Energy Update: Week of May 13

Friends,

It was a rainy weekend, but hopefully that is good to get out of the way so we can have a great Preakness on Saturday in Baltimore.  After the Kentucky Derby controversy, I suspect the Preakness will get a lot of attention.  Already, Derby ratings were their highest in years before Maximum Security (my pick I will remind you) was DQ’d by race stewards and 65-1 long-shot Country House was named the controversial winner.  This week’s field drops a bit from the Derby’s 20-horse field, but will still be larger (12 horses) than we have seen in years in Baltimore.  Preview below…  Improbable will be the favorite but watch out for Bourbon War.

After last week’s crazy hearing week, not as much action this week, but Wednesday is loaded up.  There also are a bunch of Approps markups.  The big hearing is on Wednesday when House Ways & Means takes up climate issues.  It was made bigger because Committee leaders invited, then dis-invited former Rep. and carbon tax supporter Carlos Curbelo.  One witness not dis-invited was ClearPath expert Rich Powell who will highlight innovation and new technology solutions in his testimony. Another important hearing will be House Resources’ hearing with Interior Secretary David Bernhardt also Wednesday.  Then in the afternoon at 2:00 p.m., a House Resources panel continues the climate talk with a hearing on how it affects recreation on public lands. 

Over on the Senate side Wednesday morning, the Senate Environment Committee will hold an oversight hearing on CEQ with Mary Neumayr.  Also Wednesday, the House Science Committee looks at clean energy technologies with our friends Abby Hopper of SEIA and AWEA’s Tom Kiernan, while the House Environment panel moves legislation on PFAS issues (our friends at the Chamber’s GEI can discuss that topic).  Finally Thursday, Senate Energy takes up a Manchin-Murkowski bill that could help coal-fired power plants reduce GHGs and holds another legis hearing on Rare Earth materials tomorrow.

Off the Hill, the big event is Thursday’s BPC Infrastructure event with EPA’s Andy Wheeler and Permitting Council head Alex Herrgott, while tomorrow CSIS rolls out its global cooling prize, a global competition to develop breakthrough residential cooling technology that will feature former EPA chief Gina McCarthy and a number of HVACR industry members. POLITICO is hosting a deep-dive conversation at the Willard on what’s needed to build the power infrastructure of the future, featuring Sen. Heinrich.  On Thursday, EPRI holds its 22^nd Energy and Climate Research Seminar which will cover energy and climate drivers/research and pathways forward and will feature keynoter (and my former GW student) Alex Fitzsimmons, Chef of Staff for Dan Simmons at EERE.  Finally, this evening, AOC and Sen. Markey join Sunrise Movement officials at Howards U to push for the Green New Deal. 

If you or your colleagues are covering US-China trade issues, my trade expert colleague Josh Zive has a short summary of the issues on China-U.S. developments.  Let me know if you are interested and I can forward you his take. 

Finally, over the weekend, Hannah, Liv and I slid down to Hampton, Coliseum to catch Tool just as we did in 2012.  The new music was excellent and we are looking forward to seeing a full new album in August.  Speaking of Olivia, “Sweet 16” on Thursday (I’m getting pretty OLD), so I will be missing Preakness this year on Saturday because I will be at Hershey Park with her and her friends… 

In tribute to Doris Day, I say Que Sera, Sera.  Call with questions,

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

 

PREAKNESS PREVIEW

The 2019 Preakness Stakes is shaping up to be any horse’s game, and controversy may follow just as it did in the Derby. One thing is certain, it will be one of the most interesting betting spectacles in quite some time now that the field is so wide open.

No Winner No Dinner – This year is the first time since 1996 that the Derby winner won’t be running in the Preakness. Country House came down with a cough last week. In 1996, Grindstone sustained an injury winning the Derby and was retired.

Strategery – The key elements of horse racing are speed, power and endurance, but the tight turns of Pimlico, the shorter home stretch and the 1 3/16-mile distance must all be taken into account when devising strategy for the race.  This race does not always go to the swiftest. Instead, it often goes to the best strategists and the sharpest jockeys.  Here is where Mike Smith (Improbable), Irad Ortiz (Bourbon War) and Javier Castellano (Warrior's Charge) could make the difference for their ride.

Some Good Preakness Facts

The Race – This is the 143^rd Preakness Stakes. The Preakness is older than the Kentucky Derby but rarely gets credit for it. The Preakness was first run in 1873, two years before the first run for the roses. But since the Preakness wasn’t run from 1891-1893 this year is the 143^rd Preakness and the 144^th Derby.  The Preakness has followed the Derby since 1932.  Prior to 1932, the Preakness was run before the Derby 11 times. On May 12, 1917, and again on May 13, 1922, the Preakness and the Derby were run on the same day. 

Post time – 6:48 p.m. EST

Purse -- $1.5 million with winners taking home 60% ($900,000). Top five get $$$. The Winner also receives a blanket of Black-Eyed Susans 18-inches wide and 90 inches long.  It takes 8 hours to make the blanket.

The Trophy – The silver Preakness trophy has been appraised as the most valuable in sports, according to the Preakness media guide. The Woodlawn Vase, as it is known, was created by Tiffany and Co. in 1860 and was appraised at $1 million back in 1983.

Distance – 1 3/16 mile (the shortest of the Triple Crown Races) or 9½ furlongs.

The Track – The Pimlico Race Course first opened in Baltimore, Maryland on Oct. 25, 1870. It is the second oldest racetrack in the country, behind only Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, New York.  Pimlico was originally built so former Maryland Gov. Oden Bowie and his friends, horse racing enthusiasts, could race horses against one another. At a dinner party in 1868, Bowie and his friends agreed to hold a race in two years where the winner would host the losers for dinner. Despite both Saratoga and the America Jockey Club wanting to host the event, Bowie decided to build a brand new racetrack in his home state of Maryland for the occasion.

Final Race at Pim? – Probably Not, but it is headed for a move from Pimlico soon.  The race will be held at least through next year (2020), but as rumors continue to swirl around a potential move south to Laurel Park between Baltimore and Washington D.C. because of the lack of upkeep by the ownership group. There have been talks of both the condemning of the facility as well as the value of the Pimlico property to developers

Weather – Sunny weather and mild temperatures are forecast for the 144^th Preakness Stakes on Saturday. But before that, soggy and chilly weather are in the forecast.  Our friend Scott Dance of the Balt Sun has it covered

The Drink – In my Derby Preview, I highlighted the Mint Julip.  The drink of choice in Baltimore is the Black-Eyed Susan, The official ingredients include:

• 1½ ounce of Effen vodka
• 1 ounce of Makers Mark Bourbon
• 2 ounces of Orange Juice
• 2 ounces of sour mix
• Garnish with an orange and cherry

Posts – Positions #5 and #6 have each seen two horses win since 2008. Curlin won from the #4 post in '07, but 2017 Derby winner Always Dreaming bombed from there despite 13 winners in the past 114 years. Somewhere in the middle has been consistently the best spot, but the lowest numbers have been kind of late. American Pharoah won from No. 1 on its way to the Triple Crown in '15, following California Chrome from No. 3 in '14. In 2017, Cloud Computing shocked everyone out of No. 2.  Again, the size of the field and track conditions may make this less important.

Draw – Post positions are scheduled to be drawn Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET at Pimlico.

Who’s Out – We will not see first-place Derby finisher Maximum Security and the horse awarded the victory through disqualification, Country House.  Max’s owner, Gary West, said there was no point in sending him to the Preakness since he was DQ’d and not the Derby winner. Trainer Bill Mott originally said Country House would go on to the Preakness, but last week reported the colt had developed a cough and isn't heading to Baltimore.  Also Code of Honor who surprised in the Derby finishing in the money will pass on Preakness to head to the Belmont.  And finally, winner of the Pat Day Mile on Derby Day, Mr. Money, was thought to be a possibility for the Preakness, but is passing now.  Game Winner and Roadster, both heavy hitters from Derby who were hurt by the conditions, were supposed to be in the field but are now passing for the Belmont.  Finally, Omaha Beach will not run in either the Preakness or Belmont Stakes.

Who’s In – With a bunch of big names out, Derby pre-race favorite Improbable will likely be the 2019 Preakness favorite at 3-1 after coming up short in Louisville.  War of Will, who was involved in the contact at the Derby’s stretch run and finished 7^th is also running and is listed at 7-2 in the current Preakness odds.  Win Win Win returns and if he stays close, his closer speed may be a factor. Bodexpress also returns after jumping into the Derby after the OB scratch

New Rides – There are several new horses headed to Baltimore.  Alwaysmining, undefeated this year and a dominant winner of the April 20^th Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park, is expected in the field. Anothertwistafate failed to earn enough qualifying points to make the Derby field, but many handicappers consider him the most talented of the fresh Preakness contenders.  Owendale is also new in the field and won the Lexington Stakes to earn his bid.  Many experts think Bourbon War may be the best of the new shooters.  Other fresh candidates include Warrior’s Charge who will go to the lead, and Signalman, who is hardest charger in the field.  Finally, a late add to the field is Market King,

The Field – Here is the expected field:

Alwaysmining (Trainer: Kelly Rubley, Jockey: Daniel Centeno) He has won six-straight races. The three-year-old colt mowed down the competition at the Federico Tesio in April, winning the Laurel Park race by a staggering 11 1/2 lengths. That victory got him into the Preakness.  Alwaysmining hasn't faced the toughest competition, but won the Private Terms Stakes in March, his first race over two turns. The Preakness (the shortest race of the crown) will be the longest of his career.  If circumstance are good, he could surprise, but it will depend on track conditions and early pace as well as his heart to hold it.  Alwaysmining will go to the lead and will have company on the front end, but he is a razor-sharp runner they’ll have to catch. No Maryland-bred has won the Preakness since Deputed Testamony in 1983.

Anothertwistafate (Blaine Wright, Jose Ortiz) After nearly qualifying for the Derby, he ran well in the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 13^th finishing second to Owendale.  There he encountered some early trouble and was boxed in during the far turn, so smaller field and faster pace probably helps. He will likely be one of the horses competing for the early lead and his new jockey, Jose Ortiz, is a very good judge of pace.  A horse to watch. 

Bodexpress (Gustavo Delgado, John Velazques) A last minute add in the Derby after Omaha Beach scratched, he ran better than expected in the Derby.  He gets an upgrade on the mount with John Velazquez.  He was second in the behind Florida Derby and despite the slow pace and is still winless after six starts.  He was slow in the Derby and I expected he won’t make a mark here either on two weeks rest.  He is the only maiden (horse who has never won a race) in the race – and by the way a maiden has never won the Preakness.

Bourbon War (Mark Hennig, Irad Ortiz Jr.)  4^th in Florida Derby. Bourbon War matched strides with Code of Honor in two Kentucky Derby prep races at Gulfstream Park in Florida. BW has as impressive a pedigree (son of Tapit) as any horse and he's clearly gotten a lot out of his six-week rest. Last Thursday while training for the Preakness, he breezed through five furlongs in 1:01.67, the third-fastest of 16 timed runs at that distance so far. He is well rested and has only raced five times in his career.  A faster pace will help his come-from-behind running style, but he will have to be within striking distance giving the distance and expected pace. His mount will be Irad Ortiz, who was on Improbable and is the winningest jockey this season with earnings of $10.94 million. He has a 23% winning percentage.  One thing to pay attention to:  he will be wearing blinkers for the first time to hopefully focus him in the stretch.

Improbable (Bob Baffert, Mike Smith) Improbable is the favorite and gets a jockey upgrade with HoFer "Big Money" Mike Smith taking the ride for the Preakness. The cutback in distance to 1 3/16 miles in the Preakness should benefit Improbable. Look for Smith to keep Improbable very close to projected pacesetters Alwaysmining and Warrior’s Charge through the backstretch. Smith’s renowned decision-making skills will be put to the test in determining just when to push the button on Improbable and make a bid for the lead He has run strong all season but just can’t seem to win.  Maybe Smith pushes him over the top giving Baffert his 8^th Preakness win. 

Owendale (Brad Cox, Florent Geroux) Owendale is also new in the field despite being unable to qualify for the Derby.  Owendale headed to Keeneland on April 13^th and won the Grade III Lexington Stakes, besting Anothertwistafate to earn his way into the Preakness 2019. Owendale is owned by Rupp Racing and trained by Brad Cox. He has the bloodline of Triple Crown winners Seattle Slew and Secretariat through legendary sire A.P. Indy. He's hit the board in all but one race in his career and has plenty of familiarity with the other horses in the 2019 Preakness lineup. He is a stalker and will be positioned somewhere behind the front tier but ahead of the deep closers going into the far turn at Pimlico. Trainer Brad Cox also has Warrior’s Charge in the race who will likely set a fast pace, leaving Owendale to potentially pick up the pieces.  Geroux was aboard Roadster in the Derby.

Signalman (Kenny McPeek. Brian Hernandez Jr.)  3^rd in Blue Grass.  Signalman just missed the qualifying points cutoff for the Kentucky Derby after Win Win Win rallied late to nip him by a nose for the runner-up spot in the Blue Grass Stakes, but is trending in the right direction. He is a hard-trying lunch-pail type runner with a modest pedigree.  Signalman’s a grinding closer and will need a solid early pace to set up his run along with some racing luck, but he’s a worthy candidate for trifecta and superfecta tickets and could sneak into the Preakness exacta if everything falls into place.

War of Will (Mark Casse, Tyler Gaffalione) WoW ran hard in the Derby and took the bump from MaxSecurity that caused the controversy.  He faded to 7^th but some also say that he may have won the Derby if he had not been interfered with.  That may be why he is seeing early money making him 3-1 and could be the horse to benefit the most from favorites dropping out.  He started the year strong with several big wins and has good speed.  After was running strongest earlier this year, he bombed in the Louisiana Derby fading to 9^th when he strained a muscle but seems to have recovered.  He will get out and press the pace, and I would look for a better run.

Warrior's Charge (Brad Cox, Javier Castellano) A stablemate of Owendale, he finished 3^rd in his first three races dating back to last November but broke through at Oaklawn Park in a 1 1/16-mile race on March 16, leading from gate to wire in a six-length win. His sire, Munnings, was a sprinter and his dam’s side of the family through three generations consists of primarily sprinters and milers, but this colt has already shown the ability to carry his speed a route of ground. He faces a class hike in Saturday’s Preakness, but picking up the services of a Hall of Fame jockey in Javier Castellano is a major plus.  Will likely be the horse to press the pace early. 

Win Win Win (Michael Trombetta, Julian Pimentel) W3 just didn’t really show up at the Derby after seeing some money and interest.  He kicked off this season with a 7+ length romp in Tampa at the Pasco Stakes. He also rallied from off the pace to run third at Tampa Bay Derby and managed second place run in the Blue Grass Stakes, charging hard down the stretch but never really challenging Vekoma.  He had never finished out of the money until the Derby so he should be on you radar if he is at high odds. W3 has hit the board with two wins and a place in Maryland in its three races at Laurel Park.

Laughing Fox (Steve Asmussen, Ricardo Santana, Jr.) Laughing Fox didn’t race at the Kentucky Derby, but earned a spot at the 2019 Preakness Stakes by winning the Oaklawn Invitational on May 4. Before that, he finished 4^th at the Arkansas Derby (Grade 1 stakes) and 7^th at the Rebel Stakes (Grade 2). His other win was at a maiden special weights race at Oaklawn Park last January.  He is a long-shot but for me the odds will have to go up to make that bet.  Just like with Country House, don’t sleep on him for the trifecta and superfecta tickets, he has the look of a colt on the improve.

Market King – (D. Wayne Lukas, Jon Court) The bay colt was 3^rd behind Omaha Beach and Game Winner in the Rebel Stakes and was most recently 11^th in the Blue Grass Stakes. The decision to target the Preakness came after Market King worked five furlongs at Churchill Downs Saturday in 1:00.40. He hasn’t shown the talent level to compete with the best of his class so far in his career and will be a deserved longshot in the Preakness.  Look for him to close hard.

The 811 – In the Derby, Roadster jockey Florent Geroux rode with the 811 advertisement on his silks.   811 is the phone number you call before digging to protect yourself and others from unintentionally hitting underground utility lines.  Geroux will be on Owendale on Saturday, so look out for the 811 logo on his silks. 

Early Odds – The Vegas Line as on this morning:

Improbable                        3-1

War of Will                          7-2

Alwaysmining                    5-1

Bourbon War                     6-1

Owendale                           6-1

Win Win Win                      10-1

Anothertwistafate          10-1

Warrior's Charge              12-1

Signalman                           15-1

Laughing Fox                      20-1

Bodexpress                        30-1

Market King                       50-1

Playing Favorite – The Preakness is a race where favorites fair well.  Favorites strike at a 51% rate in the Preakness, having won 73 of 143 editions. No horse has won the race at odds longer than Master Derby at 23-1 in 1975.

The Pace – This is a short race so it is usually made for gate breakers and early speed.  The conditions always do matter especially since it is difficult for closers to have much impact here.   I would look for a fresh horse to go to the lead and try to hold on.  That is much more likely here give the distance.   Early pace setters will most certainly be Warrior’s Charge, Anothertwistafate and Alwaysmining.  II would also expect War of Will to remain close to the front into the back stretch and also think Mike Smith will keep Improbable close to the front to give him the best chance to finish first.   Deep closers struggle here but that doesn’t mean speed of the final turn can’t be rewarded.  In that vein, perhaps Bourbon War and Owendale will challenge if both can stay close.  They both have the wheels and freshness to finish.  In addition, Owendale Trainer Brad Cox also has Warrior’s Charge in the race whose fast pace may leave Owendale to potentially pick up the pieces.  The Deep closers are likely to come up short but don’t sleep on Signalman and Win Win WIn for the box bets as they pick off fading horses down the stretch.

Pay attention to the pace on the day in earlier races.  If front runners are running away with races, double down on a Bourbon War, or Alwaysmining. Also, Pimlico has a "tradition" of a hot jockey being hot all day long on Preakness day.  So if you see multiple jockey winners in earlier races, pay attention to that ride. 

Of course, Wednesday’s post draw will be important to determining who can get out fast enough to get to the quarter post first.

Picks:

Win – Bourbon War; Place – Improbable; Show – Owendale

Super Box:  Add – Anothertwistafate, and maybe a Win Win Win

Sleeper Note: Don’t be surprised if War of Will sneaks into the mix, avoiding the bumps in the smaller field.  A lot of people like Alwaysmining and as he is a pacesetting, front runner.  If he can hold on to the distance, he could win even though no Maryland-bred has won the Preakness since 1983.

Longshots: Definitely lay the $2 on Market King

 

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“I’m not sure what Inslee’s plan would actually achieve other than bankrupting the economy and putting hardworking coal miners out of work.”

Former EPA official Mandy Gunasekara on Washington Gov. and Presidential candidate Jay Inslee’s new energy proposal released last week, which she also called “unrealistic”. 

ON THE PODCAST

Columbia: Doe On Innovation – The U.S. Department of Energy is a powerhouse for energy research and development, serving as the lead government agency for fundamental scientific research and the nation’s biggest supporter of basic research in physical sciences. And that’s not all. Since its founding in 1977, DOE has also contributed significantly to breakthroughs in energy technologies like solar power and the production of oil and natural gas from shale formations. In this episode of Columbia Energy Exchange, host Bill Loveless talks to Paul Dabbar, the Under Secretary for Science at the Department of Energy. Bill and Paul sat down at the Columbia Global Energy Summit in New York to discuss the changing energy landscape and how the Trump administration prioritizes resources when it comes to energy research and science. They also talked about some of the technologies he finds most exciting now and how his previous experiences as an investment banker and a nuclear submarine officer influence his work at DOE.

POLITICO Launches New Global Podcast – POLITICO is launching a new podcast on June 6^th that will focus on trade, technology and the environment, among other global issues. "Global Translations" will go beyond the headlines, uncovering what's really at stake with the most pressing issues of our time, the political roadblocks for solving them and the ideas that might just propel us forward. Subscribe to receive the first episode at launch.

FUN OPINIONS

Global CCS Institute’s King in Bloomberg: CCS’s Timely Reset – Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has reentered the climate conversation as an essential climate technology and this reset is timely, writes Brad Page, the CEO of the Global CCS Institute, an international think tank backed by governments, companies, and nonprofits in Bloomberg Environment.  Page argues with carbon dioxide emissions still rising after a quarter century of climate treaties, the world can no longer afford to leave any decarbonization options off the table. He adds there is overwhelming consensus that carbon capture is needed to solve the climate puzzle. A reset of the CCS debate is only then successful when both the private sector and the government follow through and deliver the policies and projects needed on the road to commercialization and net-zero emissions by 2050.

IN THE NEWS

UARG Closes Group – On Friday, members of the Utility Air Regulatory Group decided to disband the organization following a wind down period. A committee has been formed to oversee this wind down, including the completion/fulfillment of UARG's existing obligations and support of members as they continue to cooperate with the Congressional inquiry.  EPA air chief Bill Wehrum and the law firm Hunton Andrews Kurth represented the group. For more than four decades, UARG members sought common-sense solutions to address air quality concerns, submitting comments at the direction of its membership to ensure the development of legally, economically, and technically sound regulation that protects public health and the environment.  UARG members have worked with both Democratic and Republican administrations, providing a forum to assist regulators and industry participants in navigating complex regulation.  Throughout UARG's history, substantial changes have occurred in the electricity sector, and emissions of key pollutants have decreased by over 90%, while electricity costs have remained affordable for customers. 

Hunton Comments on UARG – Hunton Andrews Kurth issued comments that said it is proud to have been part of this process on behalf of UARG and other clients for the past 40 years.  “Federal regulatory agencies use a transparent public comment process to hear the views of a wide variety of stakeholders which helps ensure technically sound rules resulting in both environmental gains and continued economic growth.  In organizations like UARG, members collaborate and share the cost of skilled legal and technical experts while developing innovative, legally sound strategies for achieving Clean Air Act goals. This approach has produced significant savings for millions of utility ratepayers and achieved a 90% reduction of key pollutants. A transparent, public regulatory process works for everyone:  EPA, stakeholders, consumers, local governments, the environment and the economy.”

Cooper Sworn In at DOE – Bill Cooper was sworn in May 9 as DOE’s general counsel. Cooper, a previous senior House aide and president of the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, was approved by the Senate energy panel back in March alongside Rita Baranwal to head DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy, Chris Fall to lead the Office of Science and Lane Genatowski to head ARPA-E. Cooper is the only one of that group of nominees so far to be confirmed by the Senate.  Segal attended the ceremony. 

House Tax Chief Says He Supports Extension of Wind, Solar Credit – With expiration of credits this year, House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal says he is “in favor” of extending lucrative tax credits for the wind and solar industries due to expire next year.

Exxon Investing in Clean Energy Programs – ExxonMobil announced it will invest about $100 million over 10 years in emissions-reduction technologies at some of the nation's top energy research labs. The oil and gas giant said the funds will go the U.S. Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and National Energy Technology Laboratory for research into biofuels and carbon capture and storage projects in the power generation, transportation and industrial sectors.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Forum to Look at Nuclear Decommissioning Issues – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) hosts a briefing today at 2:00 p.m. in 2318 Rayburn on the new era of the U.S. nuclear power industry as its electricity generation winds down and decommissioning of nuclear power plants ramps up. Decommissioning is the process of dismantling a closed plant, securing or removing its radioactive waste, and lowering a site’s residual radioactivity. Getting it right is critical to communities’ health and safety. Getting it wrong could pose existential threats.  The U.S. civilian nuclear fleet is aging out. As civilian reactors approach the end of their operating lives, their economics have been undercut by less expensive natural gas-fired generation. Even though nuclear owners are demanding state subsidies to keep some aging plants open a while longer, it will not stop the coming wave of closures. Six reactors have shut down since 2013. Another 15 are slated to close by 2025. Most of the civilian reactor fleet will inevitably close over the next 20 years.  To explore these issues, distinguished experts including regulators, independent scientists, NGO advocates, and representatives of affected communities, will speak and answer questions at the briefing.  Speakers for this forum are former NRC Chair Greg Jaczko, retired Navy Rear Admiral Len Hering (safety expert on the decommissioning process at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in southern California), NRDC’s Bemnet Alemayehu and several others.

Forum Looks at Clean Innovation – The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation hosts a forum today at 2:30 p.m. in 2103 Rayburn looking innovation opportunities and the federal role to advance clean industry in the United States, with a focus on issues currently before the 116th Congress.  Speakers include Ryan Fitzpatrick of Third Way and Doug Vine of Center for Climate Energy Solutions (C2ES). 

GND Groups End Tour in DC – Later today, the Sunrise Movement returns to in Washington DC for its final special stop of the Road to a Green New Deal. At this Tour Stop at Howard University, they'll explore the climate crisis and what it looks like here in DC and for the country, and what the promise of the Green New Deal means.  Speakers include AOC and Sen. Ed Markey. 

Forum to Hear from Solar Exec – Tomorrow at 8:30 a.m., Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy holds a breakfast with Liz Weir, new chief operating officer for Sol Systems, to learn more about Liz, who recently joined the company from a career in wind energy at Apex Energy.

Senate Energy Holds Legislative Hearings – The Senate Energy Committee holds a hearing on S. 1052 (116), the "Rare Earth Element Advanced Coal Technologies Act"; and S. 1317 (116), the "American Mineral Security Act."  Later that afternoon, the Public Lands, Forests and Mining Subcommittee holds another legislative hearing on a number of other land-use bills.  Witnesses include Interior’s Joe Balash, DOE’s David Solan, Jonathan Evans of Lithium Americas, National Alliance for Advanced Transportation Batteries chair John Warner and Paul Ziemkiewicz of the West Virginia University Water Research Institute.

Forum to Look at Water Issues – The Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program, USAID’s Sustainable Water Partnership, and Winrock International holds a discussion at 10:00 a.m. on where the challenges lie and what practitioners and policymakers can do to bolster effective water management for the world’s most vulnerable communities.  

McCarthy to Headline Global Cooling Prize Announcement – Tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., the CSIS Energy & National Security Program, Rocky Mountain Institute, Conservation X Labs, and the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development is launching the Global Cooling Prize with a forum at CSIS in DC.  Announced in November 2018, the Prize is a global competition to develop breakthrough residential cooling technology.  The Global Cooling Prize seeks to create a global cooling revolution by spurring the development of a radically more energy-efficient cooling technology.  This event will feature discussions of this important global challenge and emerging opportunities to find scalable solutions.  Speakers will include a Keynote Speech from former EPA head Gina McCarthy, as well as discussions with DOE official David Nemtzow and former DOE Deputy Sect Bill Martin and several others.

EnviroRun with DOE's David Hume –Tomorrow evening, EnviroRun will host David Hume, Marine Engineering Consultant for the Allegheny Science & Technology for the Department of Energy. EnviroRun is a “fun run” followed by a networking session designed to provide an opportunity for connecting with the environmental community. On the run, David will provide an overview of the marine energy sector and highlight some of the exciting new R&D that DOE’s Water Power Technologies Office is working on to advance wave, tidal and ocean current energy technologies as well as his career path to get to that role. EnviroRun will meet at WeWork K Street before going out on the fun run at 6:00 p.m. No worries, there will be a place to store bags while runners are on the trails.

GTM Solar Summit Set – Greentech Media hosts it 12^th annual Solar Summit in Scottsdale, AZ tomorrow and Wednesday.  It will cover the latest developments in global solar markets, module technology, how the ITC stepdown will impact project finance, distributed solar emerging markets and much more.

POLITICO to Look at Grid – On Wednesday, POLITICO is hosting a deep-dive conversation at the Willard on what’s needed to build the power infrastructure of the future. While many state leaders argue developing the electrical transmission and distribution system is key for economic development, there is debate over who will pay for investments needed to revamp U.S. electricity infrastructure. Featured Speakers will include Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), APPA’s Sue Kelly and PJM’s Andrew L. Ott.

EPRI Forum Looks at Renewables, Climate – The Electric Power Research Institute holds inaugural Sustainable Energy Research Summit on Wednesday at the Liaison Hotel.  As the energy industry undergoes significant transformation, stakeholders across various economic sectors are increasingly engaged in the pursuit of sustainable energy. However, a shared understanding around what “sustainable energy” actually means, and how to achieve it, remains nebulous. This knowledge gap has been further challenged by a lack of in-person forums convening a dialogue around existing and needed research to advance the energy industry as it seeks to enable the pursuit of a more sustainable economy.  Then, Thursday and Friday, EPRI holds its 22^nd Energy and Climate Research Seminar which will cover energy and climate drivers/research, priority energy and climate issues from public sector, industry, and thought leaders and technology trends as well as insights from new research on deep decarbonization pathways.  Speakers on Thursday include former Energy Chairman Phil Sharp and former NEC official expert David Victor and Keynoter (and my former GW student) Alex Fitzsimmons, Chef of Staff for Dan Simmons at EERE.  

House Tax Committee to Discuss Climate, Carbon Tax – The House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing Thursday on climate change.  Committee Chairman Richard Neal has said he is committed to passing legislation that will help bring down emissions and boost efficiency and clean energy.  Of course, this is likely to mean that discussions of a carbon tax along with other climate issues.  Witnesses include ClearPath’s Rich Powell, Climate Leadership Council head Ted Halstead, NASA Goddard’s Katherine Marvel, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety CEO Roy Wright and Harvard health professor Ashish Jha, (although one might ask why a Harvard health professor is testifying before the tax writing committee).

House Science Looks at Wind, Solar – The House Science Committee’s Energy Subcommittee holds a hearing Wednesday at 10:00 on advancing the next generation of solar and wind energy technologies. Witnesses include NREL’s Peter Green, SEIA’s Abby Hopper, AWEA’s Tom Kiernan and Kenny Stein of the Institute for Energy Research.

Bernhardt to Visit House Resources – The House Resources will host David Bernhardt on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. for a budget and oversight hearing.

House Panel to Look at PFAS Legislation – The House Energy and Commerce Environment panel will take up legislation on Wednesday to address industrial chemicals like PFAS that are said to be contaminating water. Chairman Paul Tonko said lawmakers' bills focus on "how we can better monitor, better reduce exposure, expedite cleanups, dispose of these chemicals safely and much more."

Coal Council To Release Report – The DOE holds a meeting Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. by WebEx featuring the National Coal Council’s review of the report, "Coal in a New Carbon Age: Powering a Wave of Innovation in Advanced Products and Manufacturing." 

Resources Panel Looks at Climate Change – The House Natural Resources National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee holds a hearing Wednesday afternoon on examining the impacts of climate change on public lands recreation.  Witnesses include Jesse Deubel of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, 2010 Winter Olympian indigenous and environmental activist Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, Hilary Hutcheson of Protect Our Winters, Mark Lambrecht of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Fred Ferguson of Vista Outdoor.

Senate Energy Panel Looks at Power Marketing Groups – The Senate Energy Committee’s Water and Power Subcommittee holds a hearing Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. on issues and challenges at the Power Marketing Administrations. Witnesses include Western Area Power Administration’s Mark Gabriel, Bonneville’s Dan James, Southeastern’s Kenneth Legg, Southwestern’s Mike Wech and Nicki Fuller of the Southwestern Power Resources Association.

Wheeler to Address Infrastructure Questions at BPC – The Bipartisan Policy Center will host EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to discuss EPA’s role in building critical infrastructure, followed by a panel discussion on water infrastructure and affordability.   Alex Herrgott, Executive Director of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, will also speak.

Senate Energy Looks at CCS Legislation – The Senate Energy holds a legislative hearing on Thursday that will debate a bipartisan bill that could help coal-fired power plants by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. The "Enhancing Fossil Fuel Energy Carbon Technology Act," sponsored by committee ranking member Joe Manchin and Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski would focus on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) as well as other ways to cut back on GHGs from coal.  Witnesses include DOE Fossil office head Steven Winberg and former Obama DOE office head Julio Friedmann, now with Columbia University's Center for Global Energy Policy.  Others include Adam Goff of 8 Rivers Capital, U of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center expert John Harju, Richard Jackson of Occidental and NRG’s Judith Lagano.

DOE hosts Nuclear Discussion on Advanced Manufacturing – The Department of Energy hosts their latest “Atomic Wings” lunch briefing on Thursday at noon looking at advanced manufacturing and nuclear energy applications.  DOE’s Ed McGinnis speaks along with Rep. Chuck Fleischmann and Sen. Jim Risch, among others.

Resources Looks at Oil, Gas Development Issues – The House Natural Resources Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee holds a hearing on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. looking at oil and gas development and the impacts of water pollution.

Forum Looks at Energy Storage – The Atlantic Council Global Energy Center hosts a discussion on Thursday at Noon looking at the future of energy storage. Quartz Senior Reporter and Global Energy Center Senior Fellow Akshat Rathi moderates a panel featuring Wood Mackenzie Energy Storage Analyst Mitalee Gupta and Carnegie Mellon University Assistant Professor Venkat Viswanathan.

CSIS Report: Looks at Infrastructure – The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Energy for Growth Hub, two independent organizations that have closely supported the creation of the USDFC, convened the Working Group on U.S. Development Finance for Infrastructure to consider the context and emerging opportunities and provide focused recommendations for the new USDFC to live up to its potential. The questions we asked included: What are the major global and market trends affecting the USDFC’s ecosystem? Where are the potential opportunities the greatest? How can the USDFC do more, in volume and quality, than OPIC in filling the infrastructure gaps to unleash the potential of the private sector and to create jobs?   On Thursday at 1:30 p.m., CSIS and the Energy for Growth Hub will host a public event with the co-chairs of the working group to discuss the recommendations in the report.  Here is a link to the CSIS brief that resulted from these conversations

Panel to Hear for USGS – The House Resources’ water and wildlife subcommittee holds a hearing at 2:00 p.m. Thursday to look at fiscal 2020 budget requests for U.S. Geological Survey and Bureau of Reclamation.

House Science Panel Explores the Future of Weather Forecasting – The House Science Committee’s environment Panel will hold a hearing on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. that will look at the future of weather forecasting and building a stronger enterprise.  Witnesses will include NOAA head Neil Jacobs, and NWS’s Louis Uccellini.  Others will include Shuyi Chen of the University of Washington, Dr. Christopher Fiebrich of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey and Rich Sorkin of Jupiter Intelligence.

USEA Low-Cost CCUS Briefing - The US Energy Assn hosts a briefing on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. online.  The event will explore costs of carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a critical component in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The cost to capture CO2 has often served as a barrier to its deployment of CCS, however, costs vary across different sectors. Ron Munson of Cogentiv Solutions LLC – a consulting organization focused on in carbon, energy, and environmental management, will curate the event.

Bloomberg Hosts NatGas Forum – Bloomberg and Energy Forum host panel discussion on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in New York on evolving trends in U.S. natural gas, market challenges, and implications.

Forum to Talk Plastics – The Sierra Club and Environmental Law Institute hold forum with Lisa Anne Hamilton, director of the climate and energy program for the Center for International Environmental Law, on plastic pollution of waterways. She manages CIEL’s climate strategies to advance a human rights approach to climate action, provides expertise to support global climate litigation cases and advocates for sustainable principles in plastics production and utilization.

Arctic Forum to Look at Infrastructure – The Wilson Center’s Polar Institute and the U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System hold forum on Arctic infrastructure in light of climate change’s effects. This panel will discuss these challenges and how they affect projections of future maritime traffic, existing development activities, and the emerging vision of the Alaska of tomorrow. Nome Mayor Richard Beneville former State Department Official Sherri Goodman and several others will speak.

IN THE FUTURE

Houston Hosts Wind Industry’s Biggest Conference – AWEA returns to Houston on May 20-23, for the WINDPOWER Conference and Exhibition, the Western Hemisphere’s largest gathering of the people and technology driving wind power trends. WINDPOWER is where the vision and business deals that will drive the future of the wind industry happen.  More on this as we get closer.

USEA to Look at Energy Poverty – The US Energy Assn will host a forum next Monday at 2:00 p.m. focused on addressing energy poverty in the US.  The forum will look at a Federal/State/Utility collaboration approach.  This session will bring together experts from the federal, state and utility sectors to discuss how this patchwork of services attempts to address energy poverty in the U.S. and the ways in which it falls short. Speakers will include Mark Wolfe of the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association, Delaware State LIHEAP manager Häly Laasme-McQuilkin, AGA’s Nina Moussavi and EEI’s Jessica Franks. 

Report to Look at Nuclear – The Atlantic Council Global Energy Center hosts an event next Tuesday in the Senate Visitor Center at 2:00 p.m. to launch its new report, US Nuclear Energy Leadership: Innovation and the Strategic Global Challenge. Speakers include Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). 

Senate Enviro to Hold Leg Hearing on PFAS – The Senate Environment Committee will hold a legislative hearing on Wednesday May 22^nd on current PFAS legislation.

Forum to Focus on BioGas – The American Biogas Council (ABC) and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) hold a briefing on Wednesday May 22^nd looking at many benefits of renewable biogas. Biogas is produced from the decomposition of organic wastes (such as agriculture residues, manure, food wastes, and sewage) in the absence of oxygen. The event will focus on potential biogas resources in their states, the economic and job opportunities they offer, and important policy drivers for this promising industry. Speakers for this forum are American Biogas Council Chairman Bernie Sheff, Charles Love of Love's Travel Stops, Caroline Henry of Greenleaf Ohio, expert Olga Brizhan and American Biogas Council head Patrick Serfass.

USEA Policy Forum Set – The US Energy Assn holds its annual public policy forum on May 23^rd from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Reagan Building.  The event will feature a distinguished group of speakers with over 150 energy stakeholders, journalists, diplomats, and government agency officials expected to attend.  USEA will also recognize and honor recipients of the 2019 United States Energy Award and its Volunteer Awards.

Forum Looks at Fuel Cells – Carnegie Mellon University’s Wilton E Scott Institute for Energy Innovation hosts a Capitol Hill briefing on Thursday May 23^rd looking at how fuel cells could impact vehicles, buildings and utilities. At the event, CMU researchers will provide a detailed assessment of the current and expected future costs and performance of automotive proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and stationary solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). DOE’s Dimitrios Papageorgopoulos, ARPA-E’s Grigorii Soloveichik and Bloom Energy’s Paul Wilkins all speak. 

Nielson Honored by US-Mex Chamber – The United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce hosts its 2019 Good Neighbor Awards on May 28^th and 29^th in Washington.  Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen will be among those honored for their outstanding contributions to the U.S.-Mexico relationship.  The Good Neighbor Awards Gala will take place on Wednesday evening May 29^th at the Organization of American States building and will have a series of panels and briefings starting the afternoon of Tuesday the 28^th.

National Press Club Hosts EPA’s Wheeler – The National Press Club will host a luncheon speech with EPA head Andrew Wheeler on June 3^rd. 

Cruz to Headline Oil, Gas Forum – The 5^th Washington Oil & Gas Forum 2019 will be held on June 5^th and 6^th at the Cosmos Club.  Sen. Ted Cruz will be Keynote Speaker.  The Washington Oil & Gas Forum has been established as the prime international industry event in Washington, DC. The Forum is a unique opportunity for American and international oil/gas senior executives to meet with Congressional and Government leaders. This year’s topic is “Critical Oil and Gas Infrastructure and the role of U.S. LNG and Pipeline Gas in the Global Markets.”  Other Speakers include Garret Graves, Eni Chair Gianni di Giovanni, State’s Frank Fannon, DOE’s Shawn Bennett and ATR’s Grover Norquist.

Forums Focus on EVs, Storage – Independent analysts, IDTechEx, will be hosting 6 specialist Business & Technology Insight Forums on June 10 - 12 in Novi, Michigan focused on electric vehicles and energy storage.  The six half-day forums provide critical business intelligence on emerging technologies covering: Technology assessment Market forecasts Key players Industry structure Case studies and application trends Value chain and opportunities.

Clean Energy Expo Set – The 21^st Annual Congressional Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency EXPO and Policy Forum is set for Thursday July 11^th to showcase renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. In every state across the country, these technologies are having a significant impact in business development and job creation in the manufacturing, transmission, power, transportation, and building sectors. The bipartisan House Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Caucus is the Expo's honorary co-host.