Energy Update: Week of September 21

Friends,

Early launch of the update today as I am on my way to Denver to talk Election 2020 and the environment.  Sadly, I have to begin with the late Friday passing Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.  She was a judicial titan and pop-culture icon, there is no doubt about that.  I always remember her relationship with the late conservative justice Antonin Scalia as a model for how we can all work together.  Unfortunately, her passing and the ensuing high-stakes politics that will envelop us over the remaining days of this campaign will not reflect any of her/Scalia’s common ground. It certainly will shake up an already crazy/tumultuous 2020.

On the sports front, it was a very busy weekend.  In the always amazing Tour de France, this year’s delayed endurance bike race was decided in the 20^th stage, an uphill individual time trial at La Planche des Belles Filles where in which eventual winner Tadej Pogačar stunned the Tour to win the stage time trial, overhauling a 57-second deficit and yellow jersey from Slovenian countryman and friend Primož Roglič on the 36K course. He becomes the first rider to win the overall race, be King of the Mountains and be race’s best young rider.  The US Open also was incredible with the Winged Foot course as the real winner even though Bryson DeChambeau was the only player to remain under par and brought home the trophy.  Stanley Cup Finals also underway on Saturday with the Dallas Stars taking Game 1 from Tampa.  Game 2 tonight. And speaking of the Stanley Cup, it also made an appearance on last night’s Emmys Show, where Canadian-based show Schitt’$ Creek, the Eugene/Daniel Levy brilliant Netflix series cleaned up with nine awards including Best Comedy Show.

This is a BIG week for climate. In DC, (but virtual) it is National Clean Energy Week which features a bunch of events on tons of energy subjects and a star-studded speaker line up.  It is also Climate Week NYC (also virtual) which includes the UN’s sustainability meeting and hundreds of events on every subject you can imagine.  Plenty to track this week there. 

Because it is climate/clean energy week, the House of Representatives is set to consider energy legislation which includes a package of bills that increase federal investments into clean energy, the electric grid and electric vehicles. The legislation includes the Clean Industrial Technology Act which aims to reduce carbon in the industrial sector and HFC legislation that phases out those GHGs.  ClearPath has a great rundown of many of the provisions in the legislation here.  House Rules Committee starts at 1:00 p.m.

On the hearing front, the Senate Energy Committee looks at offshore technologies tomorrow featuring EERE’s Dan Simmons, BOEM and Equinor while House Resources looks at renewables during the Trump Administration.  On Wednesday, Senate Environment looks at ESA and a House Foreign Affairs panel will look at green recovery plans for COVID.  Finally, a House Transportation panel looks at Everglades management on Thursday.

Outside of the climate events, the most interesting event is a SAFE forum on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. that will look at a new report that analyzes the strategy behind Chinese leadership in the EV, AV and 5G supply chain and technology, its methods (fair and foul) for cementing that leadership, and the economic and national security risks the United States run if it does not make strident efforts now to compete.  Speakers will include Daniel Yergin (who has a new book on the topic) and Rep. Debbie Dingell among others. Speaking of Yergin, he also gets into the topic with Robert Bryce on his recent Power Hungry podcast.   The other interesting event is tomorrow’s Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy forum on achieving a net zero emissions economy by returning carbon to the Earth. The event will feature a live discussion with Global CCS Institute CEO Brad Page, economist Lord Nicholas Stern and policy expert Jason Bordoff, with remarks from Sen. Lisa Murkowski.  Our friend Amy Harder moderates a panel of CEOs after Murkowski.

Good luck trying to keep up with all the events this week.  Feel free to call with any questions, stay safe & healthy.  Stay tuned here for our latest COVID-19 and year-end budget updates (Remember FY 2020 ends on Sept 30)

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

 

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“That an Oregon Democrat and a West Virginia Republican are coming together to address climate change is a testament both to the gravity and urgency of this issue and to their seriousness as legislators.”  The draft an example of “good faith, bipartisan cooperation . . . I look forward to working with them on it in the months ahead.”.”

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) in a Sept. 17 statement provided to Inside EPA regarding legislative language from Reps. McKinley and Schrader promoting long-term climate legislation.

“We hope the President and EPA Administrator Wheeler feel a sense of responsibility when RFS compliance costs become even more untenable for refineries of all sizes. The legacy of this Administration’s handling of (the program) will be fewer union refining jobs, facility closures, reduced U.S. refining capacity, and increased imports of foreign biodiesel.”

American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers President/CEO Chet Thompson in a statement following the last week’s announcement the Administration was denying small refiner waivers.

ON THE PODCAST

Yergin Discusses New Book – Daniel Yergin joined last week's Power Hungry Podcast for a discussion with host Robert Bryce to discuss his new book, The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations. The book is a sprawling look at the global energy sector and how it has been roiled by the shale revolution, climate politics, and shifting geopolitics. The New Map covers a lot of ground and has several excellent maps. Bryce says the most interesting parts were about China-Russia relations and the South China Sea. Yergin also underscores the importance of the South China Sea and how it could become the site of an international conflict. He includes a map drawn in 1936 by a singular cartographic combatant" named Bai Meichu and explains that his map is "at the heart of today's struggle over the South China Sea."  

ClearPath’s Powell Makes Conservative Case for Nuclear – ClearPath Executive Director Rich Powell joined Jordan Cox of the Clean Energy Leaders Podcast to discuss the importance of nuclear energy. Listen to the podcast, “Rich Powell and the Conservative Case for Nuclear,” on Spotify here.

FUN OPINIONS

Iowa Paper: Waiver Fight Masks Real Problems With Ethanol – An editorial in the Cedar Rapids (IA) Gazette says President Trump’s ethanol waiver reversal won't save Iowa's troubled ethanol industry.  The Iowa paper said It’s not obvious that Trump’s waivers are the main problem for ethanol demand. American fuel sales peaked in mid-2018 and started a slow decline, Iowa economist Dave Swenson pointed out in a Twitter thread this week. The Gazette Board adds “it’s unlikely that ethanol will be a permanent fixture of the U.S. energy portfolio or the Iowa economy. While Iowa Democrats fiercely defend the program, there’s growing skepticism in the environmentalist community about corn ethanol’s net benefits, and progressives nationally are pushing for a transition to 100 percent electric vehicles.

FROG BLOG

Forbes: McKinley-Schrader Looks to Find Common Ground on Climate – A new column in FORBES from energy expert Ken Silverstein says when a conservative congressman from a coal-producing state says that climate change is the biggest challenge of our lives, it grabs your attention. He notes that WV Republican David McKinley has paired up with Oregon Democrat Kurt Schrader for bipartisan cooperation on climate change legislation, which makes it even more striking.  He also asks whether it raises the odds of something actually getting done. The approach presented in a new “discussion draft” of the presumptive McKinley-Schrader bill is both collaborative and all-inclusive. Reps David McKinley of West Virginia and Kurt Schrader of Oregon aim to reduce CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050. The key tenet: investing in research and development — efforts that promote clean technologies and an advanced electric grid that can host more green energies.

IN THE NEWS

McKinley-Schrader Release Discussion Draft of Climate Legislation – Reps. David McKinley (R-WV) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) released legislative language for their energy and climate proposal. This bipartisan approach would establish an energy innovation program that invests CCUS, advanced nuclear, and renewables with storage for a decade, followed by a clean energy standard for the power sector. McKinley and Schrader are soliciting input from stakeholders on the discussion draft, with the goal of introducing the final version before the end of the year.

“Rather than lurching back and forth depending on who is in control in Washington, we need an energy and climate plan that provides certainty,” said Rep. McKinley. “Doing this will require bipartisan consensus. Unlike other proposals, our draft legislation has bipartisan support. Our approach will not only reduce carbon emissions while ensuring affordable and resilient power, it will position the United States as a global leader in clean energy research and innovation.”

“As historic wildfires continue to rage through Oregon, displacing thousands of my constituents and leaving my home state with the worst air conditions in the entire world, the threat of climate change has never been more apparent,” said Rep. Schrader. “Climate change puts us all at risk, and in my district that includes our rural, coastal, and agricultural communities. My legislation with Mr. McKinley of West Virginia is the first of its kind: a bipartisan climate change initiative that actually has a chance of passing in the Senate, being enacted, and having a real impact. Our bill is the best way to fight climate change and reduce carbon emissions without putting people out of work. We cannot wait for the “perfect solution” – our communities need a politically viable solution to climate change now.”

Background – Earlier this year, Reps. McKinley and Schrader outlined their approach in an opinion piece in the USA Today’s Hidden Common Ground Section urging a new, more pragmatic legislative approach. 

The plan calls for a decade of public and private investments in clean energy innovation and infrastructure development, followed by new regulatory standards to ensure environmental and energy goals are met. Innovation alone isn’t enough. We must clarify what federal law will (and will not) require, to provide a stable and predictable policy framework for investors and electric utilities in the decades ahead. Executive orders and administrative actions that prolong the political and legal battles won’t solve this problem — but bipartisan legislation can.

Click to see the language here.

Click to see a section by section here.

NatGas Keeping Power on During Natural Disasters – Following last week’s hurricane and the busy hurricane season, the American Gas Association (AGA), American Public Gas Association (APGA), Northeast Gas Association (NGA), Southern Gas Association (SGA) and the MEA Energy Association (MEA) announced the creation of a new, expanded National Mutual Aid Program. When a disaster hits a region, the need to restore service can sometimes exceed the capacity of regional resources, and this is exactly the time when the AGA Mutual Assistance Program becomes so valuable. It is at this point that utilities outside the affected region can step and assist in the recovery. Capitalizing on lessons learned from the American Gas Association’s Mutual Assistance Program, created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2006, and similar APGA, NGA and SGA initiatives, this voluntary program allows natural gas utilities from across all of the participating associations to quickly respond to emergencies in a coordinated, efficient and timely manner. The need to develop a uniform national mutual aid Agreement across the Associations was a key lesson learned from the Merrimack Valley incident in September 2018, which was the last time national mutual aid was required. Situations in which the program may be used include natural disasters, equipment malfunctions, accidents or other rare occasions where widespread natural gas service is interrupted. 

WY Refineries Stung by Trump Ethanol Policy – Following last week’s “election-year” ethanol handouts, the Trump administration delivered another blow to Wyoming’s refineries when EPA denied relief to several small operators struggling to meet biofuel standards according to reporting in WY newspapers. Refineries, including ones in Wyoming, have said the biofuel requirements are economically prohibitive and to offset the cost, many have applied for annual exemptions from the standards.  EPA has historically extended what it calls “hardship relief” to these smaller operators struggling to meet the fuel standards. But recent decisions by the EPA and a federal court have placed that relief on the line. The loss of access to such relief could have severe economic consequences on the facilities transforming crude into fuel in Wyoming, industry representatives said. Sen. John Barrasso, usually a staunch supporter of the president’s agenda, delivered a rare rebuke of the Trump administration’s decision to deny hardship relief this week and leave the federal court decision unchallenged.

“The administration promised to protect small refineries. Today’s announcement by EPA breaks that promise,” Barrasso said. “It is one of many poor decisions, which have already contributed to the loss of one small refinery in my home state of Wyoming.”

NYT Mag-ProPublica Investigation Looks Potential US Climate Migration – Last week, ProPublica’s Abrahm Lustgarten and the NY Time Magazine launched the second installment in Lustgarten’s series about global migration and climate change, and this one features two years of reporting about how other people will respond to climate pressures in their lives.  Lustgarten says he finds his own life at the center of the story about how Californians will absorb their new reality with an annual wildfire season. But it’s not just Californians – its people in Arizona and Texas and Florida and Maine and everywhere in between. It’s about an American climate exodus in the making. The Mapping of brand new climate data. In case you missed the first story.

 

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

MOST EVENTS SCHEDULED ARE NOW ONLINE WEBINARS

National Clean Energy Week Set – National Clean Energy Week will be held this week.  NCEW is the annual week-long celebration of clean energy innovation and help solve the world’s most pressing challenges in nuclear, solar, wind, wave, hydropower, geothermal, natural gas, biomass, carbon capture, storage, and waste-to-energy technologies. There are event all week so get all the details here.  By going virtual, the NCEW flagship Public Policy Symposium is expanding beyond Washington DC into every home and business in America. Through programming all week long, hear directly from Republican and Democratic policymakers and top speakers in clean energy investment and innovation.  Events throughout the week will feature DOE’s Mark Menezes ad Connor Prochaska, Sen Energy Chair Lisa Murkowski and top Dem Joe Manchin, Senate Bipartisan Climate Caucus Chairs Chris Coons and Mike Braun, Cory Gardner, and former Sens. Kelly Ayotte (now with CRES), Mary Landrieu and Rick Santorum; Reps. Kathy Castor, Garrett Graves. David McKinley, Darrin LaHood, John Curtis, Sean Casten and Paul Tonko; AGA CEO Karen Harbert, NWF’s Collin O’Mara, AWEA’s Amy Farrell, EEI’s Scott Aaronson, Laura Nelson of the Green Hydrogen Coalition, NuScale’s Chris Colbert, former Houston Chron Business Editor Laura Goldberg, ClearPath’s Rich Powell and WashExaminer’s Abby Smith.

UN Meeting, Climate Week NYC – Also this week, the UN meets “virtually” (usually in New York) to hold its International Conference on Sustainable Development and discuss climate, there will be numerous virtual events for Climate Week NYC throughout the week.  There are so many events tied to this I cannot list them.  For example there are 41 events tomorrow, 49 events on Wednesday and 50 events on Thursday.  I do mentions a few, but you can see the full agenda HERE. 

Virtual Atlantic Festival Set – The Atlantic Festival will be held virtually today to Thursday to examine the magnitude of the events of 2020, who we are as a nation, and what we might become. The Atlantic’s marquee festival will bring brave thinking and bold ideas to life with four days of can’t-miss conversations, evening headliners, and more. Hillary Clinton and Dr. Anthony Fauci lead a parade of key speakers. 

Forum to Look at Smart Buildings – Guidehouse hosts an EE Global forum this morning featuring experts from the New York Power Authority, DOE and the Rocky Mountain Institute in live panel discussion on the role Grid Interactive Efficient buildings are playing in this new era of uncertainty and the disruption tied to climate change events. We are seeing the importance of importance of Grid Interactive Efficient Buildings (GEBS) and how they help utilities ensure the balanced, flexible supply and demand of high levels of renewables and decarbonize the electricity system, resulting in resilient cities and communities.  The panel will explore key topics and highlight best practices including the role of “smart buildings” as part of the critical infrastructure for managing disruption and the importance of buildings that can be responsive assets. The team will also share insight into emerging opportunities as the smart buildings market matures and evolves from smart building systems to networked building assets.

BP Energy Outlook Set – Today at 11:30 a.m., CSIS will host BP group chief economist Spencer Dale in a presentation of BP’s “2020 Energy Outlook” which explores the forces shaping the energy transition over the next 30 years. Following his presentation, Spencer will chat with Sarah Ladislaw (CSIS Energy), who will lead a moderated Q&A with the audience.

Forum to Look at Air Rules – The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies hold a conference call at Noon on evaluating the EPA's proposals to retain the existing Particulate Matter and Ozone Standards. My colleague Jeff Holmstead, a former EPA Air Office head, will join a panel.

Forum to Hear Climate CEO Views – The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions webinar today at 1:10 p.m. focused on CEO perspectives delivering on climate action. A growing number of leading companies are committing themselves to ambitious climate goals. CEOs will engage in a multisector discussion on what’s driving their climate efforts and how they aim to overcome technology, policy and other challenges on the path toward decarbonization.

WCEE Forum to Talk to Enviva – The Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment (WCEE) for a virtual discussion today at 2:00 p.m. with Dr. Jen Jenkins, vice president and chief sustainability officer of Enviva, to hear how her company is helping power companies reduce their reliance on coal and fight climate change around the world.  Enviva is the world’s largest producer of sustainable wood pellets, which provide a reliable, dispatchable, carbon neutral alternative to fossil fuels. Dr. Jenkins will address and discuss the scientific basis for using bioenergy to mitigate climate change, Enviva’s implementation and deployment of its responsible sourcing policies and procedures, as well as how Enviva defines “good” vs. “bad” biomass.

Forum to Look at Grid Resilience – The Atlantic Council holds a webinar today at 3:30 p.m. on grid resilience during extreme weather events.  Climate-related extreme weather events are threatening local communities with greater frequency and destructive force, paralyzing the energy grid and leaving thousands without power for extended periods of time. Now, in the wake of Hurricane Laura and California’s historic heatwave and wildfire season, many remain without electricity during one of the hottest summers on record. As a result, families in affected areas are forced to contemplate leaving their homes until power returns, all amid a global pandemic and lasting economic downturn. Grid resilience measures are vital to safeguarding climate-vulnerable communities facing wind, floods, and fires, especially low-income communities and communities of color who will bear the disproportionate cost of climate change.

Forum to Look at Advance Nuke Tech – ClearPath, TerraPower and GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy hold a discussion today at 4:00 p.m. of new commercial Natrium™ advanced nuclear technology will feature a cost-competitive sodium fast reactor combined with a molten salt energy storage system.

Forum Tackles Emissions, Resiliency – The Center for Strategic and International Studies holds a webcast tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. focusing on moving from emissions-intensive energy sources to more resilient communities and economies. 

Forum to Look at Net Zero Emissions – The Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy is hosting an event tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. on achieving a net zero emissions economy by returning carbon to the Earth. The event will feature a live discussion with Global CCS Institute CEO Brad Page, economist Lord Nicholas Stern and policy expert Jason Bordoff, with remarks from Sen. Lisa Murkowski.  Key findings of a climate report co-authored by the Global CCS Institute and Columbia University will be discussed by climate policy and CCS experts, Alex Zapantis and Julio Friedmann. For a closer look at the impacts of climate policy on the energy sector, a conversation with industry leaders moderated by Axios’ Amy Harder.  The panel will include CARB’s Mary Nichols, Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi, Drax CEO Will Gardiner, Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation Leila Benal and Gassnova CEO Trude Sundset.

CSIS Forum to Look at Emissions Intensive Energy Sources – The Center for Strategic and International Studies holds a webcast tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. focusing on moving from emissions-intensive energy sources to more resilient communities and economies. The event will focus on tools and strategies that can be deployed in support of just transition planning and implementation. The first session will cover the challenges of gender inequality and informal labor in just transitions, including green jobs programs and issues related to energy access. The second session will explore place-based investment strategies and regional development plans, with a focus on operational issues and key metrics used to analyze investments and their social and economic impacts.

Senate Energy Look at Offshore Techs – The Senate Energy Committee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on offshore energy technologies.  Witnesses will include DOE’s Dan Simmons, BOEM’s Walter Cruickshank, Equinor’s Siri Espedal Kindem, Stuart Davies of Ocean Renewable Power Company and Clean Air Task Force’s Jonathan Lewis. 

Coal Transpo Group Meeting Set for Denver – The National Coal Transportation Assn will hold its fall conference both on site in Denver and virtually for those you are unable to attend tomorrow and Wednesday.  Speakers include DOE’s Lou Hrkman and several others.  I will also make an energy/election year presentation. 

Forum to Look at Oil, Gas Infrastructure – The US Energy Association holds a webinar tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on a National Petroleum Council report, "Dynamic Delivery – America's Evolving Oil and Natural Gas Transportation Infrastructure." The initial presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the NPC’s Dynamic Delivery report, including findings and recommendations.  The second panel will be a discussion of the Technology Advances and Deployment chapter, covering technologies that can enhance safety, reliability, and environmental performance of the nation’s oil and natural gas transportation infrastructure.  This will also address cyber security. 

Forum to Focus on Climate, National Security – Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m., the American Security Project holds a discussion as a part of Climate Week 2020 that will feature Alice Hill, Council of Foreign Relations Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment and Vice Admiral Lee Gunn, USN (Ret.) for a conversation with American Security Project COO Andrew Holland on the threats climate change poses to US national security.

House Resources Looks Trump, Renewables – The House Natural Resources Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. on Trump Administration record on renewable energy.

Third Way Series Continues – Third Way will continue its series on paths to zero tomorrow at Noon. This event, subtitled “Innovation”, brings together leading climate advocates, philanthropists, labor leaders, elected officials, academics, and media from across the Midwest and the nation. Our goal: foster a dynamic conversation focused on how to move forward with ambitious climate action at a time when the nation is also grappling with the pandemic, economic crisis, and resurgent demands for racial justice. 

NYT Hosts Cities, Carbon Forum – The New York Times hosts a forum tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. looking at carbon zero cities. 

Forum to Look at Cities, Climate Action – Tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., Stand.earth is hosting a Climate Week panel on phasing out fossil fuels featuring city leaders who are using local land use laws and other policy tools to say no to oil and gas expansion. The focus will be on moving away from natural gas with some key cities that are part of that movement participating like Berkeley, King County Washington and Vancouver.

USEA Hosts Indian Minerals Forum – The US Energy Assn hosts another Indian Energy Minerals forum tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. featuring an in-depth discussion and look at some key areas to support tribal energy, mineral and infrastructure development.  fossil energy, including coal, oil, natural gas, hydrogen, and CCUS projects, as well renewables are key tribal resources available on tribal lands.  Using notions raised from the first webinar, the speakers will explore federal funding, private financing, recent federal tribal energy procedures and working with tribal leadership in an attempt to draw attention to tribal energy development. This series continues with the theme of creating self-determination for Indian country through an energy future focused on environmental best practices, securing public/private funding for tribally lead private partnerships, developing access to new energy markets through new and integrated infrastructure and energy development, education and training, and an outlook on strategic resources and technology for economic opportunities and jobs.

Senate Commerce to Look at Arctic – A Senate Commerce/Science Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. on U.S. Coast Guard capabilities for safeguarding national interests and promoting economic security in the Arctic. The hearing will examine how the Coast Guard’s 2019 Arctic Strategic Outlook is being resourced through acquisition plans, training exercises, and infrastructure investments and the importance of USCG presence in the Arctic as commercial sea traffic increases. The hearing will also address the security implications of Chinese and Russian interests in the Arctic and the current state of the USCG’s icebreaking capacity.  Witnesses will include USCG Vice Commandant Admiral Charles Ray New America’s Sharon Burke, retired USAF Major General Randy “Church” Kee of the Arctic Domain Awareness Center and Stephanie Madsen of the At-sea Processors Association

Forum to Look at Innovation – The Global CCS Institute hosts a Climate Week Forum on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.  The event features a discussion with Institute CEO Brad Page, economist Lord Nicholas Stern and policy expert Jason Bordoff, in addition to remarks by Senate Energy Chair Lisa Murkowski.  Key findings of a climate report co-authored by the Global CCS Institute and Columbia University – titled “Net-Zero and Geospheric Return: Thinking about 2030” – will be discussed by climate policy and CCS experts, Alex Zapantis and Julio Friedmann. Then, for a closer look at the impacts of climate policy on the energy sector, Axios’ Amy Harder will moderate a conversation with industry leaders including CARB Chair Mary Nichols, Air Products CEO Seifi Ghasemi, Drax CEO Will Gardiner, Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation economist Leila Benali and Gassnova CEO Trude Sundset.  Closing remarks will be delivered by Sir Alex Halliday of Columbia University’s Earth Institute.

BCSE, EE Global Hold Next Forum on Clean Energy Challenges – The Business Council for Sustainable Energy and EE Global will hold the next forum in their clean energy series on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. to focus on meeting the trio of challenges posed by COVID-19, economic recovery and climate change. This event explores the power of existing clean energy and energy efficiency technologies and expertise. During the first session, experts will look at how energy efficiency plays a key role in economic recovery across the globe – from lessons learned from the Great Recession in 2009, to how energy efficiency helps build resilient societies, stimulates investment, enables a pathway to net-zero and can immediately put people back to work. During the second half of the event, clean energy executives will discuss how to tackle these challenges vis-vis the deployment of clean energy solutions, smart public policy and project design, and strategic deployment of procurement, finance, and technologies.

Senate Enviro to Investigation ESA – The Senate Environment Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on the Endangered Species Act Amendments of 2020.

House Panel to Look at Green COVID Recovery – The House Foreign Affairs Europe, Eurasia, Energy and the Environment Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. looking at green recovery plans to respond to the COVID-19 Crisis. Witnesses include Tufts Fletcher School Dean Rachel Kyte, former National Security Council energy/climate official John Morton, JHU’s Jonas Nahm, and AEI’s Dalibor Rohac.

Energy Economists Talk CCS, Canadian Projects – The US Energy Economists will hold a forum Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. on innovation and emerging developments in Canadian carbon capture and storage. Representatives from three Canadian companies at the forefront of this innovation – CarbonCure, Carbon Upcycling and Carbon Engineering – will discuss their operations, their activities in the United States, and where they see carbon capture technologies headed in terms of further commercial deployment.

Columbia Forum to Look at Energy Innovation – On Wednesday at Noon, the Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy will hold the virtual global launch of Energizing America, which lays out a roadmap to triple U.S. federal investment in clean energy research, development, and demonstration to $25 billion by 2025. This volume is the most comprehensive guide for policymakers of its kind, with a 100-day plan for the next Administration and Congress and detailed recommendations for boosting investments in cutting-edge technologies, including advanced renewables, energy storage, carbon capture and removal, smart energy systems, and platform technologies.  Speakers include former BP CEO Lord John Browne, Rep. Kathy Castor and former DOE official Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall.

Forum to Look at Trillions Trees, Timber Solutions – EESI holds a forum on Wednesday at Noon to look at mass timber and opportunities to diversify the American economy and lower emissions while providing steady, family-sustaining employment for a skilled workforce. Panelists will discuss the environmental and workforce benefits of mass timber, from manufacturing to construction. Rep. Bruce Westerman, forester and sponsor of the Trillion Trees Act, will provide opening remarks. Tyler Freres, Vice President of Freres Lumber Co., Inc. will discuss the burgeoning mass timber manufacturing sector, its implications for U.S. environmental goals and the American workforce, and the policies currently helping mass timber innovation and manufacturing.

Forum to Look at Arctic Infrastructure – The Woodrow Wilson Center's Polar Institute and Sandia National Laboratories hold a webcast on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. on Arctic research infrastructure and capabilities in North America. Panelists will provide overviews of current research infrastructure in Alaska, Canada and Greenland and plans for addressing emerging needs. Moreover, they will highlight the need for close, international cooperation between North American research institutions.

SEJ Rolls On with Oceans Discussion – The Society of Enviro Journalists continues its multi-session annual conference on Wednesday with a panel at 2:30 p.m. on oceans and fishing issues with former NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco as one of the speakers.  SEJ will conduct more panels on elections and other issues on next Wednesday September.  I will be on the panel next week with House Resources top Republican Rob Bishop, former Interior official Jim Lyons and Dem politico Jen Palmieri (both fellow Annapolis-area residents) to dig deep into election politics and the environment. 

Forum Looks at Govs Climate Plans – The United States Climate Alliance holds a virtual discussion on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. on working together to build an equitable, clean and prosperous future. Governors will discuss the progress of U.S. states on climate action over the past four years and their commitment going forward.  Speakers will include Gavin Newsom, Jared Polis, Ned Lamont, Larry Hogan and several more.

EIA to Release Outlook Report – EIA will release its International Energy Outlook on Thursday.

Cybersecurity Event Looks at Supply Chain – On Thursday at 9:30 a.m., the US Energy Assn holds the 9^th in the series of USAID webinars on Digitalization and Cybersecurity in the Energy Sector hosted by E3. This webinar will shed light into cybersecurity ISO standards designed to help technical experts and decision makers at utilities around the globe to move forward with certification.

House Transpo Panel Looks at Everglades Management – The House Transportation and Infrastructure Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee holds a hearing on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. on a comprehensive Everglades restoration plan and water management in Florida.

Hayhoe to Join Reuters to Discuss Climate – As the UN General Assembly gathers to discuss climate action and the world recognizes Climate Week, climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe will join Reuters Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to discuss climate change, our ability to tackle the challenge and whether society can adapt to a warming planet.

Event to Look at Trade, Environment – The Washington International Trade Association holds a webinar on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. on how existing trade agreements address environmental issues, and how future trade negotiations/agreements can be used to address climate change.

RFF to Look at Climate Insight, Voters – Resources for the Future holds a webinar on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. focused on climate change and the American Voter focusing on voters' priorities. The event is a timely conversation on American public opinion on climate change. Texas Tech’s Kathryn Hayhoe and Jon Krosnick of Stanford are among the panelists moderated by our friend Justin Worland.

WCEE Event Looks at PFAs – The Women's Council on Energy and the Environment (WCEE) holds a virtual discussion on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. for an update on developments with PFAS. The event will feature a panel of experts who will discuss the latest developments at the federal and state levels to address and regulate PFAS. Speakers include Peter Grevatt of the Water Research Foundation, Alan Roberson of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators and Amy Dindall of Battelle.

EU Energy Transition Discussion Set – On Thursday at Noon, the Women’s Energy Network holds a lunchtime chat with Carole Mathieu, the head of Head of EU Policies, Center for Energy & Climate, at the French Institute for International Relations (Ifri). Her research areas primarily cover climate change policies and the transformation of energy systems, European energy policy and security of gas supply.

Forum to Look at Minorities, Clean Energy – UPenn’s Kleinman Energy Center will hold a forum on Thursday at Noon to look at access clean and reliable energy and overcoming racial disparities.  This panel brings together practitioners and researchers to discuss how we can more equitably distribute the benefits that advances in energy policy and technology have brought to some, but not to all. 

Panel to Investigate Salton Sea Restoration – The House Natural Resources Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee holds a hearing on Thursday at Noon looking at Federal and State Efforts to Restore the Salton Sea. Cal Natural Resources Agency and Joaquin Esquivel, Chair of the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Chamber to Look Sustainable Investment – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce holds a virtual discussion on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. focused on sustainability investment and reporting.  The event is part of the "Sustainability Summit Series."  The event will share findings from our latest research on the status of the ESG landscape as we transition to a post-COVID-19 world, explore private sector leadership in communicating ESG-related information, and discuss the frameworks needed to support companies in proactively disclosing consistent sustainability data.

Forum to Look at Clean Energy Innovation – On Thursday at 1:00 p.m., the Clean Capitalist Leadership Council holds a discussion explore promising opportunities for cross-border policy innovation and collaboration. The conversation will engage experts from a wide range of US and international private foundations, universities and free market friendly think tanks. In this webinar, Rod Richardson and Jigar Shah will kick off the dialog with an overview of next generation free market policy for clean energy, in the context of COVID recovery.

GTM to Look at MOPR – Greentech Media hosts a webinar on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. on FERC’s recent Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR). In this webinar, Wood Mackenzie research analysts will present key findings from their analysis of PJM’s extended MOPR, with a focus on its impact on capacity price forecasting and clearing technologies. Leveraging Wood Mackenzie’s proprietary capacity market model customized to PJM’s market rules, analysts will compare long-term capacity price projections under the previous and new MOPR and discuss risk factors behind these projections. After exploring the key motivations behind the extended MOPR, analysts will dive deep into the forecasted market outcomes, the technologies mostly likely to be affected by the new rule, and strategies to minimize those impacts.

Forum to Look at International Climate Issues – The American Society of International Law holds virtual discussion on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. on Climate Change and International engagement on environmental issues.  The event is part of the "International Law and the 2020 Presidential Election" series. Our friend David Banks is among the speakers.  

SAFE to Launch New China Rare Supply Chain Analysis – Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) holds the launch of The Commanding Heights of Global Transportation, a paper that assesses the competing ambitions of the United States and China for the future of global transportation, and offers policy recommendations to maintain U.S. leadership in this critical industry.  SAFE will lead a variety of policy discussions on the era-defining relationship between the U.S. and China, and the American economic and national security consequences of Chinese dominance in the next generation of transportation.  The event features energy author Daniel Yergin, Rep. Debbie Dingell and former Obama Intelligence Chief Dennis Blair among the speakers and starts at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday on SAFE's YouTube channel.

Cato Book Event to Feature Shellenberger – The Cato Institute holds a forum on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. on environmental alarmism.  The event will focus on Michael Shellenberger’s new book.  In his best‐selling book, Shellenberger examines the rise of apocalyptic environmentalism and shows how parts of the environmental movement have become mired in misunderstanding and partisanship. He also gives reasons to oppose a despairing outlook and makes a strong case for rational optimism that humanity will be able to rise to the occasion and effectively tackle environmental problems such as climate change. The panel will feature Shellenberger with comments by Clemson’s Reed Watson and Cato’s Chelsea Follett.  

Forum Looks at Environment Issues – On Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies holds a virtual discussion on "The Future of Our Earth," about bipartisan solutions to adapt to a changing climate, have access to clean air and fresh water, and that habitats are protected, part of the "It Can Be Done Live" series

BU Forum Looks at Local Climate Issues – On Friday at 11:00 a.m., BU’s Institute for Sustainable Energy will hold an on-line event will look at a synthesis of expertise and analysis of local climate-action options and current research.  The event will address: Why local climate action needs more urgency, not less. How the pandemic response creates opportunities and risks for local climate action. How socially vulnerable populations can benefit from purposeful responses to the pandemic and climate change.

Forum to Look at SCOTUS Enviro Cases – The American Bar Association holds a virtual discussion on Friday at Noon looking at the Supreme Court’s year in review of environmental cases.

CCUS Workshops Roll On – On Friday at 1:00 p.m., the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the Western Interstate Energy continues its Friday series of workshops focused on Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage.  This week, the forum with look at tax incentives and investment efforts featuring Shannon Angielski of the Carbon Utilization Research Council.  Forums continue on October 2^nd with Lee Beck of the Clean Air Task Force and Oxy’s Bill Swetra; October 9^th with Jeff Erikson of the Global CCS Institute and Oct 16^th with WY PSC Chair Kara Fornstrom and Great Plains Institute’s Doug Scott.

NPC Virtual Newsmaker with Jane Goodall – The National Press Club will host renowned primatologist and anthropologist Dr. Jane Goodall on Friday at 2:00 p.m.  Goodall will join NPC President Michael Freedman for a live-streamed Headliners conversation about the state of the world during the COVID-19 pandemic and the on-going threats caused by climate change.

IN THE FUTURE

Forum to Tackle Carbon Capture – The Carbon Capture Coalition will hold C-suite dialogue on Tuesday, September 29^th at 12:00 p.m. looking at the role carbon capture will play in meeting mid-century climate targets, creating and maintaining high-wage jobs in the near-term, and building a new carbon economy. This event will take place.  Carbon capture is essential to decarbonizing economic sectors that are fundamental to modern life as we know it – including steel, cement, chemicals and other vital industrial processes. Additionally, the climate math tells us we must concurrently reduce emissions while also directly removing excess CO2 from the atmosphere to stabilize the climate and meet mid-century climate goals.  Carbon capture technologies are proven, but the pace of development needs to accelerate dramatically to meet the challenge. Leaders across industry, labor, conservation and environmental organizations are increasingly recognizing the central role that carbon capture will play in addressing climate while also creating new economic opportunities for workers and communities. Speakers include LafargeHolcim CEO Jamie Gentoso, Carbon Engineering CEO Steve Oldham, NWF President Collin O'Mara and AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council Executive Director Brad Markell.

USEA to Talk LNG – The US Energy Assn’s U.S.-Asia Gas Partnership (AGP) joins with US AID to hold a webinar on Wednesday September 30^th to look at how standards play an integral role in attracting project investment, protect workers and the environment, and reduce regulatory complexity for governments. The American Petroleum Institute (API) manages over 700 natural gas and oil standards, which thousands of companies rely on every day while operating around the world, in every segment of the industry. Participants will hear from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office on how international standards can help economies meet the requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) agreement.

Forum to Look at Low Carbon, Small Biz – EESI holds a forum on Wednesday September 30^th at Noon to look at the challenges faced by small businesses in low-carbon sectors, where federal policies such as the CARES Act worked—or did not work—to alleviate those challenges, and suggestions for the road ahead. Leticia Colon de Mejias, the owner of Energy Efficiencies Solutions and the Policy Co-Chair for the Building Performance Association, will discuss how she is working to address one of the foremost challenges in the energy efficiency industry—a trained workforce. Stuart Davies, Chief Executive Officer of the Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC), will share his experience as a small business leader in the marine renewable energy sector, which is poised to grow with investments in the research, development, and deployment of these innovative technologies. All speakers will describe how their work has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

SEJ Election Panel Set – The final panels for virtual SEJ 2020 will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday September 30^th.  The panel next week features yours truly, House Resources top Republican Rob Bishop, former Interior official Jim Lyons and Dem politico Jen Palmieri (both fellow Annapolis-area residents) to dig deep into election politics and the environment. 

Cybersecurity Event Looks at Utility Data Protection – The US Energy Assn holds the 10th in the series of USAID webinars on Tuesday October 1^st at 9:30 a.m. looking at Digitalization and Cybersecurity in the Energy Sector hosted by E3.  This webinar will address data protection considerations, best practices, and legal/regulatory frameworks in an era of smart grids and sophisticated cybersecurity threats.

Wall St Green Forum Set – The 19^th Annual Wall Street Green Summit is the longest running and most comprehensive sustainable finance event in the industry. It will be held on Monday October 5^th through Oct 9^th in New York. Launched in 2002 by Peter Fusaro, the Wall Street Green Summit covers cutting edge content, industry developments and features the leading practitioners in sustainability.

Cybersecurity Event Looks at Supply Chain – The US Energy Assn holds the 11^th in the series of USAID webinars on Tuesday October 8^th looking at Digitalization and Cybersecurity in the Energy Sector hosted by E3.  Cybersecurity extends to all companies directly involved in the delivery of products, services, and solutions, and through all tiers of the global supply chain. Because of this, supply chains can be a considerable risk to power utilities. This webinar will address the supply chain procurement process, understanding the risks and the importance of asking questions.

Climate Forum to Look at Food Systems – The NYT’s Climate Hub hosts a forum on Tuesday October 8^th at 1:30 m. to Look at reimagining food systems to meet the climate challenge.

Gore Project Sets Event – The Climate Reality Project and TED are partnering for two days of presentations and discussions exploring the future we want and how we get there starting at 11:00 a.m. on October 10 with TED’s Countdown, a five-hour program of livestreamed TED talks and discussions with world-changing innovators and thought leaders confronting the climate crisis head-on and showing the way to a just, zero-carbon future. Then at 4:00 p.m., 24 Hours of Reality: Countdown to the Future continues the conversation with 24 full hours of digital presentations and discussions of how the climate crisis, COVID-19, and racial injustice shape our planet and this incredible moment. All events are led by former Vice President Al Gore and Climate Reality Leaders across the world.