Energy Update: Week of September 27th
Energy Update - September 27, 2021
Friends,
Wow...was that some great golf at the Ryder Cup in Wisconsin. While the US was dominant, you had to love the course, the event and the play. Really good stuff.
Before we get rolling, I wanted to mention the National Press Club event with GE Renewable Energy CEO Jérôme Pécresse originally set for TODAY HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED to late October.
It will be a crazy week on Capitol Hill this week as Congress tries to lock down major parts of President Biden’s infrastructure and budget agenda. House Democrats are scheduled to start floor debate on the bipartisan infrastructure deal today, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi is giving herself a few more days to get her caucus in line and ready to vote yea. Pelosi scheduled a Thursday vote for infrastructure, looking for ways to unify Democrats (which have proven to be no easy task). There has been some movement though as AZ Sen Sinema has express some favor to climate provisions while centrist Texas House Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Filemon Vela have publicly said they will vote for the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill, in a bid to convince progressives to vote for the dual-track. More on this below in the Reconciliation report but it “put up” time.
With all this back and forth, there are reports that some finance committee-types are preparing carbon tax provisions to slip into the budget in case currents efforts go awry, and Reps. McKinley (R-WV) and Schrader (D-OR) continue their push to promote a better bipartisan legislation approach focused on both innovation and regulation in an op-ed today in The Hill.
Congressional hearing are back in full force this week with tomorrow’s Sen. Energy Committee hearing with all four FERC Commissioners expected to top the bill. Expect significant discussion on GHG analysis, transmissions expansion, pipeline issues and perhaps some talk about winterizing and grid resilience in like of the Texas storm, Cal wildfires and recent hurricane activity. Other hearings include House Small Business on Climate and forestry, Senate Homeland Security on resilience, House Energy reviewing the purview of the Chemical Safety Board and Senate Foreign Relations looking at Nordstream2 with Amos Hochstein.
Other good events include an ACORE clean energy markets event tomorrow, a Wednesday Washington Post Live forum featuring Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm discussing the Biden administration’s plan for building a sustainable infrastructure and a Chamber GEI Innovation event on Thursday discussing Hydrogen and its role in a clean energy future. Finally, the Baker Institute at Rice holds a two-day energy summit on Wednesday and Thursday focused on electrification and decarbonization as pathways to the energy future.
Finally, Congrats to our friend Mimi Braniff who has taken over as head of U.S. Policy and Deputy D.C. Office Manager at Exxon Mobil. Stay Safe and healthy.
Best,
Frank Maisano
(202) 828-5864
C. (202) 997-5932
FRANKLY SPOKEN
EIA in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook.
ON THE PODCAST
CapCrude Looks at NatGas Future with Richard Meyer – In this episode of S&P Global’s CapCrude podcast co-host Jasmin Melvin spoke with Richard Meyer, AGA's vice president of energy markets, analysis and standards, about the administration's climate agenda and what natural gas utilities are doing about their carbon and methane footprints. Meyer says natural gas utilities are well-positioned to help the Biden administration achieve the ambitious climate goals
FUN OPINIONS
NYT: Senate Must Approve Kigali – With the EPA HFC rule being released and the Kigali Amendment on HFCs sent to the Senate by the Administration last week, I was reminded of an opinion piece in the New York Times earlier this year that suggests even with legislation that authorized a phase-down in the production and use of HFCs finalized, now President Biden must ask the Senate to move forward with the ratification of an amendment to the Montreal Protocol of 1987, which sets targets for the global phase-down of HFCs. Yurek and Keefe say the global accord is needed so American industry will avoid potential trade penalties from treaty members and remain competitive with their foreign counterparts. Finally, they add “we also need the treaty amendment to keep U.S. manufacturers in the technological driver’s seat, create jobs in the U.S. and expand market share abroad for the HFC alternatives that American manufacturers have developed and are developing.”
FROG BLOG
McKinley, Schrader Say Bipartisan Legis Better than Budget Trick for Climate – In an opinion piece in The Hill, Reps. David McKinley and Kurt Schrader write we must deal with climate change the same way bipartisan way we dealt with Infrastructure, rather than stuffing a bulky climate agenda through on a partisan vote using the budgetary process. They say despite their differences, they have worked together to craft ambitious, effective and bipartisan legislation to tackle the climate crisis and promote a clean energy future that started with a simple scientific premise: climate change is real, and time is running out to arrest its harm.
FUN FACTS
Energy Poverty: 770 million people worldwide had no access to electricity in 2019, 75% of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. Nearly half of Africans did not have access to electricity in 2018 and “around 80% of sub-Saharan African companies suffered frequent electricity disruptions leading to economic losses.”
Energy Efficiency Jobs: Energy efficiency supported 2.1 million jobs in 2020. This includes people who design, install, distribute, and manufacture energy-efficient products and services. The states with the most energy efficiency jobs in 2020 were California (283,800 jobs), Texas (152,100), New York (121,000), and Florida (108,900). While energy efficiency jobs fell 11.4% in 2020, they are expected to increase 10.1% in 2021.
RECONCILIATION REPORT
Please find below the latest addition of the Policy Resolution Group’s FY2022 Budget Reconciliation & Infrastructure Update. Click here for full summaries of the House Energy & Commerce and House Ways & Means markups, plus a full document library of related items.
State of Infrastructure and Reconciliation Negotiations
Congressional negotiations over the bipartisan infrastructure bill and budget reconciliation deal encountered significant hurdles this week, as intraparty disputes between the moderate and progressive wings of the Democratic party threaten to derail President Biden’s domestic agenda. These fights occur in the shadow of a potential government shutdown on October 1 and potential breach of the debt ceiling in mid-October.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) had initially committed that the House would vote on the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the partisan reconciliation package on September 27, but this timeline hangs in suspense owing to internal discord among the Democratic Party. About half of the 96-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, led by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), have vowed that they will refuse to vote for the infrastructure bill unless it is brought alongside a reconciliation package that includes their climate and social safety net priorities. However, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV), the crucial vote in the Senate, has continued to express his opposition to the $3.5 trillion price tag and the centerpiece of the reconciliation climate provisions, the Clean Electricity Performance Program that would aim to transition the United States to 80% clean electricity by 2030. President Biden met with Democratic lawmakers from both wings of the party this week to facilitate negotiations over the reconciliation package, yet talks failed to make significant progress as Sen. Manchin declined to indicate a price tag he would support.
On Thursday, September 23, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Speaker Pelosi announced that the White House and Democratic leadership had agreed to a “framework” of pay-fors for a reconciliation package, but they refused to provide further details on what programs would be included or how much revenue they would raise. Relatively few key Democrats were privy to the meetings or the agreed upon framework, sowing further doubt as to the ability of Democratic leadership to achieve agreement in time to pass both bills by Monday. The House Budget Committee will hold a markup of the House reconciliation package on Saturday, September 25. Speaker Pelosi has promised a vote next week. It is unclear what steps she will take to get there, but a floor vote would require a markup at the Rules Committee, where significant changes would be required both to bring the bill into compliance with the various committee instructions, and, with only three votes to spare, those needed to cobble together the necessary support.
At this rate, a consensus reconciliation package cannot be ready in time for the scheduled infrastructure vote on Monday the 27th, meaning progressives would have to be satisfied with public displays of progress, and promises of a prompt vote on a to-be-determined reconciliation bill. With Congress facing a series of policy cliffs, backroom negotiations could proceed quickly if all parties engage, but the infrastructure and reconciliation bills face an uncertain future as leadership struggles to pin down key Senate holdouts on their specific demands, a necessary step before consensus can be reached among competing Democratic factions in the House and Senate.
Constitutionally, the bill must originate in the House, but with a narrow majority reluctant to vote until it knows what can clear the Senate, all eyes are on the upper chamber. That may change as leadership grows increasingly restless--perhaps with moderates pledging to support a House marker on reconciliation in exchange for passing the infrastructure bill. In the meantime that means everyone is waiting on Senators Manchin and Sinema for an affirmative indication of what can muster 50 votes. Until they decide to bargain in earnest, the holding pattern is likely to continue.
Liam Donovan’s Bottom Line
Liam Donovan’s Bottom Line: CBDR: Constant bearing, decreasing range. That’s the theme for Congressional Democrats heading into next week, careening toward critical deadlines—self-imposed and otherwise—with no sign of course-correction or meaningful progress. First up, Democrats must maneuver their way through (or around) a previous commitment made by Speaker Pelosi to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill by Monday, September 27. This had been a concession (a “clarification” in her terms) to House moderates required to win their votes for the budget resolution and unlock the reconciliation process. But the certain date for the infrastructure vote immediately prompted progressives to dig in further on their demand that reconciliation pass first, creating an untenable timeline for achieving both, despite leadership assurances to the contrary. With rhetoric heating up this week as the deadline approached, President Biden summoned the various factions from both chambers to the White House to stop the public ultimatums and coordinate a path forward. While the meeting seemingly succeeded in turning down the temperature, it did not yield any substantive breakthroughs, nor clear timeline for reaching internal agreement.
What ensued can best be described as a choreographed effort by Democratic leaders to project some semblance of progress and momentum, however contrived or illusory. First, the joint announcement of an agreement on a “framework” for revenue options to finance whatever topline amount can be agreed upon. This was ultimately revealed to be a tentative agreement between the tax committee Chairmen that simply affirmed the universe of pay-fors under consideration, with very little definitely ruled out. Next, they announced a markup of the reconciliation bill in the House Budget committee for Saturday, a formal step in the process that essentially combines the 13 “legislative recommendations” into a single package without making the requisite substantive changes that will be needed before it comes to the floor. Finally, Speaker Pelosi announced in a Dear Colleague letter to the caucus her intention to “move forward to pass [both] bills next week.” While this stops short of a commitment to hold a floor vote on the reconciliation bill next week, that is the strong implication. It remains unclear what, if anything, the House could do to muster 218 votes at this point, and specific commitments from the Senate seem highly unlikely in that timeframe, putting this push into direct conflict with previous promises Pelosi has made, that the House would only vote on something that “will pass the Senate,” and that she would not force members to vote on “a bill with a higher topline than would be passed by the Senate.” Whether this gambit succeeds remains to be seen, but underscores Leadership’s desire to pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill on Monday—or at least avoid a defeat that would further erode intra-caucus trust and goodwill. They key is putting on a public show that is convincing enough to allow progressives to save face despite falling short of their demands. If the whip count comes up short, Speaker Pelosi is likely to table to vote rather than risk a failure that could further poison the well. Either way, short of public commitments from Senators Manchin and Sinema, we remain far away from the endgame, which will involve significant haggling over the ultimate scope and scale of the bill. Indeed, passage of the bipartisan bill could actually prolong the process, as the holdouts could feel even less pressure to come to the bargaining table without their top priority in peril.
All of this is playing out with the backdrop of an emerging crisis over a possible government shutdown and a potential default. The House this week passed a short term continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government through early December and suspend the debt ceiling until the end of 2022 that is doomed to fail in the Senate, but that delays the decision on how to proceed until Monday night, three days before the deadline. It is likely that a clean CR will be passed in short order, but a brief lapse is not out of the question. Either way, the debt limit brinkmanship will continue, with presumed late October X-date for a default still not specified. With Republicans remaining united in their insistence that Democrats avail themselves of their ability to do this themselves through the reconciliation process, the most likely resolution is for the budget resolution to be amended, which would allow the majority to pass an increase on a party-line basis, whether as part of the broader reconciliation package (unlikely given time constraints) or as a stand-alone bill. This would throw a wrench into already-fraught political balancing act, and likely cost them an additional two weeks in a rapidly disappearing calendar. Other options range from unlikely to fanciful, including an ongoing game of chicken that could end in default, a change to the filibuster that would allow for the vote without GOP help, or constitutionally novel ideas like minting a platinum coin. And while a default would not be desirable for either side, who would be blamed is less relevant than the fact such an unprecedented economic shock would be untenable for the White House, to say nothing of its legislative agenda. At best, Democrats can hope to emerge from this process united against a common foe, a welcome respite after months of intramural scuffles.
Follow Liam on Twitter: @LPDonovan
Listen Here: This week on The Lobby Shop Podcast, Josh Zive, Liam Donovan, and Paul Nathanson recap key pieces of legislation currently under consideration and speculate on what could come next for the bipartisan infrastructure bill and controversial reconciliation package working their way through Congress. Tune in to find out what factors could affect the trajectory of these bills.
Listen HERE!
The Breakdown with Yasmin Nelson
The Breakdown: Much to be done, not much time to do it. The debt limit expires at the end of the October, government funding is needed to keep the lights on, surface transportation funding needs to be reauthorized, in addition to several other Democratic priorities that need to be addressed like reproductive choice, civil rights, and immigration reform. House Democrats passed a budget package to avoid a government shutdown and debt limit crisis, but the outlook in the Senate is unclear as Democrats need Republican votes to get to 60. Notwithstanding years of bipartisan negotiations on the debt limit, Senate Minority Leader McConnell (R-KY) has contended that Democrats should pass it without GOP support this year. The reason? Democrats are using the partisan budget reconciliation process to enact their progressive priorities without Republican participation.
Top of mind for most is the September 27 date that Speaker Pelosi set for votes on the bipartisan infrastructure and the budget reconciliation packages. That’s about 4 days away with no agreement on how moderate and progressive Democrats will move the bills in tandem. On Wednesday night, President Biden used his diplomatic skills domestically by hosting three separate meetings with Democrats at the White House on how to move his ambitious domestic agenda forward. One with Democratic leadership, another with moderate Democrats, and the last of the three with progressive Democrats. The theme for moderates: what is the number you can live with? Or better yet—vote for passage. Moderates didn’t bite. According to Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, there was “a lot of agreement” on the goals but “we need to figure out what the path forward is.” It’s pretty clear that $3.5 trillion cannot be the floor and in fact maybe the very high ceiling. I am expecting a number around $2 trillion. We will see.
Now, perhaps more than ever, is the time for off committee House members to start sharing how they feel about the text of the budget reconciliation package. In an effort to gain support from other Congressional Black Caucus members, Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) called for the opposition to the reconciliation package unless changes are made to include more spending for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
And if this wasn’t enough, there’s an increasing number of Republicans who are starting to vocalize their opposition to the bipartisan infrastructure package. As the Senate-passed bill sits on the House docket, less than 12 House Republicans are slated to vote in support of the $550 billion infrastructure package. There would be more support for the bipartisan infrastructure package if it was a standalone bill (read: if there was no budget reconciliation bill). However, we know that Speaker Pelosi and Democratic leadership is sticking to the bills being linked. If I was a betting woman, both bills pass with just enough support and neither party runs away with everything, but will be able to walk away with something to tout in midterms. Timing as to when this occurs is still up in the air, but we will know more in the next 72 hours.
Follow Yasmin on Twitter: @YasminRNelson
Christine Wyman and What’s Next for the Clean Electricity Performance Program
In the days following the House Energy and Commerce’s reconciliation markup, scrutiny and criticism of the Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP)—the combination payment and penalty designed to deploy clean electricity—has intensified.
Although a well-designed CEPP can properly incentivize new clean electric generation and facilitate the U.S.’s pathway to a clean energy future, as drafted, it will require adjustments to certain critical design features in order to achieve its goals—most importantly the 4% annual increase (which appears well beyond what is achievable) and the penalty provisions (which would create an ever-growing clean electricity goal). Utility and consumer groups alike have raised red flags on the potential impacts to reliability and consumer prices, as well as unintended consequences of increasing the time and cost of clean electricity deployment.
Setting the policy concerns aside, there is also some question as to whether the CEPP will survive the Senate Parliamentarian’s scrutiny under the Senate Byrd Rule—scrutiny that Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has called for. Earlier this week, the Senate Parliamentarian rejected Democrat’s inclusion of immigration reform in the partisan reconciliation pathway as a policy change that substantially outweighs the budgetary impact of that change. That decision, although specific to the immigration legislation, cautions Democrats from using the reconciliation process for important policy changes, which could then be undone by a subsequent reconciliation process. Although the CEPP was designed with the Senate Byrd Rules in mind, the Senate Parliamentarian’s reasoning could result in a similar outcome for the CEPP.
But if the CEPP cannot survive, what could Senate Democrats include to fill the void in reaching their climate goals? One possibility receiving attention is the one-time third rail of climate policy—a carbon tax or “carbon pricing” as included in recent Democratic briefing materials. Although Senator Manchin has been quite critical of the Democrat’s climate policies in the partisan reconciliation bill, in the past Manchin has voted not to take a tool like a carbon tax off the table, possibly leaving the door open to whether a carbon tax of appropriate size and scope could win Senator Manchin’s vote.
IN THE NEWS
EPA Releases Final HFC Reduction Rule – The EPA released a final regulation that will slash the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a potent greenhouse gas widely used in air-conditioning and refrigeration. This is the most significant climate effort passed to date. The AIM Act, which was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, directs EPA to phase down production and consumption of HFCs in the United States by 85% over the next 15 years. A global HFC phasedown is expected to avoid up to 0.5° Celsius of global warming by 2100. This final rule is the first regulation under the AIM Act to address HFCs. This final rule sets the HFC production and consumption baseline levels from which reductions will be made, establishes an initial methodology for allocating and trading HFC allowances for 2022 and 2023, and creates a robust, agile, and innovative compliance and enforcement system.
The Rule: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-09/san-8458-preamble-092221-prepub-with-header.pdf
Fact Sheet: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-09/hfc-allocation-rule-nprm-fact-sheet-finalrule.pdf
FAQ: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-09/hfc-allocation-final-rule-faq-sept2021.pdf
HVACR Industry Offers Support –The Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) President & CEO Stephen Yurek said AHRI and its member manufacturers that produce and use hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants are pleased that the EPA finalized the allocation rule on time, as required by the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act.
“Predictability is a very important aspect of the manufacturing process, and this timely rule ensures that our member companies are aware of this regulatory terrain for the coming years. This rule is a critical step in the 15-year industry-supported process of phasing down HFCs and represents a win for both the climate and the American economy. We are hopeful that the administration will soon submit the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol – the treaty that underpins the AIM Act – to the United States Senate and continue the process of putting the United States on record with the majority of the world’s nations in support of this global phase down.”
Industry Groups support as well – A coalition of industry groups led by the US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Energy Institute applauded EPA for finalizing a balanced HFC Allocation Rule on time, a critical step in phasing down hydrofluorocarbons over the next fifteen years and a win-win for both the climate and the economy.
“The plan allows U.S. manufacturers to maintain a technological advantage over foreign competitors in the global marketplace in supporting an appropriate transition, while creating thousands of new and good paying jobs in the U.S. When aligned with international efforts, this phasedown will help avoid up to 0.5 degrees Celsius rise in temperature, important to meeting global climate ambitions.”
Groups joining the Chamber of Commerce include AHRI, the Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy, American Chemistry Council and National Association of Manufacturers.
NuScale to Move Small Nuclear in Poland – NuScale has reached an agreement with two companies to explore the possibility of deploying small nuclear reactors to replace coal plants in Poland, one of the top remaining users of the dirtiest fossil fuel. Under a MOU announced yesterday, NuScale will support Oklahoma-based Getka and Poland-based UNIMOT to examine whether using small nuclear reactors could be used “as a coal-repurposing solution for existing coal-fired power plants in Poland." The deal shows how developers of small nuclear reactors such as NuScale, a startup based in Oregon, are looking to demonstrate the unique role small nuclear reactors could play in the clean energy transition by creating a credible alternative for coal plants and their workers in a way that wind and solar can’t. The Biden administration is bullish on the potential of small nuclear reactors being built at coal plants as it looks to make the case that fossil fuel-dependent areas won't be left behind as part of its aggressive clean energy push. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm recently touted a first-of-its-kind small nuclear reactor demonstration project at a retiring coal plant in Wyoming.
LeFleur to Head New England ISO Board – The ISO New England’s Board of Directors has elected Cheryl LaFleur as chair, replacing Kathleen Abernathy, who is retiring. LaFleur, whose term as chair will begin on October 1, 2021, joined the board in 2019 after serving for more than nine years on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. “I’m honored to take on this role at such a pivotal time in New England’s transition to a clean energy future,” LaFleur said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the board, the ISO team, and government and industry leaders to help move the region forward.” LaFleur’s assuming the chairmanship coincides with the retirement of the board’s two previous chairs, Abernathy and Philip Shapiro. Abernathy has led the board since 2019, while Shapiro served as chair from 2014 to 2019.
ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
POSTPONED: NPC to Host GE Renewables CEO – The National Press Club event with GE Renewable Energy CEO Jérôme Pécresse HAS BEEN POSTPONED, The event was to address next steps in energy transition to meet UN climate goal. Pécresse will return to the Press Club in late October.
Atlantic Festival Continues – The Atlantic continues its 2021 Festival of ideas again this week. On today’s agenda is United CEO Scott Kirby, tomorrow features Southern CEO Tom Fanning, NE Sen. Ben Sasse on Wednesday and Thursday Hilary Clinton speaks.
Forum to Look at Clean Jobs – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) holds a briefing today at 2:00 p.m. about the current state of the climate workforce and the job creation potential of key climate policies. Climate policies currently being considered in Congress--including a clean energy standard, tax policies for renewable energy, and the Civilian Climate Corps--have potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build resilience to a changing climate, strengthen environmental justice, and contribute to job creation. Panelists will discuss the state-of-play for climate jobs and explore the benefits that could come with well-designed and durable climate policies.
Shale Conference Set for Erie – SHALE INSIGHT 2021 is set for tomorrow to Thursday at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Pa. The event is the nation’s premiere shale energy conference focused on shale development, environmental protection, pipeline investment, energy driven manufacturing and jobs in demand.
CSIS to Look at LNG – The Center for Strategic and International Studies holds a virtual discussion tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. on US LNG in the energy transition. The event will focus on the role of gas in the global effort to reduce emissions. Charif Souki, Executive Chairman of Tellurian, will discuss the state of the industry and the role U.S. LNG can play in the global energy transition.
Senate Energy Hosts FERC Commissioners – The Senate Energy Committee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to host FERC Commissioners to review FERC's jurisdiction.
Forum Looks at Nuclear Hydrogen Opportunities – Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the Global America Business Institute holds a forum on hydrogen opportunities from nuclear in South Korea and globally. Clean Air Task Force’s Carlos Leipner leads a panel of speakers.
Forum to Look at EVs – Generation 180 hosts a webinar tomorrow at noon to look at evolution of EVs in the media. The panelists features AU’s Selika Talbott, Motor Trend’s Johnny Lieberman, Automotive News Audrey LaForest and energy reporter Maria Gallucci.
ACORE to Release Report – ACORE, Vibrant Clean Energy (VCE) and business/community leaders from North and South Carolina hold a webinar tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. to release a new report on Clean energy Markets. VCE will present the results of a new ACORE-commissioned analysis that will show how real-time markets – either through a stand-alone Energy Imbalance Market or with regionally planned transmission through a Regional Transmission Organization – could deliver significant cost savings and emissions reduction benefits as compared with proposals currently before FERC.
Forum to Focus on Clean Energy – The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia hosts Clean Energy Summit tomorrow afternoon that will focus on the path to decarbonization. This hybrid event will feature multiple panels and keynotes featuring federal, state, local, and industry leaders who will come together to answer questions and open a discussion as to how we chart a path to a clean energy future. New FERC Appointee and DCPSC Chairman Willie L. Phillips will discuss how utility regulators and industry experts are advancing progress toward national and local clean energy goals. DOE’s Kelly Speakes-Backman, FERC Chair Rich Glick, White House climate advisor Jeff Marootian and CEQ EJ Director Cecilia Martinez all speak.
Baker Institute Hosts Energy Summit – Rice University's Baker Institute hosts its 2021 Annual Energy Summit Wednesday and Thursday. The event will focus on electrification and decarbonization as pathways to the energy future. Speakers include EPSA head Todd Snitchler and Cheniere’s Christopher Smith.
BOEM’s Lefton to Address Clean Energy Forum – Tomorrow at 4:30 p.m., Dynamo and Ørsted host a forum looking at a renewed focus on the American clean energy economy. The event will feature remarks from BOEM Director Amanda Lefton, who will provide an update on the Administration's offshore wind policies. NJ Rep. Don Norcross and NABTU’s Brent Booker also present.
GWU to Host India Green Discussion – The GeoWahington University holds a discussion on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. on getting India to a greener future. The talk will focus on Getting to the Green Frontier Development Model for India that has been proposed by Mr. Jayant Sinha, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance - Parliament of India, and lay out a Net- Zero Pathway for India in the 21st century. He will also discuss climate finance options and India’s expectations from the COP 26 conference in Glasgow in November this year.
Workshop Looks at Risk Management – On Wednesday at 9:00 a.m., NASEO, in partnership with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Association of Renewable Energy Agencies of States (AREAS) holds a virtual workshop that highlights key strategies and examples in risk management and mitigation for renewable energy project financing, with a particular focus on steps state agencies can take to leverage their limited public funds with greater magnitudes of private capital.
Senate FR Hosts State Dept on NordStream – The Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds a closed hearing on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. Amos Hochstein, the State Department’s point person will go over the administration’s current policy on the controversial natural gas project.
House Small Biz Looks at Climate, Forestry – The House Small Business Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. looking at sustainable forestry and its role in climate solutions. This hearing will hear from small businesses across this sector on how they are helping to address climate change.
Senate Homeland Looks at Natural Disaster Impacts – The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. addressing the threat of worsening natural disasters.
House Energy to Review CSB – The House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. on revitalizing the Chemical Safety Board.
Forum to Look at Energy Transition in Latin America – S&P Global Platts and Refintiv hold a webinar on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. looking at energy transition within Latin America. Energy Transition will look different in every geography and within every commodity. Experts will detail how the transition is currently looking and is continually developing in South America while still struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic.
WCEE Forum Pushes Women, Utilities – The Dentons Global Smart Cities & Connected Communities Think Tank hosts an upcoming virtual roundtable on Wednesday at Noon featuring women leading utilities. The Roundtable will be co-hosted by the Think Tank’s Energy Pillar, together with Public Utilities Fortnightly (PUF) and The Women’s Council on Energy & the Environment (WCEE). The discussion is inspired by the new book entitled: “Women Leading Utilities, the Pioneers and Path to Today and Tomorrow,” authored by PUF’s Executive Editor Steve Mitnick, and will feature several prominent women utility leaders who have broker the glass ceiling and are making long-lasting contributions both in terms of meeting the challenges of the future utilities industry and the future women in leadership positions.
Forum to Look at China Research Paper on Net Zero – On Wednesday at Noon. Columbia’s Center on Global Energy Policy will be releasing a pair of reports on this China Net Zero issues. One report, by Dr. Erica Downs, analyzes how Chinese oil and gas firms are preparing for a lower-carbon future. The other report, by Edmund Downie, examines early responses to the peaking and neutrality pledges from Chinese firms in coal power, steel, and cement. The event webinar will feature the key findings of these reports followed by a moderated discussion with sector experts.
Forum to Look at AI Solutions with Pittsburgh Mayor – Axios holds a virtual event Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. on how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing systems across industries. The event will discuss how companies and governments are integrating AI to modernize efficient systems in society, ranging from city management to clean energy manufacturing. Axios Future Correspondent Bryan Walsh will host one-on-one conversations with Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto and Intel’s Sameer Sharma.
Forum Looks at Antarctic Science – The Wilson Center's Polar Institute will convene a panel on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. featuring preeminent U.S. experts in different fields of Antarctic science who will speak to priority projects underway in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean and the contributions polar scientists make to global policies related to climate change, predicting sea-level rise, marine protection and environmental policies generally.
NASEO Summit Looks at CCUS – On Wednesday and Thursday at 1:00 p.m., NASEO will host a two-day workshop that will explore new developments in CCUS and look at the existing challenges and barriers to implementation. Participants will gain insight into technological considerations for CCUS, existing financial support for these projects, and the policy outlook from a state and federal perspective.
WaPo to Host Granholm on Infrastructure – The Washington Post Live holds a forum on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. featuring Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm discuss the Biden administration’s plan for building a sustainable infrastructure, including grid security, clean energy and combatting climate change. Gov. Steve Sisolak (D-Nev.) will also join Washington Post Live to discuss his ambitious infrastructure goals for Nevada, including a $75 million investment in a variety of job-creating proposals, including electric vehicles and other energy efficient programs.
Chamber to Look at Hydrogen–The U.S. Chamber of Commerce holds an EnergyInnovates virtual discussion on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. on looking at a blueprint for the hydrogen economy. The webinar will explore the challenges, opportunities, and policy dynamics associated with realizing hydrogen’s full potential in our future energy systems.
Forum, Reports Look at China Net Zero – On Thursday at Noon, Columbia’s Center on Global Energy Policy is holding a forum to look at China’s net zero efforts. CGEP is preparing to release a pair of reports on this issue. One report, by Dr. Erica Downs, analyzes how Chinese oil and gas firms are preparing for a lower-carbon future. The other report, by Edmund Downie, examines early responses to the peaking and neutrality pledges from Chinese firms in coal power, steel, and cement. This event will feature the key findings of these reports followed by a moderated discussion with sector experts.
Forum to Look at EV Manufacturing – On Thursday at Noon, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) holds a webinar on EV manufacturing. Rep. Donald McEachin and industry and labor experts weigh in about the prospects for U.S. dominance of the global EV market.
ACCF Hosts Sen King – On Thursday at 12:00 p.m., the ACCF is proud to host a conversation with Senator Angus King (I-ME). King is a consensus builder, working hard every day to bring Republicans and Democrats together to find common-sense solutions for Maine and America. He “calls ‘em like he sees ‘em,” putting civility and respect ahead of political ideology. And he still rides a Harley-Davidson.
WaPo Hosts UN Official on COP26 – On Thursday at 2:00 p.m., Washington Post Live hosts U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed for a conversation with senior writer Frances Stead Sellers to discuss the high stakes for protecting our planet and the COP26 conference this November in Scotland.
Forum to Look at Emergency Utility Comms – On Thursday at 4:00 p.m., the US Energy Assn hosts a discussion on communications systems during disasters. We will have 3 experts for this discussion, with a wealth of experience both in the U.S. and internationally. New England ISO’s Jeff Trask is among the speakers.
Forum Looks at Climate Housing Gap – On Thursday evening, ProPublica and Climate One are convening climate and housing experts to explain how climate change has magnified the affordable housing crisis and address potential solutions. Moderated by ProPublica reporter Elizabeth Weil, the event will feature USC’s Juan De Lara, Riverside County, CA development specialist Monica Telles, California Transportation Commissioner Darnell Grisby and UC-Berkeley’s Ben Metcalf, managing director at the Turner Center for Housing Innovation. The event will unpack what the “climate gap” means, address potential solutions and answer your questions.
Forum Tackles Integrating Climate Security – On Friday at 8:00 a.m., the Wilson Center holds a forum on integrating climate security across the US Government. In this panel discussion, representatives from the NSC, USAID, State Department, and NOAA, will share perspectives as agencies with different mandates but a shared goal of climate resilience in a stable world. Recognizing that integration and coordination are both essential and difficult, panelists will share insights on their respective agency climate security priorities and an update on ongoing and planned efforts to address climate security in the U.S. and with partners around the world.
IN THE FUTURE
Forum to Look at Climate Policy – The Breakthrough Institute hosts Ecomodernism 2021 On October 3rd to 5th. The event is taking place between a new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report and the next United Nations Climate Change Conference and will consider whether quiet policy is enough. And if it is not, what will supplement it or, even, take its place.
Forum Looks at Infrastructure for Net-Zero – Next Monday October 4th at Noon, the Center on Global Energy Policy will examine energy infrastructure more broadly both within and outside the United States to identify niches around the globe where one can utilize existing energy systems to facilitate a net-zero future. Panelists will discuss ways to improve the environmental performance of energy systems around the world to make them more compatible with a decarbonizing future and where investments in these systems should be directed and how to address the real risks of fossil fuel lock-in. Panelists include former DOE official Melanie Kenderdine, T. Rowe Price’s Maria Elena Drew, the World Bank’s Demetrios Papathanasiou and Shell’s Maarten Wetselaar.
Forum Looks at Polar Mapping – Next Monday at 2:00 p.m., the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute and the Embassy of Finland hold a discussion exploring how science and technology help the United Nations, Finland and the United States increase awareness about the changes occurring in the polar regions.
Latin Energy Conference Set – On Tuesday morning October 5th, the Dialogue hosts the Fifth Annual Latin America Energy Conference will convene energy company executives, US and Latin American government officials, and international and nongovernmental organizations to discuss the most pressing energy policy issues in the hemisphere.
Forums Look at COP26 Expectations – The Stimson Center and the British Embassy Washington host a discussion on Tuesday October 5th at 10:00 a.m. featuring two distinguished Ambassadors on the urgent need to mobilize more climate finance to build resiliency, fund innovative nature-based projects, and sustain meaningful climate ambition beyond the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November. As COP26 co-hosts, UK Ambassador Karen Pierce and Italian Ambassador Mariangela Zappia will offer perspectives on what we can expect as the world gathers to address the climate crisis.
CSIS to Host EIA's International Energy Outlook 2021 – The CSIS Energy Security & Climate Change Program will host a forum on Wednesday October 6th at 9:00 a.m. featuring Stephen Nalley, Acting Administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), and Angelina LaRose, Assistant Administrator for Energy Analysis, for a presentation and discussion of the EIA's International Energy Outlook 2021 (IEO2021). A panel of EIA experts will take questions after the presentation. The IEO2021 presents long-term projections of world energy supply and demand by region and primary energy source; electricity generation by energy source; and energy-related carbon dioxide emissions.
Forum to Look at Climate Tipping Points – Woodwell Climate Research Center holds an event on Wednesday October 6th at 3:00 p.m. on tipping points. This gripping event will explore what we know–and need to know–to avoid going over the cliff.
JHU Hosts China Belt/Road Initiative – On Thursday at 11:00 a.m., JHU hosts a forum to examine the energy mix of China’s overseas electricity investments and their environmental implications across Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) recipient countries, with a focus on two key case studies: Pakistan and Indonesia.
BCSE to Look at Road to COP26 – The Business Council for Sustainable Energy holds a forum on Thursday October 7th looking at the Road to COP 26 and the role business of leading on climate and bolstering U.S. competitiveness. This panel of U.S. companies will dive into the range of policies and investments that would bolster competitiveness – from manufacturing, supply chains, carbon border adjustments, workforce development and more.
EESI Looks at COP 26 – On Friday October 8th at 11:30 a.m., the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) holds a briefing to explore cross-cutting challenges—climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and pollution—facing the United States and countries around the world, and how policymakers are finding and implementing solutions to these challenges. This briefing kicks off EESI’s Congressional briefing series, What Congress Needs to Know in the Lead Up to COP26. To sign up for the briefings in the series, visit www.eesi.org/1021cop26. Speakers include Robert Watson and former UN climate head Christiana Figueres. This starts a series of meetings that will continue on October 15th, October 20th and October 22nd.
Urban Land Institute Fall Meetings Set – The Urban Land Institute holds its Fall meetings on October 11th to 13th.
Bracewell to Host ESG Seminar – Bracewell experts host another informative and timely presentation on Tuesday October 12th at 9:30 a.m. looking at what is happening in the world of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG). My Colleague Becky Baker looks at intersection of employment Laws and ESG while Fernando Rodriguez-Marin & Luiz Gabriel Todt de Azevedo ESG components.
Brouillette Headlines Houston Gas, LNG Forum – The IN-PERSON 4th Houston Gas & LNG Forum 2021 will be held on October 18th and 19th at the Petroleum Club of Houston, TX. Former Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette, currently President of Sempra Infrastructure, will headline. Other speakers include Reps. Greg Pence, Sheila Jackson-Lee, Randy Weber, Pete Sessions and Paul Gosar, as well as several others.
US-Mexico Chamber Holds Annual Conference – The United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Board of Directors Meeting, Conference, and “Good Neighbor” Awards Gala on October 20th at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. Keynote speakers include Mexican Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier and former long-time US Chamber head Tom Donahue.
FP Hosts Forum on Resilience – Foreign Policy, in partnership with Chemonics International, holds a forum to examine the nexus of climate and migration and the role of international development in tackling this challenge. A panel of experts will discuss how advances in climate modeling and data analysis are shaping the future of global development and how these tools can be applied to mitigate the root causes of environmental migration. The event will also explore approaches that harness on-the-ground expertise to forecast and manage risks and design mitigation and adaptation strategies that generate local solutions to climate change. Speakers will include Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown, Sierra Leone, US AID’s Center for Resilience Jami Montgomery and several others.
COP 26 Launches in Glasgow – The UN Climate Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 will launch on November 1st and run through November 10th in Glasgow, Scotland.