Energy Update: Week of November 8th

Friends,               

I hope you enjoyed that extra hour of sleep on Saturday night.  I know we needed it after another crazy week that trickled into Saturday with the infrastructure and budget battles - which now seemed to be somewhat resolved with infrastructure heading to the President’s Desk.  We have a full report from our Bracewell experts that will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know.  And of course, Saturday I was distracted by the Breeders Cup in Del Mar where my day was ruined by Knicks Go, who busted up my play of Hot Rod Charlie, Medina Spirit and Essential Quality.  3 out of 4 doesn’t win you big money.  I did okay in the earlier races, but missed out big time on 49-1 Marche Lorraine (how did I not follow my usual principle of betting on any horse going off at over 40-1).

It is week two of COP26 in Scotland.  There was some significant moves on methane and deforestation.  This was in addition to already strong moves that will phase out HFCs.  These successes are being somewhat overshadowed by the gloomy protester mood that no one is doing enough, as well as missing key players like China and Russia. While much of the coverage after Tuesday was overshadowed by domestic political battles, look for activity and coverage to pick up this week. Hear my take from a visit with Siruis XM P.O.T.U.S.’s Julie Mason on Friday.

The reboot started earlier today when former President Obama gave a rousing speech to delegates to spur more aggressive action. One big event tomorrow in Glasgow: EPA Administrator Michael Regan will join HVACR companies at 8:30 a.m. for a side event on HFCs and their climate benefits of phasing them out.  This is an important discussion given that a global HFC phasedown agreement and the new US-based AIM law will implement it here at home. 

Congress is out this week because Thursday is Veterans’ Day, but there is a House Science hearing on the Windstorm Impacts.  Please go out of your way to thank our veterans for their service in protecting our freedoms.  There are a few events listed below including an RFF Carbon Border tax event tomorrow and a new Columbia Energy Technology Revolution Forum series Center on Global Energy Policy on Batteries headed by former DOE Under Secretary for Science Paul Dabbar launching on Wednesday.  On Thursday, the ACCF hosts former Sen. and VP-candidate Joe Lieberman.  Finally, tomorrow and Wednesday, the NYT holds a DealBook Summit featuring GM CEO Mary Barra, Exxon CEO Darrin Woods and Sect of State Antony Blinken, among many others and the North American Gas Forum runs from today to Wednesday. 

The NCAA basketball and ice hockey seasons are underway while Fall sports like soccer, volleyball and field hockey are hitting the playoffs.  NCAA champions in just a few weeks.  Stay Safe and healthy.

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“What is essential is for governments to turn their pledges into clear and credible policy actions and strategies today."

The International Energy Agency estimating emissions pledges before and during COP26, if met, could hold temperature rise to 1.8°C (over 3.2°F) above preindustrial levels.

“I don't think we just throw grenades at them. You've got to have all the players at the table. And because today China is the greatest emitter — and emitting more than every developed country combined — it's obviously a huge player.”

Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) to POLITICO’s Zack Colman at COP26

ON THE PODCAST

Discussion with former NYT Climate Journalists/Podcaster; New Climate Podcasts – Canary Media announced two new podcasts to watch going forward.  First, Stephen Lacey will host The Carbon Copy, a weekly news analysis podcast that explains the changing planet through the lens of current events. In each episode, he talks to a journalist, executive, subject-matter expert, practitioner or newsmaker to understand what their story tells us about how the planet is transforming. Secondly, our friend climatetech veteran Shayle Kann interviews experts about the future of decarbonization in his new podcast Catalyst every Thursday.  Shayle explains the world of climatetech with prominent experts, investors, researchers and executives. Canary is far from the only people launching energy and climate podcasts these days. It’s a burgeoning field, to say the least.  So they also talked to Kendra Pierre-Louis of Gimlet Media’s podcast How to Save a Planet (and a former New York Times climate journalist) was gracious enough to share her perspective with us.

FUN OPINIONS

Methane Fee is a Tax – Former SMU Maguire Energy Institute expert Bernard Weinstein writes in an op-ed in The Hill that a tax on methane may appeal to some but won't actually reduce emissions.  He adds energy companies have every incentive to capture methane, which is the principal component of natural gas. Those who put hard work and money into producing and transporting natural gas don’t want to lose any of it on the way to market. Their goal is to deliver, and sell, as much as possible — safely and reliably.

FROG BLOG

Talking COP26 with Julie Mason – With the backdrop of politics and climate, I visited with Sirius XM’s Julie Mason Mornings on Friday to discuss COP26 in Glasgow and what concrete steps might emerge from it. "While its only halftime, there have been some significant announcements on methane and deforestation in addition to HFC phasedown."

FUN FACTS

NatGas Records:  U.S. natural gas production looks to be in record territory based on daily flow estimates from S&P Global Platts Analytics. Last Wednesday (11/03) set a new record at 94 Bcf/d, which was surpassed on Saturday (11/06) at 94.4 Bcf/d.

RECONCILIATION REPORT

Please find the latest addition of the Policy Resolution Group’s FY2022 Budget Reconciliation & Infrastructure Update.  This update is a particularly worth your time given the all the back and forth on the status of the budget reconciliation process now and fallout from the last week’s VA election.

IN THE NEWS

Delek Releases Annual Sustainability Report – Delek released its annual report on sustainability prioritizing its stewardship of the environment.  In light of increased opportunities for environment and social changes, Delek has increased its sustainability efforts, and have launched a focused campaign to improve our environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Delek outlined its goal is to reduce their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 34% by 2030 through a combination of reductions and offsets. This target was developed to ensure it is aligned with both the IEA’s Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS) and the Paris Accord’s goal of limiting global warming to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. See the full report HERE.

Southern to Close Coal Plants – On its earnings call yesterday, Southern Co. CEO Tom Fanning said it will shutter roughly 55% of its coal fleet by the end of the decade as the company shifts to a net-zero electricity mix.  The closures include units at the nation’s two largest coal-fired power plants, as well as the previously announced Plant Daniel, one of the last coal generators in Mississippi. The move will reduce the amount of coal on Southern’s system by 80 percent since 2007.  Southern once operated 66 generating units of coal, producing 20,450 megawatts across its Southeastern territory. It now operates 18 units producing 9,799 MW, according to the company. Once these additional units are closed, that figure will fall to roughly 4,300 MW at eight units.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

COP 26 Continues in Glasgow – The UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 launches into its second week in Glasgow, Scotland.

FT Hosts Ag Forum – The Financial Times holds an event on Monday November 8^th at 10:00 a.m. on propelling the shift to climate-positive agriculture.  The event will look at innovative approaches to generating income while reducing farm emissions.

Forum to Look at Free Trade in Enviro Goods – Cato holds a forum next Monday at Noon on the benefits and prospects of free trade in environmental goods.  The event will address negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to create an Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) and feature a discussion featuring U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Maureen Hinman, and Cato's James Bacchus and Inu Manak.

EOP to Discuss Energy Efficiency, NatGas – OurEnergyPolicy holds a forum next Monday November 8^th at 2:00 p.m. in-person at the Hilton Washington DC National Mall featuring Alliance to Save Energy President Paula Glover to look at natural gas and energy efficiency.  The event will feature a conversation about the role of natural gas in driving residential, commercial, industrial and transportation efficiency.  This event will be part of the North American Gas Forum, which runs from today to Wednesday. 

Columbia Forum to Speak with Judge Griffith – Today at 4:00 p.m., Columbia’s the Center on Global Energy Policy will hold the next episode of Columbia Energy Straight Talk, a discussion series hosted by David Hill and Cheryl LaFleur, CGEP Adjunct Senior Research Scholars. In this episode, David and Cheryl will host Judge Thomas B. Griffith, recently retired from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Judge Griffith will speak about some of his most important energy- and environment-related decisions while he served as a judge, what makes agencies and advocates successful–or unsuccessful–before his former court, and what this all could mean for energy and environmental law and policy in the United States.

NYT Hosts DealBook Summit – The New York Times hosts the 2021 DealBook Summit tomorrow and Wednesday to celebrate the 20^th Anniversary of DealBook.  Among the speakers will be GM CEO Mary Barra, Exxon CEO Darrin Woods, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as Duchess of Sussex Mergan Markle, Dax Sheppard and Matthew McConaughey

Regan to Talk HFCs in Scotland – EPA Administrator Michael Regan will join HVACR companies on tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. for a side event on HFCs and their climate benefits of phasing them out. The session is streamed live from the U.S. Pavilion and will feature Administrator Regan, other country leaders, and Kevin Fay with the Alliance for Responsible Air Policy.

RFF to Discuss Carbon Border Issues – Resources for the Future (RFF) holds a forum tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. on carbon border issues. This RFF Live event taps experts across three continents to discuss recent border measure proposals across the European Union and in the United States. Speakers include Keigo Akimoto of the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth, European University Institute’s Jos Delbeke, Carolyn Fischer of the World Bank and EDF’s Suzi Kerr.

Forum to Look at CCUS – The US Energy Assn holds a forum tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. on carbon management and energy transition projects, with an economic opportunity for Kansas. Interest in new carbon management applications, such as the above, is growing due to several events and trends that produce a fertile environment for new business models. Updates and further guidance to the “45Q” tax incentives have clarified the process for obtaining tax credits for utilization and sequestration.

Forum Looks at Cleaner Transportation – Tomorrow at 12:30 p.m., Axios holds a discussion on building a sustainable transportation.  The event explores the policies, sustainable technologies and recyclable materials spearheading electric vehicle deployment for a new mobility future. Axios Transportation Correspondent Joann Muller will host one-on-one conversations with Sen. Angus King and Tesla Co-founder JB Straubel.

House Resources Marks up Legislation – The House Natural Resources National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on public lands, monuments and conservation legislation.

Report to Look at EV Labor Issues – Tomorrow at 4:00 p.m., the Economic Policy Institute holds a launch event featuring report highlights and discussion of implications for labor, racial, and climate justice.  The report from EPI Research Associate Gordon Lafer documents the legal and illegal tactics automakers routinely use to block workers from forming unions, and what’s urgently needed at this moment to curb these anti-democratic, anti-worker trends across the industry.

Forum to Look at Africa, Climate Impacts – On Wednesday at 9:00 a.m., the World Bank and the Center for Global Development hold a forum to discuss the newest release of the Africa's Pulse report from the World Bank, the impact of climate change on Africa's economic outlook, and how the crisis can be an opportunity for economic transformation and job creation.

House Science Reviews Windstorm Program – The House Science, Space and Technology Research and Technology Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on reauthorizing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program.

Forum Looks at Justice in Energy Transition – The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace holds a virtual discussion on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., on low-income countries and the energy transition. This event is a special event as part of OECD COP26 Virtual Pavilion on climate justice for low-income countries, co-hosted by the OECD Development Centre and the Carnegie Africa Program.

Series to Investigate New Battery Techs – On Wednesday at Noon, the Center on Global Energy Policy launches the Columbia Energy Technology Revolution Forum, a new webinar series hosted by former DOE Under Secretary for Science Paul Dabbar.  The series will focus on frank, practical, scientific and technological discussions on the prospects of new technologies in the energy world. Each session will bring together experts to focus on a different energy technology. The Wednesday session will feature two leaders of large efforts to develop new battery chemistries that are beyond current Lithium-Ion technologies. Brookhaven National Laboratory’s Esther Takeuchi is a leader in the multidisciplinary field of energy storage technology, and holds more than 180 patents. She will be joined by Argonne National Laboratory Senior Scientist George Crabtree.  The discussion will focus on the state of new potential battery chemistries that could significantly perform better than lithium-ion, and at lower costs. The event will review specific chemistry possibilities for different applications, and discuss the Energy Storage Grand Challenge targets and policies that could accelerate a 60-80% improvement over Li-Ion performance.

Forum to Look at Climate Risk – Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service hosts expert Therese Feng on mainstreaming climate risk into decision making. Feng is Chief of Research at The Climate Service, a team of climate scientists, technologists, economists, data scientists and finance professionals who are creating a climate risk analytics software platform to help investors, companies and communities understand their risks from the changing climate and the opportunities in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Feng was Senior Vice President of Global Strategic Risk Management at Jefferies, and previously supported credit risk modeling at Morgan Stanley.

ACCF Hosts Lieberman – On Thursday at 12:00 p.m., the ACCF is hosting a conversation with Joe Lieberman, former U.S. Senator (I-CT) and Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee in 2000. Lieberman served as the senator from Connecticut from 1989 to 2013. He is a former member of the Democratic Party and was its nominee for Vice President of the United States in the 2000 election. During his final term in office, he was officially listed as an independent Democrat and caucused with and chaired committees for the Democratic Party. 

Atlantic Forum Features Heat Officers – The  Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center (Arsht-Rock) supports cities in taking immediate, scalable action to reduce the threat and deadly effects extreme heat poses to their most vulnerable communities.  On Thursday at 2:00 p.m., they host a conversation with the world’s first three appointed Chief Heat Officers (CHOs) of City Champions for Heat Action, representing Miami-Dade County, Athens, and Freetown.

Forum to Look at US-Canada Nuclear Power – On Friday at 12:30 p.m., the Woodrow Wilson Center's Canada Institute holds a virtual discussion on Canada and the United States exploring the nuclear option. NEI’s John Kotek, Council of the Great Lakes CEO Mark Fisher and Ontario Power Generation’s Heather Ferguson all speak. 

IN THE FUTURE

POLITICO Hosts Post COP26 Wrap – On Monday November 15^th at 11:00 a.m., a panel of POLITICO Pro and E&E News experts look at the potential policy impacts on energy and the environment from COP26 negotiations.  Our Friends Jean Chemnick, Sara Schonhardt, Nick Sobczak, Karl Mathieson and Matt Choi all join in. 

The Future of Oil & Gas on Federal Lands – The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) hosts a forum on Monday November 15^th at 11:15 a.m. featuring Interior Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau on the future of oil and gas drilling on federal lands as the Biden administration focuses on a transition to a clean energy economy. EPIC Scholar and Harris Public Policy Professor Ryan Kellogg will join the conversation. The conversation will be led by The Washington Post’s Juliet Eilperin. Learn more and register to attend via Zoom here.

Forum to Look at Iron/Steel Decarb – The Global America Business Institute is hosting a discussion next Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. on decarbonizing Iron and Steel.  Speakers will include Senior Principal Researcher of the Low Carbon Process Research Group at the Process Engineering Research Center of POSCO Shin Yoo, LanzaTech’s Tom Dower and UC-Berkeley nuclear engineer Staffan Qvist. 

Forum Looks at Sustainability – POLITICO holds a forum on Tuesday, November 16^th at 9:45 a.m. to focus on how sustainability will have to evolve from buzzword to necessity in order to create long-term change. The panel brings together leading voices from Washington, state houses, city halls, civil society, and corporate America to discuss the most viable policy and political solutions that balance economic, environmental and social interests.

Senate Energy Focuses on Energy Price Trends – Next Tuesday November 16^th at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Energy Committee holds a hearing domestic and international energy price trends.  The hearing will examine the causes, outlook, and implications of domestic and international energy price trends. Witnesses include EIA Acting Administrator Stephen Nalley, IEA Chief Energy Economist Tim Gould and energy author Robert Bryce.

House Committee Looks at Climate, Arctic – The House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber will convene a hearing on Tuesday, November 16^th at 10:00 a.m. on the national security implications of climate change in the Arctic.

Forum to Look at Climate Resilience, Security – The American Security Project and University of Arizona will convene a panel of experts on Tuesday November 16^th at 10:00 a.m. to discuss the recently published research led by University of Arizona faculty on the effects of climate change at Department of Defense installations, including Fort Huachuca and the Barry Goldwater Ranges. The paper focuses on both the barriers and the opportunities for climate adaptation within DoD. The event will highlight the nexus between climate resilience and national security in Arizona and why climate action in Southern Arizona is imperative for American national security. The panel discussion will feature report authors Dr. Gregg Garfin and Professor Katharine Jacobs, contributors to the Climate Services journal article, Lt Gen Norm Seip, USAF, (Ret.), and Rear Admiral David Titley, USN, (Ret.).

Forum Looks at Renewable in SE – On November 16^th, the Southeast Renewable Energy Policy, Procurement and Program Frameworks Executive Briefing will preceding the 6^th annual Southeast Renewable Energy Summit in Charlotte, NC, which will be held on November 17^th and 18^th at the Omni Charlotte Hotel. 

CSIS Forum Tackles Advancing Hydrogen – On Tuesday November 16^th at 3:00 p.m., the Energy Security and Climate Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is gathering a panel of leading private sector voices to highlight efforts to realize a hydrogen economy. This event will illuminate efforts and experiences in advancing hydrogen use in the transportation, power generation, and industrial sectors. This is the first of two events that aim to appreciate various business models as building blocks for a hydrogen economy.

NAS Looks at Low-Dose Radiation – On Wednesday November 17^th and Thursday November 18^th, the National Academies are hosting another virtual public meeting over two days to examine how to move forward on low-dose radiation research. This meeting will focus on receiving information from the research community on low-dose radiation research priorities. The underlying study is sponsored by the Department of Energy, which has previously funded such research, despite past official decisions that limited its research into human radiation exposures due to ongoing conflicts of interest.

Energy Economists Talk Local Govt Climate Action – The US Energy Economists of the National Capital Area hold their November forum on Wednesday November 17^th at noon to discuss empowering local governments with George Mason’s Joel Hicks. Hicks will discuss efforts to address climate change mitigation and adaptation in the U.S.

Forum Looks at Energy Projects – On Wednesday November 17^th at 1:00 p.m., the United States Energy Association (USEA) and the Energy Council of Canada (ECC) hold a special joint webinar to discuss two contemporary energy projects that feature American and Canadian collaboration will be highlighted. Featuring guest speakers from both countries, this webinar will give an overview of the Canadian-American energy relationship and help illustrate that the long-standing partnership is mutually beneficial and positive.

Forum Looks at Africa, Climate – The Atlantic Council’s Africa Center is launching the Inclusive African Climate Change Working Group on Thursday November 18^th at 9:00 a.m. to coincide with the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in an effort to ensure African voices are included in current discussions around climate finance.

FERC Open Meeting Set – FERC holds its November open meeting on November 18^th

Forum to Look at Glasgow Review – On Thursday at 10:30 a.m., EESI holds a briefing to review what took place at the U.N. climate change conference in Glasgow—the 26^th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—and why it matters for Congress. With dozens of events and negotiating sessions happening at any one time during the two weeks of COP, it can be challenging to keep up with all the details. This briefing will review the key outcomes of COP26 and provide context and nuance to the main headlines coming out of the meeting. Panelists will then dive into takeaways from international, private sector, and local government perspectives.

Forum Looks at Latin America, Renewables – The Johns Hopkins SAIS Latin American Studies and Energy and Environment clubs host a panel on Thursday November 18^th at Noon to address the region's energy transition, with perspectives from Chile, Paraguay and Mexico. Panelists, providing insights from the public sector, private sector, and academia, will detail three distinct paths toward sustainable growth that could offer lessons for the region at large.

AEE Webinar to Look at State Clean Energy – On Thursday November 18^th at 2:00 p.m., Advanced Energy Economy holds a webinar to look at states moving toward 100% clean energy.  State-level leaders continue to drive progress toward 100% clean energy in legislatures across the country — including Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, and Virginia. The event will feature elected officials who were instrumental this year in advancing landmark legislation that will open market opportunities for advanced energy businesses.

Thanksgiving – November 25^th

Chamber Forum Looks at Methane – On December 2^nd at 10:00 a.m., the Global Energy Institute and U.S. Chamber of Commerce continues its Energy Innovates webinar series to highlight methane issues.