Energy Update: Week of September 28

Friends,

I hope all had a good fast for Yom Kippur. Over the weekend, we officially learned that President Trump would nominate 7^th circuit judge and Notre Dame Law Professor Amy Coney Barrett as his pick to replace Ruth Bader Ginsberg. And now the politics and confirmation begin, starting with tomorrow’s first Presidential Debate. In both the SCOTUS nom and the debate, we don’t expect any significant mentions of energy issues and climate change, but they will be in the background – at least in this first scrap between Trump and Biden. There are potential impacts for both energy/climate though, so if you are looking for those insights, Jeff, Scott and others here are ready to help. You can get more analysis and debate prep from our debate experts in the Bracewell pre-game show here.  I also talked about election 2020 and the SCOTUS nom with Bloomberg’s Kevin Cirilli for his Sound On show last Friday. Finally, POLITICO has a quick 6-minute Podcast hit on what Barrett could mean for the environment.

On top of the news this morning, St. Louis-based utility Ameren released its Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) before the market opened this morning and in doing so established a net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050 across all its operations in Missouri and Illinois, as well as an $8 billion clean energy plan. The largest-ever expansion of clean solar and wind generation will still maintain the reliability and affordability that customers have come to expect. See more details below or in the links.

The House passed Energy legislation late last week, but the Senate remains stuck on its version, despite having resolved the HFC concerns that held it up previously.  The biggest event this week is Wednesday’s FERC Conference on Carbon Pricing to discuss considerations related to state-adoption of mechanisms to price carbon dioxide emissions.  There will also be hearing tomorrow on House Resource on Interior Park Police as well as a Wednesday mark up, a House Science hearing on extreme weather and Thursday hearings in House Energy on clean energy and House Select Climate Committee on strengthening the U.S. financial system and expanding economic opportunity with ClearPath’s Rich Powell.

The most exciting ON-LINE event will be Wednesday’s final SEJ 2020 panel that digs deep into election politics and the environment with yours truly, House Resources top Republican Rob Bishop, offshore energy expert Tim Charters, former Interior official Jim Lyons and Dem politico Jen Palmieri. The Marcellus Shale Coalition starts its Shale Insight Conference tomorrow and other major events include tomorrow’s Carbon Capture Coalition C-suite dialogue looking at the role carbon capture will play in meeting mid-century climate targets; a Wednesday event at CSIS on Innovation in Transportation Fuels with DOE’s Dan Simmons focused on innovation occurring in alternative fuels, including biofuels, power-to-liquids, and hydrogen, as well as another hydrogen with CEC Vice Chair Jenea Scott and Air Liquide CEO Mike Graff.  WCEE holds a discussion with FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee on Thursday about major FERC decisions and critical challenges and Friday, RFF hosts energy author Dan Yergin on energy, climate and his latest book, The New Map.

Finally, our friend, energy reporter Elizabeth McGowan has some uplifting news in her new book Outpedaling 'The Big C': My Healing Cycle Across America.  While its not her/our usual energy/environment fare, it is a story that required a different type of energy. Short version: a cancer survivor, Liz organized a solo ride called “Heals on Wheels” as a fundraiser for the Wisconsin hospital that kept her ticking, where she pedaled/camped over 4,250 miles from the Pacific to the Atlantic. It is an inspirational road to discovery with a splash remarkable landscapes and affable characters that/who she encountered along the way. 

Congrats to our friend Yvonne McIntyre (fellow Detroiter) who recently left the corporate world and started a new job at NRDC, where she will focus on federal climate change and clean energy policies for the electricity sector. Feel free to call with any questions, stay safe & healthy.  Stay tuned here for our latest deabte SCOTUS nom insights.

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

 

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“Ameren’s new net-zero carbon goal for 2050 and the advancement of 2040 and 2030 goals by ten years is huge progress from where the company was just three years ago. It's a meaningful step in the Midwest in addressing climate change that builds on the company’s success in achieving the 2025 Paris targets five years early. Clean energy and energy efficiency investments of more than $5 billion in the next ten years will help our region's economic recovery, with energy efficiency and demand response programs saving the equivalent of two large power plants. With additional state and federal policy support, even greater emission reductions and economic benefits are possible.”

Ashok Gupta of the Natural Resources Defense Council regarding Ameren’s new IRP that calls for an $8 billion clean energy investment and net-zero emissions by 2050.

ON THE PODCAST

Bracewell Podcasts Look at Political Actions, Debate – Our Bracewell team  is focused on the Election and the Debate in two podcasts this week.  On Friday, our team visited with Kristen Soltis Anderson, co-founder of Echelon Insights and author of The Selfie Vote, to discuss the ins and outs of polling in 2020, demographic data on young voters, and what her research and insight can tell us about what to expect from election day in a few short weeks.  Then, later today, our team of debate and political experts talk strategy for tomorrow night’s debate in Cleveland between President Trump and former VP Biden. Listen with the player below or download on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Google Play, and Stitcher. Follow the podcast on Twitter at the handle @TheLobbyShopPod.

Bloomberg Sound On Looks at Election 2020, SCOTUS – Bloomberg’s Sound On radio sow/podcast on Friday featured a discussion on Election 2020 and the nomination of Supreme Court justice Amy Coney and segment with Rep Michael Waltz, a Republican representing Florida's 6th district.

FUN OPINIONS

SoCal Expert Highlights Fuel Cells – In an op-ed in the 11 So Cal News group papers, Yuri Freedman writes California can meet its climate goals affordably—while ensuring energy reliability—with policies that support the use the gas grid to deploy these types of clean gas technologies. Today, fuel cells can make the power grid more resilient. Soon they will also be an essential element of a zero-emissions energy system. This is because fuel cells can run on hydrogen, a zero-carbon fuel that can be produced using renewable energy. This is why hydrogen is often thought of as the “fuel of the future.” Hydrogen can be stored for days, months and years, then turned back into electricity using fuel cells.

Fuel cells using clean hydrogen must be a key factor in meeting our climate change goals. In fact, researchers at the University of California Irvine believe clean hydrogen is the only way to get to 100% renewable energy in California.  And a recent Caltech study found that including clean hydrogen technology for energy storage will make 100% renewable reliable electricity more affordable.

Walters: Gov Newsom Plan on Cars Serious? – Cal Matters Dan Walters writes in a blog the latest announcement by Gove Gavin Newsom is the latest example of Newsom’s fondness for headline-grabbing pronouncements of “big hairy, audacious goals.”  While California accounts for about half of the ZEVs on American roads, they are still fewer than 2% of the nearly 30 million cars and light trucks in California. And despite state and federal subsidies, they are a fraction of the state’s current goal of having 1.5 million in use by 2025. Newsom’s declaration, and a request to the Legislature to phase out fracking to produce oil and natural gas, cheered environmental advocates who want California to be bolder in reducing its emissions of greenhouse gases. He blamed global warming for the destructive wildfires that have swept through the state this year.

FROG BLOG

Conservative Case for Phasing Out HFCs – In an op-ed in The Hill, Christopher Barnard of the American Conservation Coalition (ACC) writes an often under-considered aspect of the climate debate is the voracious energy-appetite of air conditioning (AC), of which HFCs are a crucial component. For conservatives and libertarians that dislike regulations, the move to phase out HFCs falls firmly within the realm of negative externalities. The external environmental impact far exceeds the minute savings that would be dissipated rather broadly in the American economy. “The argument that consumer prices will inexorably go up due to more expensive coolants assumes an inert refrigerating industry that wouldn’t adapt to new circumstances and misunderstands the rapidity and scale of American innovation. Indeed, there is plenty of economic opportunity to be found in cleaner coolants, not only by reviving parts of American industry and manufacturing, but also by reducing our reliance on China.”

IN THE NEWS

Ameren Sets $8B Clean Energy Plan, Net-Zero Emissions Goal – St. Louis-based Ameren established a net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050 across all its operations in Missouri and Illinois.  They also announced its largest-ever expansion of clean solar and wind generation while maintaining the reliability and affordability that customers have come to expect. The clean energy expansion is included in their Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The IRP is a triennial filing that sets forth Ameren Missouri’s preferred plan to transform its electricity generation portfolio over the coming decades. It takes advantage of the continued decline in the cost to build new clean energy resources. Central to Ameren’s plan is the commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This new, more aggressive goal reflects the company’s leadership and continued commitment to clean energy and the environment. Milestones include reducing carbon emissions 50% by 2030 and 85% by 2040, based on 2005 levels. The new goals accelerate and expand on the company's 2017 pledge and are consistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Highlights of IRP Plan – The major highlights of Ameren Missouri’s plan to achieve this goal include:

• The company’s largest investments in renewable solar and wind energy in its history.
• Investing billions of dollars, creating thousands of jobs.
• Building on an already solid base of carbon-free generation.
• Advancing retirements of coal-fired energy centers.
• Offering customers even more clean energy choices.
• Continuing focus on reliability and affordability.

Advances in technology and decreasing costs for renewable energy and energy storage are making it possible to dramatically reduce carbon emissions, keeping energy affordable and reliable while strengthening environmental stewardship.

AFL-CIO, Moniz Group Release Clean-Energy Policy Plan for an Economic Recovery – A new report today from the AFL-CIO and Energy Futures Initiative (EFI)  offers a comprehensive overview of a suite of climate and labor policies, supported by the, that will accelerate America’s transition to a low carbon economy while preserving and creating access to high quality jobs. The paper provides a summary of the importance of each initiative from a climate perspective and the jobs’ benefit it will provide American communities. See the full report here. 

SAFE Urges Bipartisan, Coordinated Policy To Lead New Tech – A bipartisan, federal response is required for the United States to compete with China’s ownership of the next generation of transportation, according to The Commanding Heights Of Global Transportation, a new report from SAFE which emphasizes the need to compete with China as a national security priority. Government policies worldwide prioritizing lower-carbon economies, in addition to hundreds of billions of dollars spent and pledged by authorities and automakers on non-petroleum fuels, have made a transition to connected, autonomous, shared and electric vehicles a certainty. The Chinese government prioritized leadership in these new technologies as part of its Made In China 2025 strategy, through which it seeks to gain greater global authority and reap the significant economic rewards.

The Report – SAFE’s latest paper, The Commanding Heights Of Global Transportation, found China controls nearly 70 percent of global electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing capacity, while North America has less than 10 percent. This vast control includes:

• Direct or indirect control of 70 percent of the world’s lithium supply, 61 percent of the cathodes and 83 percent of the anodes used in batteries.
• Ownership of 80 percent of the rare earths supply needed for U.S. weapons systems and EVs, and control over the processing of this supply.
• China produces roughly 75 percent of the permanent magnets that use rare earths, another critical component for EV motors
• By 2020, 107 of the 142 lithium-ion battery megafactories under construction worldwide are, or will be, located in China. Just nine are planned for the United States.
• More than twice as many EVs sold cumulatively in China compared to the United States. 421,000 of the 425,000 electric buses worldwide are on Chinese roads.

The Commanding Heights Of Global Transportation contains comprehensive recommendations that enable the United States to compete with China by:

• Supporting the advanced fuel vehicle market and domestic manufacturing
  • Reforming the federal tax credit for EVs and expanding a tax credit for medium- and heavy-duty EVs.
  • Tax credits and funding that fosters the retooling, expansion and establishment of advanced transportation manufacturing.
• Developing a critical minerals supply chain that is not controlled by China
  • Includes creating a domestic rare earths processing cooperative to ensure uninterrupted supply of the minerals required for U.S. high-tech and defense system applications.
  • Recycling policies for EV batteries to create a closed loop resource supply chain.
• Advancing next-generation transportation technology
  • To compete with Chinese companies, allowances for deploying novel design autonomous vehicles (AVs) on public roads must be expanded from 2,500 to 100,000 per manufacturer as long as they are as safe as current vehicles.
  • A clear pathway for regulatory reform and certainty at the federal level, as developers currently must contend with a patchwork of regulations at the state level, while China can make rules by fiat.
• Combating predatory economic practices
  • Includes issuing an antitrust waiver to allow U.S. automakers to work together with global industry to address issues related to doing business in China and supply chain issues.

Recommendations – The comprehensive recommendations also include:

• Working with allies to diversify supplies of minerals not readily available in the United States;
• Expanding the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program to include associated components such as batteries, anodes and cathodes;
• Preserving the 5.9 GHz band (the “Safety Band”) for vehicle connectivity;
• Investing in nationwide advanced fuel vehicle charging and refueling infrastructure; and
• Strengthening alliances with international partners to respond jointly to China when needed.

Court Hears RFS Arguments – The D.C. Circuit on Friday heard the annual challenge to EPA's RFS blending mandate.  Friday’s arguments focused on the rule governing 2019 requirements. Refiners who regularly contended that EPA's mandate came in too high, argued they were especially high this year given that EPA is denying waivers to small refiners. The judges (Srinivasan, Garland, and Rogers) were silent for at least half of the case, including the arguments on both sides of point of obligation and severe economic harm.  On the RFS producer rules, the judges were active on argument that EPA impermissibly decided not to account for exempted volumes.  There was virtually no discussion of the merits of that argument, but the questioning focused almost exclusively on whether the challenge was timely. 

Steelworkers: Trump’s EPA Decisions a Blow to USW Refinery Workers – The United Steelworkers blasted EPA’s move to limit small refinery waivers and not appeal the 10^th Circuit decision earlier this year on SRE waivers, essentially killing the SRE provisions of the EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS) program.

“While President Trump campaigns that he is a friend to energy workers, his administration’s policy decisions on the RFS program are hurting our members in refining and will not have the positive impact on farming he is promising. His decisions simply do not match his rhetoric. The SRE program, instituted by the Obama/Biden administration in 2010, gave relief to small refiners experiencing economic hardship as a result of compliance to the RFS. An increase of SRE waivers in recent years helped to keep compliance cost in check for merchant refiners where the USW has significant membership. The USW represents roughly two thirds of the U.S. domestic refining capacity workforce. Since the beginning of the year, when the announcement came that the Trump EPA would not appeal the 10^th Circuit decision and then magnified by the announcement this week by Trump’s EPA, RIN prices have increased more than five-fold from less than 10 cents in January to 50 cents today. At a time when fuel demand is down significantly from the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic and this administration’s mishandling of the public health crisis response these decisions will harm the viability of small and merchant refiners. This puts our members’ livelihood and communities at risk.  President Trump claims he supports refining workers: his actions do not support those claims.”

Report: RFS Fails to Achieve Goals while Harming Others – Speaking of RFS and Ethanol, a new report from the Center for Freedom and Prosperity says the RFS has failed to advance its stated purposes while leading to adverse consequences for consumers, refiners, and the environment. These most recent moves from the Trump Administration will not resolve the disputes over the RFS. Farmers and the ethanol industry want to expand the RFS while the environmental and economic consequences accumulate. An evaluation of the effects of the RFS suggests the opposite is needed. The Renewable Fuel Standard has not achieved the policy goals for which it was created and requires serious reform if not outright abolition.

Energy Scorecard Out – While the environmental community is better known for handing out grades for legislators, the American Energy Alliance (AEA) released their Congressional scorecard last week looking to balance perspectives out a bit.  House scores are pretty straightforward. Simply visit this page and type in a House Member’s name or use the map.  Because there were less meaningful energy votes in the Senate this year, and because only approximately one third of Senators are up for reelection every two years, AEA scored Senators across their 6-year term. You can view that list of Senators and their scores here. With millions of ballots arriving in mailboxes soon, scorecards like these from AEA will likely be used as tools for employees in energy/swing state races (think PA, FL, NC, AZ, WS, OH, MN, MA) or for Members of Congress themselves, be it townhall meetings or constituent newsletters.  Some have already begun issuing press releases touting their 100% energy champion score. I defer any questions on the scores and methodology to my friend Jon Haubert (jon@hblegacy.com; 303-396-5996)

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

MOST EVENTS SCHEDULED ARE NOW ONLINE WEBINARS

Shale Conference Set – The Marcellus Shale Coalition holds its virtual annual 2020 Shale Insight conference tomorrow through Thursday.  Speakers include DOE Secretary Dan Brouillette, Sens Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey, DOE’s Steve Winberg, ACC CEO Chris Jahn, NETL Director Brian Anderson, Range’s Scott Roy and many more. 

USEA Talks Africa, Geothermal Energy – Tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., the US Energy Assn holds a forum on geothermal innovation for economic growth in East Africa.  In this webinar, innovations will be discussed which allow geothermal resource to have a greater benefit, on both the grid and as an engine of local economic growth.  Since there is no one “best” strategy, the workshop structure and goal is for participants to start developing strategies tailored to their particular resources, needs, and opportunities.

Forum to Focus on Spent Fuel – Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the Stimson Center hold a briefing on our new “Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) Mapping” tool and learn how it can inform safeguards implementation of permanent SNF disposal deep underground. This new tool informs the need for countries to make decisions on SNF storage and final disposal by tracking the change of SNF over time and providing snapshots of the current status of SNF distribution at nuclear facilities across 17 countries. 

Forum to Look at Hydrogen, RNG in Canada – The Pembina Institute holds Part II of it webinar series on hydrogen and renewable natural gas to achieving Canada’s decarbonization goals. This webinar will explore the opportunity for integrating or blending hydrogen and RNG in Canada’s natural gas distribution networks. Presenters include FortisBC RNG manager Scott Gramm, ATCO Gas’ Greg Caldwell and Enbridge’s Sam McDermott.

Forum to Tackle Carbon Capture – The Carbon Capture Coalition will hold C-suite dialogue on tomorrow 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.

Recourses Looks at Interior, Park Police – The House Natural Resources Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee holds a hearing at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow looking at on Interior’s police cameras. 

Web Event to Look at Fast Reactors – The Fast Reactor Working Group hosts a webinar at 3:00 p.m. on fueling the future with fast neutrons. Experts will tackle the topic of fueling the future with fast fission technologies.

Presidential Debate – Tomorrow at 9:00 p.m., Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic host the first presidential debate of 2020.

Forum to Talk Fusion – The Atlantic Council hosts a webinar Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. with Bob Mumgaard, CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, on how CFS aims to bring fusion energy to market," as part of the EnergySource Innovation Stream series. Mumgaard will discuss how SPARC plants will be significantly smaller and lower cost than the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor and will generate about 100 megawatts. CFS plans to build a prototype SPARC reactor by 2025, with construction set to start in mid-2021.

FERC Carbon Pricing Conference Set – FERC holds a technical conference on carbon pricing in electricity markets on Wednesday starting at 9:00 a.m. The purpose of this conference is to discuss considerations related to state-adoption of mechanisms to price carbon dioxide emissions, commonly referred to as carbon pricing, in regions with Commission-jurisdictional organized wholesale electricity markets. This conference will focus on carbon pricing approaches where a state (or group of states) sets an explicit carbon price, whether through a price-based or quantity-based approach, and how that carbon price intersects with RTO/ISO-administered markets, addressing both legal and technical issues. The agenda and list of panelists for this conference are here.

DOE’s Simmons Headlines Future Fuels Forum – The CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program, with input and support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Technology Transitions and Chief Commercialization Officer, will hold its 5^th fifth session in the Energy Innovation Series on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. Innovation in Transportation Fuels will focus on innovation occurring in alternative fuels, including biofuels, power-to-liquids, and hydrogen. DOE Assistant Secretary Dan Simmons will give a brief keynote address on the Department’s priorities in advancing low-carbon fuels. Nikos Tsafos (CSIS Energy) will then moderate a discussion with John Farrell (NREL) and Bruno Miller (Fulcrum Bioenergy) on how various efforts in these categories fit into the innovation chain, from basic science to commercialization and deployment.

Companies Look at Soybean Sustainability – Biomarket Insights holds a forum on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. to look at how US Soybeans are helping companies meet sustainability and commercialization goals. Ford Motor Company and Goodyear Tires to discuss the opportunity and potential around achieving sustainability and performance with soybeans. As sustainability moves from the boardroom to the manufacturing floor, more company leaders are ramping up efforts to integrate renewable feedstocks.

House Energy to Focus on Clean Energy – The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy will hold a hearing at 10:00 a.m. on, generating equity by improving clean energy access and affordability.

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 at 10:00 a.m. 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 Targets European Energy Security Issues – The US Agency for International Development and the US Energy Association have partnered to hold a webinar on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. focused on enhancing the region’s energy security through the Energy Technology and Governance Program (ETAG). Pioneering a new development assistance paradigm, ETAG has grown the engineering skills and institutional capacity within the region’s energy sector, making progress toward the shared vision for energy security and energy independence. Leaders of this development assistance work will explain that shared vision and why the US is invested in achieving it, share some success stories, and discuss the remaining challenges to achieving energy security and independence.

Hydrogen Forum to Feature CEC Vice Chair, Air Liquide CEO – A forum on Wednesday sponsored by CoMotion LA will feature a one-hour webinar on California being ground zero of the hydrogen revolution.   Speakers will include Air Liquide CEO Mike Graff, CEC Vice Chair Janea Scott, ZeroAvia CEO Val Miftakhov, Toyota's Craig Scott and Obalisi Boyle, the new head of mobility strategy at Hyundai North America.

Forum to Look at Country Climate Commitments – The World Resources Institute will hold a forum on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. exploring countries’ national and long-term climate commitments with Climate Watch. To analyze, compare and track the latest country submissions, Climate Watch launched Explore NDCs, a new module that offers detailed content of commitments and allows users to explore and create visualizations of commitments with over 150 structured indicators.  Climate Watch also launched the Long-term Strategies Explorer, a new module that allows users the ability to track and analyze countries’ mid-century low carbon development strategies. The webinar will feature a demonstration of these new modules, new greenhouse gas emissions data, an overview of Climate Watch and how its open data and tools is helping governments, researchers and the media gather resources to communicate about and advance climate action.

Former Defense Sect Talk Oil – KPMG hosts a fireside chat webcast on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. with Ash Carter, former Defense secretary, on the geopolitical events since January 2020 that led to the massive decline in the oil industry.

House Science Panel Looks at Exetreme Weather Impacts – The House Science Committee’s Environment Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 11:30 p.m. looking at extreme weather, social injustice and the COVID pandemic. Witnesses include UC-Irvine’s Roxane Cohen Silver, Colette Pichon Battle of the Gulf Coast Center for Law and Policy and Massachusetts Maritime Academy Assistant Professor of Emergency Management Samantha Montano.

Forum to Look at Grid Reliability – Our Energy Policy holds a forum Wednesday at Noon discussing the role of coalition-building in decarbonizing the electricity grid while maintaining reliability.  Moderated by Melanie Kenderdine of The Energy Futures Initiative, this event will feature Paula Gold-Williams, President and CEO of CPS Energy, and Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of the New York Power Authority.

Forum to Look at Low Carbon, Small Biz – EESI holds a forum on Wednesday 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.

Forum to Look at Future of Pipelines – The Environmental Law Institute holds a webinar on Wednesday at noon looking at the future of oil and gas pipeline construction. Recent simultaneous setbacks to three multibillion-dollar pipeline projects including the Dakota Access Pipeline, Keystone XL Pipeline and Atlantic Coast Pipeline may reflect shifting legal, economic, and policy pressures facing new pipeline construction projects. Leading experts to explore political and legal questions and dive into the future of oil and gas pipelines.

Forum to Look at COVID, Energy Recovery – The Baker Institute is hosting a seminar over four days starting on Wednesday looking at resilience in energy systems by focusing on the COVID pandemic, oil prices and other disruptions.  On Wednesday, Ken Medlock interviews IEA’s David Turk and holds a discussion with Shell President Gretchen Watkins.  Then there will be a panel of experts on resilience in the energy systems.  Then Friday at Noon, Baker will host a conversation with former FERC Commissioner Bernie MacNamee and hold a panel on evolving power markets with Sunnova AES and APEX execs.  Next week on October 7^th, LBJ Foundation President interviews James Baker and there is a panel discussion on oil/gas with Bob McNally, former BP official Mark Finley, Calpine CEO Thad Hill and P66 exec Zhanna Golodryga.  Finally, on Friday October 9^th, Air Liquide CEO Mike Graff, CLC head Greg Bertlesen and Shell’s Steve Hill talk net-zero issues and the role of technology. After that panel, Spencer Dale presents BP’s Energy outlook.

SEJ Election Panel Set – The final panels for virtual SEJ 2020 will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday.  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. 

Stabenow, Braun Headline BPC Climate Forum – On Thursday at 8:30 a.m., the Bipartisan Policy Center hosts a special morning coffee chat with Sens. Mike Braun (R-IN) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to discuss their legislative priorities in the Growing Climate Solutions Act and the Rural Forest Markets Act of 2020. Recognizing the role of the agriculture and forestry sectors as a critical climate solution, these bills create opportunities for U.S. producers and forest landowners to better access private markets for carbon and environmental credits. Following the discussion with the senators, a panel of experts will provide their reactions and discuss their experiences with markets for natural carbon solutions.

WRI to Release Science-Based Target Framework – On Thursday at 9:00 a.m., the World Resources Institute launches the Science Based Targets initiative's framework for financial institutions to set science-based targets and target validation pilot phase. The forum will look at how financial institutions can set science-based targets for their lending and investment portfolios and assess/validate financial institution targets. 

Forum Targets Grid resilience, Cyber Solutions – The Atlantic Council holds a webinar Thursday at 9:30 a.m. focused on securing the energy transition through innovative cyber solutions for grid resiliency. General Wesley Clark will provide keynote remarks and will discuss the National Commission on Grid Resilience report “Grid Resilience: Priorities for the Next Administration.” His remarks will be followed by a panel discussion on solutions for preventing and mitigating cyberattacks and the launch of the new Siemens Energy industrial cybersecurity solution for medium and small-sized businesses.  Speakers include Siemens VP Leo Simonovich, NYPA CEO Gil Quiniones and APPA CEO Joy Ditto. 

Cybersecurity Event Looks at Utility Data Protection – The US Energy Assn holds the 10^th in the series of USAID webinars on Thursday 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.

House Energy Panel Looks at Clean Energy Access – The House Energy and Commerce Energy Subcommittee holds a hearing Thursday at 10:00 a.m. on generating equity by improving clean energy access and affordability for all.

AG looks at Conservation Programs – The House Agriculture’s Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee holds a hearing on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. on the challenges and successes of Conservation Programs in 2020.

WCEE Hosts Chatterjee – The Women’s Council on Energy and Environment hosts a conversation on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. between WCEE President Barbara Tyran and FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee about major FERC decisions and critical challenges encountered during his time as chairman. From renewable energy and energy storage to relationships with state regulators, they will touch on some of the most pressing topics for the agency today.

House Resources Looks at EJ Legislation – The House Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing on Thursday at Noon focused on H.R. 5986 (116) , the "Environmental Justice for All Act."

House Climate Committee Looks at Financial System – The House Select Committee on the Crisis will hold a hearing Thursday at 1:00 p.m. on strengthening the U.S. financial system and expanding economic opportunity. ClearPath Executive Director Rich Powell will be among the witnesses.

Forum to Look at CA Air Issues – GreenBiz hold a conversation on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. looking at some of the available and affordable solutions that are delivering a real lasting impact in California’s fight against air pollution and climate change. In this one-hour webcast, Neste US President Jeremy Baines, California Air Resources Board Executive Officer Richard Corey, City of Oakland Climate Group Supervisor Shayna H. Hirshfield-Gold and GreenBiz Sr. Transportation Writer & Analyst Katie Fehrenbacher, will explore how advanced biofuels and the circular economy are measurably helping in our collective fight against air pollution and climate change. Importantly, it will provide solutions that any forward-thinking business or city can choose to use right now.

Forum looks at CCS Tax Strategies – The US Energy Association holds a virtual discussion Thursday at 1:00 p.m. on CCUS tax strategies, opportunities, roadblocks, hurdles and solutions. A new report from the United States Energy Association (USEA) and the US Department of Energy (DOE), prepared by Orrick and FTI Consulting, offers insights into these complexities.

RFF To Look at Climate Risks, Markets – Resources for the Future (RFF) holds a forum on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. or a forward-looking conversation on climate risks in the financial system. CFTC Commissioner Rostin Benham and CFTC Climate-Related Market Risk Subcommittee Chair Robert Litterman will discuss the report, the potential risks climate change poses on our economy in the short and long term, and overall trends in climate risk and financial markets around the world. Additional participants will be announced soon.

Forum Looks a Foreign Policy is Climate Policy – The Woodrow Wilson Center webcast on Friday at 8:00 a.m. on the virtual launch of “21st Century Diplomacy: Foreign Policy is Climate Policy” a series of op-eds, interviews, and in-depth articles focused on seven central climate-related challenges for foreign policy. Panelists will discuss how climate risks and climate policy are affecting global and regional balances of power – and the political opportunities to raise ambition and new leadership coalitions.

Forum to Focus On China Pollution Issues – The Wilson Center will hold a forum on Friday at 9:00 a.m. on accelerating environmental and health threats from climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity. With these challenges in mind, Drs. Judith Shapiro (American University) and Yifei Li (NYU Shanghai) will kick off this panel by examining whether China’s coercive environmentalism model offers a solution for our troubled planet.  Drawing on their new book, China Goes Green, Shapiro and Li will delve into the force and the flaws of China’s coercive environmentalism to address pollution and environmental degradation at home and abroad. Their stories will evaluate some of China’s green campaigns, laws, and other domestic mechanisms to fulfill the leadership’s ecological civilization goals. Next, in a rapid-fire interview format, Jennifer Turner (Wilson Center) will lead a deeper conversation into China’s bumpy road in greening its overseas investments. Jingjing Zhang (Center for Transnational Environmental Accountability, University of Maryland Law) will close out the panel with a deeper exploration of the biodiversity threats from Chinese investments into coal plants in Zimbabwe and mining in Guinea and Ghana.

RFF To Host Yergin – On Friday at Noon, Resources for the Future holds a Policy Leadership Series event with leading energy expert and Pulitzer Prize–winning author Dr. Daniel Yergin. Dr. Yergin is the vice chairman of IHS Markit and the chairman of CERAWeek. RFF President and CEO Richard G. Newell will sit down with Dr. Yergin to discuss a range of energy, climate, and economic issues, and his recently published book, The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations.

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 will look at _____  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.

IN THE FUTURE

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.

Hydrogen Week Events Set, Presser Set for Next Monday – Next week, Thursday October 8^th is the 5^th annual National Hydrogen Day and there will be events all week sponsored by the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Assn.  Next Monday at Noon, experts from Air Liquide, SoCal Gas and other will hold a press event to discuss hydrogen progress and a new report on the comprehensive Road Map details how the U.S. can expand its global energy leadership, by scaling up activity in the rapidly emerging and evolving hydrogen economy, as policy makers and industry work together and take the right steps. There will be additional events later in the week they will hold event with California and Federal stakeholders. 

Latin Energy Conference Set – The Dialogue hosts the 4^th 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.

Forum Set Fusion – The Department of Energy (DOE), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) will host a Virtual Public Forum on Tuesday October 6^th regulatory framework for Fusion. The event will be an open discussion about introducing different fusion energy systems to the U.S. and Canadian regulatory space.

Forum Looks at Smart Tech, Emissions – The Center for Energy and Environmental Studies (C2ES) holds a webinar on Tuesday October 6^th at 1:15 p.m. on smart technologies and using them to cut emissions.  Despite the ubiquity of digital technologies, far too little attention has been paid to the ways they can accelerate decarbonization across our economy. Hear from industry leaders about the enormous potential of “digitalization,” how they’re already using these tools to reduce their emissions, and the policies needed to drive broader deployment.

NASEO Hosts EIA Winter Outlook – The National Assn of State Energy Officials, in partnership with the EIA, will host the 2020 - 2021 Winter Energy Outlook Webinar on Wednesday October 7^th at 10:0 a.m. The webinar will address global oil supply uncertainty, and the effects of projected winter weather on the demand for heating and key transportation fuels. The webinar will include a presentation on EIA's Winter Fuels Outlook, as well as presentations from well-known industry representatives and energy experts who will provide their views on factors that will affect energy markets this winter in the United States and globally. 

Forum Looks at Smart Tech, Emissions – The Center for Energy and Environmental Studies (C2ES) holds its Climate Leadership Award insights webinar on Wednesday October 7^th at 1:00 p.m.  This informational webinar will navigate which Climate Leadership Awards categories may be a good fit for your organization and how to apply. In addition to reviewing new award criteria for 2021, application submission and evaluation processes, we will be joined by special guest, Tyson Foods, 2020 Innovative Partnership winner who will share their award project and insight.

Cybersecurity Event Looks at Supply Chain – The US Energy Assn holds the 11^th in the series of USAID webinars on Thursday 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.

Forum To Look at Best Practices for Renewable – Greentech Media holds a webinar on Thursday, October 8^th at 2:00 p.m. on best practices for remote operations of renewables.  The webinar will address  how outcome-based programs helps energy producers reduce electricity costs and achieve their corporate sustainability goals and microgrids to optimize their operations in the face of uncertain economic conditions. Speakers include Honeywell’s Eren Ergin and Isaac Maze-Rothstein of Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables

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.

Energy Forum Set – The Energy Intelligence Digital Forum will take place October 13-15^th as an online event. The Energy Intelligence Forum provides a platform for decision-makers, thought-leaders and innovators from the worlds of energy, finance, politics and business to debate, discuss and develop sustainable solutions to the energy challenges of the 21^st century. In 2020, the event takes place online, due to the ongoing disruption of the coronavirus. The Digital Forum will examine the unprecedented impact of the global pandemic on the energy industry and the continued search for new energy solutions, as part of its theme, The Big Energy Reset: Covid, Climate, Consequences. OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo and Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser are among the speakers.

LNG For Set for Houston – The 3^rd Houston Gas & LNG Forum 2020 will be held in IN-PERSON on October 14^th and 15^th at the Petroleum Club of Houston The Forum is organized by U.S. Energy Stream and will focus on the role American/Texan gas and LNG in fueling economic growth in the post COVID-19 era. The Forum will address the critical questions facing the gas and LNG industry in the COVID-19 Pandemic. Speakers include Reps. Bill Johnson, Randy Weber, Michael Cloud and DOE’s Shawn Bennett.

Forum to Look at Nuclear – The Cleantech Group is hosting a webinar at 11:00 a.m. on October 28^th on nuclear innovation and deep decarbonization transform the global energy system.