Energy Update: Week of October 20th

Friends,

Outside of the “Kings” rallies last weekend, one of my favorite events of the year was held in Boston, Head of the Charles. Started in 1965, the Head of the Charles Regatta has grown into the world's largest multi-day rowing event. It was originally established by members of the Cambridge Boat Club and English-born Harvard University sculling instructor Ernest Arlett. Here are the results from more than 12,000 athletes from around the world compete in over 60 different events.

First off, congrats to my former GWU SMPA student Alex Fitzsimmons, who has served as DOE chief of staff and head of its Cybersecurity office, for being named Undersecretary of Energy replacing Wells Griffith. We also expect new FERC Commissioners to be sworn in the week. Despite the shutdown, it looks like EPA will still hold its HFC Phasedown rule virtual public hearing today at 1:00 p.m. At the White House, the President meets with the Australian PM Anthony Albanese with critical minerals, rare earths, trade and tariffs among other things on the agenda.

The House remains out while the shutdown dispute continues. The Senate will reconvene at 3 p.m. today to vote once again on the temporary spending bill. They will also consider a bill to provide back pay for furloughed federal workers. Senate Commerce marks up pipeline legislation tomorrow and Senate Foreign Relations marks up critical minerals legislation on Wednesday and a Senate Environment subpanel discusses chemical benefits and regulations on Thursday.

Today at 3:00 pm, API is hosting its permitting forum at the API’s event space featuring Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Senator Capito and Chairman Westerman.

There a bunch of important events this week after today, including tomorrow’s two FERC technical conferences (perhaps with NEW COMMISSIONERS) on reliability and wildfire mitigation, an Agri-Pulse forum on sustainable food systems innovation, the National Center for Energy Analytics (joined by Energy Chair Mike Lee) that will challenge the flawed assumptions in the IEA’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2025 and RFF’s conversation with Southern Company’s John Williams on lessons learned from the Vogtle Power project. Wednesday events feature the U.S. Chamber holds its 3^rd annual Chemistry Solutions Forum to discuss the chemical value chain with Reps. Scott Peters, Gary Palmer and Jake Auchincloss and an EESI briefing about pathways for industrial decarbonization for materials like steel, iron and cement. On Thursday, ACORE holds its Grid Forum featuring Senate Environment Chair Shelley Moore Capito, as well as Reps. Scott Peters and Gabe Evans and Friday forum by Center for the National Interest  on nuclear energy in Texas and CSIS on U.S.-China relations and the future of America's energy/automotive sectors.

We are a few weeks out from COP30 in Brazil.  There is still a Lot of uncertainty about events and who is going where.  I am hoping to manage from here without making the trip, but who knows.  Look for key events in the November 7^th/8^th time frame in Sao Paolo and maybe some details on a new carbon accounting group today. If you are going – when and where in Brazil – let me know. 

Finally, if you are following the political fight over electricity prices, take a look at the new report by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. (covered by James Downing and Ben Storrow) Bottom line: LBNL Researchers concluded that any increase in electricity prices over the last five years have less to do with how power is generated and more to do with how it's delivered. It certainly doesn’t neatly fit into any political narrative. As many of you know, this is an issue I have raised many times over the years.

Enjoy celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights marked by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs on Wednesday.  Also, the NBA starts tomorrow with quite a bit of fanfare.  Call with questions.

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932                                                                                                    

FRANKLY SPOKEN

"We expect a consequence of last week's indecision will be a shift back to conventional fuel engines for new vessel orders and for many of those currently in the orderbook."

Jefferies analysts said in a note today on the delay in the proposed IMO shipping rules that would have taxed greenhouse gases from vessels.

ON THE PODCAST

API Head Highlights American Energy Leadership – Speaking at the historic Drake Well Museum — the birthplace of modern energy — American Petroleum Institute (API) President and CEO Mike Sommers today called for a new era of American energy leadership focused on innovation, infrastructure, and the ability to build. As U.S. electricity demand is projected to rise more than 40% by 2040 — driven by AI, advanced manufacturing, and population growth — meeting rising demand will depend on the ability to build modern infrastructure. Sommers outlined concrete steps to unlock the next chapter of energy progress: set deadlines and enforce them; stop lawsuits and start building; and ensure targeted reviews and swift decisions.

Agen Talks Energy Dominance with CSIS – A special episode of CSIS’s Betting on America this week features a recent live CSIS event with Jarrod Agen, Executive Director of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council, and CSIS expert Joseph Majkut. The interview is a conversation on how the United States can build the energy backbone to meet its industrial and technology demands—with speed and predictability.

FUN OPINIONS

IEA Expert: Something has to Give in Oil Markets – In a commentary, IEA’s Head of Oil Industry and Markets Toril Bosoni writes global oil market may be at a tipping point as signs of a significant supply glut emerge. How exactly events unfold remains to be seen, Bosoni says. In the meantime, ample supplies provide an opportunity for both industry and governments to replenish depleted reserves. With geopolitical tensions remaining elevated, a return to higher inventory levels would significantly bolster energy security.

FROG BLOG

Impact of China’s New Critical Mineral Export Controls – In his Wood Mackensie blog, our friend Ed Crooks writes in light of China’s policy, US and other global efforts to build alternative supply chains will need sustained support. Under successive administrations, the US has been taking measures to develop alternative sources of supply for rare earths and battery materials. In August, DOE announced nearly $1 billion of funding opportunities for projects to develop and scale up mining, processing and manufacturing technologies for critical minerals. The private sector has also been stepping up. JPMorgan on Monday launched what it described as a $1.5 trillion security and resiliency initiative: a 10-year plan to facilitate, finance and invest in key strategic industries, including critical minerals.

FUN FACTS

Gas Storage is Massive Favorite, Part II: Growth-focused opportunities have quickly returned to the US Lower 48 natgas basins. Demand across the region is expected to grow more than 35% by 2040, requiring a near doubling of gas-focused capex to deliver almost 40 bcfd of new supply. The Permian and Haynesville alone won’t be enough, so additional sources of supply will be critical.

IN THE NEWS

US Pushes Back IMO Shipping Rules – The UN’s International Maritime Organization has postponed a decision on adopting a rule to make ships start paying for their greenhouse gases from shipping each year. On Friday, our friends at Bloomberg first reported the IMO voted to push back that ballot for a year, a move that highlights concerns raised by the US and others about the rules. Experts say the move marks a setback for multilateral environmental regulations ahead of next month’s COP30 climate summit in Brazil. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce voiced strong opposition to the global shipping carbon fee, citing significant economic and procedural concerns. Marty Durbin:

"The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes the IMO’s proposed global shipping carbon fee. It would impose billions of dollars in new compliance and fuel costs that ripple through every sector of the economy and raise prices for consumers. A unilateral global tax of this nature risks distorting markets and discouraging investment in cleaner shipping technologies, and the fact the measure advanced through a rushed and opaque process in which many member countries did not affirmatively support it raises important process concerns. The Chamber applauds the Trump Administration’s leadership in resisting this misguided measure and urges international regulators to pursue technology-neutral, market-based pathways that strengthen—not hinder—global commerce."

EIA: U.S. household heating costs will vary based on retail prices this winter – In its 2025 Winter Fuels Outlook, EIA forecasts U.S. households heated by natural gas will pay about the same to heat their homes as they did last winter. On average, EIA expects households heated by electricity to pay more to heat their homes and households heated by propane or heating oil to pay less to heat their homes this winter than last winter. The average household’s total winter heating cost will be driven primarily by the retail price of its primary heating fuel: natural gas, electricity, propane, or heating oil. The Winter Fuels Outlook includes forecasts for energy prices, fuel consumed for heating, and total winter season expenditures for heat at the national and regional levels. The forecasts include a base case and side cases considering weather that is 10% colder or 10% warmer than forecast. In EIA’s colder weather case, the forecast cost to heat a household this winter is higher than last winter for all heating sources. In the warmer weather case, the average heating cost is lower this winter for natural gas, propane, and heating oil, but households heated primarily by electricity will pay about the same as they did last winter in EIA’s forecast because of higher forecast electricity prices.

ICYMI: Recent AGA Winter Fuels Outlook – Just a reminder, two weeks ago, AGA released its 2025 Winter Heating Outlook which says natural gas remains a small slice of the family budget as the US heads into the 2025-2026 heating season. While a colder than average winter may mean customers consume more natural gas to heat their homes, household natural gas bills are expected to remain about 8% below the higher prices of a few years ago. That’s good news as families sit down around the kitchen table. Natural gas spending accounts for only 1.1% of the average household’s annual expenses, or about $867. That is less than gasoline at $2,449, electricity at $1,763 and cell phone service at $1,270. These numbers are the result of a system that is adding supply and using energy more efficiently. Technically recoverable domestic natural gas resources are up 16% over two years ago. Production is at record levels, driven by American innovation that has made each well more efficient than ever before thanks to improvements in technology. Storage inventories are also above the five-year average as the withdrawal season begins. Thanks in large part to energy efficiency programs put in place and administered by America’s natural gas utilities,  which helps serve more customers while holding down bills regardless of the temperature.

Christie to Head William & Mary Policy Center Exploring Virginia's Energy Future – The William & Mary Law School has appointed Mark Christie, former chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), will also serve as the founding director of the Law School’s new Center for Energy Law & Policy and become the Lowance Fellow and Visiting Professor of the Practice of Law. The Center for Energy Law & Policy will serve as a hub for convening policymakers, scholars and students to address critical issues shaping the future of energy regulation. Christie said the Center’s purpose is to create a space for rigorous and balanced dialogue at the intersection of environmental advocacy, industry needs and public interests. “Energy issues touch every aspect of our lives,” he noted. “Although energy may account for only seven percent of GDP, it’s the foundational seven percent — everything else in our economy and lifestyle flows from it.”  Christie also sat down with Virginia Public Media for an interview.

White Paper Looks at Abandon Mines Policy – ConservAmerica released its latest paper entitled An Exploration of Policy Tools to Address Abandoned Mines. This paper was authored by ConservAmerica and published in partnership with RESOLVE and Regeneration. This white paper explores how the Good Samaritan model—by establishing a safe, well-regulated framework for voluntary cleanups—can inform similar initiatives globally, offering policymakers a flexible template to balance environmental restoration with legal practicality amid growing pollution challenges and constrained public budgets.

“For more than two decades, I’ve seen how Good Samaritan cleanups can turn toxic legacies into living waters—restoring degraded watersheds, protecting threatened fish and wildlife, and safeguarding community drinking water,” said Brent Fewell, ConservAmerica, General Counsel, and Former EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Water. “By providing the legal certainty that volunteers and partners need, this pragmatic, win-win legislation empowers citizens, Tribes, local governments, and conservation groups to address the legacy of historic mining. Congress should make Good Sam permanent.”

Abandoned hardrock mines pose significant global environmental and public health risks, releasing heavy metals and acid drainage that damage ecosystems, threaten downstream communities, and cost governments billions in cleanup. To address this, the United States introduced the Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act in December 2024, creating a pilot program that allows up to 15 third-party cleanup projects by individuals or organizations with no prior connection to the contamination.

Edie Joins RenewComm – Our friends at RenewComm welcomed a new managing partner last week.  Jake Edie joins the firm known for its cleantech and renewable energy prowess. Jake, who until Friday was VP of Marketing and ran inside sales for Renew’s  longtime client Clean Energy Associates (CEA) (now Intertek CEA). Peter Kelley says Edie is thoughtful, incisive and really knows the business. He previously served as Business Development Director and Energy Storage Solutions Architect for S&C Electric Company, a leading ESS integrator and EPC. He negotiated supply agreements with key lithium-ion battery and PCS suppliers, and oversaw cost-estimating, proposal development, contract negotiation, and licensing for energy storage, substation, microgrid, and grid-scale solar projects. As VP of Business Development for AllCell Technologies, LLC, a lithium-ion battery integrator, helped develop some of the industry's first energy storage systems as he led their transition from R&D to product sales. He also teaches clean energy and the electric grid at the University of Illinois-Chicago.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Ethanol Summit Set for DC – Global Ethanol Summit (GES), organized by the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council (USGBC), will be held today to Wednesday in Washington, DC. GES will include participants from more than 40 countries, expanding global ethanol markets through innovation, renewable solutions and trade.  Former Energy Secretary Ernie Moniz, RFA head Geoff Cooper and Growth CEO Emily Skor are among the many speakers.

EPA to Host HFC Phasedown Rule Public Meeting – Today at 1:00 p.m., EPA will host a virtual public hearing using Microsoft Teams to provide an opportunity for the public to offer oral comments on the proposed rule and related support documents.

API Hosts Permitting Forum – The American Petroleum Institute holds a special panel discussion and reception today at 3:00 p.m. at its office looking at the future of US energy infrastructure and permitting reform.  Speakers are Interior Secretary/NEDC Chair Doug Burgum, Senate Environment Chair Shelly Moore Capito and House Resources Chair Bruce Westerman.

FERC Reliability, Wildfire Utility Conference Set – With a potential for new Commissions likely to be sworn in, FERC is holding its Fall Reliability Conference tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m.  The purpose of this conference is to discuss policy issues related to the reliability and security of the Bulk-Power System with NERC’s Jim Robb as the keynote panelist.  Then at 1:30 p.m., FERC will hold another technical conference to discuss cost-effective best practices to reduce the risk of wildfire ignition from the Bulk-Power System.

Senate Commerce Marks Up Pipeline Safety Legislation – Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee will mark up a bill this week that would reauthorize the nation’s pipeline regulator and could potentially spark debate over pipeline protests. The committee is expected to vote on S. 2975, the "PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025," to reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Safety Administration’s safety programs for the first time since 2020. The bill is a bipartisan compromise to extend authorization of PHMSA and put forward by Commerce Chair Ted Cruz (R-TX), ranking member Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Gary Peters (D-MI).

Forum Looks Critically at IEA Critical Minerals Report – Tomorrow at 10:30 a.m., the National Center for Energy Analytics (NCEA) holds a forum that will challenge the flawed and misleading assumptions in the IEA’s Global Critical Minerals Outlook 2025. This effort is part of our broader series to provide independent, reality-based analyses of energy forecasts. The event will look at key findings from NCEA’s upcoming report, evaluate the IEA’s critical minerals market assumptions and discuss the real implications for global energy security.

Agri-Pulse Hosts Ag Jobs, Clean Energy Forum – As world leaders prepare to convene at COP30 in Belém, Brazil this November, American agriculture stands at a pivotal moment to demonstrate its leadership in sustainable food systems innovation. Agri-Pulse and JBS hold a forum tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. in the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. to spotlight how U.S. farmers, ranchers, and their supply chain partners are already delivering the solutions the world needs. This timely forum will showcase real-world success stories and policy recommendations from the Sustainable Business COP (SB COP)—a global collaborative of private-sector companies—demonstrating how American agriculture is proving that productivity and sustainability go hand-in-hand.

RFF Hosts Southern on Nuclear – Resources for the Future (RFF) holds a conversation tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. between Billy Pizer and Southern Company’s John Williams on lessons learned from the Vogtle Power project. The webinar will also feature a panel of experts who will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing a potential nuclear renaissance in the US.

USEA Holds CCUS Forum – The US Energy Association holds a discussion tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. on "CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) Startup SolidSky.  The event will look at the company's value driver for fundamental commodity chemicals. SolidSky, a DOE spinout company, is commercializing a platform to turn CO2 into an oxidant in the cracking reaction of ethane and propane into ethylene and propylene, while controllably coproducing syngas.

Defense Microgrid, Resilience Summit Set – The Defense Strategies Institute holds its Microgrids & Energy Resilience Summit on Wednesday and Thursday with the theme advancing energy infrastructure for resiliency and lethality. Speakers include former deputy assistant Army Secretary for Energy Jack Surash and former DOE assistant secretary of the Office of Electricity Bruce Walker.

House Members Headline US Chamber Chemistry Summit – The U.S. Chamber holds its third annual Chemistry Solutions Forum on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. This event will feature expert voices from the Administration and industry to discuss the most important issues and innovation within the chemical value chain. Speakers include Reps. Scott Peters, Gary Palmer and Jake Auchincloss, as well Huntsman CEO Peter Huntsman. 

Forum Looks at Industrial Emissions – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) holds a briefing on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. about pathways for industrial decarbonization. Materials like steel, iron, and cement form the backbone of U.S. industry, and have long been a symbol of U.S. innovation and prosperity. This briefing will identify opportunities for industrial emissions reductions—such as electrification and material reuse. Panelists will also highlight how key players from the federal government and private sector come together to advance deployable innovations like green steel and carbon-negative concrete. 

Senate FR Marks Up Critical Minerals Legislation – The Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds a markup of multiple bills, including S. 2550 (119), the Critical Minerals Partnership Act of 2025, and S. 799 (119), the United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act.

Senate Environment Hosts TVA Nominees – The Senate Environment Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in 562 Dirksen to host nominees for the Tennessee Valley Authority board.  Nominees include Mitch Graves, Jeff Hagood, Randall Jones and Arthur Graham.

Brookings Panel Looks at European Energy Security – On Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. the Center on the United States and Europe and the Energy Security and Climate Initiative at Brookings will host a panel discussion with several authors from the “Europe’s energy transition: Balancing the trilemma” project. The panel will be followed by conversation with Brookings energy and climate experts focused on what the U.S. federal government’s “energy dominance” agenda under the Trump administration means for the energy security and transitions of partners like Europe.  

CSIS has bp Energy Outlook – The Center for Strategic and International Studies holds a virtual discussion on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. on bp Energy Outlook 2025. Speakers include Spencer Dale, Chief economist and senior vice president of economic and energy insights at BP and Gareth Ramsay, Incoming chief economist at BP.

USEA Talks AI, Energy – In its next media briefing, the US Energy Assn will hold a press brief on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. on how utilities are adapting to rising data center power demands. Utilities will discuss how they are using AI, how they plan to use it in the future and how the demand for power from AI data centers is affecting them. Among the experts is EPRI’s Jeremy Renshaw.

Groups Look at Public Lands Rule – ConservAmerica and PERC host a webinar on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. for a webinar debate on the BLM’s Conservation and Landscape Health (“Public Lands”) Rule. This debate will feature leading voices who share a belief in market-based conservation—but hold diverse views on whether the rule should be rescinded, retained, or revised.

Forum Looks at Copper Issues – The Center for Strategic and International Studies holds a virtual discussion on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. on investing in copper security across the Americas. To explore how the U.S. and its allies can strengthen copper security and lead in this strategic resource, Brandon Craig, President of Minerals Americas at BHP will join Gracelin Baskaran, director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at CSIS for a discussion on the major trends shaping copper’s future and why it’s essential to America’s technological and economic leadership.

ACORE Gala, Grid Forum Features Congressional Speakers – On Wednesday evening, the American Council on Renewable Energy holds its 2025 Gala with the theme of powering the future. Then Thursday, ACORE holds its Grid Forum featuring Senate Environment Chairwoman Shelley Moore Capito, as well as Reps. Scott Peters and Gabe Evans delivering keynote remarks. Former FERC Chairman David Rosner also delivers an afternoon keynote. The forum will feature discussions on grid innovations to meet growing power demand, permitting and interconnection reforms needed, and what’s next for regional and interregional transmission planning.

Cruden Headlines ABA Energy Fall Conference – The American Bar Association holds its 33^rd Section of Environment, Energy and Resources Fall Conference on Thursday and Friday. John Cruden, former assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division, deliver keynote remarks, as well as  CropLife American CEO and former assistant administrator of the EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Alex Dunn.

Senate Enviro Panel Looks at Chemical Use, Regs – The Senate Environment Chemical Safety Subcommittee holds a hearing on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. examining the beneficial use and regulation of chemicals.  Witnesses will include Huntsman CEO Peter Huntsman, Boeing’s Gwen Gross and former EPA official Tracey Woodruff.

USEA Holds Energy Tech Connect – On Thursday at Noon, the US Energy Assn holds its annual EnergyTech Connect forum at Noon in the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center.  The event has panels on energy demand, load growth, a panel with utility commissioners and data center grid flexibility challenges.

CEN Forum Focused on Permitting – The Conservative Energy Network (CEN) for a practical, solutions-focused discussion on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. looking at permitting reform that upholds property rights, strengthens grid reliability, and accelerates private-sector investment. Our panel will break down what’s happening at the federal and state levels, the role of meaningful community engagement, and conservative policy ideas that cut red tape without compromising environmental stewardship.

Forum to Look at Resilience –  The Security and Sustainability Forum holds a forum on Thursday at 1:15 p.m. looking at climate resilience and small businesses. The event will provide a blueprint for small business survival and success in a changing climate. Climate resilience experts Joyce Coffee and Robert Macnee discuss how to turn risk into a business advantage. 

Nuclear Panel Set for DC – The Center for the National Interest holds an online panel discussion of nuclear energy in Texas on Friday at Noon. The event follows the 2025 Texas Nuclear Summit, which took place last week.  The event features experts and practitioners to discuss nuclear energy’s possible role in Texas to meet demand and power growth. Speakers include Gabriel Collins of the Rice University Center for Energy Studies, NOV/Shepherd Power’s Nicholas Morriss and Natura Resources CEO Douglass Robinson.

Forum Looks at China, US in Auto/Energy Sectors – On Friday at 3:30 p.m., CSIS’s Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics holds an online discussion on how U.S.-China relations are shaping the future of American energy and mobility. Trustee Chair Deputy Director and Senior Fellow Ilaria Mazzocco will moderate a conversation with the Trustee Chair’s newest Non-resident Senior Associate, Michael Davidson, and Kate Logan of the Asia Society Policy Institute, experts whose cutting-edge research touches on all these topics.

IN THE FUTURE

ACP Hosts Energy Storage Summit – American Clean Power holds the Recharge Energy Storage Summit on Monday October 27^th to Wednesday the 29^th in Austin, Texas. The event features forum and panels focused on energy storage and the shared goal of making American energy more reliable, efficient and affordable. Former FERC Chairs Rich Glick and Willie Phillips speak, as does SAFE’s Abby Hunter, who will address critical minerals.

Former FERC Chair Headlines Power Forum – POWER eXchange holds a forum in Denver on Tuesday October 28^th to look at Data Center questions. Former FERC Chairman Mark C. Christie will keynote, bringing two decades of regulatory insight on reliability, market design, and the future of power and digital infrastructure.

Chamber Holds Business Solves Conference – On Tuesday October 28^th and Wednesday October 29^th, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation holds its Business Solves conference.  The event gathers business leaders and experts across sectors to share how they tackle pressing societal challenges through innovative, scalable solutions.

BPC Permitting Summit Features Key Congressional, FERC Leaders – On Wednesday  October 29^th, the Bipartisan Policy Center holds its Permitting Summit 2025, a half-day event bringing together congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle, key administration officials, and leaders from industry and the nonprofit sector. Through keynote addresses, fireside chats, and expert panels, speakers will explore the questions above and the policy and political dynamics shaping permitting reform. Key speakers include Seb. Dave McCormick, Reps. Bruce Westerman and Jared Golden, FERC Chair David Rosner and FERC Commissioner Lindsay See. 

Forum Looks at Korea-US Relations – The Center for the National Interest, the Gyeonggi Research Institute, the Korean Association for Policy Studies, and the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies at JHU’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) are hosting an international conference on the evolving dimensions of U.S.–Korea relations. on Wednesday October 29^th at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill. This conference will highlight the vital importance of the US–Korea relationship, with two-way trade exceeding $240 billion annually. Much of this exchange connects directly to Gyeonggi Province, Korea’s hub for advanced technology and manufacturing.

Forum Looks at FEMA Operations – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) holds a Rapid Readout forum on Thursday October 30^th at Noon about the status of reform efforts for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The Trump Administration and Congress are considering changes to pre-disaster preparedness, disaster response, and post-disaster recovery. This readout will provide background on why FEMA reforms are on the table, unpack how communities could be affected, and outline the most prominent proposal, the bipartisan Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 (H.R.4669).  It will also describe what has happened to date with the FEMA Review Council, established by Executive Order 14180 in January 2025.

VA, NJ, NY City Election Day – Tuesday November 4^th.

Forum Looks at Smarter Transmission Spending – Advance Energy United holds a webinar on Tuesday November 4^th at 2:00 p.m. to explore how the US can mend the current transmission regulatory gap and advance more beneficial, regionally planned transmission to create a more resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy future nationwide.

RFF Talks Transportation – Resources for the Future (RFF) holds a webinar with RFF’s scholars moderated by NPR's Camila Domonoske on Tuesday November 4^th at 2:00 p.m. to learn how recent policies and policy proposals may affect critical mineral development, electric vehicle sales and the domestic auto industry, greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable aviation, and more in the latest event in our If/Then series.

Forum Look sat Biofuels Viability – Resources for the Future (RFF) holds a webinar on Wednesday November 5^th featuring a fireside chat between Billy Pizer and Stone Center for Environmental Stewardship expert Robert Bonnie as they discuss research needed into biofuels’ mitigation potential and long-term viability; sectoral roles and deployment barriers; and the design of biofuel policies, including their economic and distributional consequences. This webinar kicks off RFF’s “Future of Biofuels" webinar series, with several expert panels to follow in the coming weeks.

COP 30 Meeting – The 30^th UN climate conference will take place on November 10-21 in Belém, Brazil. The event will bring together world leaders, scientists, non-governmental organizations, and civil society to discuss priority actions to tackle climate change. COP30 will focus on the efforts needed to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C, the presentation of new national action plans (NDCs) and the progress on the finance pledges made at COP29.