Energy Update: Week of March 30

Friends,

Hope you are staying well and healthy.  Last night, the President extended the social distancing guidelines through April 30^th in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Last week was crazy with all the Congressional action on COVID relief/stimulus, the ongoing Senate Environment HFC comment process and the refinery issues.  Late Friday, the President signed the House-Senate $2.2 trillion relief package that will get millions of dollars of relief to workers, families, businesses and other impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and its economic fallout.

While I feel like it will slow with Congress heading home, speculation is already underway regarding what is next for COVID response Phase 4.  We have been providing daily legislative updates and I have included the latest available below in a special section which includes a library of resources.  You can also see them all on the Bracewell website here.  We will continue to report as we learn new items about implementation and Phase 4 discussions. 

The Detroit auto show scheduled for June has been canceled after show organizers were told the TCF Center (or Cobo Hall as most of us Detroit-natives know it) will be used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to house overflow patients from hospitals that are becoming overwhelmed because of the coronavirus crisis. This year's event was scheduled for June 7-20 at Cobo and at nearby outside venues such as Hart Plaza. The show had traditionally been held in January but was moved to the summer this year for the first time to be more consumer-focused and take advantage of better weather.

Several good webinars this week including one today on natural gas vehicles featuring my tax expert colleague Tim Urban hosted by NGVAmerica at 2:00 p.m. looking at the 2020 federal legislative and political landscape for the industry.  Tomorrow, DOE and ClearPath host an Atomic Wings Lunch and Learn Webinar tomorrow with DOE’s Rita Baranwal.  USEA hosts a webinar on Wednesday to look at new laws enacted by Wyoming to promote CCUS at power plants. SEJ hosts a webinar on Thursday to look at crisis media coverage and NRC holds a teleconference on non-light water reactors. On Friday, the Environmental Law Institute holds its virtual Environmental Law & Policy Annual Review forum.

There are also at least five webinars this week looking at the impacts of the COVID downturn and the Saudi-Russia oil moves on different regions/sectors.  See them in update list below.  Finally, today at 4:00 p.m., the Energy Infrastructure Council will hold a webinar update on deconstructing the recently signed CARES law, what it means for industry and what may be next. 

That’s all for today, call with questions, stay safe & healthy and remember to sign up for our COVID-19 updates. 

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

FRANKLY SPOKEN

"Whenever someone disagrees with what you say, they think, 'Oh, you must be getting paid. It’s condescending, patronizing and racist. I hope you print it. I want them to see it. Because that’s the way we feel.”

National Urban League President and former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial to Axios when asked about scrutiny from environmental groups about donations to civil right groups guiding their policies to favor fossil fuels.

ON THE PODCAST

PLATTS Looks at Shale Producers Woes – The Platts’ Capitol Crude Podcast today features CSIS expert Sarah Ladislaw discusses where the oil sector is headed.  In the midst of a price war, global oil demand is in a freefall with the spread of the coronavirus.  In response, global oil demand is plummeting. The International Energy Agency says as much as 20 million b/d of oil demand may be lost this year.  Schied and Ladislaw discuss potential bailouts for Shale, negotiations with Saudis and Texas regulators move to intervene. 

FUN OPINIONS

FORTUNE: Sinking Oil Prices Open Door For ‘Green’ Hydrogen – USEA expert and FORTUNE Contributor Dee Bhambhani writes in FORTUNE that sinking oil prices are breathing new life into an old argument, for hydrogen.  It is the lightest, most abundant element on Earth…and it emits zero emissions.  Some think it could be important in the transportation sector, the largest U.S. emitter of greenhouse gases blamed for climate change. Recently, two companies including our friends at Equinor, said they see a path forward for hydrogen as a predominant fuel source, one made from renewable electricity, one that could untie the storage conundrum.  “CO2-free hydrogen can be either produced via electrolysis using renewable power (green hydrogen) or from natural gas applying dedicated CCS technology.”  Some utilities say natural gas pipeline expansions are necessary to accommodate hydrogen.  Utilities say up to 20% of hydrogen could be mixed in with that natural gas and will be a way to lower the carbon footprint of their current gas infrastructure. 

FROG BLOG

HARDER: Civil Rights Leaders Oppose Swift Move Off NatGas – In an exclusive new column in Axios, Amy Harder writes that civil right leaders are opposing an abrupt move away from natural gas, putting them at odds with groups that want to ban nat gas use in homes as well as fracking.  In recent interviews with Harder, Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and National Urban League President Marc Morial said energy costs are hitting people of color unfairly hard. These concerns, expressed before the coronavirus pandemic, are poised to expand as paychecks shrink across America.

Covid Update

Bracewell continues daily updates of inside intelligence and information offering insights into the legislative process surrounding emergency COVID activity in Congress.  It is a useful daily tool that has provided REAL-TIME, inside access to the process.  Many of our team members are sending this around so please let me know if you want me to add you to my list.  You can also see them here: https://bracewell.com/content/covid-19

PODCAST: Bracewell Experts Dig into Final Legislation – The latest PRG Pulse episode of The Lobby Shop is now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play Music.  The Lobby Shop host team met up via video conference to record a rundown of how the federal government, states, and various industries are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Policy Resolution Group COVID-19 Legislative Update from March 27, 2020

This will be our last update on the COVID-19 Phase Three legislative deliberations. The House commenced its debate over the CARES Act this morning, and after a threatened delay, passed the bill by a voice vote. Now the relief efforts turn to implementation of Phase Three and drafting of Phase Four legislation.

In this note, you will find an updated edition of our library that includes a variety of new analytical materials about the COVID-19 legislation. As Congress moves to Phase Four and beyond, we will continue to produce updates to keep you informed.

The House’s Turn

• Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) called House members back to Washington to debate and vote on the CARES Act today. As she entered the Capitol this morning, she was unequivocal: “We're going to pass it today.”
• After a failed effort by Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) to object to the absence of quorum (his objection did not receive a sufficient second under the rules), the House passed the legislation by a voice vote.
• Following the vote, Speaker Pelosi adjourned the House until the morning of 3/30/2020, which will be a pro forma session.
• The CARES Act now heads to President Donald Trump to be signed into law, which will likely occur as soon as possible.
• Speaker Pelosi has stated that work has already begun on a Phase Four relief program, so stay tuned.

How Do These Programs Work?

• Companies across all sectors are trying to determine what assistance they could receive from the Phase Three legislation. As of now, there are far more questions than answers. Agencies, trade associations, and others are scrambling to develop guidance.
• The CARES Act itself does very little to differentiate between industry sectors. Outside of certain sectors, such as airlines or health care, most relief in Phase Three is not organized by business activity or industry sector.
• Bracewell LLP has organized a COVID-19 relief task force that includes practitioners from multiple offices and practice areas. The task force is designed to help our clients understand their options and effectively advocate for their interests in the context of COVID-19 relief. Your point of contact at Bracewell can help you learn more, if you have questions.
• Also, PRG has started tracking how Federal agencies are managing their operations and oversight obligations in the face of widespread COVID-19 responses, including managing enforcement and compliance obligations. Visit our website to find more.
• For companies that interface with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this blog post by Bracewell’s Kevin Collins on EPA’s recent policy memorandum on the exercise of enforcement discretion may be of interest.

The Library

Phase Three

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

• Final legislative text.
• Senate Summaries
  • Senate Majority Leader section-by-section summary.
  • Senate Committee on Appropriations summary of the supplemental appropriations division.
  • Senate Committee on Finance summary of unemployment insurance and tax provisions.
  • Senate Committee on Finance summary of health provisions.
  • Senate HELP Committee one-pager on its provisions.
  • Senate Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee section-by-section summary and one-pager of small business provisions.
  • Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs summary on its provisions.
• House Summaries
  • House GOP Conference one-pager.
  • House GOP Conference topline summary.
  • House Minority Leader topline summary.
  • Schumer Dear Colleague letter.
• Joint Committee on Taxation estimated revenue effects of the CARES Act.
• Third Party Summaries
  • Congressional Research Service summary of certain tax relief provisions.
  • National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) summary of employer provisions.
  • Solar Energy Industries Association summary.
  • Tax Foundation summary.
  • Bloomberg Government summary.
  • National Public Radio summary.
  • CNBC summary.

Previous Stimulus Packages

Phase One: Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020

• Public Law No: 116-123 text.
• Congressional Research Service summary.

Phase Two: Families First Coronavirus Response Act

• Public Law No: 116-127 text.
• House Appropriations Committee summary.
• Policy Resolution Group summary.
• Congressional Research Service summary of the tax credit for paid leave.
• Department of Labor summary of employer paid leave requirements (Note: These will be impacted by the CARES Act that is likely to pass the House imminently).
• Department of Treasury news release about the new law.
• Kaiser Family Foundation summary

 

IN THE NEWS

EPA Waives Summer Blend Requirement, Delays Application of SRE Decision – Late Friday in response to COVID-19, EPA announced it will provide additional flexibility to the marketplace to transition from winter-grade, high volatility gasoline to summer-grade low vapor pressure gasoline. Due to the steep fall-off in gasoline demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, gasoline storage capacity is limited and more time is needed to transition the distribution system in order to come into compliance for the summer driving season. EPA will temporarily waive the summer low volatility requirements and blending limitations for gasoline.  Without a waiver of the summer gasoline requirements, parties upstream of retailers and wholesale purchasers would be required to stop selling the winter gasoline sitting in their storage tanks on May 1, 2020, which would prevent them from loading summer gasoline into the storage tanks, resulting in a shortage of gasoline. By waiving the low volatility and blending limitations through May 20, 2020, EPA will ensure a steady supply of gasoline. EPA will continue to monitor the adequacy of gasoline supplies and, should conditions warrant, may modify or extend this waiver at a later date.

Small Refinery Issues Impacted As Well – Additionally, EPA does not intend to unilaterally revisit or rescind any previously granted small refinery exemptions issued for prior compliance years. As noted in the temporary policy on COVID-19 Implications for EPA's Enforcement and Assurance Program, issued yesterday, EPA is focused on protecting our employees and ensuring continued protection of public health and the environment from acute or imminent threats during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, investigating and initiating enforcement actions against small refineries that were previously subject to an exemption is a low priority for the agency. EPA intends to develop an appropriate implementation and enforcement response to the Tenth Circuit’s decision in RFA v. EPA once appeals have been resolved and the court’s mandate has been issued. Finally, in a forthcoming action, EPA intends to extend the RFS compliance date for small refineries to provide them with additional flexibility. 

Industry Comments on EPA’s Move – Thought you would find these responses from all Fueling American Jobs, AFPM and API helpful:

Fueling American Jobs Coalition

Today, the EPA missed an opportunity to contain the costs of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) during the current global crisis. While the Agency did not make a bad situation worse by applying a poorly-reasoned court case nationwide or by exacting illegal and onerous retroactive impacts, nothing announced by EPA today constitutes adequate support for the nation’s refineries. The Agency has failed to adopt common-sense cost containment measures and adjustments to the RFS that could have made a real difference in protecting American jobs and businesses in places like Pennsylvania, Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming and elsewhere.  It is ironic that on the very day the President signs the stimulus package, the EPA fails to support an industry that will be critical to any economic recovery.

AFPM Statement from Chet Thompson

It is astonishing that President Trump has abandoned our country’s small refinery workers and the communities that rely on these critical facilities in this time of national crisis and economic uncertainty. It’s beyond us why the President is once again trying to appease a biofuel industry that time and again has demonstrated it cannot be satisfied and always believes it is entitled to more.

The decision not to appeal a ruling that says small refineries struggling to pay for RFS compliance should simply “exit the market” betrays President Trump’s promise to U.S. manufacturers and undermines his energy dominance agenda. We are nevertheless optimistic this flawed decision will be overturned, and in the meantime will press ahead with every other tool at our disposal to reform the broken RFS program.

Frank Macchiarola, API SVP of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs

“We are supportive of EPA’s acknowledgement that the fuel distribution system needs flexibility to ensure a smooth transition from winter to summertime fuel blends while maintaining a well-supplied market. This flexibility is necessary to address the unprecedented disruption in fuel demand resulting from measures implemented to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Companies File First Round of HFC Responses – Several HVACR companies have filed comments in the Senate Environment HFC legislative process.  On Friday, Nortek urged support saying the legislation helps the HVACR industry “maintain its technology leadership, which in turn helps American manufacturers expand their share of the global market. The AIM Act also will put a stop to a potentially illegal and definitively harmful practice by foreign competitors in China known as “dumping,” whereby inferior products and equipment are exported to the United States and priced significantly below the cost of manufacture. This practice is intended to kill American jobs, close American factories, and bankrupt American companies. Complaints to various trade bodies have proven ineffective; by contrast the AIM Act would allow the federal government to put an immediate end to this deleterious practice.  Emerson also urged support saying the Interindustry Forecasting group at the University of Maryland, the phase down of HFCs will:

• Create 33,000 new U.S. manufacturing jobs and sustain 138,400 existing jobs between now and 2027;
• Increase direct U.S. manufacturing output by $12.5 billion, and total (direct and indirect) U.S. manufacturing output by $38.8 billion between now and 2027; and,
• Improve the U.S. trade balance in equipment and chemicals by $12.5 billion.

Emerson adds these trade and economic benefits are why the AIM Act is broadly supported by a large, bipartisan group of more than 30 Republicans and Democrats in the United States Senate and has the support of the U.S. HVACR industry, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the

U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

NRDC Supports HFC Legislation – The Natural Resources Defense Council also filed its comments saying its supports this bipartisan legislation – sponsored by Senators John Kennedy and Tom Carper and co-sponsored or supported by more than a third of the Senate.  NRDC’s David Doniger: “It is not very often that this committee hears support for the same bill from all sides – from NRDC and other public health and environmental organizations, from the chemical makers and equipment manufacturers represented by the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy and the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, and from broad industry associations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of

Manufacturers. Environmentalists and industry alike support enacting this legislation now, in order to keep U.S. leadership in all aspects of the transition from HFCs to climate friendlier alternatives.

It is critical that we do not wait.”

Court Upholds Fracking Rule Repeal – A federal judge on Friday upheld the Trump administration’s decision to repeal an Obama-era rule that created standards for hydraulic drilling on federal land.  California and several environmental groups sued when the law was rolled back, claiming the Trump Administration was in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.  However, Judge Haywood Gilliam, an Obama appointee, sided with the Trump administration, writing: "The record does not compel the conclusion that [the Bureau of Land Management] arbitrarily ignored foregone benefits or arbitrarily overvalued the costs associated with the 2015 Rule, as California Plaintiffs urge." The 2015 Obama administration rule would have required companies to say what chemicals they use in fracking, make them cover surface ponds that contain fracking fluids and also set well construction standards.  But it never went into effect because it was temporarily halted by a federal Judge in 2015 and later overturned the rule in 2016.

Senators Urge More Pressure from Pompeo – Senate Energy Chairman Murkowski led her colleagues last week in urging Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to take a more aggressive stance against Saudi Arabia and Russia for the economic warfare being waged against America’s oil and gas industry in the midst of a global pandemic.

“The United States retains enormously powerful tools at our disposal. In addition to the various types of aid and assistance we already provide – none of which should ever be offered perpetually and unconditionally – we are reminded of the levers of statecraft the Administration is empowered to exercise. From tariffs and other trade restrictions to investigations, safeguard actions, sanctions, and much else, the American people are not without recourse. In addition, following the enactment of S. 2040, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, Congress is also willing to contemplate revisiting any relevant antitrust authorities and support for the war in Yemen.”

Read the full text of the Senators’ letter to Secretary Pompeo here.  

This is the third Senators’ letter to help stabilize a key domestic industry that also underpins many state budgets. She joined her colleagues on March 16 in urging the Saudi Crown Prince to help stabilize global oil markets, and on March 20 in requesting that U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross investigate excessive oil-dumping by Saudi Arabia and Russia.

 

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

MOST EVENTS SCHEDULED HAVE POSTPONED OR ARE NOW ONLINE WEBINARS

Planet Forward Summit Set – RESCHEDULED FOR OCT 8-10 – GW’s SMPA 2020 Planet Forward Summit held at the Jack Morton Auditorium is where students and academics, as well as corporate leaders, scientists, journalists focus on how the best environmental change agents use storytelling to transform their audiences from passive listeners to engaged doers.

Bracewell Tax Expert to Discuss NatGas Vehicles – NGV America hosts a webinar today at 2:00 p.m. to look at the natural gas vehicle industry that will feature Bracewell PRG tax expert Tim Urban.  The webinar will feature an overview of the 2020 federal legislative and political landscape, providing background on key legislative developments, and developing electoral trends that will impact NGV policy throughout the year.  Topics include alt-fuel tax credit extension, Alternative Fuel Corridors, RNG Policy and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

EIC to Discuss COVID Stimulus Law – The Energy Infrastructure Council will hold a webinar update today at 4:00 p.m. on deconstructing the CARES Act, what it means for industry and what may be next.  The discussion will feature DC and subject matter experts on understanding the CARES Act and next steps that Congress and the Administration may take to address the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Webinar to Look at Crude Exports – S&P Global Platts holds a webinar tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the outlook for US crude exports. Just a few short weeks ago, US shale production and crude exports were expected to continue their upward trend in 2020. However, the coronavirus and recent drop in crude prices may crimp output and leave new pipelines and terminals underutilized.  The event digs into the US market and trends globally to give you the full picture of the challenging outlook for exports and potential for recovery.

USEA Webinar to Look at Chile – The US Energy Assn and AID are hosting a webinar tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on Independent Market Monitors focusing on Chile.  The even feature a presentation by Jose Sanhueza, an economist With the Market Monitoring Unit of Chile’s National Electrical Coordinator and Camilo Tautiva ,who Coordinates market monitoring for Superintendencia de Servicios Publicos Domiciliarios.  They will discuss how market monitoring take place with Chile’s electricity-market frameworks.

DOE Nuclear Official Headline Atomic Wings Webinar – DOE and ClearPath host an Atomic Wings Lunch and Learn Webinar tomorrow at 11:45 a.m. with DOE Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Rita Baranwal.  She will be joined by Jason Herbert of Energy Northwest and Shannon Bragg-Sitton of the Idaho National Lab.

State Energy Officials Look at Energy-Efficient Transportation – The National Assn of State Energy Officials hold a webinar tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on how state agencies are coordinating to plan for an energy-efficient transportation sector.  With new technologies and fuels powering the transportation sector, State Energy Offices are more involved with transportation planning than ever. The event will feature teams from Colorado and Idaho, who work across agencies to collaborate on transportation infrastructure deployment and other goals.

Webinar to Look at Risk Science in Reg Decisions – EPA officials participate in an on-line workshop on bringing advances in risk science into regulatory decisions. The event will focus on applying data-driven uncertainty analysis. 

Webinar to Look at Saudi Stability – The Rice Baker Institute for Public Policy holds a webinar tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on Saudi Arabia’s stability.  Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, fellow for the Middle East, will analyze recent developments in Saudi Arabia and assess their impact on the country’s international standing.

Webinar Looks at Sustainable Operations – Greenbiz hosts a webinar tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on ensuring reliable power and water to drive sustainable business operations. Managers of industrial operations – plants that generate mission-critical power and manage water systems supporting industrial processes – face numerous challenges, including aging infrastructure, fluctuating commodity costs, narrowing profit margins, and a shrinking pool of veterans to manage these systems and processes. This webinar offers insights into how industrial operations utilize asset performance management to address challenges within their asset-intensive infrastructures,

Energy Innovation Series Launches with 2 Events – The Atlantic Council Global Energy Center will launch a new online event series: EnergySource Innovation Stream.  Building off its blog and podcast, Innovation Stream will highlight new energy technologies with the potential to reshape the global energy system through discussions with companies and individuals working to bring those innovations to market at scale.  Tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. the event features Svante CEO Claude Letourneau who will discuss his company’s innovative nano-tech carbon capture filter developments, its field CCS demonstrations and prospects for a carbon management market.  Svante is a leader in CCS innovation technologies that addresses hard-to-abate GHGs from cement, steel, chemical and hydrogen production.  Then Thursday at 11:00 a.m., they will host a second webinar featuring NET Power CEO Bill Brown, who will discuss zero-carbon natural gas production and his vision for an electro-molecular economy. 

Economists Look at Oil Impacts – The National Association for Business Economics holds a webinar tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. on coronavirus impacts on global oil market. This webinar will address the possible scenarios of coronavirus diffusion and recovery, and the impact they would have on oil markets. What will be the impact on global oil demand, and how will U.S. and OPEC oil producers react? The webinar will also address how the coronavirus could impact long-term trends in oil demand, moving the world closer to peak oil demand. Speakers include Amy Jaffe of the Council on Foreign Relations and CitiGroup researcher Ed Morse.

MA DEP to Discuss 2020 Enforcement – Tomorrow at 3:30 p.m., the Environmental Business Council of New England hosts a webinar with Martin Suuberg, commissioner of Massachusetts’ Department of Environmental Protection, who will discuss the department’s program and enforcement priorities and implementation strategies for 2020 and beyond.

Webinar to Discuss Mexico, Brazil Impacts from Oil Market Crash – The Atlantic Council holds a Zoom webinar tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. looking at the oil market crash and the actions of Saudi Arabia and Russia and Its impacts on Brazil and Mexico.  Former State Department official David Goldwyn headlines the panel of experts.

Wyoming Expert to Discuss CCUS – The US Energy Assn hosts a webinar on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. to look at new laws enacted by the Wyoming Legislature to promote CCUS at power plants.  The webinar will feature U of Wyoming Energy Regulation Center expert Kipp Coddington will provide an overview of the law and what the developments will mean for CCUS interests in the Rocky Mountain regions.

Webinar Looks at Oil Market Impacts on Latin America – On Wednesday at Noon, the Inter-American Dialogue will host an online event at Noon looking at the world energy markets collapse and its impact on the Latin American energy sector. 

Webinar to Look at Energy Transition, COVID – S&P Global Platts holds a webinar on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. looking at how the energy transition landscape is responding to COVID-19.  Speakers include Gwenaëlle Avice-Huet, CEO of ENGIE North America.

NRC Hosts teleconference looks at Non-Light Water Reactors – The Nuclear Regulatory Commission holds a teleconference on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. to discuss with the nuclear industry and others the initiatives within the industry and NRC related to development and licensing of non-light water reactors.

SEJ to Hold Crisis Coverage Webinar – The Society of Environmental Journalists hosts a webinar at Noon on Thursday looking at how the media should and can cover a crisis.  With Earth Day's 50th anniversary just around the corner, SEJ is asking how our coverage and communication of environmental and health crises has evolved. Global action to tackle climate change and COVID-19 have both been thwarted by a lack of political will and impeded by misinformation. The event will look at how can journalists inform their audiences in ways that support constructive decision-making rather than apathy or paralysis, as well as dealing with misinformation and how it might impact the next election.  Our friend Emily Holden moderate a panel with Denis Hayes, CFR’s Alice Hill and John Mecklin, Editor-in-Chief of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

Platt’s Experts Discuss Petrochemical, COVID – S&P Global Platts holds a webinar at Noon on the petrochemical markets in the era of Covid-19, including impacts on pricing, supply chain and U.S. export logistics. It will feature the Platts’ experts team, including our friends Matthew Cook and Kristen Hays.

Forum to Look at Energy Transition – The Institute of the Americas and Payne Institute for Public Policy hold a webinar on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. looking at the material and metal security of low-carbon energy transitions. This is the first installment of the joint “Critical Minerals and the Energy Transition” webinar series.  The first webinar will feature a presentation by Jordy Lee, Research Associate for the Payne Institute for Public Policy at Colorado School of Mines. He will share details from their analysis and policy recommendations to further inform discussion and debate surrounding key facets of the global energy transition.

Webinar to Look at COVID, Water Agencies – On Thursday at 2:00 p.m., the National Association of Clean Water Agencies holds a webinar on how water utilities can respond to coronavirus challenges. Speakers will discuss how their agencies are responding to the outbreak and cover a variety of topics including Continuity of Operations Plans (COOPs), Emergency Response Plans, HR and staffing issues, operations issues, losses in revenue, and other challenges being presented by the virus. NACWA will also provide a brief update on resources it has available for utilities to help respond to the crisis and related advocacy efforts with Congress and EPA.

Forum to Look at Science, Tech Impacts on Life – New America hosts a webcast discussion on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. focusing on how technology and science can disrupt and enhance our lives.

Swedish Webinar to Look at COVID, Climate Links – Mistra Geopolitics and Stockholm Environment Institute hold a webinar Friday morning 5:00 a.m. on the geopolitics of Covid-19 and climate change. In times of crisis, social structures and institutions are put to the test and normal practices called into question. Disruptive events can lead to the emergence of new cultural expressions, daily routines, power relations and resource distribution. The webinar will look at whether the COVID-19 pandemic could be the catalyst for a societal transformation toward sustainability. 

ELI to Host Virtual Policy Review – On Friday, 9:30 a.m., the Environmental Law Institute holds its virtual Environmental Law & Policy Annual Review forum. Topics include FERC’s authority on carbon pricing, disclosure and energy extraction.

IN THE FUTURE

USEA Hosts IRENA Report – The US Energy Assn and US AID will host a webinar on Tuesday April 7^th at 8:00 a.m. to discuss the latest International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Report for flexible power systems.  IRENA’s Elena Ocenic and Francisco Boshell will discuss the report that discusses the need for synergies between different innovations to create actual flexibility solutions for power systems and showing how innovative services can address uncertainty of variable renewable energy sources.

WRI to Look at Country Commitments – The World Resources Institute holds a webinar on Wednesday April 8^th at 9:00 a.m. looking at Country commitments related to Paris.  The webinar will address options for countries to incorporate targets, policies and actions their updated NDCs.  It will also highlight the gains for focusing on HFCs.

Brownell, Jenkins Lead Power Markets Webinar – Power Markets Today is hosting a webinar on April 8^th at 2:00 p.m. focused on how power markets are evolving in the coming years.  The transformation of the industry is a key part of this, and many are arguing that wholesale markets could help with that transition more than they have already.  Speakers include our friend/expert Jesse Jenkins of Princeton, former FERC Commissioner Nora Mead Brownell and others.

Storage Forum, Expo Set – RESCHEDULED TO  AUGUST 26-28 – The U.S. Energy Storage Association (ESA) will host its Annual Conference & Expo, held this year in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 8^th to 10^th.  The forum will look closely at energy storage to facilitate higher renewable energy, electric transportation, cost savings, or community resilience reasons. 

Forum to Look at Alaska Coastal Resilience – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute holds a briefing on April 21^st at 2:00 p.m. on scientific developments and policy initiatives that are helping protect Alaskan ecosystems and communities from erosion, sea level rise, and other coastal hazards. The panelists will describe the collaborative process between federal, state, local, and tribal stakeholders in collecting, sharing, and acting on scientific data to inform policy decisions around adaptation and help communities define and achieve their resilience goals. These projects can serve as a model for other regions experiencing similar issues in high-latitude or coastal areas.

Offshore Wind Conference Set – The Business Network for Offshore Wind, the leading non-profit advocate for U.S. offshore wind at the state, federal and global levels, will host its 7^th annual International Partnership Forum (IPF) on April 21-24^th NOW ONLINE.  They will reschedule the in-person meeting in Providence, Rhode Island for August 18-21. The annual IPF conference is the premier event for the offshore wind supply chain, which is now projected to be a $70 billion revenue opportunity through 2030.

USEA Holds Annual Meeting, Forum – The US Energy Assn holds its annual meeting and Public Policy Forum on Tuesday April 28^th in the Ronald Reagan Trade Center.  The event brings together USEA members and energy stakeholders, including Administration officials, thought leaders, lawmakers, diplomats and journalists to discuss the latest energy policy developments, share industry updates, and celebrate the achievements of the United States Energy Award and United States Energy Volunteer Award

Energy Forum Set for CO – The Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, University of Colorado-Boulder, and National Renewable Energy Lab are hosting the 9^th annual 21^st Century Energy Transition Symposium at the Embassy Suites in Downtown Denver on April 28^th and 29^th.  Over 65 speakers (in 20 different sessions) from various expertise and backgrounds covering environmental challenges & solutions through collaboration with industry from multiple sources of energy.  Hear from keynote speakers including Colorado Governor Polis, ARPA-E Director Lane Genatowski, Tri-State CEO Duane Highley and many more.  

CA Conferences Set – The 8^th Annual California Energy Summit is being held on May 6^th to 8^th in the LA Grand Hotel Downtown.  It will feature top regulatory officials, utility and public power leaders, and developers to discuss the state-wide implications of wildfire mitigation measures, incentives that can drive deployment of self-generation and storage to enhance resilience, near-term resource adequacy and long-term SB100 procurement needs of CCAs, public power and IOUs and the expansion of interstate energy trading and transmission buildout needs. 

AEE Holds Eastern Policy Conference – Advanced Energy Economy holds its second annual Eastern Regional policy conference in Annapolis on May 21^st.  The event features business leaders and policymakers exploring legislative and regulatory paths to scaling advanced energy markets in electricity and transportation, in states and nationally.  Speakers will include Alison Cassady of the House Select Climate Committee, PJM’s Susan Riley and Michigan PSC Chair Sally Talberg. 

DC Oil/Gas Forum Set – The 6^th Washington Oil & Gas Forum 2020 is set for June 10^th and 11^th at The Cosmos Club in Washington, DC.  The US leads global oil and natural gas production. U.S. shale revolution has reshaped the energy landscape in the United States and globally. The American Energy Revolution has delivered massive economic, environmental and geopolitical benefits. Today, the United States is the world’s top oil and gas producer and a leading energy exporter. The Washington Oil & Gas Forum is the foremost innovative and exclusive force for engaging oil and gas leaders in collaborative activities to shape the American and global oil and gas agendas.  Speakers include FERC Chair Neil Chatterjee, Sen Cruz, Reps. Randy Weber, Mike McCaul and Bruce Westerman.