Energy Update: Week of May 10

Friends,               

Obviously, we are closely monitoring the situation regarding the Colonial Pipeline and the ransomware attack. It is a gasoline pipeline issue (not natural gas) that could have serious impacts if it persists.  The latest is the pipeline is slowly restarting operations and could be completely in service by the end of this week.  Following some great experts like Tom Kloza and Patrick De Haan on Twitter, who are all over it.  Here is a good primer by De Haan from his Gasbuddy.com site.

I start off today with some special news… Our friend Bob Bessette, the head of the Council of Industrial Boiler Owners (CIBO) is retiring from the trade assn consisting of non-utility industrial, commercial and institutional energy producers after 27 years at the helm. Bob has been a great friend, steady fixture and strong voice in DC for high-quality, knowledgeable and unbiased information pertaining to industrial boilers and industrial energy use.  Alex Stoddard, former MeadWestvaco/AF&PA expert and more recently, International Trade Administration official, has taken over as executive director.  Happy retirement to Bob and Gail – Travel well!!!  See the full release here/below.

Congress returns for another busy week.  Interior #2 Tommy Beaudreau is getting a vote in the Senate Energy Committee on Thursday which we expect to be smooth sailing.  After the vote, the committee will discuss offshore energy leasing in federal waters.  Senate Enviro has a Wednesday hearing on nominees for posts at Interior and EPA.

On the House side, House Foreign Affairs meets Wednesday to discuss global action in combating climate change in John Kerry’s first return to the Hill in his current role as Climate Envoy.  House Energy meets Thursday to discuss the CLEAN Future Act’s Superfund provisions. Finally, House Resources is having two hearings on Thursday — one on environmental justice in Indigenous communities and another on legislation to safeguard coastal areas near offshore drilling sites (which will only have opponents of drilling so I wouldn’t expect a very balanced discussion of the real issues with offshore drilling).

Thursday is the BIG EVENT day: You should not miss the 11:00 a.m. Energy Innovation Reform Project release of a new study focused on developing strategy and policy recommendations to meet the challenges of the energy transition and escalating international competition from the Indo-Pacific region (i.e. CHINA). Study author co-chairs Paula Dobriansky (Bush State Dept) and Dan Poneman (Obama Energy Dept) lead an online briefing with members of the bipartisan Task Force for a discussion of key findings.  Just prior to the EIRP event, US Chamber’s Global Energy Institute continues its EnergyInnovates Event Series talking permits. Finally, just after the EIRP event, at Noon, SAFE is holding an event on pathways to safe AV deployment featuring NHTSA administrator Steven Cliff.

BTW, if you missed it last Thursday, the 100 Days in 60 Minutes event with former senior policy advisor to then-Senator Kamala Harris and our new PRG colleague Yasmin Nelson is now available in archived form to catch up on Biden's first 100 days.

Finally, Preakness is Saturday.  I hoped to do a preview but with yesterday’s news about Medina Spirit failing a drug test, it now throws the Preakness field into disarray.  It won’t help my tribox now, which would have been a winner w/o MS, because official results are official. The field already lost two other contenders when Caddio River and Essential Quality said they are passing for the Belmont.  I am planning to go to Pimlico on Saturday, so we’ll see what happens.

Last night, UNC beats Michigan in the NCAA field hockey Championship (delayed from Fall) 4-3 in OT and NCAA  Men’s and Women’s lax brackets were announced with Championship set for Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday, the Sam Houston St. Bearkats rallied from a three-touchdown deficit to outlast James Madison in the second half of a 38-35 win in a FCS Football semifinal Saturday. The win puts the Bearkats in the NCAA FCS championship in Frisco, TX against #1 South Dakota State, which routed Delaware 33-3 earlier in SD.  NCAA Men’s Soccer quarters today with #3 Georgetown in action now, while the NCAA Women’s Soccer College Cup final four is set with #1 Florida St, #2 UNC, Santa Clara and UVa.

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

“Now is a perfect inflection point as we face aggressive long term carbon reduction goals. CIBO will maintain its focus on the importance of sustainability and carbon management in the industrial energy space, offering technology expertise toward practical solutions with respect to manufacturing power needs.”

CIBO Chairman Fred Fendt focusing on the group’s direction as its long-time head Bob Bessette retires and Alex Stoddard takes over.

ON THE PODCAST

Bloomberg Podcast Looks at Power of WV Senators on Energy – On this episode of Bloomberg Industry’s weekly environmental podcast, Parts Per Billion, we talk to Bloomberg Government’s Kellie Lunney, who recently traveled to the Mountain State to learn about what West Virginians want their extraordinarily powerful Senators to do to on fossil fuels and other climate policies. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito are poised to shape the nation’s energy transition—with the challenges of their home state firmly in mind.

FUN OPINIONS

Is the Trillion Dollar Investment worth It? – In an op-ed in The Hill, Butler University Economics professor and energy author Peter Z. Grossman looks at the Biden Administration’s plan to spend trillions of dollars on climate policies, asking is it worth the investment.  Grossman suggests that the U.S. will expend enormous resources to replace one vast electric system with a different one, which will do nothing any better than the one we have now. Moreover, there are other less costly and disruptive ways to reduce CO2 emissions he says. 

FROG BLOG

RFF: Climate Proposal Can Reduce Emissions, But Not Enough to Meet Target – In a new blog post, RFF’s Lauren Dunlap reviews key findings from a recent RFF issue brief, which concludes that prominent climate policy proposals could reduce emissions significantly, but not enough to achieve the Biden administration’s climate goals. “The tools that are likely to succeed in today’s political climate won’t be enough,” says RFF Senior Fellow and issue brief coauthor Karen Palmer. “We need to think creatively and collaboratively about how we can fill in these gaps to reach our climate targets.”

FUN FACTS

COVID Emissions Facts – The Energy economy is already starting to recover from COVID:

• The world is on pace to increase energy consumption by 4.6% in 2021, the second largest annual increase in carbon emissions in history.
• Almost 70% of the projected rise will occur in emerging markets and developing economies
• Energy use in advanced economies is 3% below pre-Covid levels.

IN THE NEWS

CIBO Announces Alex Stoddard as New Exec Dir, Replacing Long-Time Leader – The Council of Industrial Boiler Owners (CIBO) today announced that Alex Stoddard will replace long-time head Bob Bessette as its Executive Director.  Bessette, who has led CIBO for 27 years, will formally retire as Stoddard takes the helm.  Stoddard brings extensive experience to CIBO as a long-time government relations professional in Washington representing private sector/U.S. manufacturing, including 18 years representing a packaging and specialty chemicals company MeadWestvaco (now WestRock).  Prior to that, he also worked at the American Forest & Paper Association.  In addition, Stoddard has a number of years of service in government, including working on Capitol Hill and most recently at the Department of Commerce, where he served as Director of Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs for the International Trade Administration.  As CIBO’s new Executive Director, Stoddard is working to enhance its policy engagement efforts, while steadfastly maintaining the organization’s technology-focused and solutions-oriented approach to key energy and environmental policy issues of importance to CIBO’s membership. 

SRP to More than Double its Utility-Scale Solar to 2,025 MW by 2025 – The Salt River Project plans to more than double its 2025 utility-scale solar commitment to now add a total of 2,025 megawatts (MW) of new utility-scale solar energy to its power system by the end of fiscal year 2025, driven in part by dedicated customer demand for new renewables. This is more than 1,000MW beyond SRP's original 2025 commitment of 1,000MW, announced in November 2018. As part of this 1,025MW solar increase, 450MW is enabled by an SRP commercial customer to meet its renewable energy commitments. All the renewable energy purchased is expected to be from solar energy developments built in Arizona or on the Navajo Nation and will ultimately be used by SRP commercial and residential customers. SRP currently has 648MW of utility-scale solar plants online or contracted and under development across the state and will add more than 1,375MW of newly contracted solar power by 2025 (100MW is enough to power about 22,500 homes on average). CLICK HERE FOR DOWNLOADABLE SRP SOLAR FIELD PHOTOS & VIDEO

Report: China Emits more than All Developed Countries Combined – A new report from the Rhodium Group found China’s emissions of greenhouse gases have more than tripled over the last three decades and, for the first time, exceed those of all developed countries combined.  China contributed 27% of global emissions in 2019, far exceeding the U.S. — the second highest emitter at 11%, followed by India (6.6%) and the European Union (6.4%). In 2019, China’s emissions reached 14,093 million metric tons of carbon equivalent, a more than tripling of 1990 levels, and a 25% increase over the past decade. That level of emissions is greater than the amount combined from all members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as 27 EU member states, which emitted 14,057 million metric tons of carbon equivalent in 2019.

Business, Conservation Groups Call for Innovation Funding – Duke Energy, Southern, DTE, C2ES, Portland Cement Assn, SEIA, ConservAmerica, ClearPath, the US Chamber’s Global Energy Institute, API and more than 100 energy and conservation organizations sent a letter to appropriators in Congress urging them to fully fund energy innovation and research to ensure America maintains a competitive edge in the global market. The federal government plays a crucial role in supporting innovation through effective research and development programs. In the letter to House and Senate appropriators, the organizations called on Congress to “immediately make robust, goal-oriented federal investments in priority energy innovation efforts.” The organizations also noted, “Congress has wisely provided spending boosts for RD&D activities at DOE in recent years. Even so, the U.S. is not keeping up with the competition and risks missing out on new opportunities as a result. Other nations like Japan, China, and those within the European Union are investing greater shares of their economies in energy R&D. To continue competing for global market share in a changing energy sector, the U.S. must demonstrate, commercialize and deploy the technologies it develops at scale. Accelerating these later stages of innovation will require a significant increase in federal funding and private sector partnership and is a vital and unavoidable step toward economic success.” 

Fresh Call To Revoke Steel, Aluminum Tariffs – Numerous manufacturers are pushing Biden to eliminate Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, saying that their companies face “historic shortages” that could hinder U.S. economic recovery. The 300 signatories write that orders from U.S. producers face delays and foreign alternatives are prohibitively expensive. Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from China, Canada, the EU, Mexico and other countries. U.S. steel and aluminum producers say the tariffs have made them more competitive with foreign rivals and spurred new jobs, but industries that rely on the metals say they’re suffering as a result.  “We support a strong and thriving steel and aluminum industry, but producers today simply cannot meet demand and the tariffs create a tax that only manufacturers in the U.S. must pay,” the letter states. The letter was orchestrated by the Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users and the National Foreign Trade Council, among other groups.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

MOST EVENTS SCHEDULED ARE NOW ONLINE WEBINARS

WCEE Hosts Chat with USEA Head – Today at 2:00 p.m., Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment (WCEE) President Barbara Tyran holds a fireside chat with USEA's acting Executive Director Sheila Hollis as we explore 'resilience'.  USEA convenes, educates and provides a nonpartisan forum for American energy stakeholders. Internationally, USEA supports global energy development by expanding safe, affordable, and clean energy access in participation with the US Government. A former WCEE President and Woman of the Year, Sheila will discuss her initial impressions of Washington, the role of resilience in facilitating many successful professional transitions, and how leading USEA inspires and embodies her life's work. 

Forum Looks at Water Access Success – The Woodrow Wilson Center's Environmental Change and Security Program holds a webinar tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., on new reporting that shows universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene is drawing closer even with the COVID pandemic.

Senate EPW Focuses on Transpo Infrastructure – The Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on equity in transportation infrastructure.  The hearing will address connecting communities, removing barriers and repairing networks across America.

Conference Looks at Climate Neutral Materials – CLG Europe, in partnership with Agora Energiewende and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), is organizing a high-level virtual conference tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. to explore how lead markets for climate neutral materials can be created and the role EU policy can play in decarbonising heavy industry.  The event will allow for the launch of a new Agora Energiewende and CLG Europe report called "Tomorrow's market today" that will give special attention to how policy can help develop demand and create lead markets for climate neutral materials and products.

Book Launch: Energy's Digital Future by Amy Myers Jaffe – Tomorrow at Noon, the Center on Global Energy Policy will host Amy Myers Jaffe, Research Professor and Managing Director at the Climate Policy Lab at Tuft University's The Fletcher School and Co-Chair of the CGEP Women in Energy Steering Committee, for a discussion of her new book, Energy’s Digital Future: Harnessing Innovation for American Resilience and National Security. Following her presentation, Amy will be joined by Jason Bordoff, CGEP Founding Director and Professor of Professional Practice in International and Public Affairs, Columbia University and David Sandalow, CGEP Inaugural Fellow, for a conversation moderated by Dr. Melissa Lott, CGEP Director of Research and Senior Research Scholar.

ANS Holds Sandia Event – The American Nuclear Society holds a spotlight event on Sandia National Labs tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. in its 10^th installment of the ANS Young Members Group Spotlight on National Labs series.

RFF Chats with United CEO – Resources for the Future (RFF) holds a Policy Leadership Series event with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby tomorrow at Noon. RFF President and CEO Richard G. Newell will sit down with Kirby to discuss United’s decarbonization strategy—which focuses on developing sustainable aviation fuels and investing in advanced clean energy technologies—as well as a range of energy and climate issues.

ITIF Holds Event on Public Partnerships for Innovation – The information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) holds a discussion tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. of non-profit, non-governmental foundations that work with them to advance their missions.  This prospect, embodied in the proposed Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation Act, which has won bipartisan, bicameral sponsorship. The discussion will focus on advancing Clean Energy techs.

Forum Looks at Gas Regulation in Energy Transition – The Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) holds a web event tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. on gas regulation for a time of transition. Megan Anderson, Max Dupuy and Mark LeBel, co-authors of Under Pressure: Gas Regulation for a Time of Transition, will speak at interactive webinar as they detail their policy recommendations and how regulators can use them to navigate the changing landscape of fossil gas use. Richard Sedano, RAP’s president and CEO, will moderate the discussion.

BPC Looks at Smarter, Better Infrastructure – Tomorrow at 3:00 p.m., the Bipartisan Policy Center holds a forum on how private investment supports smarter, cleaner, faster infrastructure. This session will explore examples of clean infrastructure projects that are currently being delivered through public-private partnerships and identify strategies for expanding the role of the private sector in delivering smarter, cleaner, faster infrastructure that can benefit all Americans. Featured participants include former Reps John Delaney, and Eric Cantor. 

Forums Looks at Climate in Schools – The Aspen Institute together with K12 Climate Action, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, Sierra Club, and World Resources Institute hold a two-part event tomorrow and Thursday both at 4:00 p.m. to learn about the opportunities to make school buildings, grounds, and transportation models for sustainability. The event features infrastructure experts, community leaders, and policymakers from around the country over the course of two days.  Tomorrow’s session focuses on school building while Thursday will look at electric buses.

Biden Climate Advisor Join Yale Enviro Dialogue – Tomorrow at 5:00 p.m., the Yale Environmental Dialogue at the Yale School of the Environment holds an online discussion with Jahi Wise, President Joe Biden's senior advisor for climate policy and finance in the Office of Domestic Climate Policy. The conversation will be moderated by Dan Esty.

Forum Looks at India – The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs holds a webinar Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. on India's Environment Challenges and Impact of COVID. This session with India’s leading environmentalist Sunita Narain will highlight findings of the State of India’s Environment 2021 the most comprehensive report on India’s environment produced by 60 notable experts in the subject in India by the Down To Earth magazine at the Centre for Science and the Environment. 

Group Details Carbon Border Adjustment – The Washington International Trade Association holds a virtual discussion Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on carbon border adjustment measures as part of trade and environmental policy.  Former White House Climate Official David Banks is among the speakers. 

Ag Looks at Climate Policies – The House Agriculture Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. looking at conservation program and exploring climate mart Practices.

Kerry Headlines House Foreign Affairs – The House Foreign Affairs Committee holds a hearing Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on driving a global, whole-of-society response to climate action.  Climate Envoy John Kerry will testify.

Senate Enviro Hosts EPA, Interior Nominees – The Senate Environment Committee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on the nominations of Shannon Estenoz to be assistant Interior secretary of fish and wildlife and parks; Radhika Fox to be assistant EPA administrator for water; and Michal Freedhoff to be assistant EPA administrator for chemical safety and pollution prevention.

RFF Hosts Forum on Energy Equity – On Wednesday at Noon, Resources for the Future (RFF) and the Urban Institute will host the second event in Exposure, a six-part webinar series on environmental justice. A panel of experts will address issues of energy justice, energy poverty, green jobs, and energy transition communities. The conversation will cover issues that arise on both ends of the energy system—equity in household energy services as well as just transitions for communities whose livelihoods depend on the fossil fuel industry.

EPRI Climate Forum Set – The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) holds its 24^th Energy and Climate Seminar on Wednesday and Thursday from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. both days.  This long-running event covers key energy and environmental topics of significant interest to the U.S. energy sector related to climate science, policy perspectives, decarbonization technologies, and research priorities.  It provides an opportunity for decision-makers and stakeholders interested in the latest in energy and environmental research to discuss issues and policy drivers in a deeply technical way, specifically with an eye toward their implications for the utility industry.  Speakers include Kelly Speakes-Backman (EERE), Dan Sperling (UC-Davis + California ARB), Arshad Mansoor (EPRI CEO), and many others from academia, government, and industry.

Forum Looks at Texas Power Issues – On Wednesday at 1:00 pm., R Street holds a forum to explore the Texas power crisis and its impacts on wholesale power market design questions.  Former ERCOT board member Peter Crampton and R St.’s Beth Garza discuss.

Forum to Look at NDC – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) will hold a forum on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. to focus on the new Biden NDC to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030. Experts will discuss the new emissions reduction goal, why it matters, and how it can be used as a guide for domestic federal policy development and design. The briefing will also explain how the U.S. NDC fits into the overall architecture of international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to climate impacts.  Speakers include Ceres’ Anne Kelly, Washington U Law Tracy Bach and UCS’s Rachel Cleetus.

Forum Looks at EV in China, US – On Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., the Wilson Center holds a forum on EVs and carbon Neutrality in China and the US. At this panel Ilaria Mazzocco (Paulson Institute) will lay out the drivers and bumps on the road for China’s aggressive push to shift completely to electric vehicles; An Feng (Innovation Center for Energy and Transportation, iCET) will evaluate the economic and climate benefits of the regional plan for EVs in Guangdong Province and the Greater Bay Area that was part of the 14th Five-Year Plan. Camron Gorguinpour (ENGIE Impact) will highlight EV trends in the United States and dive into expanding Vehicle Grid Integration projects; Shelley Francis (EV Hybrid Noire) will delve into the importance of utilizing e-mobility best practices and discuss best practices for engaging diverse NGOs, communities, and more to work towards inclusive and equitable solutions for small and large E-mobility in the United States.

Chamber Innovation Forum looks at Permitting, Transmission – The US Chamber’s Global Energy Institute continues its EnergyInnovates Event Series on Thursday 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.

Senate Energy Votes on Beaudreau, Look at Offshore Leasing – The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee markup to vote on the nomination of Tommy Beaudreau to be deputy Interior secretary.  Following the vote, they will open a hearing on offshore energy development.

House Resources Tackles Enviro Equity – The House Natural Resources Indigenous Peoples Subcommittee holds a hearing on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. looking at environmental justice in indigenous communities.

House Energy Moves to Superfund Issues – The House Energy and Commerce Environment and Climate Change Subcommittee holds a hearing Thursday at 10:30 a.m. on the CLEAN Future Act’s focus on Superfund proposals that advance cleanups, equity and climate resilience.

Report to Launch Review of Indo-Pacific Energy, Critical Minerals Strategy – On Thursday at 11:00 a.m., Energy Innovation Reform Project will release a new study focused on developing strategy and policy recommendations to meet the challenges of the energy transition and escalating international competition in the Indo-Pacific region. EIRP will hold a special online briefing with co-chairs and members of the bipartisan Task Force on U.S. Indo-Pacific Energy Strategy for a discussion of key findings and recommendations in the group’s final report. Speakers will include Task Force Co-Chairs former Bush State Department climate official Paula Dobriansky of Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs and former Obama Deputy Secretary of Energy Dan Poneman. Other speakers include former Senate Energy Chair Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and CSIS/Georgetown expert Michael Green.

POLITICO Brief Looks at Infrastructure Plan – POLITICO Pro reporters hold a forum on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the latest updates to infrastructure legislation, challenges and roadblocks to passing the plan, and the term's ever-changing definition.

ACORE Report Looks at ITC – On Thursday at 11:30 a.m., ACORE will release a new report, produced in collaboration with Grid Strategies, on the economic benefits of an investment tax credit (ITC) for regionally significant transmission. As authors of the Electric Power Infrastructure Improvement Act, Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Representative Steven Horsford (D-NV) will offer opening remarks in support of a freestanding transmission ITC, followed by a discussion of key highlights from the report among key stakeholders for this important and timely initiative.  The report includes analysis of consumer benefits, job creation, clean energy deployment, domestic manufacturing, public health and environmental justice, reliability and resilience, and carbon emissions reductions.

SAFE Forum Looks at AV Safety – On Thursday at 12:00 p.m., Securing America Future Energy (SAFE) is holding an event on pathways to safe AV deployment. The event features opening remarks from NHTSA administrator Steven Cliff, a roundtable on AV safety with industry executives, and the launch of a new paper—A Regulatory Framework For AV Safety—from O. Kevin Vincent, former NHTSA chief counsel and now with Lucid Motors. As there appears to be some momentum gaining in Congress for a renewed push at AV legislation, the event will focus on the growing discussion on AV safety and potential deployment in the new administration.

Forum to Feature Intel Exec – The Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University holds a webinar on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. featuring Todd Brady, Intel’s Director of global public affairs and sustainability. The seminar will examine this topic from the lens of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturer, Intel Corporation, and will discuss both the challenges ahead as well as the opportunities that digitalization presents.

House Resources Looks at Offshore Energy – The House Natural Resources Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee holds a hearing on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. on coastal communities and offshore drilling.  The hearing will only have opponents of a drilling so I wouldn’t expect a very balanced discussion of the real issues with offshore drilling.

SEJ Looks at Enviro Justice Issues – The Society of Environmental Journalists hosts a panel on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. for a snapshot of the state of environmental health and justice right now, ahead of the new White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council meeting Thursday. Panelists will discuss what's happening in local communities and at the national level, and will offer story ideas for the coming year on both the problems and solutions to the challenges of protecting environmental health and equity.  EPA’s EJ office head Matt Tejada, Heather McTeer Toney and TX Southern’s Robert Bullard speak. 

Forum to Look at California Climate Issues – The Center for American Progress holds a webinar on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. to discuss lessons learned from California's decades of climate action. Mary Nichols and Wade Crowfoot are among the speakers.

Forum Looks Sustainable Waste, Recycling – The Atlantic Council holds a webinar on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. on AI-powered solutions for efficient and sustainable waste and recycling management.  The event is part of the EnergySource Innovation Stream series. Jason Gates, the CEO and co-founder of Compology, will discuss how Compology’s metering technology reduces the environmental footprint of managing waste and recycling materials.

AEE Looks at CA EVs Policy – On Thursday at 3:00 p.m., Advanced Energy Economy will present the findings from AEE’s “Electrifying California: Economic Potential of Growing Electric Transportation” report on the scale and breadth of companies now doing business in the state, and the characteristics of the workforce needed to meet growing demand. California policymakers leading the transition to electrified transportation will offer their perspectives on what is required to achieve the state’s ambitious zero-carbon mobility goals.

AU Carbon Neutral Web Series Continues – The AU Center for Enviro Policy webinar series concludes on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. looking at old and new actors in the race to carbon neutrality.  In the final webinar of the Pathways to a Decarbonized Economy and a More Livable Planet series, Angela Churie Kallhauge, Scott Sklar, Sha Yu, and Elizabeth V. Sturcken will discuss what carbon neutrality means for both old actors and new in industries as varied as government, business, civil society, and academia.

Forum Addresses Company Carbon Commitments – The Baker Institute Center for Energy Studies holds a forum on Friday at 10:00 a.m. for a conversation with executive leaders from three international energy companies at the forefront of addressing greenhouse gas emissions. Panelists will also discuss their views on the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a low-carbon energy future. Panelists include BP’s Angelica Ruiz, Chevron’s Elizabeth Schwarze and Equinor’s Monica Bøe. 

Wilson Forum to Look at Resilient Supply Chains – On Friday at 2:00 p.m., the Wilson Center’s Canada and Mexico Institutes hold a discussion on the options for avoiding unsafe shortages and making North American supply chains resilient to global shocks. Panelists include policy experts from all three countries who will discuss structures, policies, and rules for a successful partnership. The discussion will also cover the implications for manufacturing, R&D, trade, economic growth, national security, and global leadership.

IN THE FUTURE

Colombian President, GE Renewable CEO, Bill Gates Address Inaugural Chamber Global Forum – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce holds its inaugural Global Forum on May 18^th and 19^th. Led by U.S. Chamber CEO and President Suzanne Clark, the Global Forum will focus on economic recovery and will bring together leaders from business and government to discuss the opportunities and impediments to a dynamic global recovery. Speakers include Bill Gates, Colombia President Iván Duque, GE Renewable Energy CEO Jérôme Pécresse and Venture Global LNG CEO/Founder Michael Sabel, among others. Speakers will share their views on how public-private partnerships are driving efforts to combat the global pandemic, the impact of U.S. trade relationships on business innovation and job creation, and why diversifying energy sources is good for both the environment and future economic growth.

Forum to Look at Climate Security – Next Tuesday at 10:00 a.m., New America’s Resource Security Program hold a discussion about the state of the climate peace and security community of practice, focusing on decision support tools and best practices.  NATO’s Benedetta Berti-Alberti is among the speakers.

ELI Looks at Climate, Finance issues – The Environmental Law Institute and leading experts hold a forum on Tuesday May 18^th at Noon that is an in-depth exploration of regulating the financial sector in the decarbonization era.

McCarthy Headlines Columbia Energy Conference – The Center on Global Energy Policy holds its 7^th annual Columbia Global Energy Summit virtually on May 18-20^th.  Energy experts from around the world gather for the Summit, which will focus on understanding trends shaping our current energy system, and what's ahead for energy policy, energy markets, geopolitics, technology and efforts to reduce emissions and address climate change.  Among the speakers will be IAE’s Fatih Birol, White House Advisor Gina McCarthy, Hydro-Quebec’s Sophie Brochu, CPS Energy’s Paula Gold-Williams, BP’s Bernard Looney and many more – including SIPA experts like Jason Bordoff, former FERC Chair Cheryl LaFleur and CARB head Mary Nichols. 

Forum to Look at RD&D Spending – On Wednesday May 19^th at 11:00 a.m., the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation holds a discussion on energy RD&D in the federal budget, and prospects for FY 2022 with experts from ITIF and elsewhere.  Speakers will include ITIF’s David M. Hart, Carbon180’s Erin Burns and Rebecca Dell of the ClimateWorks Foundation. 

Forum Tackles Biden Jobs Plan, Climate – The Center for Environmental and Energy Solutions (C2ES) holds a forum on Wednesday May 19^th at 1:00 pm. to look at President Biden’s American Jobs Plan.  In this webinar, experts will discuss opportunities to strengthen the resilience of our infrastructure and criteria to guide resilient infrastructure legislation and projects.

EERE Head Addresses Energy Group – On Thursday May 20^th at Noon, the Women’s Energy Network-DC holds a virtual lunch conversation with Acting Assistant Secretary of Energy Kelly Speakes-Backman. Speakes-Backman will share her thoughts on energy, renewables, and sustainability – today and looking ahead.

USEA Forum to Look at Hydrogen – The US Energy Assn holds a forum on Thursday May 20^th at Noon on the potential, progress and challenges of developing the Hydrogen economy.  This webinar brings together industry leaders to discuss the state of hydrogen as a fuel for industry, heavy transport, power generation and more. Orrick Partner Peter Connors will co-moderate the panel discussion with USEA Program Director Michael Moore. The webinar will cover sectors ideally suited for a transition to hydrogen, where progress is currently being made and challenges the industry will need to overcome to supplant its conventional counterparts and scale-up hydrogen production and deployment.

Forum to Look at NE ISO Storage – ICF holds a forum on Thursday May 20^th at 1:00 p.m. to discuss the overall potential of and outlook for storage economics in ISO-NE. The event will focus on how understanding drivers associated sources of revenue, and the overall use case for storage resources are going to evolve with increasing penetration of such resources.

Granholm Conservation Set – On Thursday May 20^th at 3:00 p.m., Climate Solutions holds its Inflection Point event featuring a conversation with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, and an additional panel discussion with Maia Bellon and Anne L. Kelly about this unique moment to make unprecedented progress on equitable climate solutions at scale. 

Web Event to Focus on NatGas Transition – On Thursday May 27^th at Noon, NYU Law’s Institute for Policy Integrity and Columbia Law School's Sabin Center for Climate Change Law will bring together officials from some of the states leading the way in a transition away From natural gas and ask them to share their distinct perspectives and insights about the path forward.  Speakers include Nevada Assemblywoman Lesley E. Cohen, Washington State's Utilities and Transportation Commission Chair David Danner, former NY PSC Chair John Rhodes and Rebecca Tepper, Energy & Environment Bureau Chief for the Massachusetts Attorney General.  Our friend, Niina Farah of E&E will moderate.

Plug’s Marsh to Address Forum – On May 28^th at 11:30 a.m., the Security and Sustainability Forum's Leadership in Our Time webinar series, co-hosted with George Washington University will host Sixty Minutes with Plug Power CEO, Andy Marsh, looking at the Is the hydrogen revolution and implications the future of fuel cells.

ANS Holds Annual Meeting – The 2021 American Nuclear Society will holds its Virtual Annual Meeting on June 14-16. Among the Speakers are NEI Maria Korsnick, X-energy CEO Clay Sell, form DOE Nuclear Office Head Rita Baranwal and NRC Chair Christopher Hanson.

ACORE Finance Forum Set – The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), hosts the ACORE Finance Forum on June 15^th and 16^th where they will examine how the renewable energy transaction landscape will evolve to meet this growing demand. The event brings together experts from across the renewable energy marketplace, including the sector’s largest and most influential investors, developers, utilities, manufacturers, advisors, and buyers to provide you with insights on the next stage of renewable energy finance and investment.

Washington Oil, Gas Policy Forum Set – US Energy Stream holds IN-PERSON its 6^th Washington Oil & Gas Forum 2021 on June 16 & 17 at the Cosmos Club of Washington, DC. The Forum is an annual market intelligence platform that brings together powerful U.S. Congressmen, Senators, government leaders, top energy executives, and investors. The main topic of this year’s Forum is the dual challenge of meeting the world’s oil and gas demand while addressing emissions and climate change.  Speakers include FERC Chair Rich Glick, Sens. Ted Cruz, Bill Cassidy Steve Daines and Roy Blunt as well as Reps. Kurt Schrader (D-OR of McKinley-Schrader) Scott Peters, Bruce Westerman, Lizzie Fletcher, Mike McCaul, Sheila Jackson Lee, Michael Burgess, John Curtis, Vicente Gonzalez, Kelly Armstrong, Port of Corpus Christi CEO Sean Strawbridge and many more.