Energy Update: Week of October 25th

Friends,               

ONE WEEK to COP26 and everything is focused on climate.  We will hear every story line you can imagine trying to make climate links (last week we heard about food shortages, disease-carrying insects, drought, rain, national security, financial system issues and today blackouts and music festivals…really), but it is important to note the energy crunch that world is currently in, makes for bad timing as negotiators gather to argue we should restrict current energy use even more to address climate issues. 

Don’t forget about HFCs in your previews…it’s already a huge climate SUCCESS story with an impact of 0.5⁰C reduction in global temps.  Questions remain whether Congress can get itself together to pass something to provide Biden and his team of negotiators (nearly every Cabinet Official and many more are hopping flights to Scotland) with a symbolic victory for the discussions.  We seem to be past the CEPP and a carbon tax as options. The latest version is that Congress passes something (Wyden’s tax package/bipartisan Infrastructure), then Wyden says he’ll fly to Scotland to deliver the package before the end of the talks.  That also seems to create an additional opportunity for some legislative version of Pallone-McKinley-Schrader-DeGette.

There are a TON of events this week and throughout the two weeks in Scotland.  The Washington Post, Bloomberg Green and the New York Times are all hosting events during the two week COP.  As well, the Business Council on Sustainable Energy will have a number of events during the meetings (which they will preview Wednesday at 1:00 p.m.)

Today at Noon, OurEnergyPolicy is hosting a forum to look at market-expanding policy options for COP 26 and beyond that can accelerate the energy transition featuring Rep. Garret Graves, who heads to COP26 with colleagues John Curtis, Davis McKinley and Dan Crenshaw.  WaPo Live also hosts former VP Al Gore at 11:30 a.m. and Rep. Curtis at 1:30 p.m. to talk COP26.

Tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m., the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. will host an in-person conversation with Sen. Joe Manchin and then at 9:00 a.m., the AGA will host a briefing on its Winter Outlook for natural gas which has already been raised as a concern by EIA and IEA.  Also tomorrow, SAFE holds a forum on semiconductors and the challenges of current supply chain is causing.

On Wednesday, the House Resources Committee's Energy and Mineral Subcommittee looks at the Federal coal program and Senate Homeland Security looks at strategies to improve critical energy infrastructure, following up House Homeland look at transportation infrastructure tomorrow.

Thursday is a crazy day starting with the 9:00 a.m. House Oversight Committee hosting oil companies CEOs and the Chamber’s Suzanne Clark.  I would expect lots of fanfare but probably nothing new that we haven’t heard before from activists and those involved in litigation.  Interestingly, Shell will report its third-quarter earnings on Thursday and Chevron and Exxon will both do so on Friday. Also on Thursday, we will also have the replay of the postponed National Press Club Lunch Forum with GE Renewables CEO Jérôme Pécresse talking about energy transitions and electric grid upgrades.  WaPo Live visits with EPA Administrator Michael Regan at 11:30 a.m. and the House Select Committee on the Climate holds a hearing on international climate challenges and opportunities.

Finally on Friday, CSIS holds a conversation State Dept official with Amos Hochstein and RFF holds a conversation with leading experts on how active reconciliation discussions may shape emissions reductions across the transportation sector.

Finally, the World Series is set as the Braves rolled past the LA Dodgers and Houston knocked out Boston.  Game One tomorrow in Houston at 8:09 p.m. Stay Safe and healthy.

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

FRANKLY SPOKEN

 

“Is it possible that the global energy sector, which is fossil-fuel dominated today, in 2050 comes to net zero? This pathway is a narrow one, but still achievable if the governments take bold and immediate action.”

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, earlier this year discussing several IEA reports on emissions and energy use.

ON THE PODCAST

Gramlich Talks Grids – Few people know more about the policies that shape the US grid than Rob Gramlich, the founder and president of Grid Strategies. With more and more renewables coming online (and interconnection queues getting longer and longer), Rob joins Renewable Energy SmartPod to talk about all the challenges the US grid is facing and what can be done to overcome them. He also delves into the details of what is in the infrastructure bills currently circulating around Capitol Hill. What are the 'must-haves' that need to be in the legislation? And what are some things the bills should include, but don't.

FUN OPINIONS

Curtis Talks Republican Climate Approach on CNN – Rep. John Curtis was on CNN last week with this simple message, Republicans and conservatives care deeply about this planet and about this earth.  See his visit with CNN’s Jim Sciutto here.  

FROG BLOG

A Climate Emissions Timeline – In a column in Bloomberg Green, our friend Eric Roston and his colleagues Akshat Rathi and Jeremy Scott Diamond write picking the precise moment when the world’s leaders had unmissable evidence of climate change is a matter for unsolvable debate, but there’s a strong case to be made for 1990 as the baseline.  Then they detail the next 30 years of action (or inaction) and point to a number issues that will need to occur in future years to achieve success. 

FUN FACTS

EVs on the Rise:  Tesla Inc. delivered 241,000 EVs to customers in 2021's third quarter.

RECONCILIATION REPORT

Please find the latest addition of the Policy Resolution Group’s FY2022 Budget Reconciliation & Infrastructure Update. 

IN THE NEWS

Large Developing Nations Pushing Back on Net-Zero Commitments – Big developing nations are refusing to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050 in a new statement from countries including China, the biggest greenhouse gas emitter by far, as well as India and Indonesia. This makes it pretty clear:

“Despite their lack of ambition shown in the pre-2020 period, as well as in their Paris Agreement NDCs, major developed countries are now pushing to shift the goal posts of the Paris Agreement from what have already been agreed by calling for all countries to adopt Net Zero targets by 2050. This new ‘goal’ which is being advanced runs counter to the Paris Agreement and is anti-equity and against climate justice. Demands for ‘Net zero’ emissions for all countries by 2050 will exacerbate further the existing inequities between developed and developing countries.”

NatGas Potential Still Significant – The Potential Gas Committee (PGC) released their year-end assessment of the nation’s estimated natural gas resource base at a virtual event hosted by the American Gas Association. Technically recoverable resources, those in the ground but not yet recovered, total 3,368 trillion cubic feet (Tcf). When you add in the recovered gas, the total gas (resources plus reserves) rises to a record 3,863 Tcf, up slightly from the comparable year-end 2018 assessment. The Potential Gas Committee (PGC) consists of approximately 80 knowledgeable and highly experienced volunteer members who work in the natural gas exploration, production, transportation, and distribution industries and the technical services and consulting sectors. The PGC biennial assessment is the most comprehensive report of the potential for future natural gas supplies in the U.S.  According to the report: The Atlantic Area contains 39 percent of total U.S. gas resources, followed by the Mid-Continent with 18 percent. The Rocky Mountains has 17 percent of the potential future supply, while the Gulf Coast (including the Gulf of Mexico) contains 16 percent. Changes in the total assessment from year-end 2018 to year-end 2020 arose primarily from the evaluation of recent drilling, well tests, and subsequent production data from these four areas.

US Crude Stockpiles Increase – US crude oil stockpiles added 3.3 million barrels last week, while gasoline and distillate inventories plunged by 3.5 million barrels and 3 million barrels, respectively, the American Petroleum Institute reported. Crude stocks at the Cushing, Okla., storage hub, meanwhile, edged down by 2.5 million barrels for the week, sources said. Inventory data from the Energy Information Administration will be released Wednesday. On average, the EIA is expected to show crude inventories up by 2 million barrels, according to a survey of analysts conducted by S&P Global Platts.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

National Academies Host EV Workshops – The National Academies for a four-day virtual workshop this week from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. each day to learn about the latest developments in electric vehicle technologies. Speakers from industry, academia, NGOs, and government will address how widespread EV deployment could affect vehicle manufacturing and the electric grid, and ways that EVs can meet the transportation needs of all consumers. Workshop discussions will encompass policy, technical, and market strategies to help federal agencies and other stakeholders plan for the future.

WaPo Hosts Gore – Washington Post Live hosts two forum today, visiting with former vice president Al Gore at 11:30 a.m. to discuss where the conversation goes from here, what actions need to be taken and what they hope to see come out of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference.  Then at 1:30 p.m., Rep. John Curtis joins Washington Post Live to discuss the trip, the Republican Party’s views on climate change and the ongoing negotiations in Congress over infrastructure and social spending.

OEP Forum to Look at Free Market, Energy Transition – OurEnergyPolicy is hosting a forum today at Noon to Look at market-expanding policy options for COP 26 and beyond that can accelerate the energy transition.  Rep. Garret Graves speaks along with C3’s Drew Bond and Katie Tubb of Heritage.

Lubchenco Joins CAP Forum – Today at Noon, the Center for American Progress and the British Embassy hold a virtual discussion with Dr. Jane Lubchenco of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, author of the Dasgupta Review. The distinguished panel will discuss how centering natural capital can help humans address climate change, stop the extinction crisis, and avert environmental disaster.

Forum to Look at Advanced Nuclear – Third Way and the University of Michigan's College of Engineering continues its Fastest Path to Zero Virtual Series today at Noon focused on advanced nuclear.  Rep Elaine Luria speaks as well as international leaders, nuclear engineers, and energy policy experts.  All will discuss the global development of advanced nuclear technologies as well as advanced nuclear’s contribution to national and global decarbonization efforts.

Forum to Look at State Energy Programs – Today at 1:00 p.m., NASEO will host a webinar featuring updates from DOE’s State Energy Program Office and from the Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program Office’s Partnerships and Technical Assistance Team. During the webinar, speakers will review news from SEP and explore new resources in U.S. DOE’s State and Local Solutions Center. 

EPA to Host Heat Pump Webinar – The EPA will host a webinar today at 2:00 p.m. looking at an overview of heat pump technology, ENERGY STAR equipment specifications and available technical resources to support the purchase and installation of energy-efficient heat pumps. Then, state and local officials in New York will speak about how they are helping homeowners and businesses install highly efficient heat pumps to save energy and reduce emissions. In addition to explaining program fundamentals and results, the speakers will highlight workforce development, support for low to moderate-income residents and the role of heat pumps in meeting their climate and energy goals.

CSIS Talks Venezuela – The Center for Strategic and International Studies holds a virtual discussion, today at 4:00 p.m. on environmental degradation in Venezuela. This event analyzes environmental degradation under the Maduro regime, as well as related impacts such as pollution from mining and the oil industry and the spread of organized crime. Panelists will share their insights on sustainability, governance, and corruption related to the present environmental degradation in Venezuela and will provide specific policy recommendations for how the international community can shine a spotlight on the Maduro regime’s environmental negligence.

Manchin Visits Economic Club of DC – The Economic Club of Washington, D.C. will host a forum where David Rubenstein will interview Joe Manchin at an in-person event starting at 8:00 a.m.  They are expected to discuss, among other things, bipartisan legislative efforts and policy priorities.

Wilson to Look at China, Clean Energy Transition – The Wilson Center holds a forum tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. to look at China’s difficult transition to clean energy.  In this webinar, panelists will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing China’s pivot away from coal both at home and in its investments along the Belt and Road abroad. Zhou Xizhou (IHS Markit) will tackle the tough questions on the multiple international and domestic factors fueling China’s current energy crunch and what it may mean for China meeting its coal cap and decarbonization goals. Our second speaker, Xi Wang (Western Washington University) will dive deep into the drivers of China’s coal overcapacity and how it continues to pose a challenge to decarbonizing the electricity grid. Cecilia Han Springer (Boston University) will explore Xi Jinping’s recent declaration to halt Chinese overseas coal investments and what this could mean for China’s Belt and Road Initiative moving forward.

Forum to Look at Semiconductor Challenges -- SAFE holds a forum tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to look at how the US and its allies can maintain semiconductor leadership and address the supply-chain challenges. The event will focus on the economic and national security need for a broader, more secure U.S. semiconductor supply chain including the expansion of strategic partners, such as Taiwan, in the United States. It will also discuss the importance of how to spend the funds marked out in Congressional legislation for semiconductor manufacturing most effectively.  Speakers include former Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair, Taiwan’s Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua, Taiwan Business Council Chair Michael Splinter, AMD’s Jon Hoganson, MediaTek’s Patrick Wilson and former ND Sen. Byron Dorgan.

Forum to Look at Oil Policies – The Middle East Institute holds a virtual book discussion tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on oil and the political economy in the Middle East.  The event focuses on the Post-2014 adjustment policies of the Arab Gulf and beyond.

House Homeland Panel Addresses Critical Infrastructure Security – The House Homeland Security Committee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to look at protecting planes, trains, and pipelines from cyber threats.  Witnesses will include former Under Secretary for National Protection and Programs Directorate Suzanne Spaulding, Transportation Security Administration former Deputy Administrator Patricia Cogswell, Maritime Transportation System Information Sharing and Analysis Center Executive Director Scott Dickerson and Jeff Troy, former Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division.

House Transpo Looks at FEMA Response – The House Transportation and Infrastructure Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on FEMA Assistance Programs.  The hearing will look at if they are adequately designed to assist communities before, during, and after wildfire.

House Resources Looks at Human Rights, Indigenous Communities – The House Natural Resources Committee holds sub panel hearings tomorrow on protecting human rights in international conservation at 10:00 a.m. and on strengthening indigenous communities cultural and environmental preservation at Noon.

Forum to Look at Power Section Transition – The NYU Institute for Policy Integrity and the Environmental Defense Fund holds a forum tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. looking at a just transition in the power sector.  The event will discuss new research on energy justice in the electricity space and how this work can help inform policy.  Speakers include Charles Sims at UT-Knoxville’s Howard Baker Center for Public Policy, Michigan Tech energy expert Roman Sidortsov and NY State climate justice advocate Raya Salter.

Forum Looks at Consumption, COP26 – Tomorrow at 1:15 p.m., the Security and Sustainability Forum and the Global Electronics Council in partnership with the Global Council for Science and the Environment hold a forum to delve deeper into the role of sustainable purchasing at COP26. Learn how the global demand for sustainable and circular technology products & services mitigate climate change, increase the health and wellbeing of individuals worldwide, provide equitable economic opportunity, and transform the technology sector. In addition, participants in the series will learn about the importance of systems thinking to transform their organizations' impact on Earth systems and social wellbeing. 

Event to Look at Europe Energy Crisis – The Atlantic Council holds a forum tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. on Europe’s energy crisis and the path forward.  Global Energy Center experts analyze the cause of the crisis, the path forward for worldwide energy markets, and the consequences for the energy transition ahead of climate negotiations in Glasgow.

Forum to Look at Biden Policies – The Business Council for International Understanding holds a virtual discussion tomorrow at 2:15 p.m., on the Biden Administration's international policies related to economic growth, energy, agriculture, the ocean, the environment and science and technology.

Forum to Address Energy, Climate Issues – Tomorrow at 5:30 p.m., the Energy Policy Initiative at the UChicago (EPIC) will host a conversation with 2021-2022 policy fellows Carlos Curbelo and Heather McTeer Toney. Curbelo and McTeer Toney will dig into the results of an upcoming EPIC/AP-NORC poll conducted annually to track opinions on central topics shaping the energy and climate landscape in the United States. The conversation will be moderated by The Atlantic’s Rob Meyer.

Princeton Energy Forum Set – The Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment holds its 2021 Annual Meeting on Wednesday starting at 9:00 a.m. virtually and in-person at Maeder Auditorium in Princeton University.  The Annual Meeting catalyzes dynamic discussions on the global transition to net-zero emissions. Speakers from the financial, energy services, oil and gas, and renewables sectors will share their experiences, and offer insights on the opportunities and the challenges as they navigate the transition.

Playbook Looks at Biden Agenda, VA Elections – POLITICO Playbook holds a discussion on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. with Sen. Mark Warner to measure the fate of President Joe Biden's legislative agenda, including the more comprehensive reconciliation package as well as Virginia's tight gubernatorial race and what its outcome could mean for the Democratic Party. 

Senate Environment Hosts Vote, Noms – The Senate Environment Committee holds a markup on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. to vote on the nominations of EPA Solid Waste administrator Carlton Waterhouse and David Uhlmann and Amanda Howe to be assistant EPA administrators.  Following the votes, the Committee holds a hearing on the nominations of Henry Frey to be an assistant EPA administrator and Jennifer Clyburn Reed to be federal co-chairperson of the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission.

House Homeland Committee to Focus on Disaster Prep, Response – The House Homeland Security Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. to look at ensuring equity in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

GABI Forum Looks at Energy, Exports – The Global America Business Institute will host a discussion on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on challenges, cooperation and opportunities in energy and exports. Speakers include Robert Sweeney, who has worked in the energy and infrastructure industry for over 35 years with leading companies and David Gattie of UGeorgia’s College of Engineering. 

Brookings Looks at Tax Policy, Climate – Ahead of the 2021 UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center and the Brookings Center on Regulation and Markets host a forum  on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. to bring together climate and tax policy experts to examine recent proposals for U.S. energy tax policy. Catherine Wolfram, deputy assistant secretary of climate and energy economics at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, will share her perspective on the Biden administration’s climate strategy. Following her keynote, an expert panel consisting of Gilbert Metcalf (Tufts University), Carole Nakhle (Crystol Energy), and Kurt Van Dender (OECD), moderated by Thornton Matheson (Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center), will further discuss the U.S. approach to energy tax policy. 

House Energy to Look at TSCA – The House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. looking at the Toxic Substance Control Act and the Lautenberg update and its impacts on public health. 

House Resources Looks at Coal Program – The House Natural Resources Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. focused on the Federal coal program.

Senate Homeland Looks at Critical Infrastructure – The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Governmental Operations and Border Management Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. focused on strategies for improving critical energy infrastructure.  Our friends Alex Herrgott if the Permitting Institute and energy author Robert Bryce testify. 

JHU Forum Looks at LNG – The Johns Hopkins SAIS will hold a forum on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. on the GHG implications of the trade of LNG. This forum will bring together important viewpoints on the greenhouse gas implications of LNG trade with high level speakers representing the European Union, the Environmental Defense Fund, Western States and Tribal Nations, Cheniere Energy, and academic institutions. The event will be hosted by SAIS and the Energy Technology and Policy Assessment (ETAPA) research group.

WIRES Sets Fall Meeting – WIRES holds its Fall Meeting on Wednesday and Thursday and will feature a keynote from FERC Commissioner Allison Clements and two expert panels. The first of our two panels will involve multiple perspectives on the FERC ANOPR from a number of industry experts. The second panel will feature a lineup of former FERC Commissioners as they discuss their experiences on the Commission, as well as the new direction FERC is moving with the recent ANOPR.

WRI Looks at State of Climate Action in 2021 – The World Resources Institute holds a high-level launch event on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. for the State of Climate Action 2021 report, which will answer these fundamental questions. Developed by partners contributing to the Systems Change Lab, the report identifies 40 indicators across key sectors that must transform to address the climate crisis and assesses how current trends stack up against targets for 2030 and 2050 to limit warming to 1.5 degrees C. The analysis will highlight both encouraging bright spots that are witnessing exponential change as well as sectors that are well off track and demand urgent attention.

CSIS Just Transition Report Released – On Thursday at 9:00 a.m., the Just Transitions Initiative, a collaborative project between the CSIS Energy Security & Climate Change Program and the Climate Investment Funds, will present its new forthcoming report: Understanding Just Transitions in Coal-Dependent Communities: Case Studies from Mpumalanga, South Africa, and Jharkhand, India.  The report, a first of its kind, is a comprehensive analysis of coal dependency in Mpumalanga and Jharkhand. The report unpacks just transition prospects in these jurisdictions, providing insights and recommendations useful for these regions and other coal-dependent economies. This launch event will feature a conversation with André de Ruyter, Group Chief Executive of Eskom, and PM Prasad, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Central Coalfields Ltd., moderated by Joseph Majkut, Director of the CSIS Energy Security & Climate Change Program. Mafalda Duarte, CEO of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), will provide opening remarks.

House Oversight Hosts Oil CEOs – The House Oversight Committee holds a hearing on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. featuring CEOs of Shell, Exxon, Chevron and bp.  API’s Mike Sommers and the Chamber’s Suzanne Clark will also testify.

USEA Energy Supply Forum Set – USEA's 13^th Annual Energy Supply Forum is set for Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and will feature dynamic presentations from leading industry experts and policy leaders on the state of energy exploration and production, electricity generation, and energy fuel supply.  API’s Dustin Meyers and America’s Power’s Michelle Bloodworth will be among the speakers.

House Climate Committee Looks at International Issues – The House Select Climate Committee holds a hearing on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. looking at international climate challenges and opportunities.

EFI Looks at Hydrogen in Carolinas – The Energy Futures Initiative holds a virtual discussion on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. focused on the potential for clean hydrogen in the Carolinas.  Duke CEO Lynn Good will participate.

Forum to Feature Discussion on Energy Infrastructure – The Hill holds its virtual conference on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. focusing on the most urgent, challenging issues of our time. Senate Intelligence Chair Mark Warner, (D-Va.), participates in a discussion on "Securing Energy Networks from Cyber Threats."

WRI Releases Climate Action Report – On Thursday, the World Resources Institute holds a launch event for the State of Climate Action 2021 report, which will answer these fundamental questions. Developed by partners contributing to the Systems Change Lab, the report identifies 40 indicators across key sectors that must transform to address the climate crisis and assesses how current trends stack up against targets for 2030 and 2050 to limit warming to 1.5 degrees C. The analysis will highlight both encouraging bright spots that are witnessing exponential change as well as sectors that are well off track and demand urgent attention. Coming out just before the G20 Summit and the COP26 climate summit, the State of Climate Action 2021 report will arm countries, businesses, philanthropists, and others with a clear-eyed view of where we stand sector-by-sector, and what supportive measures and finance are necessary to accelerate the world toward a safer, prosperous and more equitable future.

FP Hosts Forum on Resilience – Foreign Policy, in partnership with Chemonics International, holds a forum on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. to examine the nexus of climate and migration and the role of international development in tackling this challenge. A panel of experts will discuss how advances in climate modeling and data analysis are shaping the future of global development and how these tools can be applied to mitigate the root causes of environmental migration. The event will also explore approaches that harness on-the-ground expertise to forecast and manage risks and design mitigation and adaptation strategies that generate local solutions to climate change. Speakers will include Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyer of Freetown, Sierra Leone, US AID’s Center for Resilience Jami Montgomery and several others.

WaPo Meets with EPA’s Regan – On Thursday at 11:30 a.m., EPA Administrator Michael Regan joins Washington Post Live to discuss the path forward to transitioning to clean energy and how inequality is contributing to a public health crisis, and young climate activists join to talk about the intersectional environmental movement.

Book Forum Looks at Green Initiatives – On Thursday at Noon, JHU’s SAIS holds a book event on “Collaborative Advantage.” In the book, author Jonas Nahm examines the development of the wind and solar industries, two historically important sectors that have long been the target of ambitious public policy. As wind and solar grew from cottage industries into lucrative global sectors of geopolitical importance, China, Germany, and the United States each developed distinct constellations of firms with starkly different technical capabilities. 

Forum to Look at State of Solar Permitting – SEIA hosts a webinar on the future state of permitting on Thursday at Noon. The expedited solar permitting platform is already making transformative changes in how quickly, safely, and confidently residential solar is permitted today. With a near future roadmap already in the works to include residential storage, small commercial, and residential retrofits, NREL and the solar coalition supporting the further expansion of the software’s scope are looking for your feedback and input on how the tool has been working for you so far and what you’d like to see in the longer-term future. 

Forum to Discuss SEC Climate Disclosure – The On Thursday at Noon, the Center for American Progress, the Consumer Federation of America, and the UC Hastings Center for Innovation hold a panel discussion on the legal and policy merits of SEC deference to third-party ESG standard setters on Climate disclosure.

NPC to Host GE Renewables CEO – The National Press Club hosts GE Renewable Energy CEO Jérôme Pécresse on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. to address next steps in energy transition to meet UN climate goal.  Pécresse has said that GE sees the fastest path to decarbonization as a combination of renewable energy, gas and grid modernization to enable “a pragmatic transition that maintains reliable electric service while also meeting the urgent challenge posed by climate change.” As CEO of GE Renewable Energy, Pécresse leads a $16 billion business of more than 40,000 employees that has one of the broadest renewable energy portfolio in the industry.  GE Renewable Energy has installed more than 400 gigawatts of clean renewable energy and equipped more than 90%0 of utilities worldwide with its grid solutions.

Columbia Hosts IEA Outlook – On Thursday at 12:30 p.m., the Center on Global Energy Policy holds an event to explore the 2021 edition of the World Energy Outlook, the IEA’s flagship publication. Tim Gould, Chief Energy Economist at the IEA, will present findings from the report. Following his presentation, he will join Dr. Melissa Lott, CGEP Director of Research and Senior Research Scholar, and Anne-Sophie Corbeau, CGEP Global Research Scholar, on a panel moderated by Jason Bordoff, CGEP Founding Director and Co-Founding Dean of the Columbia Climate School.

Forum to Look at Reliability, Renewables – The Large Public Power Council and S&P Global Ratings come together on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. for the second year in a row to host their virtual forum, featuring CEOs of the Largest Public Power Utilities, as well as senior associates from S&P Global Ratings and prominent leaders from within LPPC. The event will address public power utilities' pursuit of resilience, reliability, and renewable generation

Yale Sustainable Finance Forum Set – The Yale Initiative on Sustainable Finance (YISF) is hosting its 2021 Annual Symposium on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Symposium will feature four panel discussions bookended by fireside chats from two high-level keynote speakers—Hanneke Smits and Sarah Bloom Raskin. In addition, the symposium panels will review critical issues of sustainable finance, from green bonds to biodiversity finance, where academics and practitioners from around the world will presents cutting-edge research.

CSIS to Host Hochstein – The Center for Strategic and International Studies holds a conversation on Friday at 9:00 a.m. with Amos Hochstein, Senior Advisor for Global Energy Security at the U.S. Department of State, on energy security and the global energy transition.  Hochstein will discuss short-term dynamics in global energy markets—including higher prices, calls on producers to supply more, and looming curtailments—and long-term questions about ensuring security in the energy transition.

Forum Looks at India, Working Women – In the Future of Development series, the Center for Global Development and the Georgetown University Initiative on Innovation, Development and Evaluation (gui2de) bring together development experts, scholars, and policymakers to address the big questions facing developing countries and help shape the agenda in global development over the next decade. In this edition on Friday, Ashwini Deshpande and Alice Evans will join host Shanta Devarajan to discuss the future of development in India, focusing on the work of women.

RFF to Look at EVs – Resources for the Future (RFF) holds a conversation on Friday at Noon with leading experts and scholars as they examine how active reconciliation discussions may shape emissions reductions across the transportation sector. This RFF Live event will also examine the challenges to meeting President Biden’s goal of 50 percent EV market share, and the role that the federal government can play in overcoming these obstacles. Finally, the event will examine the implications of these efforts for overall US decarbonization—the feasibility and potential roadblocks, and the role transportation can play in meeting US targets under the Paris Agreement. Speakers include RFF’s Joshua Linn, GM’s Elizabeth Reicherts, EDF’s Beia Spiller and James Stock of Harvard.

IN THE FUTURE

COP 26 Launches in Glasgow – The UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 will launch on October 31^st and run through November 10^th in Glasgow, Scotland.

ELECTION DAY – In Virginia and New Jersey, Tuesday November 2^nd is Election Day.

USEA to Look at Advanced Batteries – The US Energy Assn holds a CEO forum on Tuesday November 2^nd at 11:00 a.m. looking at advanced battery technologies. In this CEO Webinar, our guest speakers will discuss new battery advancements and capabilities. They will also delve into the importance of expanding the clean energy Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) in the budget reconciliation bill that can help advance the domestic deployment of the advanced battery technologies that will enable full decarbonization of the grid and broader net-zero emissions goals.

BPC to Host Border Carbon Forum – On Tuesday November 2^nd at 11:00 a.m., the Bipartisan Policy Center is hosting a public event on the future of U.S. climate and trade policy, including the possibility of enacting a border carbon adjustment (BCA). There is concern that climate policies enacted in the United State could put U.S. companies at a competitive disadvantage relative to countries that do not. A BCA is a trade tool that levels the field for domestic manufacturers by imposing a fee on carbon-intensive products when they reach the border. A BCA can have the additional benefit of incentivizing other countries to enact their own climate policies. Representative Scott Peters (D-CA) will discuss his FAIR Transition and Competition Act which would create a Border Carbon Adjustment in the United States. Additional speakers will discuss the U.S. carbon advantage, the domestic politics of the broader policy, and the possibility of creating a “carbon club” with other economies with similar policies.

Forum to Look at Solar Grid Security – On Wednesday November 3^rd at Noon, the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and SEIA will discuss the critical topic of clean energy cyber and supply chain security. Solar and storage play an increasingly important role in ensuring U.S. energy independence, and now more than ever cybersecurity has become a priority for the industry as these technologies continue to penetrate the grid in record-breaking numbers. To tackle this critical topic, SEIA is collaborating with SETO, Idaho National Labs (INL) and other industry partners to work alongside our members to address lessons learned from cyber-attacks, best practices, and ongoing trends that are critical to making solar and storage the most secure fuel on the grid.

Wilson Forum Looks at Climate Impacts on Indigenous People – The Wilson Center holds a forum on Wednesday November 3^rd at 2:00 p.m. on the risks posed by climate change, and in particular climate’s impact on marginalized communities  the event features a discussion with leaders who are working to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into climate decision-making.

Fed Looks at Energy – The Federal Reserve Banks of Kansas City and Dallas will host their sixth joint energy conference on November 5^th virtually. Leading energy experts will join Kansas City Fed President Esther George in conversation about the state of the energy sector, the outlook for global energy markets, regional and macro implications of the global energy transition, technology and advancing the energy transition, and the changing U.S. energy landscape. Daniel Yergin, vice chairman of IHS Markit and the author of The Prize and The Quest, will deliver the luncheon keynote address.

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.

Columbia Forum to Speak with Judge Griffith – On November 8^th 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.

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. 

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