Energy Update: Week of September 18th

Friends,

Well, it is Climate Week in NYC.  So many events and so much craziness…especially after yesterday’s launch with a big Climate March in Manhattan. I will be in NYC today and tomorrow for events and visits. (In fact, riding up right now and just happen to run into BCSE’s Lisa Jacobson and Laura Tierney getting on the train). Let me know if you want to connect. I have a list of great events below but let me mention a few starting with today’s ClearPath/API forum at Studio Gather (Rockefeller Center area) and a BSCE event with HydroQuebec.  Tomorrow morning, the cement industry discusses sustainability meeting our massive infrastructure needs. And Thursday, our friend David Gelles hosts a day-long Climate Forward forum featuring former VP Al Gore, Bill Gates and many others to discuss where solutions to the climate crisis stand today and what might come next.

Congress continues a slow slide toward a government shutdown disaster.  Both the House and Senate have significant challenges ahead and both are taking separate actions that might start to address it.  The House is expected to take up the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2023, which aims to increase our ability to export LNG, as well as perhaps taking another run at the Defense funding bill.  Senate digs back in on its first mini-bus (MilCon, VA, Ag, Tranpo/HUD). In addition, FERC meets Thursday with lots of natgas on the agenda and a number of transmission moves happening, highlighted by Sen. Hickenlooper and Rep. Scott Peters introducing their BIG WIRES Act.

There are a bunch of hearings this week, but several key ones include House Energy on PM 2.5/NAAQS and House Resources looking at onshore oil/gas drilling (expects lots of discussions on the missing 5-year plan and the Administration’s constant mixed signals), while Wednesday House Science looks at CEQ restrictions on Federal contracting and House Energy tackling hydropower. Also Wednesday, the Joint Economic Committee looks at growing the clean energy transition.

Off the hill, the big event in DC is Wednesday’s US Chamber Chemistry Solutions Summit, which features expert voices from Congress, the Administration and industry to discuss the most important issues and innovation facing the chemical value chain.

And out of town, our friends at Colorado School of Mines and the Payne Institute for Public Policy are hosting their annual Critical Minerals Symposium on Thursday and Friday in Golden, CO. The event convenes experts from government, business, investment and academics to engage in thoughtful discussion regarding the opportunities and challenges ahead for the production and use of critical minerals.

Finally, please take a good look at the new website for Cipher news, which just recently launched. Our friend Amy Harder and her team are doing a great job with big stories, features and Q&As, including the opening Q&A with John Podesta.  Check it out.

Remember, next week is National Clean Energy Week. Hope to see you in NYC…or maybe not.  Call with questions.

                                                                                              

FRANKLY SPOKEN 

 Offshore wind is "at serious risk of stalling because States' ratepayers may be unable to absorb these significant new costs alone." 

A letter from the governors of Rhode Island Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey in a letter to Biden urging him to boost support for the fledgling offshore wind industry amid growing concerns that surging costs imperil multi-billion dollar projects planned for coastal Atlantic waters. (first reported by Bloomberg)

 

ON THE PODCAST

CapCrude Looks at ANWR, Alaska – On September 6^th, the Biden administration took steps block oil and gas drilling in ANWR, cancelling the last remaining oil and gas leases. But the holder of those leases -- Alaska’s state-owned development finance corporation, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority -- is not taking this lightly. AIDEA Executive Director Randy Ruaro joined the CapCrude podcast to talk about the lease cancellation, the organization’s planned lawsuit and why oil development and protecting the environment do not pose an either-or proposition as he sees room for both to coexist. He also touched on AIDEA’s views on rising oil prices and recent predictions about peak oil demand.

PBS starts Story of Energy – Tomorrow, PBS launches Power Trip: The Story of Energy tomorrow evening.  Power Trip: the Story of Energy” is a 12-part, 12-hour-long documentary series directed by Mat Hames, based on Michael E. Webber's book. Season One explores energy in water, food, cities, transportation, wealth and war. Season Two reveals energy as the underlying force that carries us to space, causes large-scale disasters, transforms work, culture, and entertainment and globalization. Our friend Rich Powell will be featured in several episodes.

 

FUN OPINIONS

Auto Strike is No-Win for Biden – In a column on Fox News Opinion, contributor and Wall Street analyst Liz Peek says the battle between the auto companies and the UAW is a lose-lose for Biden. A strike would be an embarrassment for the president, an avowed ally of Big Labor, who just recently told reporters he did not think a strike was going to happen. It would damage Michigan’s economy, hurting Democrat prospects in a swing state that went for Donald Trump in 2016 but voted for Joe Biden in 2020. At the same time, a hefty settlement that avoids a work stoppage could raise concerns about higher wages and inflation just as the Federal Reserve is expected to pause further rate hikes. But Biden’s biggest problem is that the negotiations shine a spotlight on Joe Biden’s ill-considered push for electric vehicles.

Lovins: Energy Efficiency Still Big Piece – Energy efficiency expert Amory Lovins unpacks the lively debate about the costs and benefits of energy efficiency missing a crucial point: the efficiency resource itself, and its economically capturable 'reserves,' are severalfold larger and cheaper than the energy, business, economics, policy, and climate communities commonly acknowledge.

 

FROG BLOG

US Must Capitalize on its Lithium Abundance – A new study projects that the United States is home to the largest known lithium deposit in the world which is worth an estimated $1.5 trillion. This discovery will lower costs for clean energy and bolster domestic energy security. As Nick Loris writes, policymakers must pass meaningful reforms to the permitting process to allow the U.S. to capitalize on its abundance of lithium. “Liberating the abundance of resources domestically and improving efficiencies for private investment and research, development, and demonstration programs will help combat rising prices for mineral commodities, establish more secure supply chains, and diversify away from unethically sourced minerals.”

 

FUN FACTS

NatGas Consumption for Electricity at Record High – EIA estimates that natural gas consumption for electricity generation was a record high this summer, surpassing the previous record set in 2022. Natural gas consumption for electricity generation has been primarily driven by increased air conditioning demand, especially in large population centers such as Texas, Florida, and Southern California.

 

IN THE NEWS

USDA’s Vilsack Sounds Approval for SAF from Ethanol – This morning at Growth Energy’s Biofuels Summit, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack pledged that corn ethanol will qualify for lucrative sustainable aviation fuel subsidies under the Inflation Reduction Act. Industry is keenly awaiting guidance from the Treasury Department (expected by the end of the year) on the methodology for calculating the fuel’s lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, which will determine which feedstocks will qualify for the credit.

Ethanol proponents argue the administration should adopt the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model developed by the Energy Department to ensure their industry is included.

“We’re working on the modeling to make sure that there’s a broad array of feedstocks that can qualify, including ethanol,” Vilsack said. “We’re spending our own resources at [the U.S. Department of Agriculture] to make sure the GREET model is where it needs to be.”

Gevo has been a leader in the Sustain Aviation Fuels space derived from ethanol.  Gevo CEO Patrick Gruber said:

Secretary Vilsack has been a visionary leader in making sure U.S. agriculture and low-carbon intensity ethanol play essential roles in decarbonizing flight. We welcome his advocacy and encouraging update on efforts to solidify GREET, inclusive of climate smart ag practices, as a lifecycle model for SAF.  We look forward to the pending Treasury guidance implementing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax incentives, which will provide necessary details regarding environmental performance assessments for SAF producers.”

Gevo’s Gruber also praised Vilsack’s support for the Argonne National Laboratory GREET model as the best available standard of scientific-based measurement for life cycle inventory, or LCI.

Gevo’s Net-Zero 1 plant will not only contribute to sustainable aviation fuel production, but also has the potential to generate 550 million pounds of high-value nutritional products annually. Electricity needed to power the plant will come from wind energy, ensuring a sustainable approach to fuel production.

Interior Release Critical Minerals Working Group – Today, the US Department of the Interior (DOI) released the results of the Interagency Working Group’s (IWG) Recommendations on Mining Reform. Abigail Wulf, Vice President and Director of SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy, issued the following statement:

“The global economy, the energy transition, and our economic and national security all depend on access to secure and resilient mineral supply chains. The US cannot do this alone, but we also cannot remain on the sidelines as a minerals producer. Today’s report helps distill the steps we must take to own our mineral destiny. Many of the findings in today’s report align closely with SAFE’s recommendations—which prioritize transparency and high standards to create a global race to the top, including early and proactive community engagement, leveraging royalty proceeds to alleviate the social and environmental impacts of mining, and better coordination of the permitting process.”

As SAFE continues to push for comprehensive permitting reform this fall, we look forward to the IWG’s plan to develop permitting performance metrics by December 2023. SAFE supports the development of a coordinated governmental website to center all mining advances, as well as the IWG’s recommendation to pass Good Samaritan legislation.

SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy released its flagship report, “A Global Race to the Top: Using Transparency to Secure Critical Mineral Supply Chains” in April 2023. The group convenes leading mineral producers and processors, national governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to advocate for the following:

• Securing responsible supply chains for critical minerals and materials necessary for the transportation, energy, and technology innovations of the future.
• Establishing a new social compact for responsible mineral production and processing both at home and among our allies.
• Promoting a thriving critical minerals-based economy within the United States for transportation, energy, and technology industries reliant upon critical minerals, including establishing marketplace for ethically and sustainably sourced goods.

Clean Energy Trade Groups Weigh in on Funding for Clean Energy Programs – A coalition of clean energy businesses and organizations sent a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committees in support of robust funding for clean energy programs across the federal government in fiscal year 2024. Signatories advocated for support for bipartisan Senate spending proposals which adhere to the negotiated budget caps. Among the signers are ACORE, American Clean Power, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), FCHEA, National Hydropower Association (NHA) and the US Green Building

Coalition Looks to Support Consumer Vehicle Choices – The Institute for Energy Research and 31 other national and state-based organizations launched the Save Our Cars Coalition. The coalition will fight to preserve and expand consumer choice in the selection of cars and trucks and ensure that all Americans will continue to benefit from them, as they have for more than a hundred years. The Biden administration and California Governor Gavin Newsom have launched two different regulatory programs directed at gradually eliminating the sales of gasoline-powered cars and mandating the sale of electric vehicles. The Save Our Cars Coalition will alert and educate the public to the threats posed by these and other harmful regulatory programs adding more to the price tag of vehicles – which are already at record highs – and eventually eliminating gas-powered cars and trucks altogether.

Carbon Capture Project Back On Line – The Petra Nova project near Houston is back online after a three-year pause. This is the only U.S. power plant project to capture carbon dioxide at scale.

• Petra Nova is the third utility-scale CCS power plant project operating in the world — one in Canada and another in China.
• Petra Nova can capture up to 5,000 tons of CO₂ each day from the Texas coal plant.

Today, coal provides 20% of America’s power, but globally makes up 35%. It will remain a substantial source of electricity for decades to come and with technologies like the Petra Nova plant becoming commercially viable, coal can be used for electricity without producing emissions.

New Report Shows Industry Progress on Methane – The U.S. oil and natural gas industry continues to drive methane reductions across the supply chain, making progress across key performance categories even as production increased, according to data released by the Environmental Partnership in their fifth annual report. The Partnership, a voluntary initiative representing nearly 70 percent of U.S. onshore oil and gas operations, showcases the industry’s commitment to responsible operations through innovation and collaboration. Highlighting the industry’s progress, Mike Sommers, President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute said: “The U.S. oil and natural gas industry is continuously evolving to promote better, safer and more efficient methods for producing affordable reliable energy while reducing emissions…Tackling the challenge of reducing methane emissions requires not just words, but action…”

 

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Climate Week NYC – Climate Week NYC is underway today and tomorrow, Climate Group hosts The Hub Live, Climate Week NYC’s interactive program for innovative solutions, technologies and ideas that drive forward climate action now.

Monday, September 18 

11:00 – 11:55 am: Building the Future: Unleashing the Renovation Revolution. Keynote event – hybrid. Featuring Paula Glover, President, Alliance to Save Energy and Harry Verhaar, Head of Global Public and Government Affairs, Signify. 

11:00 – 11:55 am: Fueling Change: What It Takes to Accelerate the Energy Transition Across the Whole Ecosystem. Main program event – hybrid. Featuring Renae Kezar, Vice President, Global Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, Johnson Controls International. 

11:55 am – 12:50 pm: The Great Transport Divide: Harnessing Collective Efforts for Electric Vehicles in the Global South. Main program event – hybrid. Sponsored by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program. 

12:00 – 1:00 pm: Climate Week Webinar 1: Building for Climate Resilience – Understanding the WEDG® Guidelines for Coastal Infrastructure. Virtual webinar. Featuring Mike Porto, External Engagement Director, Offshore Development, Invenergy. 

1:00 pm: API and ClearPath hold an event this afternoon at The Studio Gather for Climate Week NYC.

1:45 – 2:40 pm: Road to Success: Picking Up the Pace of Electrification in the Heavy-Duty Freight Sector. Main program event – hybrid. Sponsored by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program. 

2:40 – 3:35 pm: Is Integrated Energy Our Next Climate Hero? How Connecting Buildings, Fleets and Grids Can Fuel the Future. Main program event – hybrid. Featuring Renae Kezar, Vice President, Global Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, Johnson Controls International. 

3:00 – 3:45 pm: Fueling the Maritime Decarbonization Journey. RSVP required. Featuring Roeland Baan, Chief Executive Officer, Topsoe.

4:00 pm: BCSE during Climate Week NYC for a vibrant conversation and networking session with corporate executives from Canada, EU, and the United States as they offer a progress report on market deployment and discuss navigating issues such as global supply chain bottlenecks, inflationary pressures, NIMBY-ism, permitting and ESG.

4:00 – 5:30 pm: The Most Urgent Challenge: Phasing Out Fossil Fuels. Main program event – hybrid. Featuring Rudy Wynter, President, National Grid New York. 

4:00 – 5:30 pm: Choppy Waters or Smooth Sailing? Navigating Corporate Climate Action in 2023. RSVP required. Hosted by BCSE and featuring Kelly Speakes-Backman, Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Invenergy; Brian Asparro, Chief Operating Officer, CarbonQuest; Renae Kezar, Vice President, Global Sustainability and Government Relations, Johnson Controls; Harry Verhaar, Vice President, Global Public & Government Affairs, Signify; and more.

 

Tuesday, September 19 

8:00 am: The Portland Cement Association (PCA) and the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) will hold two panel discussions in NYC, both centered on the robust, collective effort the cement industry needs to enable us to cross the carbon-free finish line.

9:00 am – 6:00 pm: Sustainable Investment Forum North America. RSVP required. Hosted by Climate Action. 

11:00 am – 12:50 pm: Energizing America: Innovating Clean Energy Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future. Main program event – hybrid. Featuring Will Hazelip, President, National Grid Ventures. 

11:40 am – 12:00 pm: Critical Minerals: The Building Blocks of Decarbonization. Part of the 2023 Concordia Annual Summit – RSVP required. Featuring Lisa Jacobson, President, BCSE and Andrew Kireta, President and CEO, Copper Development Association. 

12:00 – 2:00 pm: New York's Energy Transition and Workforce Development. RSVP required. Featuring Gordon Gray, Vice President of Transmission Development, Invenergy. 

1:00 – 6:30 pm: Dynamo Energy Transition Summit. RSVP required. Featuring Will Hazelip, President, National Grid Ventures and sponsored by Topsoe.

2:00 – 5:00 pm: Scope 3 Summit – From Uncertainty to imPACT. RSVP required. Featuring Matt Seiler, Sustainability and Strategy Manager, Schneider Electric.

3:00 – 5:00 pm: Accelerating to a Zero-Emission Transportation Sector. RSVP required. Sponsored by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program. 

5:00 – 7:00 pm: Panel and Q&A: Climate Media Perspectives. RSVP required. Hosted by Antenna Group. 

5:00 – 8:00 pm: Transport Decarbonization Networking Reception. RSVP required. Sponsored by CALSTART’s Drive to Zero program. 

 

Wednesday, September 20 

9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Regenerative, Carbon Neutral and Just Communities Showcasing Actionable Outcomes. RSVP required. Hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council. 

1:00 – 1:45 pm: Catalyzing Climate Progress: Strategies from Companies Leading on Sustainability. RSVP required. Featuring Scott Tew, Vice President, Sustainability & Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability and Center for Healthy & Efficient Spaces, Trane Technologies. 

1:10 – 2:00 pm: Making Global Progress on the Energy Transition - Together Towards a Net-Zero Future. Part of the 2023 World Energy Transition Summit – RSVP required. Featuring Roeland Baan, Chief Executive Officer, Topsoe. 

2:15 – 3:00 pm: Enabling Decarbonization and Social Impact Through Strategic Partnerships. RSVP required. Featuring Marcus Krembs, Head of Sustainability, Enel. 

4:00 – 6:45 pm: Net Zero Value Chains: Enabling Collaboration to Unlock Value Chain Decarbonisation at Scale. RSVP required. Featuring Kevin Rabinovitch, Global VP, Sustainability & Chief Climate Officer, MARS.

 

Thursday, September 21 

All Day: The New York Times Climate Forward hosts forum featuring former VP Al Gore, Bill Gates and many others to discuss where solutions to the climate crisis stand today and what might come next.

2:00 – 5:00 pm: Government Is Your Climate Startup’s Biggest Untapped Opportunity. RSVP required. Featuring Grant Allen, General Partner, Schneider Electric Ventures.

 

Friday, September 22 

11:00 am – 12:00 pm: How Long Duration Energy Storage Can Carve a Path Forward for Industrial Decarbonization. Virtual webinar. Hosted by Long Duration Energy Storage Council.

WaPo Forum Looks at Women Leaders on Climate – Today at 3:30 p.m., Washington Post Live This is Climate hosts a forum with women leaders on climate change.  The event will feature women who are reshaping climate leadership around the world as diplomats, policymakers, scientists and activists on the frontlines. They will discuss innovative solutions to tackle a warming planet, and how women have been disproportionately affected by the climate crisis. Speakers include US AID Administrator Samantha Power, former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, youth climate adviser to the U.N. Secretary General Ayisha Siddiqa, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Urban Ocean Lab co-founder Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and scientist Katharine Hayhoe.

Cement Industry Highlights Climate Approach in NYC – Tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) will hold two panel discussions at Climate Week NYC, both centered on the robust, collective effort the cement industry needs to enable us to cross the carbon-free finish line. Panel one will discuss carbon capture, while the second looks at getting to carbon neutrality with alternatives like alt fuels, alt raw materials and energy efficiency. The event will feature cement executives, NGO and Government officials. The event will be at 1250 Broadway.

Axios Looks at Sustainability, Food Issues – Axios holds a discussion tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. on sustainability and food insecurity. The event highlights the technologies, innovations and practices aimed at feeding the world in a more sustainable way. Ag Secretary Vilsack and House Ag Chair Glenn Thompson will speak.

Atlantic Council Hosts Nuclear Energy Policy Summit – The Atlantic Council hosts its 2023 Nuclear Energy Policy Summit on accelerating net-zero nuclear. With nuclear energy set to play an indispensable role in achieving net-zero by 2050, the Summit represents an unparalleled opportunity to situate nuclear energy at the center of the conversation around climate and financing the energy transition.

Wilson Looks at Green Corruption, Fraud – The Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program holds a discussion tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. on combating green corruption. The event will focus on fighting financial crime as a driver of environmental degradation.

BPC Fireside Chat Features Stabenow – Tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m., BPC holds a Fireside Chat on the 2023 Farm Bill.  Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow will sit down with Saxby Chambliss, former Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman and now Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Farm and Forest Carbon Solutions Task Force, to discuss the latest on the 2023 Farm Bill and prospects for a bipartisan bill that’s pro-farmer, pro-jobs, and pro-environment.

Forum Looks at Green Fraud – The Woodrow Wilson Center holds a forum tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. on combating green corruption and fighting financial crime as a driver of environmental degradation. The event will highlight the “Green Corruption” approach to tackling nature crime, as well as measures taken by Governments, civil society and international actors in response. Speakers will explore best practices and concrete examples in fighting Green Corruption.

ACORE Forum on ESG Set for Climate Week – The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) along with Climate Action and UNEP FI hold the 8^th annual Sustainable Investment Forum North America, during Climate Week NYC tomorrow. The Forum will bring together industry leaders in sustainable finance and responsible investment, providing a platform to share best practices in financing the net-zero transition.

Forum to Private Climate Solutions – Samsung and the Information Technology Industry Council hold an event tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. looking at the tech industry’s playbook for Public-Private climate solutions. These events will include a private roundtable conversation and a panel discussion open to the public. The events will convene Chief Sustainability Officers from many of the world’s leading tech companies.

House Resources Investigates Marine Sanctuary System – The House Natural Resources Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. examining barriers to access in Federal waters. The hearing will feature a closer look at the Marine Sanctuary and Monument System.

House Resources Panel Looking at Onshore Oil, Gas – The House Natural Resources Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. examining the Biden Administration's mismanagement of the Federal onshore oil and gas program.

House Energy Panel Look sat NAAQS, Manufacturing – The House Energy and Commerce Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. examining EPA's proposed PM2.5 Rule.

NYU Law Holds Conference – The Institute for Policy Integrity holds its annual conference, co-hosted by the Urban Future Lab, tomorrow in NYC.  The event will focus on policies and programs that can help speed the shift to a clean and equitable energy future in the United States. Experts from the federal government, the private sector, and research organizations will discuss such topics as technology-forcing regulations, equity in the energy transition, and efforts to spur demand for emerging technologies. Speakers will include FERC’s Conrad Bolston, EPA’s Tomás Carbonell and Alejandra Nunez, DOE’s Anne Finken and Kate Larsen of the Rhodium Group. 

ACORE Forum to Look at Transmission – The American Council on Renewable Energy holds an on-line forum tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. on the planning, operational and marketing benefits of HVDC transmission for system operators. A new report highlights the capabilities of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technologies and the benefits they offer regional power system operators. Panelists will discuss recommendations to address challenges in deploying HVDC technologies.

Forum to Discuss Solar/Storage – The Clean Energy States Alliance holds a forum tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. on predevelopment funding for LMI solar and storage projects. A predevelopment process for a solar or solar+storage project is essential to deciding whether the project can and should move forward. Predevelopment includes site identification, financial modeling, estimating equipment and installer expenses, and customer outreach and enrollment.

Forum to Focus on Innovation – The Embassy of Switzerland in the US hosts a forum tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. on climate innovations in the Alpine region.  The event features a discussion on Alpine countries will present some of their latest research & technology dedicated to environmental needs in the Alps and the Arctic.

FP Hold UN Week Events – With the 78^th UN General Assembly, Foreign Policy will hold FP @ UNGA 78 to explore the most pressing, complex, and interconnected global issues. Through a series of public briefings, roundtable discussions and forums, the events will examine the global energy transition, food security and sustainability, pandemic preparedness, universal health coverage, and the implications of digital transformation across the world. The events start tomorrow at The Westin New York Grand Central for a discussion on artificial intelligence and the future of healthy cities. Then, on Wednesday, FP delves into the health challenges posed by climate change, the future of universal health coverage, how we can strengthen food security amidst complex global challenges and the role of diagnostics in achieving SDGs. Finally, on Thursday, experts on the role of technology in shaping international relations, and the global energy transition.

ASE Holds Efficiency Gala – The Alliance to Save Energy will celebrate the 31^st annual Evening With the Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards Gala tomorrow at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. The Gala draws hundreds of energy efficiency leaders from industry, government and academia together for an evening honoring the best and brightest in energy efficiency.

EPA’s Freedhoff, Rep Johnson Headline Chamber Chemistry Summit– On Wednesday starting at 9:00 a.m., the US Chamber is holding its Chemistry Solutions Summit. This event will feature expert voices from Congress, the Administration, and industry to discuss the most important issues and innovation facing the chemical value chain. Speakers will include EPA Chemical office head Michel Freedhoff and Rep Bill Johnson, among others.

House Science to Look at Federal Contracting – The House Science Committee is expected to hold a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. to look at Federal contracting requirements and additional burdens they pose on businesses.  The Chamber’s Chad Whiteman will testify alongside CRS’s Victoria Killion, Aerospace Industry Assn head Eric Fanning and Steven Rothstein of CERES.

House Energy Panel Looks at Hydro – The House Energy and Commerce Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on American hydropower.  The hearing will focus on unleashing reliable, renewable Power in the U.S.  NHA head Malcolm Wolff will testify.

House Energy Panel Looks at Supply Chain – House Energy’s Innovation, Data and Commerce Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. on mapping America’s supply chains.  It will look at solutions to push innovation, boost economic resilience and compete with China.

Forum Looks at Wyoming, Advanced Nukes – The Atlantic Council - in partnership with the Idaho National Laboratory, Wyoming Energy Authority, Wyoming Business Council, and the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources - holds a discussion on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. on the Frontiers Project Meeting, focusing on the potential for Wyoming in advanced nuclear energy "to develop its economy by meeting increased global demand for low-emissions manufacturing. Wyoming state Representative Donald Burkhart; and Jess Gehin, associate laboratory director for nuclear science and technology at the Idaho National Laboratory, deliver keynote remarks.

WaPo Live Looks at Climate Techs – On Wednesday at 11:30 a.m., Washington Post Live holds conversations with Gernot Wagner, climate economist at Columbia Business School, and Reina Otsuka, UN Development Program’s Digital Innovation for Nature, Climate and Energy lead, about the role of technology in finding solutions to address climate change.

Forum Tackles Battery Decommissioning – The Clean Energy States Alliance holds an event on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. on battery decommissioning, recycling and reuse. Presenters will discuss how to plan ahead for battery decommissioning, explain the state of the battery recycling industry, and address possibilities for reuse of partly-expended EV batteries in stationary storage applications.

JEC Looks at Clean Energy Transition – The Joint Economic Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. on growing the clean energy transition.

Senate Energy Looks at Drought Impacts on Drinking Water – The Senate Energy Water and Power Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. looking at drought impacts on drinking water access and water availability.

Senate Enviro Panel Tackles Tribes Water Infrastructure – The Senate Environment Fisheries, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. focused on drinking water infrastructure for Tribal communities.

Forum Looks at Latin American Energy Transition – On Wednesday at 6:00 p.m., the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) holds a discussion on the recent political and geopolitical developments and their potential impact on Latin American Countries’ energy transition, the region’s role in global energy markets, global supply chains and on the critical mining commodities that are necessary for the global clean energy transition.

WRI Looks at AI for Climate Action – The World Resources Institute holds a forum on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. to look at harnessing the positive potential of AI for urban climate action. The event will look at some of the emerging ideas, technologies, and solutions that organizations are advancing worldwide to address the ongoing climate crisis. Speakers will discuss the potential & challenges of leveraging technologies like Artificial Intelligence to accelerate climate action.

Gore, Gates, Bloomberg Headline NYT ClimateForward Forum – Our friend David Gelles hosts a day-long New York Times Climate Forward forum on Thursday featuring former VP Al Gore, Bill Gates and many others to discuss where solutions to the climate crisis stand today and what might come next. The event will explore the innovative strategies that are rewriting the rules of climate policy. The global (and local) challenges faced by those working to make change. The on-the-ground realities of a warming world. And the ideas that could change our path forward. The line Up also includes former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg and World Bank President Ajay Banga.

ACCF Hosts Rep. Graves – On Thursday at 12:00 p.m., the ACCF will host Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) to discuss energy and transportation issues for this year and next. Graves chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation and also serves on the House Natural Resources Committee.

USEA Looks at Carbon Removal Potential – On Thursday at 1:00 p.m., the US Energy Assn holds a forum on carbon removal. During this webinar, USEA will delve into the world of CDR and explore how it can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. The panel of experts will discuss the various methods and technologies available for carbon dioxide removal, shedding light on their efficacy and potential impact.  

Forum to Look at Hybrid Power Plants – DOE’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory holds a forum on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. to look at the status of operating hybrid power plants. Improving battery technology and the growth of variable renewable generation are driving a surge of interest in “hybrid” power plants that combine, for example, wind or solar generating capacity with co-located batteries.

Forum Address Ocean Solutions – The World Resources Institute holds a forum on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. looking at the ocean as a solution to climate change. Rising greenhouse gas emissions have had devastating effects on sea life, coral reefs, and coastal communities. However, research in the last few years has brought to light the ocean’s potential to not be just a ‘victim’ of the climate crisis, but also a ‘solution’ to tackling it.

Columbia Forum Looks at Battery Transition Issues – On Thursday at 6:00 p.m., the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University's School of International Public Affairs (CGEP) and Columbia Electrochemical Energy Center (CEEC) along with other influential figures across the battery supply chain, environmental groups, civil society stakeholders, and analytical experts holds a forum on balancing lithium production, investment, and policies for a sustainable energy transition. The event will foster a comprehensive and well-rounded conversation that considers tradeoffs from multiple perspectives by bringing together key players from various sectors to encourage an inclusive and open dialogue that delves into the complexities and challenges of lithium supply and its impact on the energy transition.

Critical Mineral Forum Set – The Colorado School of Mines and the Payne Institute for Public Policy are hosting their annual Critical Minerals Symposium on Thursday and Friday in Golden, CO to convene world-class experts from government, business, investment and academics to engage in thoughtful discussion regarding the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for the production and use of critical minerals, both internationally and domestically. The transition to a low carbon future will require an enormous amount of metals and minerals. Many of the key technologies, from renewable energy to electric vehicles, are witnessing dramatic growth. Critical minerals will become the backbone of the modern economy. However, the increase in demand for critical minerals will have profound impacts on the dynamics of trade, markets, and create new geopolitical challenges. Building on a long history of leadership in this area, Colorado School of Mines Critical Minerals Symposium will address these issues and more.

House Energy Holds Field Hearing in East Palestine – The House Energy and Commerce Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Materials Subcommittee field hearing on Friday morning looking at the train derailment and ensuring transparency and accountability for the people of East Palestine.

 

IN THE FUTURE

Clean Energy Week – National Clean Energy week will be held on September 25^th to 29^th. National Clean Energy Week is a celebration of the policies, industries, and innovations that power our daily lives while producing no or very little greenhouse gas emissions.

SAFE Grid Forum Features Hickenlooper, Latta – On Tuesday September 26^th at   2:00 p.m., SAFE holds the first in a five-part series from SAFE’s Grid Security Project. Grid in Peril sets the stage for an important dialogue. The event will feature a panel of experts on the report and the risks and solutions to shore up our electric power grid for the future. Speakers include Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Rep Bob Latta (R-OH), as well as panelists SAFE Grid Security Project Executive Director Thomas Coleman, LS Power CEO Paul Segal and Center for Houston’s Future exec Brett Perlman.

Forum to Look at Green Buildings – On Tuesday September 26^th to Friday September 29^th, the U.S. Green Building Council holds Greenbuild 2023: Building Transformation in Washington. Greenbuild’s theme highlights the decades-long legacy and unwavering commitment of the green building movement to transforming the built environment to serve, prepare and protect our communities in a rapidly changing world. The event will commemorate the USGBC’s 30th anniversary and mark the debut of LEED v5, the latest iteration of the LEED green building program that advances decarbonization, equity, health, biodiversity, and resilience in the built environment.

BPC to Discuss Carbon Utilization – The Bipartisan Policy Commission holds a forum and reception on Capitol Hill in the Rayburn Foyer to explore CO2 utilization pathways with policymakers, industry leaders, and field experts, focusing on economic and climate opportunities while considering tradeoffs and opportunity costs.

Natural Gas Conference Set – Hart Energy LIVE's second America’s Natural Gas conference will be held on September 27^th in Houston and will focus on gas growth potential from the Marcellus and Haynesville to gas fairways in the Permian, Eagle Ford, and Gulf of Mexico. This conference unites American gas and energy players with world-leading influential experts, policymakers, decision-makers and business leaders to share their views on the significant issues shaping the global energy agenda.

PUNCHBOWL Hosts Chat With Sen. Warnock – Punchbowl News founder and CEO Anna Palmer will discuss modern agriculture, focusing on sustainable farming practices and innovation with Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) on Wednesday September 27^th at 9:00 a.m.

RFF to Hold Geoengineering Forum – Resources for the Future (RFF) on September 28 and 29, for “Solar Geoengineering Futures: Interdisciplinary Research to Inform Decisionmaking", a two-day conference focused on the key questions informing ongoing research and decisionmaking on solar geoengineering. This hybrid event will feature an interdisciplinary group of leading solar geoengineering experts exploring the major challenges, uncertainties, and potential benefits related to this emerging set of technologies.

Forum to Look at Methane Issues, Policy – OurEnergyPolicy and bp America are a holding a luncheon Friday September 29^th at Noon at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center Room 217 on methane policy and issues. The event will kick off with opening remarks from Tomás Carbonell, followed by a panel featuring Carrie Jenks, Jon Goldstein, and Isabel Mogstad, moderated by Kyle Danish. The panel discussion will focus on business issues, climate challenges, and regulations regarding methane.

DOE to Host Hydrogen Forum – The Hydrogen Americas 2023 Summit & Exhibition will be co-hosted by the US Department of Energy and the Sustainable Energy Council (SEC) on October 2^nd and 3^rd in Washington D.C. 2023 will be a defining year for the hydrogen sector globally, with public and private sector investments flooding the market. The U.S. has taken the lead with its funding announcements, including the Inflation Reduction Act which is seen as a game changer. The EU, Canada and Australia are responding to the U.S. announcements with their own funding schemes, fueling a hydrogen race. The event features over 3000 industry leaders from across the value chain, including government representatives, hydrogen and energy stakeholders, service providers and offtakers who will be showcasing their latest technologies, project developments and policies.

SAF Forum Set For Houston – The Sustainable Aviation Futures series travels to North America on October 2^nd to 4^th in Houston to promote the development and adoption of practical solutions to produce and develop SAF and decarbonize the aviation sector. The event will combine structured networking activities alongside over 120 expert perspectives and more than 20 hours of content. Sustainable Aviation Futures North America will showcase the latest strategies for decarbonization, key industry challenges and exciting opportunities for airlines, corporates and fuel producers. DOE’s Valerie Sarisky-Reed, Gevo’s Tim Cesarek and Clean Fuels Alliance America’s Kurt Kovarik will speak.

Offshore Wind Forum Set for Boston – America’s Clean Power holds the Offshore WINDPOWER 2023 Conference & Exhibition on October 3^rd and 4^th in Boston, MA. The event has cultivated a dedicated and thriving global community of top developers and experts. As more steel goes in the water, this event will only continue to grow in value and scope.

Energy Efficiency Day Set – On Wednesday October 4^th, Alliance to Save Energy, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, U.S. Green Building Council and others host the 8^th annual Energy Efficiency Day to showcase the benefits of energy efficiency. Each year, EE Day has drawn increasing support and, in 2023, the organizers aim to surpass last year’s 1,049 supporters sign on from local governments, utilities, organizations, companies, and utilities, and 47 cities, counties, states, or universities issued proclamations in support of EE Day as well as the U.S. Senate.

Biogas Forum Headed to St. Louis – The American Biogas Council holds a new Fall conference BUSINESS OF BIOGAS on October 10^th to 12^th in St. Louis for biogas project developers and investors who want to learn how to design projects to maximize biogas production and profitability.

EIA to Discuss IEA 2023 Findings – On October 11^th at 9:30 a.m., EIA will release and discuss the findings of the International Energy Outlook 2023 (IEO2023) at a public event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC. The event will feature a presentation by the EIA Administrator, Joe DeCarolis, and the EIA Assistant Administrator for Energy Analysis, Angelina LaRose. Following the presentation, the Director of the CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program, Dr. Joseph Majkut, will join Dr. DeCarolis for an armchair discussion on IEO2023’s highlights and key assumptions.

BPC Holds Decarb Forum on Cement, Steel – The Bipartisan Policy Committee holds a decarb forum on the hard to abate energy sectors.  More to Come…

Forum Looks at 50^th Anniversary of 1973 Energy Crisis – On Wednesday October 11^th at 5:00 p.m. in NYC, the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) and the Institute of Global Politics at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) will mark the 50^th anniversary of the Arab Oil Embargo.  The event will feature a keynote address by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dan Yergin that will examine the historical significance of the Embargo, as well as a panel discussion focusing on the details of the Arab Oil Embargo—what happened, and how did it shake up geopolitics and the global economy? The panel will then examine the lasting effects—how it has guided policymakers in the decades since, and what lessons does it hold for the current precarious geopolitical situation? This event will provide an excellent opportunity to re-examine a pivotal moment in energy history, and one that continues to shape policymaking, in manners both subtle and obvious. Our friend Vijay Vaitheeswaran of The Economist moderates a panel including Jason Bordoff, Citibank’s Ed Morse, Harvard’s Meghan O’Sullivan and Adnan Shihab-Eldin of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.