Energy Update: Week of November 13th

Friends,

Hope you enjoyed the Veterans’ Day weekend.  It is always important to remember them and thank them for all they have done, are doing and will do for us. 

It’s still all about funding the government this week and Friday is the big day. New House Speaker Mike Johnson this weekend released a new “laddered” continuing-resolution plan to much blowback. Under his approach, funding for the agencies covered by the Military Construction-VA, Agriculture, Energy-Water and Transportation-HUD bills would be extended to January 19^th, with agencies covered by the other eight bills extended a little longer to February 2. It would continue funding at current levels, but leaves supplemental requests for Israel, Ukraine and other priorities out. It is September déjà vu all over again. House Ruel kicks off the action at 4:00 p.m. today and our team of experts is all over it.

Two important hearings this week: 1) tomorrow House Energy’s Environment subpanel looks at the Impact of EPA's clean power rule on affordable energy for States and 2) Senate Environment tackles opportunities in industrial decarbonization, including cement and steel on Wednesday. I will be at both.

Other hearings include a China Committee hearing on critical minerals, Cobalt and EVs; House Resources on mining programs; House Science on CEQ and Science tech and Senate Environment on opportunities to facilitate wildlife movement and improve migration corridors – all tomorrow.  Senate Energy also holds a business meeting and FERC holds its November Open Meeting on Thursday.

Outside events include tomorrow’s USEA Advanced Energy Technology Forum, BCSE/GTI Energy forum leveraging current natural gas infrastructure for future energy systems, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment forum on permitting reform and USEA fireside chat with DOE’s Virginia Castro and the energy supply chain. Then Wednesday, POLITICO holds its sustainability summit on the role of EVs, biofuels, hydrogen and other options in the clean fuel movement, CSIS has a forum on Methane reductions and the Atlantic Council has a net-zero COP28 event with David Turk and IEA’s Fatih Birol. Finally, on Thursday, SEJ hosts its 12^th annual edition of the Journalists’ Guide to Environment + Energy, in GWU’s Lisner Auditorium featuring leading environmental journalists discussing top stories of the year ahead. Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, founder of the online news magazine Reasons to Be Cheerful, will discuss solutions journalism and environmental optimism.

Next Thursday is Thanksgiving, so we may not have an update next week unless it is necessary because if major news (like maybe a government shutdown).  Call with questions.

                                                                                                                                              

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“Natural gas has been one of the principal drivers to achieving our nation’s environmental and economic goals. From providing affordable energy to consumers to driving down emissions, the benefits this fuel has for our nation are tangible and impossible to ignore. Attempts to phase out the use of natural gas for home heating and other uses “would raise costs to consumers, jeopardize environmental progress and deny affordable energy to underserved populations,”

American Gas Association President and CEO Karen Harbert told the Daily Caller News Foundation for a story on the Biden Admin’s push to limit NatGas appliances making home heating costs more expensive.

 

ON THE PODCAST

Volts Podcast Tackles Rural American, Clean Energy – In his latest Volts Podcast, our friend David Roberts chats with Mike Casey, the president of Tigercomm, and Robin Pressman, the head of Embold Research, to discuss new polling on clean energy and rural America and what it means for clean energy developers engaging these communities.

 

FUN OPINIONS

Durbin: Hydrogen Tax Guidance Essential to Success  – In an op-ed in Bloomberg, Chamber Global Energy Institute head Marty Durbin writes a clean hydrogen future depends on tax credits as well as new hydrogen hubs. “The growth of a hydrogen economy ultimately will depend on related federal incentives—specifically the clean hydrogen production tax credit in Section 45V of the federal tax code. The eligibility guidelines for those incentives are still pending, and how the Biden administration determines eligibility will make all the difference in how effective they’ll be.”

 

FROG BLOG

Liam Donovan on Off-Year Mid-Term Impacts – In a piece for POLITICO Magazine, my in-the-know political-expert colleague Liam Donovan wrote a quick-hit piece to provide context of the off year election results and what it mean for 2024. Liam says “as we hurtle toward the primary season, Republicans continue to wrestle with the same paradox that has gripped them since that fateful ride down the escalator — Donald Trump is at once the cause of and solution to all of the party’s problems. If he behaves himself, acts rationally, and keeps the attention on Biden and his myriad issues, Trump could maintain his current advantage, turning out unlikely voters without turning off the persuadable habitual voters who decide elections.”

RFF: IRA Emissions Cap Would Help Meet Climate Goals – Resources for the Future (RFF) experts Maya Domeshek and Dallas Burtraw write in RFF’s Resources blog that implementing a federal cap-and-trade policy would complement the Inflation Reduction Act. Together, these two policies could reduce air pollution and retail electricity prices and ensure that the United States meets its national climate goals for 2030. “Reaching the 80x30 target will be much easier with the IRA in place. An emissions cap that aims for the target without the IRA would require an emissions allowance to cost $67 per metric ton, while such a cap with the IRA would require a cost of only $28 per metric ton. This difference may appear surprising at first, given that economists expect an emissions cap to reduce emissions at a lower total cost than subsidies.”

 

FUN FACTS

Dropping Oil Prices:  Crude's descent over the last two weeks has left prices well below levels seen just before Hamas' terrorist attack against Israel.

 

IN THE NEWS

Carper Weighs In on 45V Hydrogen Guidance – Following Wednesday’s letter from Democratic Sens. Cantwell (WA), Durbin (IL), Casey (PA), Peters (MI), Sinema (AZ), Gillibrand (NY), Fetterman (PA), Duckworth (IL), Murray (WA), Brown (OH) and Manchin (WV) calling for flexibility, Senate Environment Chair Tom Carper has now weighed in on the 45V hydrogen tax guidance debate with his own letter calling for maximum flexibility. Carper urged the administration to consider “flexible and inclusive guidelines” for implementing the credit in order to accommodate a variety of technologies, production methods and projects, while also pointing out that he sponsored legislation that served as the basis for the credit.

“Without appropriate flexibility, I am concerned that there will be a chilling effect on this emerging clean energy industry — including harms to the growth potential of the hydrogen market, increased costs, delayed project development and construction, as well as the adoption of hydrogen in industries that are currently reliant on carbon-intensive processes.”

In particular, Carper said he was concerned that the Treasury Department might decide to require hydrogen producers to use only newly developed clean energy resources, which, he said, was not the intent of the underlying legislation. And he called it “imperative” that the tax credit allow for the use of indirect book accounting factors that help incentivize the use of clean energy sources in the hydrogen production process.  

Energy Vault, Wellhead Launch Battery Storage Project in Cali – Energy Vault along with Wellhead Electric Company and W Power, a woman-owned business enterprise that develops and owns power generation facilities in California, said the Stanton Battery Energy Storage System (SBES) is fully operational. The 68.8 MW/275.2 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Stanton, California, one of the largest energy storage systems in Southern California, has commenced full-scale operations. The Stanton system is providing clean power and improved grid resiliency in Southern California Edison Southwest LA region by directly supporting and providing power for a high-demand load center. The BESS is located nearby the 98 MW SERC Hybrid Gas Turbine Project in Stanton, California, and in addition to increasing the resiliency of the local electrical grid, the BESS reduces the overall carbon intensity of the local grid. Despite being located on a site with limited flexibility, construction of the BESS was completed in under five months, saw zero workplace injuries, and achieved maximum power output in record time. Testing conducted in July 2023 during a record-breaking heatwave met or exceeded expectations and technical performance commitments. The BESS is now being operated at full capacity and with continued high performance by Wellhead, one of the most experienced developers and operators of innovative energy generation and storage facilities in California.

Breakthrough Energy Report Looks at Energy Transition – Breakthrough Energy is releasing its first annual report looking at the state of the energy transition and how to accelerate innovation. The report chronicles the status of five “grand challenges” to reduce emissions: manufacturing, electricity, agriculture, transportation and buildings.

EIA Data Highlights Cost of Anti-Gas Appliance Push – The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) says Americans who heat their homes with electricity could see costs increase this winter if the Biden administration forges ahead with its broad push to diminish the use of fossil fuels in homes and buildings. Those who rely on electricity to heat their homes will pay an average of $1,063 this upcoming winter, approximately 77% more than Americans using natural gas, who will pay an average of $601 to keep their homes warm, according to the EIA’s projections. The Biden administration, with the encouragement of environmentalist advocacy groups, has proposed regulations and rolled out subsidy programs designed to decrease the use of oil and gas products for home heating and other purposes, citing a perceived need to decrease carbon emissions they generate.

 

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Nuclear Conference Underway – The American Nuclear Society holds its Winter Conference and Expo this week at the Washington Hilton. Speakers today include Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelly Moore Capito, NRC Chair Christopher Hanson, former NRC Commissioner Richard Meserve DOE’s Kathryn Huff

WCEE Looks at Transmission – The Women’s Council on Energy & the Environment holds a forum at Cheniere Energy today at Noon featuring transmission and DOE’s Grid Deployment Office.  The speaker Gretchen Kershaw will talk about how DOE’s Grid Deployment Office is furthering its mission to maintain and invest in critical generation facilities; improve and expand transmission and distribution systems; develop high-capacity electric transmission lines nationwide.

Gas Forum Set for San Antonio – The 7^th Annual US-Mexico Natural Gas Forum is set for San Antonio today to Wednesday at the Westin Riverwalk. This Forum focuses on exporting gas to Mexico, including the many elements involved in mobilizing U.S. production to satisfy growing Mexico natural gas and power demand.  

Forum Looks at Central America Role in COP 28 – The Atlantic Council holds a discussion tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. on the road to COP28, focusing in on the energy transition in Central America The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and Global Energy Center leads the live studio conversation on opportunities, impediments, and key leverage points for the energy transition in Central America. The State Department’s Kim Harrington is among the panelists.

Forum Looks at Climate Language – Nexus Council and NorCham holds a forum at the National Press Club tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. on the language and the climate backlash. The forum will reveal how language might just be the key to unlocking unified, effective climate action. Experts will dissect, debate, and divulge insights that could reshape the environmental narrative.

China Committee Looks at Cobalt Challenges – Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the Congressional-Executive Commission on China holds a hearing on EVs and cobalt.  The hearing will look at how China exploits child and forced labor in the Congo. Witnesses include Washington University School of Law professor Milos Ivkovic, former U.S. Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz and Joseph Mulala Nguramo of the Atlantic Council.

USEA Hosts Advanced Energy Technology Forum – The US Energy Assn hosts its Advanced Energy Technology Forum will be held tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.  The event delves into the realm of technological innovation within the energy sector, emphasizing research and development across corporate and government domains.  Speakers will include NREL’s Doug Arent, Idaho NL’s John Wagner, MIT’s Robert Stoner and our friend Rob Gramlich.

House Resources Tackles Mining Issues – The House Natural Resources Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. examining the Biden Administration's Abandoned Mine Lands and Active Mining programs.

House Energy Panel Looks at State Impacts on EPA’s Clean Power Plan – The House Energy and Commerce’s Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. on EPA's clean power plan and its impact on reliable and affordable energy for states. Witnesses include North Dakota DEQ Director David Glatt, Utah Division of Public Utilities Director Chris Parker, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Air Pollution Control Director Michelle Walker Owenby and MD Secretary of Environment Serena McIlwain.

Forum Looks at Net Zero Techs – The Business Council for Sustainable Energy and GTI Energy holds a forum tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. leveraging current natural gas infrastructure for future energy systems. GTI Energy’s collaborative research effort, the Net-Zero Infrastructure Program (NZIP), was designed to help us understand how to evolve existing natural gas infrastructure to meet future energy needs.

R Street Looks at Ag Policy – The R Street Institute holds a virtual discussion tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. looking at today's Agricultural Policies and whether they are aligned with the real-world scenarios. The discussion with leading experts on the origins of federal farm policies, the true state of modern farming, and how we can bring today’s policies in line with current needs that promote innovation without breaking the bank.

Forum Looks at COP28 Expectations – Tomorrow at 1:00 p.m., the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht – Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center, Africa Center, and Global Energy Center host a discussion to understand what the COP28 conference should deliver and how we should measure its success.

House Science Looks at CEQ Policies – The House Science Committee’s Environment Subcommittee and Investigations/Oversight Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. on CEQ's selection of SBTi (Science Based Targets Initiative).

CSIS Looks at Adaptation, Resilience – The Center for Strategic and International Studies holds a forum on the Launch of “Helping the World Prepare - A Primer on U.S. International Adaptation and Resilience” tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. The role of this event is to discuss the work that has been done to support the PREPARE Action Plan and its importance as described in this new primer.

Forum Looks at Permit Reform – The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment holds a forum tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. on permitting reform. The forum will be looking at how best to combine accelerating the energy transition, protecting the environment and ensuring fairness. Experts in energy and energy politics will provide insights into the permitting process including how permitting and the environmental assessment process might be improved for completion efficiency and strengthened for environmental and human health and safety outcomes.

USEA Looks at DOE, Manufacturing – The U.S. Energy Association holds a fireside chat on DOE’s Office of Manufacturing and the energy supply chain. Virginia Castro, from DOE's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, will delve into the intricate world of energy supply chains and manufacturing, getting a 101-level introduction that's both engaging and informative.

Senate Environment Looks at Wildlife Corridors – The Senate Environment Fisheries, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. on challenges and opportunities to facilitate wildlife movement and improve migration corridors.

POLITICO Hosts Clean Fuels Conversation – On Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Royal Sonesta on Capitol Hill, POLITICO convenes leading officials from the administration, key congressional committees, states, and other stakeholders to explore the role of EVs, biofuels, hydrogen and other options in the clean fuel movement and how evolving consumer behaviors are influencing sustainable energy practices. We’ll also discuss barriers and solutions facing the clean fuel drive.

CSIS Forum to Look at Methane – On Wednesday morning starting at 8:30 a.m., the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) hosts an event on cross-industry collaboration for methane reductions. The forum features Congressional speakers, industry leaders, and methane experts from academia and civil society. 

DOE’s Turk, IEA Birol Discussion COP 28, Net Zero – On Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., the Atlantic Council holds a virtual fireside chat with DOE’s David Turk and IEA’s Fatih Birol on priorities for COP28 and the status and direction of the global clean energy transition. The upcoming COP28 is a key moment to advance the global clean energy transition.

Forum Looks at State of Climate Action – The World Resources Institute holds a forum on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on the state of climate action in 2023. The upcoming “State of Climate Action 2023” report translates the Paris Agreement’s temperature limit into 2030 and 2050 targets across power, buildings, industry, transport, forests and land, food and agriculture, technological carbon removal and climate finance.

Senate Enviro Looks at Industrial Decarb – The Senate Environment Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. looking at opportunities in industrial decarbonization. Sublime Systems CEO Leah Ellis, Abigail Regitsky of Breakthrough Institute and Shannon Angielski.

FP Forum Looks at National Security, Environment – On Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., Foreign Policy holds a webinar on National Security and the environment as part of its "Defending Democracy" series. The event explores the people and policies that have become “game changers" to strengthen democracy, protect the environment and natural resources, and help defenders of democracy counter illiberal influences in their own country.

Forum Looks at Carbon Border Adjustment – The Center for Global Development holds a virtual discussion on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., on looking at the Carbon Border Adjustment mechanism and its impact on Developing Countries.

WRI Release State of Climate Report – The World Resources Institute hold a forum on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on the state of climate action in 2023. The upcoming “State of Climate Action 2023” report translates the Paris Agreement’s temperature limit into 2030 and 2050 targets across power, buildings, industry, transport, forests and land, food and agriculture, technological carbon removal and climate finance.

Energy Politics on NERO Lunch Agenda – On Wednesday at 12:00 p.m., the National Energy Resources Organization holds its November lunch at the Hyatt Regency – Capitol Hill featuring National Journal politics expert Amy Walter.  Amy will be covering the recent elections and what they might mean for the 2024 election cycle, and she'll be looking through an energy lens.

Forum Looks at Caribbean Climate Partnerships – The Caribbean Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center holds a forum on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. to discuss how US, Caribbean, and multilateral stakeholders can work together to build climate resilience and clean energy projects in the Caribbean. The event will also serve as a preview for a new Caribbean Initiative publication, “Setting the PACC 2030 Agenda: Building Climate-resilient Caribbean Economies,” which outlines policy and business recommendations for how US policymakers can implement PACC 2030.

Forum Looks at Climate in Courts – The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies' Widener-PA Student Chapter holds a discussion on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m., on climate change in the courts.

DOE Climate Summit Set – DOE and the Elected Officials to Protect America begin the 2023 National Climate Emergency and Energy Security Summit on Wednesday evening and Thursday focused on IRA implementation. The summit will highlight the opportunities to learn about the $369 billion in IRA funding, criteria, and how to apply for the historic investment in our communities and prosperity, with a focus on veteran owned businesses and Justice40 communities.

Forum Looks at COP28 – On Thursday at 10:00 a.m., the Middle East Institute’s Climate and Water Program holds a virtual event discussing the critical issues that will come to a head at COP28 as world leaders come together in Dubai to address the current and projected consequences of a rapidly warming climate.

FERC November Meeting Set – The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission holds its monthly open meeting on Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

Forum looks at IRA, Veterans – The Elected Officials to Protect America holds a forum on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at the National Press Club’s Zenger Room looking at elected Veterans who say IRA investments in clean energy are key to national security. Eight lawmakers who are veterans will speak on how the Inflation Reduction Act’s nearly $370 billion in clean energy investments what the Act can offer veteran owned businesses and how they will put America on the path to energy independence from fossil fuels.

Forum Looks at COP 28 – The Middle East Institute holds a virtual discussion Thursday at 10:00 a.m. looking at climate extremes and how it will feature in COP28.  MEI’s Climate and Water Program will discuss the critical issues that will come to a head at COP28 as world leaders come together in Dubai to address the current and projected consequences of a rapidly warming climate.

Wilson Forum Looks at Private Investment in Infrastructure– The Wilson Center's Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition holds a discussion Thursday at 1:30 p.m. on mobilizing private investment in international infrastructure. The event looking at info from working groups that noted the only way to generate the kind of investment and economic growth required to meet climate and development goals is to mobilize private sector capital on a level never seen before.

SEJ Hosts Journalists Guide to Energy, Environment – The Society of Environmental Journalists hosts its 12^th annual edition of the Journalists’ Guide to Environment + Energy, on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. in GWU’s Lisner Auditorium. At the event, leading environmental journalists from major news outlets will predict the top stories of the year ahead. Talking Heads frontman David Byrne, founder of the online news magazine Reasons to Be Cheerful, will discuss solutions journalism and environmental optimism. Indigenous student Shondiin Mayo will discuss the future of environmental journalism. TIME's Justin Worland will lead a panel discussion with top reporters from The New York Times, NBC, NPR and more. And the winner of the $10,000 Nina Mason Pulliam Award for Environmental Reporting will be announced and presented live.

Forum Looks at Global Energy Transition – Georgetown University’s Mortara Center for International Studies holds a forum on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. on the global politics of climate change.  The event features a discussion of global progress on addressing climate change, focusing on the politics and policies of the green transition and industrial policy. Three guest experts will discuss these issues in the context of the US, the European Union and China.

National Academies Look at Climate, Fossil Fuel Impacts – The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine holds a Climate Conversations series on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. looking at the future of fossil fuels. As the United States decarbonizes its economy, reducing fossil fuel usage will bring significant benefits, like lower emissions and better ambient air quality, but poses challenges for communities that are economically dependent on extraction and production. Speakers include a conversation with Montana State’s Julia Haggerty and RFF’s Daniel Raimi about the future of fossil fuels and how to address the technical and societal challenges associated with their changing role. The conversation will include discussion of environmental remediation, maintaining the safety and reliability of existing fossil fuel infrastructure, and socioeconomic impacts in fossil fuel dependent communities.

CSIS Looks at Stocktake, COP 28 – The CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program's "COP Stocktake: Inside Perspectives on the Global Climate Conference" series starts on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. and will delve into the context, themes, and factors that will ultimately determine the success or failure of COP28. The first meeting features CSIS’s Jon Alterman and Joseph Majkut Director, Energy Security and Climate Change Program, CSIS. They will discuss the geopolitical context surrounding COP, the UAE's goals for hosting COP and the Middle East perspective on climate talks.

Forum Looks at Invasive Species, Climate Impacts – The ASU Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes holds a forum on Friday at 9:00 a.m. on managing for biological invasions and climate risks in the US Pacific Islands. The speaker will describe how the impacts of climate change and non-native, invasive species are inextricably linked in this region and introduce a new management network that is working at the intersection of these threats to build resilience.

Energy Economists Look at COP28 – The National Capital Area Chapter of the United States Association for Energy Economics hold their monthly lunch Friday at 2:00 p.m. to provide a COP28 preview with Diep Nguyen-van Houtte, Senior Manager for Climate Business, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Phillip Cornell, Principal for Energy and Sustainability, Economist Impact. Energy will be at the center of attention during the COP28 climate conference in the United Arab Emirates kicking off in a few short weeks. The conversation will highlight top issues on the agenda and both US and global implications.

 

IN THE FUTURE

USEA Looks at Oil, Gas – The US Energy Assn holds another presser on Tuesday November 21^st at 11:00 a.m. on the oil and gas dilemma regarding fossil fuel production. The U.S. faces a dilemma about the production of fossil fuels.  Should the nation restrict this activity as it heads toward a renewables future, or would that too much risk for the economy. Speakers will examine the future of oil and natural gas at a virtual press briefing.  Experts include EFI’s Melanie Kenderdine, Energi Media’s Markham Hislop, American Public Power Association’s Scott Corwin and Center for Liquefied Natural Gas’ Charlie Riedl.

Forum Looks at BioChar Carbon Removal – AU’s Institute for Carbon Removal Law and Policy holds a webinar on Tuesday November 21^st at 1:00 p.m. quantifying biochar carbon removal's global and country-level impact. Biochar production is one of the only established carbon dioxide removal methods recognized by the IPCC that can also be scaled quickly enough to counteract the effects of climate change within the next decade – potentially ~6% per year.

Forum Looks at COP28, Africa – The Atlantic Council holds a forum next Tuesday, November 21^st at 3:00 p.m. looking at African Solutions at COP28. Previous COPs have failed to ensure adequate African representation. Yet African countries are working together swiftly to react to the increasing impacts of climate change. Experts will discuss the policy issues that need to be at the top of the agenda as climate leaders convene.

THANKGIVING – November 23

RFF Talks with Zoi on Electrifying Transportation – On Wednesday November 29^th at 2:00 p.m., Resources for the Future President and CEO Richard Newell will sit down with former EVGo CEO and former DOE EERE Asst Sect. Cathy Zoi to share her reflections over the course of her impressive career in clean energy and public policy, her hopes and expectations for the future, and lessons learned for environmental and energy leaders on what is needed to get to a net-zero reality.

COP 28 Dubai -- COP 28 will take place from November 30^th until December 12^th in Dubai.