Energy Update: Week of June 21st

Friends,

One day late today because of the Juneteenth holiday, but still early this morning.  And today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year with over 14 hours of daylight.  What a thrilling US Open with Matt Fitzpatrick ruling the Country Club course in Brookline, Mass.  And if you were in SanFran, that was one great parade yesterday celebrating Golden State’s 4^th NBA title in 8 years.

First want to follow up on the letters the President sent last week to oil companies/refiners on the current gas price situation, which among a number claims, said that Energy Sect Granholm would be convening a meeting of the Companies.  We are hearing that meeting will be on Thursday. 

While high prices typically entice investment, production continues to increase but not nearly as fast as driving demand which has gone crazy as people want to get out after two years or lockdowns and more potential worry next winter.  Production just can’t keep up because of COVID uncertainty, workforce woes, supply chain problems, the Administration’s mixed policy signals (BTW which this letter is another example of) and maxed out refinery capacity. 

Bottom line: A wise analyst told me that many are really missing an important fact: the world is short energy right now, and the gap affects all resources. Russian oil and gas exports alone (not counting electricity and coal) historically supplied 4.5% or so of global energy consumption. Western sanctions therefore create a structural shortage—exacerbated by Russian unilateral cutoffs—and it’s showing up everywhere.

Secondly, let’s look at the latest rumors that the White House is considering a Federal gas tax holiday.  The Federal gas tax is just over 18-cents, but no one seems to be focused on its impact on infrastructure and the Highway Trust Fund. Unlike some state gas tax holidays which were funded by bursting state coffers (some of it from COVID relief), any Federal gas tax holiday would directly undercut funding for infrastructure.  And with the Administration so focused on infrastructure, it is definitely another mixed message to now consider a plan that undercuts it.

It is a light week on the Hill with the Juneteenth holiday taking yesterday and only 3 legislative days until the July 4^th recess begins.  We expect to hear from the SCOTUS on Thursday on WV v. EPA and action continues to simmer on potential Reconciliation action.  House Science and House Energy both doing energy-related hearings on Wednesday. Then Thursday, two House Science panels hold a joint hearing on assessing Federal Programs for measuring greenhouse gas sources and sinks.  Fed Chair Jerome Powell is at Senate Banking on Wednesday and House Financial Services on Thursday so expect lots of discussion of inflation and energy prices. Finally, Senate Environment hosts Michal Freedhoff, EPA’s point person on all things toxic, on Wednesday to discuss the agency’s implementation of the 2016 TSCA amendments.

Today at 2:00 p.m., the Wilson Center holds a forum looking at the US strategy toward seabed mining. As the global the race for critical minerals needed for the energy transition heats up, interest is surging in seabed polymetallic nodules and in the rules surrounding their extraction. Speakers will include State Dept Ocean Policy Advisor Greg O’Brien and former USS Cole/national security expert Kirk Lippold.

EEI and NEI already have annual meetings underway and ACP holds an Energy Storage Forum tomorrow/Thursday. Tomorrow, CSIS also holds a forum on oil & gas and Baker Institute at Rice hosts a discussion with industry experts exploring oil markets issues.

Finally, I was so grateful last year that many of you helped me raise more than $12,000 for cancer research based at The Ohio State Med Center. I wanted to share that I am back at it again in 2022, participating in the Pelotonia charity bike ride on August 6^th in Columbus, OH.  Pelotonia is a global community that is committed to accelerating funding for innovative cancer research. I hope you will help me try to top last year by supporting my 100-mile ride for Cancer research. Any little bit helps. To make a donation, please follow this link to my profile page:  https://pelotonia.org/profile/FM735496

Call with questions.

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“Our industry is dedicated to providing affordable, reliable, and sustainable fuels and other petroleum products for Americans and our global allies, as we have done for decades, including throughout the COVID pandemic when many of our companies experienced financial losses. With a global energy crunch underway, much focus has been placed on crude oil supply and demand. Yet crude oil has no utilitarian value until it runs through a refinery and gets processed into fuels like wholesale gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Because of this, it’s not an overstatement to say that energy security requires a strong refining sector.”

API head Mike Sommers and AFPM head Chet Thompson in a letter back to Biden taking the Administration to task for suggesting that companies, their workforces and facilities throughout the country aren’t doing their part to bring fuel to the market and lower energy costs for consumers. The joint letter notes that U.S. refiners are running at a world-leading 94% of capacity.

ON THE PODCAST

Energy Central Podcast Looks Utility Role in Communities – This Energy Central Power Perspectives Podcast episode sits down with Ameren’s VP of Economic, Community, and Business Development Patrick Smith. Smith has seen it all during his career in the energy sector, starting as a journey lineman and climbing the ladder over the decades to ultimately end up at this latest challenge. During the episode, Smith discusses some community development projects in which he has been involved - the challenges, motivations, and success stories.

FUN OPINIONS

Oil, Gas Important to Energy Security – In an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle, Energy Workforce & Technology Council CEO Leslie Beyer says leaders should support increased investments in oil, natural gas and liquefied natural gas infrastructure to make meaningful emissions reduction progress and bolster energy security in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "Our domestic operators produce energy in a cleaner, safer and more reliable manner than other major producing nations" and "leaders should not vilify an industry that is providing the technologies of today and into the future that will allow our nation, and that of our allies, to be energy secure, and support our national and economic security," Beyer adds.

FROG BLOG

Reams: White House Should Streamline Resiliency Planning – In an opinion blog in The Hill, former DOE Nuclear official Paul Dabbar and Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy expert Matt Bowen write in light of the Ukraine conflict, Western leaders face another level of energy risk that has received less attention as the war in Ukraine drags on: Russia’s considerable share of the global nuclear power market. They argue these leaders need to take steps now to address their nations’ exposure to Russia’s hold over the nuclear power supply chain to save their economies from greater energy shocks later.

FUN FACTS

• Gas Tax Used for Highways, Roads, Bridges, Infrastructure:  The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Highway Trust Fund tax revenue will total $43 billion in fiscal year 2020 (figure 1). Revenue from the federal excise tax on gasoline ($25.8B) and diesel fuel ($10.5B) accounts for 84% of the total. The remaining trust fund tax revenue comes from a sales tax on tractors and heavy trucks, an excise tax on tires for heavy vehicles, and an annual use tax on those vehicles. In addition to dedicated tax revenue, the trust fund receives a small amount of interest on trust fund reserves.

IN THE NEWS

HVACR CEOs Call on Senate to Move HFC Treaty – Today, 44 HVACR Manufacturing CEOs sent a letter to Senate Leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell urging them to support for Senate ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol at the earliest possible opportunity.  The Companies are all members of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) and Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy and includes major providers like Bosch, Carrier, AO Smith, Chemours, ClimateMaster, Daikin, Emerson Honeywell, Lennox, Johnson Controls, Rheem Trane, Samsung and many more.  The Kigali Amendment provides for a global phase down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, a potent greenhouse gas and would reduce global temperature by 0.5° C by 2100.

The letter says:

Ratification of the Kigali Amendment will secure a position of strength for American companies in a highly competitive global market for next generation refrigerant technologies by creating new U.S. manufacturing jobs and stimulating further investment in the U.S. economy. The Kigali Amendment will drive the growth of U.S. businesses, stimulate investment in the U.S. economy, sustain U.S. technology leadership, open export markets to U.S. products, and protect U.S. workers and consumers. To sustain their advantages and expand their share of the global market, U.S. manufacturers have invested billions of dollars in next generation HVACR technologies and have spent more than a decade advocating for a worldwide phase down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously passed the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol last month.  The Kigali provision phases down climate-warming HFC refrigerants and currently, EPA is implementing the AIM law, which passed as part of the 2020 Energy Law.  AHRI head Steve Yurek testified at the hearing last week on the treaty and last year, Yurek and E2's Bob Keefe wrote an op-ed in the NY Times making the case for ratifying the Kigali amendment. 

Germany, Dutch Expanding Coal Use – Germany said over the weekend that it will seek to compensate for lower Russian gas supplies by increasing the burning of coal.  German Economy Minister Robert Habeck warned that the situation is going to be “really tight in winter” without precautionary measures to prevent a supply shortage. The Dutch joined Germany and Austria in reverting to coal power saying it would lift all restrictions on power stations fired by the fossil fuel, which were previously limited to just over a third of output. The European Commission noted yesterday that "some of the existing coal capacities might be used longer than initially expected" because of the new energy landscape in Europe.

RCG: US Offshore Wind Set To Dominate Near-Term Forecast – Against a backdrop of renewed focus on energy security and the transition to low-carbon energies, new research from The Renewables Consulting Group (RCG), finds that global offshore wind development capacity grew 89% in 2021. More than 200 GW of new offshore wind projects were announced in both established markets, such as the United Kingdom and Netherlands, and new markets, such as Italy and Australia. Research from RCG also reveals that the US is set to dominate the near-term forecast for offshore wind projects. According to RCG's 2021 Global Offshore Wind Annual Market Report, US-based offshore wind projects will account for a large volume of commissioning from 2026 as accelerated federal permitting allows previously delayed projects to advance. With more projects achieving a route to market in the US during 2021, more large-scale projects are expected to enter construction from the middle of the decade. With 14,913 MW secured and 24,744 MW in development, RCG ranks the US offshore wind seventh globally with 39,699 MW.

US LNG Groups Cut Deal to Supply Germany – Venture Global LNG struck a 20-year sales and purchase agreement with EnBW Energie Baden-Wuerttemberg AG to supply the German utility with 1.5 million tons of LNG per year starting in 2026. The deal is Germany's first binding agreement with a U.S. developer for LNG since its government announced plans to begin importing the fuel as Germany tries to wean itself off Russian natural gas

CRES Files SEC GHG Comments – Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) submitted comments today urging the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to revisit the proposed rule on climate-related disclosures. “CRES has long supported voluntary corporate greenhouse gas disclosures and voluntary commitments that address climate change,” wrote CRES President Heather Reams. “Consistent with this view, we have a number of concerns about the proposed rule in terms of the SEC’s authority, as well as the scope, cost, and unanticipated carbon leakage issues associated with the proposal. The SEC should seek an approach that achieves consensus on the Commission and will ultimately provide businesses more certainty, not less, on their climate-related disclosures.  An effective energy strategy will enhance our national security, reduce global emissions, provide American investors with reliable information, and assure that American companies are not disadvantaged in the global marketplace.”

The Details – Such an approach, as detailed in CRES Forum’s recent white paper—“Disclosure or Climate Policy? The SEC’s Role in the Climate Debate”—which was also submitted to the SEC, would include the following:

• Updating existing guidance before promulgating a new rule – The SEC needs to adequately explain how the current regulations and legal protections for investors do not, or could not with updated guidance, provide reasonable investors with adequate information to inform investment strategy.
• Better inter-agency coordination – The SEC should defer to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve the utility of existing data for investors instead of creating a new duplicative GHG reporting disclosure framework that increases the reporting burden for companies.
• Acknowledging the low-quality and high-cost nature of Scope 3 data – The  SEC should provide a more robust and adequate cost-benefit analysis of the entire rule with particular focus on Scope 3 emissions given their incredibly high costs in both compliance and potential for increased liability.
• Evaluating carbon leakage – To the extent it must evaluate issues outside its jurisdiction and expertise, the SEC should explain how mandates on publicly traded companies will in fact accomplish their goal of addressing climate-related risk given the global issue of carbon leakage.

Renewable Developers Forum Solar Buyer Consortium – AES, Clearway Energy Group, Cypress Creek Renewables and DE Shaw Renewable Investments have created a pact called the US Solar Buyer Consortium to purchase as much as 7GW of US-made panels annually over four years at a cost of about $6B. The group's goal is to convince solar manufacturers to expand or establish production in the United States and ease US dependence on solar imports from China and Southeast Asia, while encouraging a stable, domestic supply chain for solar modules. Promoting the on-shoring of the module supply chain demonstrates the buying consortium's belief in an American-made solar industry that has the potential to create over 250,000 new permanent jobs and over 50,000 new construction jobs by 2035 while creating lasting resiliency and alleviating constraints faced by the industry today.

Granholm Visits Lennox TX Facility After Heat Pump Challenge Win – On Friday, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm visited Carrollton, TX to recognize the research and development team at Lennox International for winning its Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge to develop a more efficient heating and cooling system. While pumps are already more efficient than most A/C units or furnaces, what Lennox did was make them efficient in even the most extreme cases, like the five-degree conditions inside its Carrollton testing facility. When this new pump comes to market, Lennox says some customers will save 60% on their utility bills.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Wilson Center to Host Seabed Critical Minerals Forum – The Wilson Center will hold a forum on today at 2:00 p.m. looking at the US strategy toward seabed mining. As the global the race heats up for the critical minerals needed for the energy transition, interest is surging in seabed polymetallic nodules and in the rules surrounding their extraction. Seabed resource extraction is governed by the International Seabed Authority (ISA), established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The ISA has a mandate to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed related activities. However, as a non-signatory to UNCLOS, the US acts only as an observer in the discussions surrounding seabed mining law and regulations. This event features a critically important discussion on the potential for seabed mining, the parameters for effective regulation and the need for US engagement. Speakers will include State Dept Ocean Policy Advisor Greg O’Brien, former USS Cole and national security expert Kirk Lippold, UDel Geography and Spatial Sciences Chair Saleem Ali and Rice U’s Baker Institute Minerals fellow Michelle Michot Foss.

EEI Forum Set for Orlando – EEI 2022 is today through Wednesday at the JW Marriott in Orlando.  Two leading energy policy experts will be at EEI 2022 to share their insights on the juggling act between energy security and climate goals.  US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm speaks as well as Columbia University’s Jason Bordoff and Harvard University’s Meghan O’Sullivan who will join EEI Chairman Gerry Anderson of DTE in exploring the impact of this geopolitical crisis on energy markets and prospects for the global pursuit of a world of net-zero emissions.

NEI holds Assembly – The Nuclear Energy Institute holds its Nuclear Energy Assembly today through Wednesday.  Speakers include former Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ga.), DOE Loan office head Jigar Shah and NEI head Maria Korsnick.  There will also be a media panel with Stephen Lacey, Vox’s Umair Irfan and S&P’s Allison Good.

ELI to Look at Geoengineering – The Environmental Law Institute holds a forum today at Noon looking at geoengineering Earth’s climate and solar radiation management (SRM). Expert panelists will provide an overview of SRM, lay the foundation for the benefits and controversies, and explore the ethical rationale for and against geoengineering.

Forum Look at Russia Ukraine Energy – Today at 3:00 p.m., the Institute of World Politics holds a conversation with Kelly Ogle and Dr. Sara Vakhshouri on global energy issues with the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

ACP Holds Energy Storage Forum – American Clean Power holds an Energy Storage Forum on Wednesday and Thursday in Washington.  The two-day event will feature an exclusive conversation with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse.  Whitehouse will be joined by additional federal, state and market leaders shaping the future of energy storage policy, including DOE’s Jigar Shah and Cal ISO CEO Elliot Mainzer. 

Forum Looks at Oil/Gas, Energy Security – The CSIS Energy Security & Climate Change Program holds a conference on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. looking at how the oil and gas sector is navigating both the energy transition and shifts in U.S. energy security.  Over a series of panels and keynotes, leaders in the sector will address the future U.S. energy security, how companies are navigating markets during the energy transition, the role of public lands in oil and gas, and how ESG is affecting the oil and gas sector.  Speakers include EQT’s Toby Rice.

WRI to Look at GHG Emissions Tracking Techniques – On Wednesday at 9:00 a.m., WRI holds a forum on Climate Watch, an online platform designed to empower policymakers, advocates, researchers, media and other stakeholders with the open climate data, visualizations and resources they need to gather insights on national and global progress on climate change. The webinar is an interactive training on how to use Climate Watch to gain insights on countries’ climate commitments, generate custom visuals and access raw data for further analysis. This training will focus on Climate Watch's newest data set on 2019 GHG Emissions data and explore how to use the data to draw insights.

House Science to Consider Energy, Space – The House Science, Space and Technology Energy Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. looking at investigating the nature of matter, energy, space and time. Witnesses include DOE’s Science Office director Asmeret Berhe, Director of Columbia University’s Center for Theoretical Physics Brian Greene, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Director Lia Merminga, Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Jim Yeck and Michael Guastella, Executive Director of the Council on Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals

Senate Enviro Looks at TSCA Implementation – The Senate Environment Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on EPA’s implementation of the 2016 Toxic Substances Control Act amendments.  The hearing will feature Michal Freedhoff, EPA’s point person in the Chemical safety office.  The agency is working to limits to asbestos under TSCA — a move that has garnered pushback from the Chamber and other industry groups.

House Energy Looks at Energy Infrastructure Financing – The House Energy and Commerce Energy Subcommittee holds a legislative hearing on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. looking at strengthening energy, infrastructure, efficiency and financing.  Bill include the "Securing America's Critical Minerals Supply Act", the "Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2022", legislation to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to modify the definition of water heater under energy conservation standards and for other purposes and the GRID Act guaranteeing resilient defense installations.  

Forum to Look at Just Transition – The US Energy Assn’s Advancing Modern Power through Utility Partnerships (AmpUp) Program will hold a panel discussion on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. focusing on socio-economic implications and new workforce development opportunities for USAID-assisted countries as they transition away from fossil fuels.  The webinar will include presentations and case studies by subject matter experts to identify inclusive, collaborative, and participatory best practices that focus on equity and inclusivity. 

Forum to Address Oil Markets – The Baker Institute at Rice hosts a discussion Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. with industry experts to explore how oil markets are responding to unprecedented challenges, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting impacts for Russian oil exports; investors’ continued reluctance to fund U.S. shale operations despite higher oil prices; and OPEC+ production decisions amid pressure from President Joe Biden and other leaders seeking relief for consumers.  Speakers include US Energy Economists Clay Seigle, Wood Mackenzie’s Ben Shattuck and our friend Herman Wang of S&P Global Platts.

BPC Looks at Direct Air Capture – The Bipartisan Policy Center holds Direct air capture (DAC) technologies day on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.  BPC is bringing together representatives from DOE and the broader DAC community for an in-person convening on DAC Hubs implementation. The programming will include keynote addresses from members of Congress and multiple panel discussions featuring DOE leadership, environmental NGOs, carbon management experts, labor, and the financial community.

WRI Hosts Sen. Tina Smith – On Wednesday at 4:00 p.m., the World Resources Institute holds a conversation with Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota, centered around the state-of-play on Capitol Hill and the benefits of the proposed climate measures in a budget package. The conversation with Sen. Smith will be followed by a panel discussion on how climate investments could deliver health benefits, cost savings and educational opportunities to our nation’s schools.

House Science Looks at GHG, Sinks – The House Science panel’s Research and Technology Subcommittee and Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee hold a joint hearing on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. assessing Federal Programs for measuring greenhouse gas sources and sinks. Witnesses include NIST Measurement Laboratory Material Director Eric K. Lin, NOAA Air Resources Laboratory Ariel Stein, NASA Earth Science Division Director Karen St. Germain and EPA’s National Program Director for Air, Climate and Energy on ORD Bryan Hubbell.

Atlantic Forum to Look at Heavy-Duty Zero Emissions Vehicles – On Thursday at 10:00 a.m., the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and CALSTART’s Drive to Zero Program virtually hold a discussion on the role of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (ZE-MHDVs) to accelerate climate action and spur economic growth. The discussion will address advancement and scalability of zero-emission vehicle technology to ensure global decarbonization goals are met and to reduce human health consequences caused by tailpipe emissions. Navistar’s Christopher Perzan is among the speakers.

Wilson to Discuss Canada Oil Sands, Net Zero – On Thursday at 10:30 a.m., the Wilson Center holds a roundtable discussion on an ambitious plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from oil sands production in phases, with the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The event will feature Wilson Center experts, U.S. energy stakeholders, and representatives from the Pathways Alliance.

NYT reporter Visits WEN – The Women in Energy Network holds a virtual lunchtime conversation on Thursday at noon with New York Times energy and environmental reporter Coral Davenport. She will share insights on how she built her career as a leading journalist on climate change, how she selects the cutting-edge stories she pursues, and trends to watch in media coverage of energy topics.

DOE Hosts Building Construction Webinar – DOE Advanced Building Construction Initiative holds a forum on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. looking at innovations heading to the residential efficiency market. The residential efficiency field is ripe for disruption and DOE is working with groups to create change and get a sneak peek at what you can expect to see down the road.

NYT Climate Forum Looks at Equity – The New York Times holds a virtual discussion on Thursday at 1:30 p.m., focusing on closing the gap on climate inequity. In this thought-provoking session, Somini Sengupta, the lead writer of The Times’s Climate Forward newsletter, will be joined by climate leaders United Nations high-level champion for COP27 Mahmoud Mohieldin, Bloc Power’s Donnel Baird and several others.

Forum Looks at Gulf Coast Green Infrastructure – On Thursday at 2:00 p.m., the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues (AAAS EPI Center), EPA’s Office of Water and the White House host the next webinar in our series that highlights regional examples of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. In this event, speakers will discuss their work across the Gulf Coast and Southeast to plan and implement unique green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. The expert panelists will share their unique, regional experiences planning and implementing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in the Gulf Coast and Southeast region.

House Climate Committee Continues Methane Discussion – The House Select Climate Committee holds a hearing on Friday at 9:00 a.m. on reducing methane.  Witnesses include environmental activists

Forum to Look at Climate, Extreme Heat Issues – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) holds a briefing on Friday at Noon looking at policies and practices to address extreme heat. Panelists will discuss ways that built and natural infrastructure can reduce temperatures, steps to protect outdoor and warehouse workers, and how communities and cities are designing and implementing heat action plans.

IN THE FUTURE

Columbia Forum to Host Brazil Energy Conversation – The Center on Global Energy Policy, in partnership with Women in Energy Brasil and Columbia Global Centers | Rio de Janeiro, will host a discussion on Tuesday June 28^th at 11:00 a.m. to provide insights into Brazil’s pragmatic pathway to a clean energy transition from the perspective of an oil and gas producing country. A stellar panel of women leaders in the energy sector will discuss the future of the country’s energy system in the context of global high energy prices, the country's policy approach towards low carbon fuels, the lessons learned from the deployment of clean technologies, and integration of renewables in the power grid, all while at the same time working towards lowering the carbon footprint of its oil and gas production.

NHA Regional Meeting Set – The National Hydropower Assn is holding its 2022 Northeast Regional meeting on Monday June 27^th and Tuesday June 28^th in Baltimore.  Some northeast-specific topics that will be discussed include dam safety in the northeast, new fish passage technologies and what is going on with NEPA. 

USEA Holds Forum on Critical Minerals – Next Tuesday, the US Energy Assn holds an all-day forum on opportunities to facilitate resilient domestic critical material supply chains and the infrastructure law.  This particular workshop will focus on the groups including DOE, NGOs, Industry and academia, as well as informative discussions on this great opportunity.

Forum to Look at Climate, 5G – The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation holds a forum on Tuesday June 28 at 10:00 a.m. on how 5G can spur climate tech innovation.  ITIF will present an overview of and window into the potential climate tech applications of 5G and what is needed going forward to help ensure that this critical infrastructure can facilitate the low-carbon transition.

Forum to Look at Resilience, Decarb – The Business Council for Sustainable Energy and Digital Climate Alliance hold at forum at the Kennedy Center on leveraging technology for a more resilient energy landscape.  Panels include one with Rachel Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment and NSC Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Climate/Energy Melanie Nakagawa; and Keynotes from Ben Grumbles, Executive Director of the Environmental Council of the States and Federal Chief Sustainability Officer Andrew Mayock.

Forum to Look at Green Hydrogen in Latin America – The InterAmerican Dialogue holds an event on Tuesday June 28^th at Noon on green hydrogen’s potential in Latin America, and what measures are required to unlock it? This event will explore government and private sector plans for hydrogen in the region, the barriers to producing low-carbon hydrogen and the prospects for its use in different applications, and strategies for intersectoral and international cooperation to advance this important technology. A keynote address by Claudio Huepe Minoletti, minister of energy of Chile, will be followed by a Q&A session and a panel discussion.

WCEE to Host Conversation with ACP’s Zichal – The Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment holds its WCEE Virtual Executive Series featuring American Clean Power Association CEO Heather Zichal. Zichal will speak with WCEE Past President Barbara Tyran about her remarkable career in the private and non-profit sectors, as well as a senior federal government official.

Energy Economists Talk Micro Grids – The US Energy Economists hold their June Meeting on Wednesday June 29^th at 11:00 a.m. featuring a discussion with Ashok Das is the Founder CEO of SunMoksha. He works at the intersection of clean technologies, IoT, sustainable development goals and smart communities. Working closely with the underserved and disadvantaged communities, he has developed state-of-the-art technologies and models to address the issues of sustainable socioeconomic development, with a specific focus on smart microgrids, smart agriculture, sustainable livelihood and smart villages.

Forum to Look at Offshore Wind – On Wednesday June 29^th at Noon, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) holds a briefing on offshore wind energy. During this briefing, panelists will discuss opportunities, challenges, and considerations for scaling up offshore wind energy in the United States, as well as the policies that could support such a ramp-up. Panelists include NJ Board of Public Utilities expert Andrea Hart and John Begala of the Business Network for Offshore Wind.

Groups Release Peace Report – On Wednesday June 29^th at 2:00 p.m., The Wilson Center releases a new flagship report jointly with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the Environment of Peace report—explores how we can secure peace. event will draw from the report to explore how environmental degradation and climate change are increasing risks to peace and security and how, conversely, environmental policies—if not designed well—can unintentionally create or exacerbate conflict, injustice, and inequality (or what the Wilson Center has called “Backdraft”). The session will highlight recommendations for developing policies that can address this environment-security link, simultaneously promoting peace and protecting the environment to achieve a just and peaceful green transition. 

Forum Looks at Iraq NatGas – The Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy will host a webinar on Thursday June 30^th at 9:00 a.m. to present the results of a recent DOE-supported study which aims to assist the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in developing a commercially-robust and environmentally-sound gas market. The panel will discuss the commercial and political attractions and challenges to realizing these aims.

Atlantic Forum to Look at Heavy-Duty Zero Emissions Vehicles – On Thursday at 10:00 a.m., the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and CALSTART’s Drive to Zero Program virtually hold part two of their discussion on the role of government policy to enable deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (ZE-MHDVs). During this panel, government leaders will discuss how governments in Europe and the United States can better collaborate to accelerate ZE-MHDVs, gather further momentum worldwide towards the Global MOU ambition, and serve as partners with industry stakeholders to advance ZE-MHDV deployment. The event features a conversation with DOE’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of Sustainable Transportation Michael Berube and .California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph

July 4^th HOLIDAY – Monday July 4^th