Energy Update: Week of July 21st

Friends,

I am in transit today from the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park’s Root Glacier to Seward. This all was after a glorious visit to Denali National Park and Mt. McKinley.  As you can see our weather was perfect and The Mountain was “out” (h/t: Dillon, Elizabeth Stolpe). It is highly unusual to get this great view so we were incredibly lucky and it was spectacular. 

Anyway, only a short update today as I continue across The Last Frontier. Congress will be busy with funding bills still after completing its recent foreign aid/public media recissions package. This week both House and Senate Approps panels move forward with EPA and Interior funding. The House also vote on rescinding several Biden land use regs, as well as moving new Clean Water policy. Plus FERC has its July Open Meeting on Thursday with PJM renewable requirements and natgas project issues on the agenda. Of note for FERC: still no discussion of PJM tariffs on questions about co-location (related to data center, nuclear, etc).

TUNE IN Today at 1:00 p.m. for the SAFE webinar event to launch its Pillars of Power: A Strategy for Security and Industrial Resiliency report. Grounded in securing essential raw materials and resources while remaining optimistic on the power of innovative breakthroughs in an always-evolving energy system, the report provides actionable steps for reshoring key supply chains, restoring America’s industrial base, and strengthening national defense through energy and technological leadership.

And on Thursday, EESI and the House/Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses hold the 28^th annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum (EXPO 2025). Lots of great Congressional and clean energy industry speakers at a most interesting and challenging time. 

Finally, for something else interesting and different that we probably all care about in some form or another, swing by the National Press Club on Thursday morning when NCAA President (and former Mass Governor) Charlie Baker will address one of college sports most transformational moments. Baker is confronting the pressing challenges and opportunities facing student-athletes, universities, and the NCAA itself, from navigating the evolving landscape of name, image, and likeness (NIL), to ensuring equity, fairness, and competitive balance in collegiate sports. If you follow college athletics at all, you will not want to miss this event.

See you next week with more pictures. Email or text questions to me (4 hrs behind) or contact Molly Morrissey (molly.morrissey@bracewell.com).

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932                                                                                                               

FRANKLY SPOKEN

"It is the single biggest thing that could help enable this AI and energy infrastructure build-out."

Bechtel Group CEO Brendan Bechtel on Tuesday regarding efforts to speed project approvals when he spoke in Pittsburgh. .

ON THE PODCAST

Grumet: We Need to Move Past Campaign rhetoric, Get to Policy Pragmatism – In today’s POLITICO Energy Podcast, ACP’s Jason Grumet said the clean energy industry will feel real and immediate pain from Trump executive orders that seek to suffocate the wind and solar industry, including clamping down on tax credits and adding new obstacles for developers to obtain necessary federal permits to build. But Grumet insisted Trump’s vengeance against solar and wind would pass when politics meets economic realities. Check it out HERE

Gates: Energy Is Big Challenge – In an exclusive interview with Cipher (sadly in its closing days), Bill Gates, a major funder of climate technologies, said the Trump administration’s recently enacted law largely rolling back the biggest set of climate incentives in American history was not as bad as could have been expected. “It wasn’t quite the evisceration that a complete lack of believing in climate change might have led to,” Gates said in a video interview.

FUN OPINIONS

Kansas is Clean Energy Leader – In an opinion piece for the Kansas City Star, FHCEA head Frank Wolak and Good Energy CEO Malcolm Proudfit write Kansas is also uniquely positioned to benefit from regional clean energy infrastructure development, drawing investments and expanding markets for Kansas businesses and workers. Participation in clean energy innovation attracts capital, supports manufacturing and boosts employment opportunities in the state. Energy policy should prioritize practical solutions that foster economic growth and energy reliability, not ideological battles or burdensome regulations. Clean energy offers a path forward that strengthens Kansas’ energy infrastructure while adhering to the principles of free enterprise and national security.

Harbert: NatGas Leading the AI Demand Race – In an op-ed in RealClearEnergy, AGA head Karen Harbert writes natural gas Is America’s strategic advantage fueling the AI race. Natural gas is the key to ensuring America wins in this race. Policymakers must recognize the critical intersection of energy and AI competitiveness. Accelerating the expansion and modernization of natural gas infrastructure is needed to keep pace with growing demand. Therefore, streamlined permitting reform is now vital to support American innovation. The stakes are high, and the competition is fierce, but with natural gas fueling our advancement, America is well-equipped to cross the finish line first.

FROG BLOG

Yglesias: Climate Investment Actually Works – In his Slow Boring column, Matt Yglesias writes the idea that we were going to kickstart a “green vortex” that made all the climate movement’s dreams come true was proved wrong, but this is a case of overly optimistic thinking, the kind that would lead to disappointment on almost any policy. The actual central failing of Biden-era climate and energy policy is that having won the prioritization war and successfully convinced Democrats to put a huge sum of money into clean energy rather than deficit reduction, poverty reduction, or health care, the climate movement completely refused to actually embrace the investment-led strategy. They pocketed enormous amounts of spending, then pushed Democrats to use every regulatory means at their disposal to curtail fossil fuel use and fossil fuel production. At the same time, they refused to embrace the kind of regulatory changes that would complement the IRA’s spending priorities.

FUN FACTS

West Refineries Present Price Increase Risk:  The most recent Platts OPEC+ survey from S&P Global Commodity Insights finds that the alliance’s crude oil production shot up by 600,000 b/d in June, driven by a 400,000 b/d increase in Saudi Arabia.  The increase – which took OPEC+ output to 41.79 million b/d, the highest since December 2023 when Angola was still a member – came at a time when the Israel-Iran conflict threatened the security of global supply.

IN THE NEWS

SAFE Releases New Pillars of Power Report with Recommendations for Energy Security, Industrial Resiliency – SAFE (Securing America’s Future Energy) has released a new report, The Pillars of Power: A Strategy for Security and Industrial Resiliency, urging bold policy action for the nation to secure the energy, minerals, technologies, and supply chains that underpin its economic growth, energy security, and national defense. At a time of intensifying great power competition and growing reliance on foreign adversaries for essential raw materials and manufactured goods, the report includes over 30 recommendations grounded in four key pillars—mineral and material supply security, energy abundance, innovation, and industrial capacity—to ensure U.S. prosperity and security in the 21^st century. The report warns that decades of offshoring and short-term policymaking have hollowed out critical sectors of the U.S. economy, leaving the nation vulnerable to foreign industrial policy, particularly from China. It highlights Beijing’s dominance in battery supply chains, semiconductors, advanced air mobility, and permanent magnets—enabled by massive subsidies, forced technology transfer, and strategic use of mineral diplomacy. It includes over 30 recommendations grounded in four key pillars—mineral and material supply security, energy abundance, innovation, and industrial capacity—to ensure U.S. prosperity and security in the 21st century.

Grassley Letter Warns Admin on Renewables – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) warned Treasury not to undermine Congressional intent in implementing Trump’s July executive order on energy subsidies last week.  In a letter, he challenged the EO requiring Treasury to 'strictly enforce' phaseouts of IRA tax credits, particularly for wind and solar. Grassley emphasized longstanding tax policy rules defining when construction begins, which allow projects started within the next 12 months to qualify. He noted these precedents have been honored since 1990, when the wind tax credit was first passed. Senate Republicans broadly support preserving the eligibility window for shovel-ready projects under existing rules. Grassley’s comments reflect broader concerns in Congress that Treasury guidance may prematurely curtail incentives for renewables in violation of the compromise struck in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

LaCerte Nominated for FERC Spot – The White House has nominated David LaCerte to remaining open FERC seat.  The seat became open when Willie Phillips resigned and LaCerte, who has almost no real energy experience, will serve the remainder of Phillips’ term expiring June 30, 2026. Several energy analysts say they expect LaCerte to be approved by the Senate, aligning with the administration’s priorities of promoting energy dominance to support AI growth and data center development. Our friends at ClearView added that given LaCerte’s OPM, Chemical Safety Board experience, “the White House may be prioritizing loyalty and ideological alignment.”

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

SAFE Report Looks at Strategy to Shift on Industrial Policy – SAFE will hold a webinar event TODAY at 1:00 p.m. to launch The Pillars of Power: A Strategy for Security and Industrial Resiliency. Grounded in securing essential raw materials and resources while remaining optimistic on the power of innovative breakthroughs in an always-evolving energy system, the report provides actionable steps for reshoring key supply chains, restoring America’s industrial base, and strengthening national defense through energy and technological leadership.

House Resources on NEPA – The House Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. looking at restoring common sense to NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) reviews.

Houser Approps Marks Interior/Environment Funding – The full House Appropriations Committee holds a markup of the FY20026 Interior/Environment funding bill tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.

House Energy Panel Looks at Pipeline Safety – The House Energy and Commerce Energy Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. to review of pipeline safety policy.

House Oversight Focuses on Nuclear – The House Oversight subpanel on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs holds a hearing tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on advancing America's energy future with nuclear.

Forum to Look at Nuclear – On Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the Lisagor Room at the National Press Club, Amentum hosts a leadership panel on the nuclear resurgence. The event includes a panel of senior government officials, industry leaders, and technical experts to discuss the evolving role of nuclear energy in advancing national energy, environmental, and security objectives, especially following President Trump’s Executive Orders. The panel will explore key topics such as strengthening U.S. energy security through nuclear leadership, the impact of the new EOs, advancing deployment of next-generation reactors, modernizing regulatory frameworks, enhancing workforce development and more. Keynoter is DOE’s James Danly, with panelists including DOE’s Michael Goff, former NRC Commissioner Jeff Merrifield and Dan Lipman, President of Westinghouse Energy Systems.

Senate Energy Focuses on Electricity Demand – The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. on finding challenges to meeting increased electricity demand.

Senate Environment Hosts Nominees – The Senate Environment Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on the nominations of Katherine Scarlett to be a member of the EPA's Council on Environmental Quality and Jeffrey Hall to be an assistant EPA administrator. They will also Hold a hearing on Infrastructure at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

Brookings Event Looks at Climate Investment – On Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., Brookings Metro will hold a public virtual event to explore the continued need to accelerate climate investment during the current window of federal uncertainty and beyond. It will focus on challenges facing state and local leaders, with an eye toward actionable strategies being deployed across the country. Following keynote remarks, a panel of city practitioners will discuss how they are pioneering strategies that could offer precedents for other leaders nationally.

Forum Chats on Tariffs – On Wednesday at 3:00 p.m., the Cato Institute holds a fireside chat with Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and the Cato Institute’s Scott Lincicome on the implications of unchecked executive tariff powers and how Congress can reclaim its constitutionally mandated authority.

Congressional Renewable Expo Set – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the House and Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucuses hold the 28^th annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum (EXPO 2025) on Thursday. Leading experts will showcase technologies and solutions that create jobs, lower utility bills for households and businesses, build resilience, protect our national security, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Congressional speakers include Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.),  Industry speakers include FCHEA’s Connor Dolan, BCSE Board Chair Allison Hull of Sempra, NHA’s Malcolm Woolf, NEMA’s Patrick Hughes and many more.

NCAA’s Baker to Talk College Sports, NILs at Press Club Breakfast – NCAA President and former Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker will speak at a National Press Club Headliners Breakfast, Coffee and Conversation on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Baker became President of the NCAA in March 2023, bringing with him a unique blend of leadership experience from both the private and public sectors. As the former two-term Governor of Massachusetts, he earned a national reputation for bipartisan leadership, fiscal discipline, and pragmatic problem-solving. Now at the helm of college athletics during one of its most transformational moments, President Baker is confronting the pressing challenges and opportunities facing student-athletes, universities, and the NCAA itself. From navigating the evolving landscape of name, image, and likeness (NIL), to ensuring equity, fairness, and competitive balance in collegiate sports, his leadership comes at a time when the very future of amateur athletics is being redefined.

RFF Talks Transmission – Resources for the Future holds a virtual discussion on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. looking at obstacles to energy infrastructure and barriers to long distance transmission.

IN THE FUTURE

Secretary Wright to Head to Paducah – Energy Secretary Chris Wright will head to Paducah for a nuclear event on August 5^th.  More on this as we learn it. 

TX Energy Forum Set – Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) will a speaker at the 6^th Annual Texas Energy Forum 2025, organized by U.S. Energy Stream on August 27^th and 28^th at the Petroleum Club of Houston,  TX. Key discussions will address the future of regulatory reform, tariffs, and tax incentives; advancements in oil, gas, and LNG markets; the expansion of power generation; and breakthroughs in Electric Vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure. The Forum will highlight advancements in solar and wind energy, nuclear power, hydrogen, biofuels, critical energy infrastructure, energy storage, and securing access to vital materials —all essential for meeting the world’s rising energy demands.