Energy Update: Week of March 22

Friends,               

That was a pretty crazy first round for the NCAA March Madness Basketball tourney.  There were already 11 upsets (a new record) and there are still a few more games today starting at 12:10 pm to advance to next weekend’s sweet 16. Clearly the Big 10 was NOT as good as people thought with Illinois, Purdue and Ohio State all going down hard (They have already lost 6 of 9 teams).  And the PAC-12, supposedly the weakest power conference is 6-0. The NCAA Women hoops are still muddling through round one with games on today through Wednesday. Yesterday’s action though had no surprises with most higher seeds winning big.

The best NCAA story of the week though was the NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey championship (Frozen Four) on Saturday night.  Congrats to Wisconsin who won a 2-1 OT thriller over Northeastern in what was a phenomenal game, including a fluke Sudden Victory goal.  I was watching the game closely as my old friend/wedding Best Man’s niece is the star goalie for Northeastern (and likely headed to the Olympics In 2022) and Wisconsin’s star 1^st-year forward Lacey Eden played ice hockey at Navy with both Hannah and Adam and is from the Annapolis area (and will likely be on a future Olympic team as well). Finally on men’s ice side, North Dakota is the top seed in the NCAA men's hockey tournament, with Wisconsin, Boston College and Minnesota getting the top seeds in the field of 16 teams announced on Sunday night. The rest of the field includes Notre Dame, Michigan, Minnesota-Duluth, UMass, Quinnipiac, Omaha, Lake Superior State, Minnesota State, St. Cloud State, Boston University, American International and Bemidji State. COVID also hit NCAA Hockey when ECAC Champ St. Lawrence U. had to withdraw from the tournament after a positive test from its coach.

While the House starts its Spring/Easter/Passover District Work Period with no votes, the hearing action remains heavy this week starting today at 11:30 with a House Energy & Commerce infrastructure hearing. The Senate remains in session until at least Thursday with action on final confirmations including Labor Secretary Marty Walsh today, while Senate Environment moves on CEQ’s Brenda Mallory and EPA #2 Janet McCabe and Senate Energy hosts nuclear experts to discuss its future. (NEI hosts its annual State of the Nuclear Energy Industry event and NIC holds a nuclear tech showcase with great speakers – both tomorrow).

So many hearings/events this week that you should just check out the full schedule below.  Three major events: tomorrow on World Water Day, the Washington Post Live holds a virtual discussion with actor Matt Damon water issues and climate.  On Wednesday afternoon, the House Energy panel digs back into climate legislation with a great panel including our friends Karen Wayland, NRDC’s Yvonne McIntyre, Eric Hofmann of Utility Workers of America Local 132 and Alison Silverstein, former aide to FERC Chair Pat Wood.  Then Thursday, the Interior Department will launch its review of the federal oil and gas leasing program with a public forum.  Secretary Haaland speaks at 1:00 p.m.

Finally, I have started a new section today, called “FUN FACT”.  Here I hope to add some fun facts with energy twists.  It can be about things, people or whatever…and let’s not always keep it about energy.  Send me some that you come across and we’ll use them!!! Hope you stay safe & healthy and get those vaccine shots if you can!

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

 

FRANKLY SPOKEN

"A robust supply of critical materials is vital to U.S. success in leading the development of technologies today and in the future, including clean energy and electric vehicle technologies.”

Admiral Dennis C. Blair (Ret.), former Director of National Intelligence and Chairman of Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) in a DOE release announcing a critical minerals initiative.

“We should not be solely reliant on imports from a handful of countries, some of which have questionable mining practices, for critical minerals and rare earth elements that are crucial inputs in countless devices and technologies Americans use every day, including many clean energy technologies.”

Senator Joe Manchin, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on the same topic.

ON THE PODCAST

Princeton’s Mayfield Talks Decarbonization, Net-Zero – In this episode of RFF’s Resources Radio, host Daniel Raimi talks with Erin Mayfield, a postdoctoral research associate at Princeton University and coauthor of a new report, Net-Zero America, which outlines a variety of pathways for the United States to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. With an aim toward guiding policymakers and investors through an uncertain future, the report looks closely at how a transition to clean energy could create jobs, transform the physical environment, and affect specific states and regions in unique ways. Mayfield notes that oil and gas workers could face hardship as a result of declining fossil fuel production, but that policymakers can mitigate these risks by incorporating equity concerns into how they plan around the transition.

FUN OPINIONS

Barker: Simpsons Proposal on Snake River Dams important to Enviro Justice –  in a column in the Pueblo CO Chieftain and others on the USA Today Network, longtime Idaho journalist and SEJ veteran Rocky Barker says GOP Rep. Mike Simpson’s proposal to breach four Snake River dams is an important step to solving the Northwest’s primary energy challenge.  Simpson has orchestrated a tedious process of meetings – 300 of them — with everyone involved in the salmon-dam conundrum. He asked: Could the four dams be destroyed, pulling salmon back from extinction? Could people depending on the dams be made whole?  Barker writes Simpson answered “yes” to both questions this February by unveiling his $33.5 billion bill: Power produced by the downed dams would be replaced, the electric grid throughout the Northwest upgraded, alternatives found for farmers shipping grain, and billions of dollars would go toward economic development. Barker says if President Biden is serious about environmental justice, he should get on board.”

Low Cost NatGas Save Poor, Lower Income Communities – In a column in RealClearEnergy, editor and energy expert Jude Clemente writes there may be no bigger ignored energy reality than low-cost natural gas.  Clemente says it is most important for lower-income and communities of color because electricity is the most indispensable form of energy. Low-cost energy might be our most vital weapon in the pursuit of racial justice: as a percentage of income, poorer Americans spend three to five times more on energy than wealthier ones do. Even before COVID-19, nearly a third of Americans struggled to pay their energy bills. And low-cost energy is the key to growing our economy. It frees up more money for the consumer spending that constitutes almost 75% of U.S. gross domestic product. 

FROG BLOG

UT Energy Expert Says NatGas Important Part of Low-Carbon Future – In a recent blog in Scientific American, Michael Webber, a professor of energy resources at the UT-Austin and chief science and technology officer at global energy and infrastructure company ENGIE, writes that a sweeping overhaul could make the gas system a much cleaner energy source.  Webber say the technology exists to extract the carbon or to transform the gas so that carbon coming out and carbon going in balance to zero or near zero. “Reining in climate change requires many solutions. Declaring who cannot be part of those, such as natural gas companies, only raises resistance to progress. Because decarbonized gas can complement renewable electricity and because it might be a faster, cheaper and more effective path for parts of society that are difficult to electrify, we should not discard gas as an option.”

FUN FACTS

Californians use more electricity just to play video games than the total amount of power consumed by everyone in countries like Ghana and Kenya, according to a New Scientist estimate.

IN THE NEWS

DOE Announces Critical Mineral Effort – DOE announced up to $30 million to support scientific research that will ensure American businesses can reliably tap into a domestic supply of critical elements and minerals, such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, needed to produce clean energy technologies. Currently, the U.S. is grappling with chronic shortages in the domestic supply of these critical materials, forcing the country to rely on imported materials.  Roughly 35 rare-earth elements, such as platinum, serve as key components to several clean-energy and high-tech applications—magnets in wind turbines, batteries in electric and conventional vehicles, phosphors in energy-efficient lighting and displays, and catalysts for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. At present, the U.S. relies on imports from nations such as China and the Democratic Republic of Congo for these critical materials. Imports account for 100% of our supply of 14 of the 35 elements, and over 50% of 17 others. This leaves clean energy technology production at greater risk of disruption due to trade disputes, natural disasters, or armed conflicts.

DOE Sends Strong Signal in Search For Critical Minerals – DOE’s announcement puts DOE Sec. Granholm on record speaking of “a race against economic competitors like China to own the EV market… If we want to achieve a 100% carbon-free economy by 2050, we have to create our own supply of these materials.”  Senate ENR Chair Joe Manchin (D-WV) counsels, “We should not be solely reliant on imports from a handful of countries, some of which have questionable mining practices for critical minerals…” And former DNI and current SAFE Chair Adm. Dennis Blair (Ret.) is quoted saying, “A robust supply of critical materials is vital to U.S. success in leading the development of technologies today and in the future, including clean energy and electric vehicle technologies.”  All in the DOE announcement!  This follows a recent announcement on efforts to find a new potential source of critical minerals in the deep seabed.  Scott Leonard, the CEO of SOAC, an ESG-minded Dallas-based acquisition corporation that recently announced its acquisition of DeepGreen, the leader in the seabed mineral space, offered the following perspective on the DOE announcement:  “We were heartened to see another explicit recognition by the Department of Energy of the need for a secure and sustainable mineral supply chain to support the electrification revolution. We think DOE and other policy makers are coming to understand that seabed minerals must be firmly in mind as they develop solutions for the supply chain issue.  Our recent acquisition of DeepGreen has reinforced that seabed minerals are the best resources at hand to ensure a secure, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable battery supply chain.”  Lot’s more information here.

How Stalling Growth Hurts Poor, Planet – "Degrowthers" — with associations, conferences and academic journals springing up — argue for shrinking the economy to avert environmental catastrophe, Bryan Walsh writes in Axios Future.  Greta Thunberg, now 18, summed up the argument when she chastised delegates at a UN climate summit in 2019: “We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!" But the pandemic shows that with economic shrinking, pain would outweigh the benefits — especially for the world's poorest.

The Numbers – The global economy shrank an estimated 4% in 2020, according to data from the World Bank. That contraction, due to the direct impact of the pandemic, led to a roughly 6% reduction in global CO2 emissions — the biggest annual drop since WWII. A new Pew analysis found the ranks of the global middle income — those who live on $10.01 to $20 a day — fell by 54 million in 2020. The number of global poor rose by 131 million. And while carbon emissions did fall significantly in 2020, it came at a high cost. One analysis estimated that each ton of CO2 reduced due to pandemic-related degrowth will have an implied cost to the economy of more than $1,500.

Biden Get First Slam Dunk Confirmation – In the first unanimous vote for a Biden appointee, the Senate confirmed Katherine Tai as US trade representative in a 98-0 vote. Tai will be responsible for advancing the Biden administration's March 1 pledge to work with allies to end unfair trade policies and practices in China that have distorted the global market for steel, aluminum and other products.  The closest to unanimous so far was Defense Sect Lloyd Austin 93-2 vote, followed by CEA Chair Cecilia Rouse 95-4, USDA’s Tom Vilsack’s 92-7. 

Bipartisan Carbon Capture Legislation Reintroduced – Legislation reintroduced in both chambers last week led by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in the Senate and Representatives Marc Veasey (D-TX) and David McKinley (R-WV) in the House establishes a comprehensive federal policy for the development of infrastructure to transport carbon dioxide (CO2) captured from industrial facilities, power plants and ambient air through direct air capture and to safely store that CO2 deep underground in saline geologic formations—an essential component of any broader strategy to achieve net-zero emissions and meet midcentury climate goals.  The SCALE Act is being supported by a diverse and influential bipartisan group of original cosponsors, including: Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), John Hoeven (R-ND), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mike Braun (R-IN), Jon Tester (D-MT), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Terri Sewell (D-AL), and Liz Cheney (R-WY). 

Bipartisan Govs Speak Up for SCALE – Speaking of the SCALE Act, just days after the bipartisan, bicameral introduction in Congress, a bipartisan group of four governors sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging action on the legislation. The governors, representing the states of Louisiana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming, urged the following in their joint letter: 

"We urge Congress to prioritize the inclusion of this critical legislation in any broader infrastructure package, given its essential role in helping to achieve net-zero emissions economy-wide. As a group of collective states with a shared interest, we stand ready to work with you to implement policies that scale up the regional and national CO2 transport infrastructure to achieve net-zero emissions goals."

They Keep Coming Back – The Obama-era head of NOAA Jane Lubchenco has taken a position leading climate and environmental policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, which is responsible for the National Climate Assessment and the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Lubchenco is a marine ecologist who has long warned of the twin risks of climate change and ocean acidification.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

MOST EVENTS SCHEDULED ARE NOW ONLINE WEBINARS

House Energy Moves to Infrastructure – The House Energy and Commerce Committee is holding a hearing today at 11:00 a.m. to discuss its revamped infrastructure bill, the LIFT America Act. The latest iteration of the bill features new measures on improving energy efficiency in federal buildings, boosting transit electrification and authorizing $20 billion for grid resiliency projects. The bill also would focus on increasing broadband access and removing lead piping from water infrastructure.  Former DOE Secretary Ernie Moniz is among the witnesses.

Oxy CEO Headlines Columbia CCUS Forum – Today at Noon, Columbia’s Center on Global Energy Policy holds its Carbon Capture and Energy panel, the third set of panels being convened as part of the Women In Energy CCUS Roadshow. These conversations highlight leading experts in the field of CCUS with a special focus on local policy and deployment. The Center’s Carbon Management Research Initiative and Women in Energy program will host a webinar addressing the vital role of carbon capture in greenhouse gas emissions reductions and carbon dioxide removal. The conversation will focus on the status of carbon capture policy and technology in Texas, including how carbon removal technology fits into strategies to address climate change and bring global greenhouse gas emission to the equivalent of zero. We will also explore how it can contribute to a more just energy transition and how to assure safe and effective deployment of the technology. A panel of exceptional leaders will then discuss a recent analysis by Susan Hovorka at the Bureau of Economic Geology and recent announcements by Occidental Petroleum on carbon storage resources, state and federal regulations, technological advances, and commercial opportunities in carbon dioxide use and removal, and efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the industrial sector.  Speakers include Occidental CEO Vicki Hollub.  

Clinton Headline CFR Event – The Council on Foreign Relations holds a virtual discussion today at 1:00 p.m. with Hillary Clinton on U.S. foreign policy and what the United States should do to build political support for policies needed to contend with today's national security challenges, including COVID-19, climate change, and competition with China and Russia.

CERES Conference Set – Ceres holds its virtual 2021 conference starting today to Thursday focused on energy transition issues.  During this four-day virtual program, speakers and participants will discuss how to adapt to the ever-changing investment and business realities and thrive in the accelerated transition to a net-zero emissions future. Among the more than 130 speakers will be Ford CEO Bill Ford, Gina McCarthy, EPA’s Michael Regan, former EPA Head Lisa Jackson, bp’s Bernard Looney, former CEQ head Katie McGinty, and actor/activists Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen.

NEI Hosts State of Nuclear Industry – NEI President and CEO Maria Korsnick hosts NEI's annual State of the Nuclear Energy Industry event tomorrow.  The virtual event will discuss the industry’s 2021 policy priorities to preserve the existing fleet, usher in new innovative technologies and maintain U.S. global leadership in nuclear technology. Following Korsnick’s keynote presentation, a panel of clean energy leaders will discuss the momentum surrounding policy and technology innovation that will help drive emissions down and build back the economy.

CCS Forum to Look at Funding, Biz Partners – Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., the Global CCS Institute holds a forum on finding government funding and business partners in CCS Projects.  In this webinar, they will look at how financial support from federal governments is driving both CCS technology advancements and the financing of demonstration projects. In the US, the recently passed Energy Act of 2020 brings the potential of substantially more US Department of Energy funding opportunities for carbon capture. This webinar will provide insights into navigating transatlantic government funding opportunities and identify the priorities for funding across various sectors.

Nuclear Showcase Set – The U.S. Nuclear Industry Council holds an Advanced Reactors Summit VIII & Technology Trailblazers Showcase tomorrow to Thursday. The list of nuclear expert speakers is deep and includes our friends Clay Sell of X-Energy, former top Trump DOE Nuclear Official Rita Baranwal, former Obama DOE official Dan Poneman and former NRC Commissioner Jeff Merrifield, along with NRC Hair Chris Hanson, Georgia PSC Commissioner Tom Echols, TVA’s Jeff Lyash, Argonne Lab head Paul Kearns, Ontario Power CEO Ken Hartwick and many More

House Interior Funding Panel Looks at Sustainable Forestry – The House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on sustainable forest products to reinvigorate rural economies. Cindi West of the Forest Products Laboratory and Northern Research Station, UMaine’s Stephen Shaler, Peter MacKeith of the University of Arkansas and Idaho Forest Products Commission Marc Brinkmeyer will testify. 

House Resources Looks at Public Lands – The House Natural Resources National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on examining the future of America's public lands. Witnesses include Idaho Gov. Brad Little, NRDC’s Sharon Buccino, Molly Cross of the Wildlife Conservation Society's Climate Adaptation Fund and Corps Network CEO Mary Ellen Sprenkel.

Damon Joins WaPo Forum Looks at Water Systems, Climate – The Washington Post Live Forum holds a virtual discussion tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on climate solutions and preserving our water systems featuring actor Matt Damon.  He will joined by WaterEquity CEO Gary White and Enviro Foundation of India head Arun Krishnamurthy to spotlight innovative ideas for expanding access to clean and safe sources of water and conserving this precious resource.

Forum to Look at Climate Economics – Tomorrow at 10:30 a.m., the Peterson Institute for International Economics and the British Embassy hold a webinar on the potential implications of climate change for trade policy, financial institutions, infrastructure, and markets. Among the speakers are Fed Reserve’s Kevin Stiroh and former USTR expert Jeff Schott. 

House Transpo Moves to Water Infrastructure – The House Transportation and Infrastructure Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. on the status of essential provisions of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020.

EPRI to Look at Battery, Renewables End-of-Life Issues – Tomorrow at 1:00 p.m., the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) holds a forum to look at circular economy and end-of-life issues for batteries and renewables. This EPRI Washington Seminar will identify opportunities and challenges related to circular economies and end-of-life for batteries and renewables, provide federal and state perspectives on regulatory and policy approaches, and offer research reviews of circular economy and end-of-life advances relevant to the electric sector.

WCEE Holds Hydrogen Session – The Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment (WCEE) holds a Lunch & Learn Series on Hydrogen 101 tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Hydrogen has the potential to be a key component of achieving net zero emissions worldwide.  The discussion will look at the differences between brown, blue, and green hydrogen and the potential that all of these resources have to transform and decarbonize the transportation, electric, manufacturing, and building sectors. Speakers include Danielle Vitoff, Associate Director of Decarbonization Solutions at Guidehouse and DOE Office of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Technology Manager. Katie Randolph.

Forum to Look at Climate, Middle East – The Hill and UAE embassy holds a webinar tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. on the climate under threat. In part four of our Aspiration & Resilience series, The Hill will convene government leaders and experts from the US and the Middle East to discuss the environment, energy and global cooperation.  Topics include the future of renewables, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the implications of climate change on security and instability in the region. Sen. Whitehouse and House Energy/Commerce’s Yvette Clark and UN Enviro Program head Inger Andersen are among the speakers.

Forum to Look at Best Practices for Clean Energy – Tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) together with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources (OER) will discuss best case practices addressed in their new guide for states on collaborating with CBOs. The guide covers the preliminary steps and training state agencies can undertake prior to pursuing collaboration with CBOs, how to structure community engagement, and how to build long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships. Case studies highlight successful state/CBO collaborations. The guide provides a helpful primer and additional learning resources on environmental and energy justice, as well as an appendix on the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion.

SEIA, WoodMac Look at 2020 Solar Data – Tomorrow at 3:00 p.m., Experts from SEIA and Wood Mackenzie will provide a deep dive into the new data outlined in its report U.S. Solar Market Insight 2020 Year-in-Review.The will discuss the market trends that helped shape the U.S. solar market through a difficult year and a 10-year forecast for the first time ever, showing that the U.S. solar industry is on track to quadruple in size over the next decade.  The webinar will offer insight on how the forecasts outlined in the report demonstrate the need for smart clean energy policies that can help accelerate the industry's pace of growth throughout the next decade.

NAS to Host NASA Expert on Climate, Space – Tomorrow at 5:30 p.m., the National Academies hold a public lecture with NASA Senior Climate Advisor Gavin Schmidt about Earth observations from space and their unique perspective on climate. During the lecture, he will explore the emerging science of extreme event attribution and what the next decade might hold.

Senate EPW to Move Nominations Forward – The Senate Environment Committee holds a business meeting on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.to consider Brenda Mallory’s nomination to be chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Janet McCabe’s nomination to be deputy EPA administrator, and the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act.

CSIS Report Looks at Africa Power Situation – On Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., the CSIS Africa Program and the Energy for Growth Hub hold a joint public event to discuss key findings and recommendations from their report, Power Africa, on opportunities to accelerate progress in tackling poverty and address some of its highest priority foreign policy and development goals. CSIS Africa Program Director Judd Devermont will moderate a conversation with co-authors and panelists Katie Auth, policy director at the Energy for Growth Hub, Nilmini Rubin, senior associate at CSIS, and Kate Steel, co-founder and COO at Nithio. All have been closely involved in creating and shaping Power Africa over the years.

Forum Looks at Hydrogen – OurEnergyPolicy is holding a forum on Wednesday at Noon on the role of hydrogen.  Hydrogen is increasingly gaining attention for other energy applications. Speakers include FHCHEA head Morry Markowitz and Janice Lin of the Green Hydrogen Coalition among the speakers.

House Resources to Address US Territories – The House Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. to look at plans to help the U.S. Territories.  All 5 territorial Governors will testify.

House Science Panel to Look at Sustainable Aviation – The House Science Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. examining R&D pathways to sustainable aviation. Witnesses include Penn St’s Karen Thole, John Hansman Jr of MIT’s International Center for Air Transportation and chair of the Federal Aviation Administration's Research, Engineering and Development Advisory Committee and Steve Csonka of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative.

House Energy Oversight Panel to Look at TX Grid – On Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee holds a hearing on the 2021 Texas grid failure. Witnesses include NERC CEO James Robb, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, ECOT head Bill Magness, Texas Railroad Commission chair Christi Craddick and Michael Shellenberger of Environmental Progress.

Forum to Look at Transpo Policies to Address Driving Costs – The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation and the Institute for Policy Integrity hold a discussion on Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. for a discussion about addressing the social costs of driving through a vehicle miles traveled fee.  The discussion will focus on a new report, published this last fall by the Institute for Policy Integrity, A Pileup: Surface Transportation Market Failures and Policy Solutions, analyzes these social costs, and as one option, proposes transitioning transportation funding toward a vehicle miles traveled tax.

RFF Holds EJ Forum – Resources for the Future (RFF) and the Urban Institute hold a forum on Wednesday at Noon for the introductory event in our new environmental justice (EJ) event series. The panel of experts will review the trajectory of EJ activism and its grounding in research, focusing on when and how scholars have provided the evidence necessary for legal remedy, policy change, or citizen awareness campaigns. The panelists will discuss current policy imperatives and remaining gaps in knowledge.  Speakers Georgetown’s Sheila Foster, UKentucky’s Lala Ma and USC’s Manuel Pastor.

Panel to Look at Clean Energy Low Income Communities – On Wednesday at Noon, the Center for Energy Science and Policy (CESP) at GMU’s Schar School of Policy and Government will be live streaming a panel of experts discussing clean energy low-Income populations and environmental justice. National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) Executive Director Mark Wolfe and our friend Scott Sklar will speak.

Forum to Look at Sportsman Issues – On Wednesday at Noon, the American Conservation Bozeman holds a Stand Up for Sportsmen Event with Sen. Steve Daines, Simms Fishing Products Executive Chairman KC Walsh and ACC President Benji Backer.

Forum to Look at Nuke Threats – The Henry L. Stimson Center holds a webinar on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. focusing on how nuclear and non-nuclear facilities around the world can best protect against insider threats.

Hill Forum Looks at Public Lands, National Security – On Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., The Hill will convene policymakers and national security experts for an in-depth discussion on the intersection of our national security priorities and the global loss of nature. Rep. Ted Lieu is among the speakers.

House Energy Panel Look at Climate Legislation – The House Energy and Commerce Energy Subcommittee holds a hearing Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. on CLEAN (Climate Leadership and Environmental Action for our Nation's) Future Act.  Testifying will be our friends Karen Wayland of the GridWise Alliance, NRDC’s Yvonne McIntyre, Eric Hofmann of Utility Workers of America Local 132 and Alison Silverstein, former aide to FERC Chair Pat Wood. 

House Approps Panel to Discuss PFAS – The House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. to question Department of Defense officials and other advocates about PFAS.  Witnesses will include Erin Brockovich, DoD installations head Paula Cramer, DoD enviro/infrastructure, Dep Asst Sect Mark Correll, Veterans Health Administration consultant Patricia Hastings.  The hearing was rescheduled from February.

Forum Looks at Renewable Procurement for Utilities – Utility Dive holds a forum on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. on best practices on utility renewables. In this upcoming webinar, Enel X will discuss how utilities can lead the transition to clean energy. Wholesale market experts Sean Perry and Brad Bury of Enel X will explore the major challenges utilities face in renewable procurement today, and cover.

AEE Looks at TX Blackout – Advance Energy Economy holds a webinar on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. on the Texas blackouts, policy fallout and how advanced energy can help.  The blackouts resulting from the record freeze in Texas are driving regulators and lawmakers in Texas and around the country to search for answers on how the lights can stay on when severe weather strikes. On the webinar, Poweruite's will break down the policy fallout – investigations, shakeups, proposals for fixes good and bad – from this latest example of grid vulnerability. The industry experts will also explore all the ways that advanced energy technologies can make households, community institutions, and the grid itself more resilient in the face of threats ranging from hurricanes to wildfires to blasts of winter cold.

Senate Energy Panel Look at Water – The Senate Energy Water and Power Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday to look at incorporating natural infrastructure in western water management and policy to support economic development, protect watershed health and build more resilient communities.

Interior Sets Oil, Gas Review Forum – The Interior Department will launch its review of the federal oil and gas leasing program on Thursday with a public forum on oil and gas leasing on federal land and water.  The one-day virtual forum will feature presentations from different perspectives, featuring representatives of the oil and gas industry, Indigenous organizations, academia, and environmental justice advocates. The Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will speak after Haaland's address at 1:00 p.m. Here is the Zoom sign-up released by Interior today.

Senate Energy Looks at Expanding, Improving Nuclear Power – The Senate Energy Committee holds a hearing on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to address developments in the nuclear energy sector.  The hearing will focus on ways to maintain and expand the use of nuclear energy in the United States and abroad.  Witnesses include TVA CEO Jeff Lyash, TerraPower CEO Chris Levesque, Uranium Producers of America President Scott Melbye, X-Energy CEO Clay Sell and Amy Roma of the Atlantic Council’s Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition,

Senate Committee to Host FEMA Nominee – On Thursday at 10:15 a.m., the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee holds hearing on the nomination of Deanne Bennett Criswell to be administrator of FEMA.

POLITICO PRO Event to Look at Climate – POLITICO Pro is rescheduling its Biden Climate policy event for this Thursday at 11:00 a.m. On the Subscriber event, Pro reporters discuss the administration's focus on climate policy and how it will impact politics and business in the coming years.

Forum to Look at Natural Climate Solutions – UPenn’s Kleinman Center for Energy Policy holds a discussion on Thursday at Noon about funding, policy considerations, socioeconomic and environmental impacts, as well as challenges for implementation. Nature offers effective solutions to mitigate climate change and help achieve climate neutrality goals. Our panel of experts explores the implementation of these solutions—with a focus on England, the Netherlands, and the United States. 

House Science Panel Looks at Innovation, Tech – The House Science Energy Subcommittee holds a hearing on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. on technologies research for a sustainable future. ACEEE’s Nora Esram, NREL’s Rod Jackson and Oak Ridge NL’s Joe Hagerman all testify.

Forum to Look at Decarb on Economic Sectors – AU’s Center for Environmental Policy continues its series of decarbonization forums on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. looking at decarb from economic sectors.  As the U.S. rejoins other leading nations in the race to mitigate climate change, the debate is no longer about whether climate change can be stopped; only about what will it take to get to Net Zero Emissions by 2050 to mitigate climate change and limit its effects to acceptable levels.

Event Looks at Net-Zero Buildings – The New Buildings Institute holds a forum on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. looking at prime examples of net zero buildings found across the country. This webinar will feature some of the best buildings to date with a Case Study Jam format that allows in-depth sharing. Presenters will offer a tour of innovative technical solutions, strategies for successful stakeholder engagement, and more in their quest to achieve zero. 

NYT Event Looks at Oceans – The NYT Climate Series Netting Zero holds an event on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. to look at Oceans.  Oceans are a crucial part of the biosphere, soaking up carbon dioxide, absorbing more than 90% of the excess heat trapped on Earth from carbon emissions and producing half of global oxygen. Action is imperative and the panel will look at how to unlock and accelerate ocean-oriented solutions without repeating the mistakes of the past.

Leaders Discuss Caribbean Urban Issues – On Thursday at 1:30 p.m., the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center Caribbean Initiative, in collaboration with Yale University’s Center for Environmental Law & Policy, will hold the Caribbean Initiative’s first forum, “Caribbean Urbanism: Re-Imagining Resilience.” The event will focus on innovative ways to finance climate change adaptation. The Honorable Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, will open the discussion as she is a formidable spokesperson for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and the challenges they face as a result of climate change. This forum will initiate a multi-stakeholder engagement process between Caribbean and US stakeholders as well as other interested partners in their efforts to develop pan-Caribbean projects that can benefit from new and innovative financial instruments. This financing is essential for disaster preparedness and sustainability in the Caribbean’s new green and blue economies.

Heinrich Headlines Third Way Clean Jobs Forum – On Thursday at 2:30 p.m., Third Way holds a discussion on clean job creation under the American Rescue Plan. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) will speak and be followed by panel of experts from the Biden Administration, labor unions, and advocacy organizations discussing the possible paths forward, and potential challenges facing a jobs, justice, and clean energy-oriented economic recovery plan.  Speakers include DOE’s Shalanda Baker and UAW’s Josh Nassar. Our friend Justin Worland of TIME moderates. 

EERE Head Visits DOE Solar Webinar – On Thursday at 3:00 p.m., DOE’s acting assistant secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Kelly Speakes-Backman holds the next Solar Energy Technologies Office webinar, “100% Clean: How DOE’s Solar Investments Will Help Achieve Ambitious Decarbonization Goals.”  Speakes-Backman will discuss plans to achieve a carbon-free electricity sector by 2035 with net-zero emissions by 2050, as well as priorities for solar research and development.

Forum to Talk Blackouts – On Thursday at 4:00 p.m., the Center on Global Energy Policy holds its second episode of Columbia Energy Straight Talk, a discussion series hosted by David Hill, CGEP Adjunct Senior Research Scholar, and Cheryl LaFleur, CGEP Distinguished Visiting Fellow. This series focuses on frank, practical, bipartisan discussions on how to make change happen in the energy world. In this episode, Cheryl and David will host Alison Silverstein, an expert on the electricity industry, power system blackouts, energy resilience and electric markets who served as advisor to Chairman Pat Wood III at the Texas PUC and at the FERC.  She also was a lead author of the authoritative report on the 2003 blackout, which helped lead to enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. She advises governments and private parties on power system reliability, energy efficiency, smart grid, renewable energy and technology matters.

BU Forum to Look at Women Leading on EVs – On Friday at 11:30 a.m., the BU Institute for Sustainable Energy holds a for on women leading the charge in energy storage to advance renewable and EV growth.  Panelists include Ameresco’s Jacqueline DeRosa, Princeton’s Kelsey Hatzell, Plus Power’s Polly Shaw and UC-Irvine’s Iryna Zenyuk.

Vilsack to Speak at Press Club – Newly-minted US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will speak at a National Press Club Virtual Headliners event at 2:00 p.m. Friday.  Secretary Vilsack was confirmed on February 23rd to lead USDA – a role in which he served for eight years under President Barack Obama. He is the second longest serving agriculture secretary.  Vilsack is slated to speak about some of his priorities for the coming term including transforming America’s food system, creating fairer markets for producers, ensuring equity, developing new income opportunities with climate smart practices, increasing access to healthy and nutritious food, and making investment in infrastructure and clean energy in rural America.

EESI Continues Camp Congress Events – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) continues its Congressional Climate Camp online briefing series on Friday at 2:00 p.m. to discuss lessons learned from past congresses and current public attitudes on climate.  Speakers include former CEQ head Katie McGinty, Tina Johnson of the National Black Environmental Justice Network, Northwester U Professor Laurel Harbridge-Yong and House Climate Committee staff director Ana Unruh Cohen.

House Armed Services Panel Look at Resilience for Bases After Storm – On Friday at 3:00 p.m., the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee holds a hearing on installation resiliency and the lessons learned from the recent winter storm. Witnesses include Installation Commanders Air Force Brig. Gen. John J. Allen Jr, Army Lt. Gen. Douglas Gabram, Navy Vice Adm. Yancy Lindsey and Marine Corp Maj. Gen. Edward Banta.

IN THE FUTURE

Study Look s at Direct Air Capture – In a forum Next Monday at 11:30 a.m., Resources for The Future expert Mark Hafstead will discuss a study that uses an economy-wide model of the US to project the deployment of Direct-Air Capture across a range of technological cost and policy scenarios and provides estimates of the net benefits to society of innovation in DAC that lower its future technological costs. I find quantitatively significant net benefits of DAC innovation when there is sufficiently stringent climate policy, primarily through reduced policy compliance costs.

WRI Hosts Urban Environment Conversation – Next Tuesday at 9:00 a.m., the World Resources Institute will hold a conversation between Dirk Messner, President of the German Environment Agency, and Ani Dasgupta, Global Director of WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, to look at cities of the future.  This webinar will highlight a vision for tomorrow’s cities developed by the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) and what it means in the global context of sustainable urban development. This vision includes 10 wide-ranging measures to achieve a city of the future – one of less traffic, fewer cars, and fewer health and climate hazards. In this future city, space is more effectively and economically utilized for sustainable mobility, recreation and living overall. 

Sempra Exec Highlights Panel on ESG in Dealmaking – The Deal holds a forum on Tuesday March 30^th at 1:00 p.m. to explore the role that ESG is playing in Power and Utility M&A transactions.  Issue will look at ESG diligence, scores and challenges that are impacting corporate deals. Sempra Corporate Affair SVP and Chief Sustainability Officer Lisa Alexander heads a panel with several utility analysts and Deal Senior Editor Tom Terrarosa.

EESI Hosts Opponents of Nuclear – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) holds an online briefing on Tuesday March 30^th looking at nuclear energy issues, including the current economics of the U.S. nuclear power industry, how to approach decommissioning as more civilian reactors shut down, and what to do with their high-level radioactive waste. In particular, the briefing will assess the impacts of extending the licenses of existing nuclear plants and pursuing “advanced reactors” as a way to fight climate change.  The briefing will point out gaps in current research and data, federal policy, and regulatory oversight, and what can be done to fill them. It will examine how some other countries safeguard their radioactive waste, and offer practical recommendations to help make pending U.S. policy and regulatory decisions about nuclear energy more evidence-based, and better aligned with science and environmental justice. The event only has opponents of Nuclear so know that going in.

Press Club Hosts Perino on Book – The National Press Club hosts a Book event on Tuesday March 30^th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss her new book, Everything Will Be Okay. 

Forum to Look at Ag, Sustainability – The Environmental Law Institute hosts a forum on Wednesday March 31^st at Noon on agriculture and technology for sustainability. New technologies may be revolutionary tools to mitigate environmental harms associated with the agricultural industry including improved water conservation, limiting erosion, reducing fertilizer levels in local bodies of water, and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, among other potential benefits. However, realizing the environmental benefits of these technologies ultimately lies with how quickly and easily they can be incorporated in the industry. Speakers from CropLife American and Purdue will discuss.

Forum to Look at Cities Clean Energy Success – The World Resources Institute and RMI host a forum on Thursday April 1^st at 3:00 p.m. will highlight notable city clean energy trends from the past year based on new data from the Renewables Action Tracker. A panel of speakers from U.S. local governments will then discuss their own procurement stories from 2020, as well as the ways the COVID-19 pandemic affected their efforts, how the shift in federal administration might influence their future plans, and the role that they see cities playing in the clean energy transition moving forward. Officials from Denver, Houston and Madison, WI will speak.

Chamber Energy Groups Rolls Out Innovation Agenda – The US Chamber’s Global Energy Institute hosts its new EnergyInnovates Event Series on Thursday April 1^st at 2:00 p.m.  The event will feature discussions about the projects, policies and technologies that are shaping our energy landscape—and laying the groundwork to solve global challenges. Speakers include GEI’s Marty Durbin, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, ClearPath’s Rich Powell, Third Way’s Josh Freed and Robin Millican of Breakthrough Energy

Energy Security Conference Set For Congress – US Energy Stream hold s its in-person Energy Security Forum 2021 on April 8^th and 9^th at the Petroleum Club of Houston, TX. The Forum is an annual market intelligence platform that brings together powerful U.S. Congressmen, Senators, government leaders, top energy executives, and investors.  Speakers will include API’s Mike Sommers, Reps. Markwayne Mullin, Neil Dunn, Jeff Duncan, Gary Palmer, Randy Weber, John Curtis and Troy Nehls, among others. 

GW Planet Forward Summit Set – On April 9^th, GW’s School of Media and Public Affairs holds its annual  2021 Planet Forward Summit.  The Summit is focused on the urgency of the climate crisis, environmental equity, inclusion — and the narratives that propel them. Learn how these environmental change agents use storytelling to transform their audiences from passive listeners to engaged doers. Speakers include National Geographic Explorer & documentary filmmaker John Sutter. TODAY Show Weather and Feature Anchor Al Roker and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, among others.

AFPM Annual Conference Set – The annual conference for the American Fuel and Petrochem Manufacturers will be held virtually on April 12^th - 14^th.  Our friends Christine Tezak of ClearView Energy, Monroe Energy’s Adam Gattuso, AFPM’s Derrick Morgan and Valero CEO Joe Gorder all speak.  

Power Market Conference Set – S&P Global Platts holds its 36^th Annual Global Power Markets Virtual Conference on April 12^th to 14^th. The Conference focuses on the latest trends in energy policy, generation development, power market dynamics, power finance, power asset valuation, A&D, and energy transition.

UT Austin Energy Week 2021 to Focus on Energy Transition – The UT Austin Energy Week 2021 Conference will be held on April 13^th and 14^th focusing energy transition issues.  UT Energy Week 2021 will focus on the intertwined dynamics of how leaders and organizations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors balance the complex suite of pull-and-pushes to position their organizations and communities to not only lead in the energy transition, but also become more equitable and resilient in the process.  Our friends Robert Bryce, former WSJ reporter Jeff Ball and former EERE office head Dan Simmons are among the speakers.

Biden Climate Forum Shaping Up – The Biden Administration is expected to hold a climate forum for international leaders on April 22^nd and 23^rd in Washington.  The event is part of Biden’s effort to engage the international climate committee which start with his rejoining the Paris Agreement.  More to come…

Chamber Innovation Forum looks at CCS – The US Chamber’s Global Energy Institute continues its EnergyInnovates Event Series on Thursday April 22nd at 10:00 a.m.  The event will feature discussions that highlight the need to fund the innovation programs authorized in the Energy Act of 2020, including the important role of carbon removal, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) in achieving global and national climate goals. In this webinar, experts will explore the status of and outlook for carbon removal and CCUS technologies in light of recent legislative changes, as well as the next set of policies necessary to accelerate their scaling and adoption.

SCOTUS Packs Enviro Cases in Late April – Late April will be busy for the Supreme Court on environmental issues.  The Court will hear oral arguments in Guam v. United States on April 26, a case that has attracted the interest of my colleague Scott Segal and looks at a battle over a waste dump that first served as a disposal site for Navy waste during World War II.  The next day, April 27^th, HollyFrontier Cheyenne Refining, LLC v. Renewable Fuels Association is just scheduled which is case over the RFS’s Small Refinery program and a 10^th Circuit ruling that has caused significant controversy.  Then on April 28^th, the Court addresses PennEast Pipeline Co. LLC V New Jersey where PennEast wants to use the Natural Gas Act to use eminent domain to build its 116-mile natural gas pipeline from Pennsylvania to state-owned land in New Jersey.

Chamber Innovation Forum looks at Permitting, Transmission – The US Chamber’s Global Energy Institute continues its EnergyInnovates Event Series on Thursday May 13^th at 10:00 a.m.  The event will feature discussions on growing demand for cleaner energy sources and the need to build new energy infrastructure.  However, the byzantine federal permitting process is neither predictable, nor transparent, and inhibits capital investment to bring new energy platforms to market, including non-emitting electricity generation and transmission.  This webinar will highlight the inefficiencies of the permitting process as well as common sense, bipartisan solutions to unlock investment in the next generations of energy infrastructure.