth doesn't come without its own challenges for grid reliability. Episode 30 of the Factor This! podcast features Raphael Declercq, CEO of the C&I solar, storage and EV charging developer PowerFlex. Owned by EDF Renewables, PowerFlex is a leader in the C&I space, recently raising $100 million to expand its onsite energy management hardware and software offering. Declercq weighed in on the impact of the California net metering decision, intelligent EV charging, and the outlook for an often-overlooked segment of the industry.

CapCrude Focuses on 2023 Oil/Gas Outlook – In the latest episode of S&P Global’s Capitol Crude podcast, Rene Santos, manager of North American supply and production for Platts Analytics, joined S&P Global editor Starr Spencer on the podcast to share his thoughts on what may be awaiting the US upstream sector in 2023 as it prepares for a new year of drilling and production and waits for the lifting of clouds cast by events beyond its control.

 

FUN OPINIONS

To get rid of coal power, we need smarter coal finance – In an op-ed in Canary, clean energy advocates Alex Murray and Shravan Bhat write a successful, equitable phaseout of coal power will require billions of dollars of effective financing. But simply divesting from coal will not close coal plants at the speed required to avoid the worst climate impacts. Instead, shutting down coal plants in the right way while ensuring communities and workers aren’t left behind will require billions in new, targeted financing. Although increasing financing to help phase out coal plants may seem inimical to the goals of net-zero-committed financial institutions and climate activists, a business-as-usual approach will not solve the world’s coal challenge. With new reports out on the tools available to help create and track managed coal phaseout plans, along with guidelines on how to distinguish credible phaseout deals from greenwashing, financial institutions now have an array of smarter strategies to choose from. 

 

FROG BLOG

WSJ’s Finley Cites Toyota CEO on EV Concerns – In a column in the Wall Street Journal, Editorial Board writer Allysia Finley raises important challenges about a massive transition to electric vehicles. Finley uses the words of Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda, who recent said in Thailand, “I think BEVs are just going to take longer to become mainstream than the media would like us to believe.” He added that a “silent majority” in the auto industry share his view, “but they think it’s the trend, so they can’t speak out loudly.” Finley highlights rural infrastructure, costs, consumer acceptance, maintenance challenges and Buy America/Labor issues all as potential roadblocks to a rapid transition. Politicians and auto makers racing to eliminate the internal-combustion engine are bound to crash into technological, logistic and financial realities, Toyoda warned. The casualties will be taxpayers, but the administration doesn’t seem to care, Finley adds.

 

FUN FACTS

CARBON SEQUESTRATION: Current rates for sequestered carbon (as tax credits per the IRA thru Section 45Q)

  • $85/ton:   permanently stored
  • $60/ton:   ceiling for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) or other industrial uses 
  • $180/ton: direct air capture (DAC)
  • $130/ton: recaptured (aka "used") CO2 

 

IN THE NEWS

Vista Pacifico LNG Gets Green Light from DOE – You may have missed this, but the DOE has posted on its website an order granting long-term authorization to re-export U.S.-sourced natural gas in the form of Liquefied Natural Gas from Mexico to Non-Free Trade Agreement Nations. Of course, West Coast access will be vital for Asian LNG demand and it is will mostly certainly provide relief/lessen pressure for EU markets. Sempra says Under the permits granted by DOE, Vista Pacifico LNG is authorized to re-export up to 200 billion cubic feet per year (Bcf/yr) of LNG from U.S.-sourced natural gas from the project under development in Topolobampo, Sinaloa, Mexico to any country with which the United States does not have an FTA requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas. Vista Pacifico LNG is projected to be a mid-scale facility with approximately 3.5 million tons per annum (Mtpa) of export capacity. Sempra Infrastructure is advancing the development of Vista Pacifico LNG in collaboration with Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), as previously announced. The DOE also increased the authorized export volumes of ECA LNG Phase 2, permitting it to re-export up to 636 Bcf/yr of LNG from U.S.-sourced natural gas from the proposed project in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico to non-FTA nations. Both permits are applicable for the period beginning on the date of first commercial re-export through December 2050.

EPA Rolls Out Soot/NAAQS/PM – EPA released its long-awaited proposal to toughen a key national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for fine particle pollution, also known as PM2.5.  EPA is also proposing to revise other aspects related to the PM standards – such as monitoring requirements and the Air Quality Index (AQI) – that will help states and Tribal Nations meet the revised standards while making significant strides toward protecting the health of all people, including at-risk populations. The Agency is proposing to retain the primary 24-hour PM2.5 standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter, while taking comment on revising this level to as low as 25 micrograms per cubic meter. EPA will accept public comment for 60 days after the proposal is published in the Federal Register. EPA will also conduct a virtual public hearing over several days for this proposed rulemaking, with the hearing beginning at 11:00 am Eastern Time and concluding at 7:00 pm ET each day.  EPA will begin pre-registering speakers for the hearing upon publication of the announcement of the public hearings in the Federal Register. Additional information will also be made available on the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM webpage.

API VP of Downstream Policy Will Hupman: “The current particulate matter (PM) standards are effective and will continue to build on significant improvements in air quality while protecting public health. There is no compelling scientific evidence or requirement under the Clean Air Act to support more stringent PM standards that would likely place new regulatory and cost burdens on state and local governments, businesses, and the public. API is committed to working with the administration on setting PM standards that are based on science and sensible policy making.”

US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute Chad Whiteman: "The United States has some of the best air quality in the world, thanks to steady reductions in contributors to particulate matter emissions over the last decade—some by over 75 percent. While it is important to continue making progress, we are concerned that the proposed regulation would stifle manufacturing and industrial investment and exacerbate permitting challenges that continue to hamper the economy. Thanks to private investment, technological advances, and cooperative efforts between states, businesses, and the federal government, America’s air is cleaner than ever. As a result, the vast majority (over 84 percent) of particulate matter emissions now come from non-point sources such as wildfires, construction and road dust—factors that are extremely difficult for individual regions and states to control. By contrast, only 16 percent come from industrial sources and power plants, with further improvements likely as new plants and technologies come online. Even if particulate matter emissions were completely eliminated from electricity, transportation and the industrial sector, it would be difficult to meet stricter standards in certain areas under this discretionary rulemaking in the timeframe allowed," said Whiteman. "We are disappointed that the Administration did not consider maintaining the current NAAQS standards. A better approach would be to focus on supporting innovative solutions through the implementation of the existing standards and the unprecedented new investments made by Congress."

Portland Cement Association (PCA) CEO Mike Ireland: “The EPA’s proposed decision is yet another regulatory burden that will hamper the cement industry’s ability to manufacture sustainable construction materials to meet the nation’s infrastructure needs. This industry has spent hundreds of millions of dollars implementing state-of-the-art emission technology controls to comply with stringent PM and other air emissions requirements under federal and state regulations. Our companies have always regarded the safety of the air we breathe as a top priority. The proposed tightening of PM NAAQS will likely result in PM emissions standards being technically and economically infeasible for the industry to meet.”

Gas Stoves Under Fire Again – A new study from the advocacy group RMI in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in December 2022 finds that 12.7% of cases of childhood asthma in the US could be due to gas stoves in the home. The researchers say gas stoves can produce and emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, methane, benzene and nitrogen dioxide, especially if they are used in poorly ventilated spaces and aren’t properly maintained. The American Gas Association pushed back against the study with CEO Karen Harbert saying it used a “headline-grabbing approach” that lacked scientific rigor and that “the claims made in this paper are clearly driven by simple advocacy-based modeling and hypotheticals over the deep and sophisticated analysis we should see in sound science.” Industry advocates and Republican led legislatures have also pushed back hard against plans to phase out the use of gas stoves. Some states and cities like New York have banned the use of gas hookups in new buildings, while others have prevented these changes.

New Report Showcases the Far-Reaching Benefits of Energy Efficiency – A new report quantifies the powerful impact of energy efficiency across key sectors of the American economy and demonstrates how efficiency investments reduce carbon emissions, lower energy bills, and improve public health. The 2023 Energy Efficiency Impact Report, released today by the Alliance to Save Energy, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), quantifies recent progress on energy efficiency and points to critical opportunities ahead as consumers face increasing energy costs.

Report Data – The second edition of the report underlines that efficiency investments since 1980 have reduced annual energy expenditures in the United States by nearly $800 billion and driven down energy consumption per household by 16%. By prioritizing energy efficiency investments through implementation of recently passed federal legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, states and federal agencies can cut energy costs for American families, improve energy resilience, and reduce carbon emissions. The report underscores the powerful impact of energy efficiency as a driver of economic development and job creation. Through investments in energy efficiency since 1970, the U.S. has decoupled energy consumption and economic growth – increasing energy productivity by 170%. Today, 40% of all energy jobs in the U.S. relate to energy efficiency – totaling 2.2 million workers in 2021. The report also reinforces energy efficiency as a key climate solution: in 2021, the U.S. would have produced 78% higher carbon emissions without the energy efficiency investments already in place. Other notable findings from the report include:

  • More than 60% of low-income households in the U.S. face a high energy burden, with some paying more than 20% of their income on utility bills
  • Investments in energy efficiency have driven down energy consumption per household by approximately 16%
  • Energy efficiency investments have reduced today’s energy expenditures by approximately $800 billion and federal funding for energy efficiency programs have increased by 61% in the last decade
  • Utility investments in energy efficiency have grown, achieving 16% more electricity savings and 94% more gas savings in 2020 than in 2011

SoCo Announced Leadership Transition – Longtime Southern Company CEO Tom Fanning will step down as CEO of SoCo. The SoCo Board of Directors said that, effective March 31st, Chris Womack has been appointed president of Southern Company and elected as a member of the Board of Directors of Southern Company. Womack also has been appointed CEO of Southern Company effective immediately following the conclusion of Southern Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Womack, 64, has served as president of Georgia Power since 2020 and chairman, president and CEO since 2021. A native of Greenville, Alabama, Womack joined Southern Company in 1988 and has held several leadership positions within Southern Company and its subsidiaries. Womack also served as senior vice president of human resources and chief people officer at Southern Company, as well as senior vice president of public relations and corporate services at Alabama Power. Prior to joining Southern Company, Womack worked on Capitol Hill for the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, DC.  Other changes include Kim Greene being named chair of the Board of Directors, CEO and president of Georgia Power; Jeff Peoples being named chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO and president of Alabama Power; Jim Kerr II being named chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO and president of Southern Company Gas and Pete Sena III being named president of Southern Nuclear and remaining SoCo’s Chief Nuclear Officer.

 

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

USEA Holds Critical Minerals Forum – As part of its National Tribal Energy Roundtable, the US Energy Assn holds a forum today at 3:00 p.m. to look at critical minerals, research and development and advanced manufacturing. DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains Zack Valdez, Adam Simon of the University of Michigan, Navajo Nation VP Myron Lizer and Michael Rowley with Stillwater Critical Minerals speak on the world of critical minerals and advanced manufacturing, as well as where Tribes can thrive in the much-needed spectrum in the global future of energy.

EPA to Hold RFS Public Hearing – EPA holds a virtual meeting to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard Program: Standards for 2023-2025 tomorrow and Wednesday.

NREL Looks at Power Sector – Tomorrow at 1:00 p.m., National Renewable Energy Laboratory analysts hold a forum to present the 8th installment of the Standard Scenarios—an annually updated set of scenarios for how the U.S. power sector could evolve through 2050. The 2022 Standard Scenarios captures 70 possible U.S. power system futures.

Forum Looks at Emissions Reporting – The Center for Climate & Energy Solutions will hold a forum tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on improving embodied emissions reporting. The event will explore the current state of the knowledge infrastructure around embodied emissions reporting, the challenges we face in developing a robust system of reporting, and what we can do to get there. Holcim’s Michael LeMonds is among the group of speakers.

Forum to Look at Energy Storage Progress – The Clean Energy States Alliance holds an event tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. to look at the State of the U.S. Energy Storage Industry - 2022 Year in Review. The event is an annual lookback at the year in energy storage covers advances in the U.S. market, including deployment trends, policy and regulatory updates; the state of the art in energy storage technologies; and the market outlook for the coming years. The webinar features Dr. Imre Gyuk, director of energy storage research at US DOE Office of Electricity. 

State of American Energy Set – The annual State of American Energy address from the American Petroleum Institute will be held on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at Capital Turnaround. API will hold a press call following the event at 11:30 a.m. EST.  On a media conference call, API’s Mike Sommers and Frank Macchiarola will recap the event, highlighting new polling data and a report on policies needed to unleash U.S. natural gas and oil and the ways in which industry continues to make, move and improve American energy to meet growing demand.

Forum to Look at Nuclear, Green Transition – GWU’s Security & Sustainability Forum holds an on-line event on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. looking at nuclear power’s role in the green energy transition. This lecture, Dr. Alfredo Caro will provide a broad overview of nuclear technology at present, its challenges and opportunities as seen in different parts of the world, the most advanced examples being developed worldwide, and the news in this field that captures the attention of the public, the press, and the investors.

Moniz Featured in OEP Forum – OurEnergyPolicy is hosting a breakfast discussion on energy jobs on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at the National Press Club in DC featuring Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) Founder and former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.  Moniz will be joined by EFI Distinguished Associate David Foster and Alliance to Save Energy President Paula Glover for a discussion about energy jobs and Inflation Reduction Act impacts on the sector.

Chamber’s State of American Business Address Set – The Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual State of American Business forum on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. The forum will cover a number of business issues including energy.

AGA to Hold NatGas Preview Presser – At a virtual media event Thursday at 10:00 a.m., American Gas Assn Chair Suzanne Sitherwood will outline her vision for the year ahead and the role of natural gas in the United States. There are more than 76 million residential, commercial and industrial natural gas customers in the U.S., of which 95 percent — more than 72 million customers — receive their gas from AGA members. Today, natural gas meets more than thirty percent of the United States' energy needs. Given last weeks RMI study on gas stoves, this will be a good event.

ELI Looks at Hydrogen – The Environmental Law Institute holds a webinar on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. exploring green hydrogen's role in our energy future. Green Hydrogen presents an opportunity to aid the transition to net zero, with the potential to save the 830 million tons of CO2 that are emitted annually when this gas is produced using fossil fuels. Hydrogen is storable, versatile, and sustainable, yet challenges remain to its adoption.  DOE’s Dr. Sunita Satyapal, the Director of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office leads the discussion.

RFF Looks at EVs, Decarb – On Friday at 12:30 p.m., Resources for the Future holds an RFF Live event presenting these findings and examining the broader benefits and costs of plug-in electric vehicles. The panel of experts will unpack the complexities and benefits of widespread EV adoption, particularly in the context of recent policy packages—including the Inflation Reduction Act—which stand to greatly incentivize EV deployment. New research from Resources for the Future (RFF) projects the climate, air pollution, and health benefits of plug-in EVs under different policy and market forces. The study finds that the benefits of EVs are complex and vary widely depending on market forces and which decarbonization policies are adopted.  POLITICO’s Tanya Snyder moderates a panel with RFF experts and California Transpo expert Dan Sperling.

 

IN THE FUTURE

Atlantic Council holds 2023 Global Energy Forum – This weekend, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center will host its annual Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The 2023 Forum will have a special focus on the challenge of managing energy security priorities and decarbonization efforts in tandem, including the continuing impact of the crisis in Ukraine on the energy transition.

RFF Looks at Big Climate, Enviro Decisions – Resources for the Future (RFF) holds its annual Big Decisions event on Wednesday, January 18th at 9:30 a.m. exploring the biggest priorities in climate, energy, and the environment likely to see major action in the year ahead. Our panel of experts across policymaking, academia, and journalism will examine some of the biggest issues likely to see action in 2023, including infrastructure and implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law; permitting reform and financing; the Farm Bill 2023; and federal regulation including the EPA tailpipe rule, power plant rule, and the future of SEC regulation. Speakers include our friend Juliet Eilperin of the Washington Post, ACP’s Jason Grumet, DOE’s Kathleen Hogan, EPA’s Janet McCabe and USDA’s Homer Wilkes.  RFF’s Richard Newell will also speak.

Heritage Looks at Energy Climate, Shale – The Heritage Foundation holds a forum on Wednesday January 18th at 11:00 a.m. looking at an insider view of global energy, climate and the shale revolution. Chris Wright, Liberty Energy CEO, joins Heritage to discuss the shale revolution and potential for human betterment provided by energy-intensive fuels.

Columbia Team/Report Looks at Clean Ammonia, Climate – Columbia’s Center for Global Energy Policy holds a forum and discussion on Wednesday January 18th at Noon looking at a November report called the ICEF Low-Carbon Ammonia Roadmap.  The report explores a number of topics including low-carbon ammonia production options, infrastructure needs, potential uses for low-carbon ammonia, and policy options. Speakers will include study authors Columbia Ph.D. student Zhiyuan Fan, former DOE Scientist and Carbon Direct Chief Carbon Wrangler Julio Friedmann and industry analysts Ann-Kathrin Merz.  David Sandalow, Chair of the Roadmap project will moderate.

DC PSC holds Energy Summit – On Wednesday January 18th starting at 12:45 p.m., DC’s Public Service Commission holds a Clean Energy Summit to discuss how utility regulators and industry experts can advance progress toward national and local clean energy goals at the 2023 District of Columbia Clean Energy Summit: Path to Decarbonization. There will be multiple panels and keynotes featuring federal, state, local, and industry leaders who will come together to answer questions and discuss how we can chart a path to a clean energy future. Incoming FERC Chair Willie Phillips keynotes.

ACEEE Holds Residential Retrofits Summit – The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) holds a virtual summit on Thursday January 19th and Friday January 20th on retrofits for energy equity.  The event features sessions for local and state government staff and community-based organizations on leveraging federal funding and multi-sector, community-centered approaches to scaling up holistic retrofits in affordable housing. Learn how thoughtful collaboration can lead to home upgrades that generate energy savings, health benefits, local jobs, and more equitable outcomes for residents.

Washington Auto Show Policy Day Features White House Advisor – The Washington Auto Show holds its annual Washington Public Policy Day on Thursday January 19th starting at 12:00 noon. The 2023 Public Policy Day will kick off with a keynote by Ali Zaidi. Our friend David Shepardson of Reuters also moderates several key panels including a fireside chat with Gabe Klein, Executive Director, Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. WaPo’s Shannon Osaka also hosts a panel that features experts discussing US competitiveness in EVs along the entire supply chain and the benefits to the EV market and job growth from both the IRA, the Chips Act and the Infrastructure law.

Forum to Look at Carbon Storage in Net Zero – On Thursday January 19th at 1:00 p.m., American U’s Institute for Carbon Removal and Policy holds a webinar on forests and soils to reach net-zero. National climate plans so far suggest countries are ‘betting’ on using forests and soils to compensate for their remaining ‘difficult-to-decarbonize’ emissions to reach climate targets. A new paper reviews these plans, examining what they mean for carbon dioxide removal and net zero. This webinar will include a presentation by the authors Harry Smith and Naomi Vaughan of the University of East Anglia.

USEA Energy Forum Set – The US Energy Assn holds its 19th annual State of the Energy Industry Forum on Thursday January 26th at the National Press Club. The event will feature CEOs from all Washington’s key top trade association heads on current policy drivers, objectives and priorities for the coming year.

Distributed Wind Forum, Lobby Day Set – The Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA) holds Distributed Wind 2023 on January 27th at the Residence Inn in Arlington, VA.  The event is the tenth annual where the leaders of the distributed and community wind industry convene to showcase this sector of the wind industry to an audience of policy makers, agency staff, and renewable energy industry leaders.

Press Club to Host National Geographic Magazine Founder – The National Press Club hosts Gilbert Grosvenor, the former chairman of the National Geographic Society and editor of its magazine, to discuss his half-century career with one of the world’s most recognizable magazines at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 27th in the Fourth Estate room.

House Oversight Chair to Address Press Club – The National Press Club will host Rep. James Comer (R-KY) at a Club in-person Headliners Newsmaker on Monday, January 30th at 10:00 a.m. in the Fourth Estate Room. Comer is expected to serve as the next chairman of the House Oversight Committee when Republicans take control of the House of Representatives on Jan 3. Comer has said the Oversight Committee under Republican control will focus on rooting out waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in the federal government and holding the Biden Administration accountable.

Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Seminar Set for Long Beach – The Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Assn holds its 2023 Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Seminar in Long Beach on February 7th to February 9th.  The event includes a half-day workshop sponsored by the Department of Energy, morning plenary program featuring talks from government and private sector leaders, over 120 afternoon breakout presentations.  Speakers include DOE’s Jeff Marootian, FCHEA head Frank Wolak and my colleague Tim Urban, among many others.

Annual Ethanol Forum Set – The Renewable Fuels Association holds its 28th annual National Ethanol Conference in Orlando from February 28th to March 2nd. The 2023 event theme “Ready. Set. Go! “reflects the US ethanol industry’s momentum moving forward into new markets and opportunities. The NEC is the nation’s most widely attended executive-level conference for the ethanol industry. There is much to learn and experience at the NEC, where sessions featuring globally renowned speakers are interspersed with numerous networking opportunities to help the industry connect and collaborate.

CERA Week Locked In – The energy industry’s biggest event, CERA Week will be held on March 6th to March 10th in Houston. CERAWeek brings together global leaders to advance new ideas, insight and solutions to the biggest challenges facing the future of energy, the environment, and climate. CERAWeek is widely considered to be the most prestigious annual gathering of CEOs and Ministers from global energy and utilities, as well as automotive, manufacturing, policy and financial communities, along with a growing presence of tech. Speakers include White House Advisor John Podesta, former Energy Secretaries Ernest Moniz (now at EFI) and Dan ‘Brouillette (now at Sempra Infrastructure), State’s Amos Hochstein, IEA’s Fatih Birol and dozens of energy CEOs.  

ACORE Policy Forum Set – The annual ACORE Policy Forum on March 9th in Washington, D.C. with the annual ACORE Awards Gala the evening before. The event will feature important discussions around ensuring the success of the Inflation Reduction Act, building the clean energy workforce of tomorrow, and what is needed to catalyze a domestic clean energy supply chain and upgraded electric grid to meet our decarbonization goals and achieve the clean energy transition.

MIT Energy Conference Set – MIT holds its annual energy conference on April 11th and 12th in Boston.