Energy Update: Week of September 30

Friends,

L’shanah tovah, welcome to 5780.  Rosh Hashanah began last night at sundown and it concludes at nightfall on tomorrow, October 1^st.  It is one of the most important holidays on the Jewish calendar, so here’s hoping everyone has a happy, healthy and sweet new year.

Congress will be out this week because of the Jewish holidays (book ended next Tuesday by Yom Kippur) and now that climate week is past us (and generally overtaken by politics) most of Washington and the media is focused on Ukraine. That said, check out the Bracewell podcast were our political experts look at the tumultuous week last week in DC and what the impeachment inquiry will means for the still-necessary policy and legislative work that needs to get done this year.

At least we do have the beginning of the Major League baseball playoffs starting tomorrow with the Nationals hosting the Milwaukee Brewers. And don't sleep on the WNBA finals also in Washington. Mystics took the first game in the series against the Connecticut Sun yesterday and is looking for the title. Game 2 is also tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. in DC.

The biggest event this week is US Energy Assn’s 12^th annual Energy Supply Forum at the National Press Club on Wednesday^.  It is a full-day event featuring dynamic presentations from high-level industry experts and policy leaders on the state of energy exploration and production, electricity generation, and energy fuel supply.  Speakers include the Chamber GEI’s new head Marty Durbin, DOE officials from solar, water and geothermal offices and a keynote by former Bush NEC official and industry analyst Bob McNally.  Then on Thursday, participants in the first-ever Carbon Capture and Steel Delegation to UAE, Belgium and the Netherlands will host a briefing in 215 SVC.  Speakers include Louisiana State Energy Officer Jason Lanclos, Oklahoma Energy Sect Ken Wagner, Carbon Capture Coalition’s Brad Crabtree, Occidental’s Al Collins and Boilermakers official Martin Williams.

Finally, next week in Colorado, the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) holds its annual meeting at Colorado State University in Fort Collins Wednesday to Sunday.   There will be lots of action including a session with Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and a political panel that will talk 202 elections.  Of course, Bracewell hosts its annual Thursday reception for the 19^th straight year.  This year will be fun but it is only a preview for next year in Boise when we celebrate 20!!!!

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5845

C. (202) 997-5932

 

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“Setting the goal of net zero carbon emissions for our electric company by 2050 is an important next step that builds on our existing commitments. This is the right thing to do for our customers, business and the environment. We are doing as much as we can, as fast as we can, to provide our customers and the state of Michigan with clean energy that is affordable and reliable. And we invite everyone in the state to join us as we work together to build a cleaner energy future for Michiganders.”

Jerry Norcia, chief executive officer, DTE Energy, announcing the company’s zero net-carbon goal.

ON THE PODCAST

Bracewell Podcast Looks at Impeachment Inquiry Impact on Policy – In the latest episode of The Lobby Shop, Bracewell experts discuss the tumultuous week last week in DC and what the impeachment inquiry will means for the still-necessary policy and Legislative work that needs to get done before 2020 begins. You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play Music.

FUN OPINIONS

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Don’t Increase Ethanol Mandates – A new editorial in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette urges President Trump to not raise the ethanol mandates in gasoline next year.  They argue that result would not harm area farmers or ethanol plants but would help oil refineries nationwide.  The ed board says farmers, hurt by the US trade war with China, want the ethanol usage increased and support a Trump administration idea to make more gasoline with 15% ethanol (even though few cars can safely use it) and oppose the exemptions given by the EPA to small refineries that assert the mandates are too burdensome. Refiners maintain that raising the EPA-mandated amount of ethanol for next year would impose financial hardships on them without helping U.S. farmers. The EPA, in an effort to offset possible lost ethanol production because of the refinery waivers, has suggested a 5 percent increase in its mandate next year, or another 1 billion gallons of ethanol to be blended.  Finally, the board adds that refiners maintain that the credit system is too costly and that a higher ethanol mandate could force refiners next year to buy biodiesel from foreign producers in order to comply. That scenario could lead to lost jobs.

FROG BLOG

Clean Energy Week Showcases American Energy Innovation – A new blog from the Chamber for Clean Energy Week says annual celebration honors the progress we’ve made to deploy newer, cleaner technologies while maintaining our economic growth. The event brings together associations, businesses and industry advocates to showcase innovation and discuss commonsense clean energy solutions. Since the debut of EnergyInnovates last year, the Chamber has highlighted additional projects that showcase American ingenuity such as NuScale Power, NET Power and Sempra’s Battery Storage.  The blog closes by highlighting significant clean energy progress like reductions in methane emissions, natgas use in power generation and air quality improvements. 

IN THE NEWS

Senate Approps Passes Interior-EPA Funding w SRE Support – The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously voted to send a $35.8 billion fiscal 2020 spending bill to the floor to fund the Environmental Protection Agency, the Interior Department and other agencies. The bill would increase EPA funding by $161 million, or 2% more than its current appropriation of $9.01 billion.  The bill also continues previous directives related to small refinery relief, reminding EPA that, regardless of DOE recommendations, additional relief may be granted if the Agency believes it is warranted.

DTE Announces Net Zero Carbon Emissions Goal – Michigan-based DTE Energy announced a goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions in its electric company by 2050 last week. This bold new goal sets the framework for DTE to go beyond its existing commitment to reduce carbon emissions 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2040, ensuring its medium- and long-term plans align with the scientific consensus around the importance of achieving significant economy-wide carbon emissions reduction by mid-century. In early 2017, DTE was the first energy company in Michigan and one of two in the nation to step forward and commit to an 80% carbon reduction goal — a strong move that other energy companies across the country have since followed. Just a few months ago, DTE accelerated its commitment, moving up its 80% carbon reduction goal by 10 years. 

Chamber Sets Up Climate task Force –On the heels of the U.N. Climate Action Summit in NYC, the US Chamber announced the formation of a new Task Force on Climate Action. The announcement came during a Chamber-led meeting of nearly 30 companies, and climate and energy experts at the Concordia summit.  The task force will work with Chambers and members across the country to help better understand the range of mechanisms, innovations, and internal processes that businesses are employing to tackle climate change. The task force will enable the Chamber to be smarter about the impact of both existing policies and future proposals on the business community and proactively shape opportunities for the Chamber and our members to address climate change.  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce believes business plays a key role in forging solutions that will improve our environment and grow our economy – leaving the world better for generations to come. For more information about what the business community is doing to address climate change, please visit the Chamber website.

BEST Act Clears Energy Committee – The U.S. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee passed critical, large grid-scale battery storage legislation including The Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act out of committee this week setting up another bipartisan clean energy bill for a full Senate vote.  The BEST Act would reorient the U.S. Department of Energy’s grid-scale storage research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) efforts around ambitious technology and cost goals to facilitate breakthroughs for the 21st Century U.S. electricity grid’s needs. BEST Act is sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Martha McSally (R-AZ), and Angus King (I-ME).

Senate Energy Also Moves Shaheen-Portman Energy Efficiency Legislation – The Committee also moved forward on key energy efficiency legislation sponsored by Sens. Shaheen and Portman.  The committee advanced the energy efficiency package S. 2137 on a 14-6 roll call vote.  The bill would bolster voluntary national building standards for homeowners, focus DOE attention on the development of efficient manufacturing technologies and improve efficiency goals for federal buildings, among other provisions.  It is broadly supported by industry and efficiency stakeholders.

NuScale Signs Small Modular Reactor Agreement with Czech Republic – NuScale Powers signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ČEZ Group, a Czech Republican utility conglomerate, to explore applications for NuScale’s small modular reactor (SMR). The agreement marks the latest display of international interest in NuScale’s technology to help meet a growing demand for carbon-free energy. The agreement calls for a sharing of nuclear and technical expertise between the two companies as they examine applications for NuScale’s revolutionary SMR. Specifically, NuScale and ČEZ will exchange information relating to nuclear supply chain development, construction and operation and maintenance.  The agreement comes as ČEZ continues a broad-based evaluation of potential nuclear energy solutions, including the construction of SMRs and refurbishments to existing nuclear facilities. Nuclear power currently generates roughly 1/3 of all electricity in the Czech Republic. ČEZ – one of the largest utility companies in Europe – currently operates two nuclear power plants in the country.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Offshore Wind Forum Set – The POET/Infocast Pacific Rim Offshore Wind Summit starts today and runs through Wednesday at the Hotel Kabuki in San Francisco.  The event will evaluate markets, influence the energy and environmental policy road map, and explore the potential to form Trans‑Pacific partnerships.  Speakers include BOEM’s Necy Sumit, Equinor’s Sebastien Bringsvaerd, Lars Pedersen of Vineyard Wind, Japanese Trade Minister Takuya Yamazaki and Magellan Wind’s Jim Lanard. 

Thorium Conference Set for Oak Ridge – The Thorium Energy Alliance will hold its 10^th annual conference at the Pollard Technology Conference Center tomorrow in Oak Ridge, TN.  Speakers, representing academia, private sector manufacturing and federal agencies, will present brief overviews of past achievements, current projects and future paths forward within the Thorium Energy landscape. The TEAC 10 Conference will take place the day prior to the Molten Salt Reactor Workshop occurring at Oak Ridge National Labs (ORNL).

Forum to Look at Global Gasification Issues – Washington DC Sub-chapter of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators holds its 4^th presentation of its 2019 Power Breakfast Series looking at gasification, LNG and other key issues.  Speakers will include API’s Dustin Meyer, Alexander Huurdeman of the World Bank and Giji John of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe. 

Wilson to Look at UN Ocean Report – The Wilson Center hosts forum tomorrow morning looking at the UN IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate. More than 100 scientists from 80 countries assessed the latest scientific knowledge about how climate change is impacting the ocean, coastal, polar, and mountain ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them.  Ko Barrett, Vice Chair of the IPCC, will present the key findings of the report. Following her remarks, speakers will explore the future of ice loss, sea-level rise and its cascading impacts, coral bleaching, and how the international policy community can meaningfully respond to the Special Report.

ACEEE Releases Scorecard – Tomorrow at Noon, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy holds a webinar to release its annual state scorecard. In a comprehensive ranking of 33 metrics in six policy areas, ACEEE will highlight state leaders, states to watch, and emerging trends. It will look at which states are leading on building energy codes, appliance standards, electric vehicles, and other issues. Webinar speakers will include ACEEE’s Steven Nadel and Weston Berg as well as Judith Judson of Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and Chris Rice of the Maryland Energy Administration.

Indian Foreign Minister to Address New Era – CSIS’s Wadhwani Chair in U.S.-India Policy Studies will host a forum tomorrow at 12:45 p.m. on Indian Foreign Policy featuring Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.  Jaishankar was sworn in as the External Affairs Minister of India on May 31, 2019. He is widely considered as one of India’s foremost foreign policy leaders and was recently honored with the Padma Shri award, one of the highest civilian awards given in India. In his 41-year diplomatic career, Dr. Jaishankar served as India’s Foreign Secretary and the Ambassador to the United States.

Panel to Look at Climate, National Security – Tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. in GWU’s Elliiott School, Young Professionals in International Affairs, Partnerships for International Strategies in Asia, and the GW Sigur Center for Asian Studies host an expert panel on how climate change affects international security. Panelists include Dr. Marcus King and Dr. Robert Orttung from George Washington University's Elliot School of International Affairs.

Latin Energy Conference Set – The Third Annual Latin America Energy Conference is Wednesday at the Inter-American Dialogue offices.  The event will gather policymakers from the US and Latin America, industry players and energy experts to discuss the region’s key energy policy issues, including energy supply, demand and trade in Latin America.

Argonne to Host Innovation Summit – Industry leaders from the energy, transportation, manufacturing and healthcare sectors, and researchers from DOE's National Laboratories will gather at Argonne National Laboratory Summit Wednesday and Thursday to discuss how advanced artificial intelligence tools and techniques. The summit is the fourth in DOE's InnovationXLab series that showcases the remarkable assets of the national laboratories and its partnerships.

Conference to Look at Tech Change, Innovation – Greentech holds its inaugural transformative technological change conference Wednesday and Thursday in downtown Seattle at the Bell Harbor Conference Center at Pier 66. Leaders from some of the world’s most innovative companies will engage with policymakers, lawmakers, technologists and NGO’s to explore environmental protection in an era of innovation and technological change. Our friends Lisa Jacobson of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and C2ES head Bob Perciasepe will join former EPA head Bill Reilly and others as speakers. 

USEA Hosts Energy Supply Forum – The US Energy Assn holds its 12^th annual Energy Supply Forum at the National Press Club on Wednesday is a full-day event featuring dynamic presentations from high-level industry experts and policy leaders on the state of energy exploration and production, electricity generation, and energy fuel supply.

CANCELLED – USEA to Host DOE Geothermal Official – The US Energy Assn forum on Wednesday featuring DOE’s Dr. Susan Hamm, Director of the Geothermal Technologies Office has been cancelled since she will be speaking at the Energy Forum. 

Forum to Look at Venezuela Water Crisis – CSIS Americas and Future of Venezuela Initiative in collaboration with Plan País hold a conference Thursday on the water crisis in Venezuela affecting citizen access to drinking water, farmer’s access to irrigated land, and the water management system of the country. The purpose of this conference is to analyze the current threats endangering the nation’s watersheds, the capacity of the water management system to protect the nation’s water resources, and the conditions of multiple entities responsible for assuring access to safe and clean water throughout the country. Keynote remarks will be provided by Bonnie Glick, Deputy Administrator for USAID. The first panel will cover the diagnostics of the water crisis in Venezuela. The second panel will cover solutions and action plans to help the country rebuild its water management system. Panelists will include Venezuela-based Plan País experts, as well as experts on water management systems from U.S.-based institutions.

WRI to Release Ocean Report – On Thursday at 9:00 a.m., the World Resources Institute holds a presentation of the report "The Ocean as a Solution for Climate Change: 5 Opportunities for Action," which will show that the ocean and coastal regions can play a much bigger role in shrinking the world's carbon footprint and limiting global temperature rise than previously realized. The report was prepared by leading experts in support of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (HLP). The HLP (www.oceanpanel.org) is an ambitious effort led by 14 serving heads of government committed to catalyzing bold, pragmatic solutions for ocean health and wealth that support the Sustainable Development Goals and build a better future for people and the planet.

Carbon Capture Forum Set for Hill – Participants in the first-ever Carbon Capture and Steel Delegation to UAE, Belgium and the Netherlands will host a briefing on Thursday at 11:45 a.m. in 215 SVC of the Capitol Visitors Center for congressional staff and stakeholders on the findings from the delegation visit of US industry, labor unions, state and federal officials, environmental and clean energy NGOs, and philanthropic leaders.  The event is organized by the Great Plains Institute, the delegation focused on carbon capture in steel production and introduced participants to leading commercial-scale examples overseas of carbon capture and utilization projects in operation and under construction. Roughly one-third of global carbon emissions come from the industrial sector, and industrial emissions are growing at twice the rate of emissions as a whole.  Louisiana State Energy Officer Jason Lanclos, Oklahoma Energy Sect Ken Wagner, Carbon Capture Coalition’s Brad Crabtree, Occidental’s Al Collins and Boilermakers official Martin Williams will all speak. 

Economists Discuss Climate – The National Economists Club hosts a luncheon discussion on Thursday at Noon at Capitol City Brewing on the economics of climate change and climate policy.  Ryan Nunn of the Brookings Institution will speak.

WCEE Forum Hosts CPS Energy – On Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the EPRI, the Women’s Council on Energy & the Environment holds its first “WCEE-on-the-Road” Lunch & Learn, an opportunity to hear from leading voices outside the Beltway. Experts at CPS Energy of San Antonio, Texas, the largest municipally owned gas and electric utility in the country, will facilitate a discussion between WCEE members in D.C. and San Antonio and provide their unique perspective on challenges and opportunities facing CPS Energy.  Last year, CPS Energy announced its innovative “Flexible Path,” that calls for an overall reduction of traditional fossil fuels to produce electricity and shift towards greater reliance on renewables, storage, energy efficiency, and demand response. Additionally, CPS Energy is a leader in the utility sector on emerging cybersecurity threats. Speakers Shanna Ramirez and Angela Rodriguez will discuss these two initiatives at CPS Energy and provide a timely update on progress. CPS CEO Paula Gold-Williams will also speak.

Chamber Hosts Digital Conference – The U.S. Chamber Foundation and Tata Consultancy Services will be hosting its third Digital Empowers regional forum in Chicago, IL on Thursday, in partnership with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. This event will convene business leaders, technical experts, and on-the-ground partners that are shaping the future of innovation and social impact in Chicago. The event will also feature emerging issues like artificial intelligence and ethics, civic technology, data and blockchain, and financial literacy. 

Forum to Look at Climate, SE Asia Security – The American Security Project holds a discussion on Thursday at Noon looking at the climate security risks in Southeast Asia and why it matters for U.S. interests abroad. Speakers include retired Vice Admiral Lee Gunn, NPR’s Ashley Westerman and former Ambassador Robert O. Blake.

Forums Looks Energy Infrastructure Cyber Attacks – On Friday at 9:00 a.m., the Atlantic Council is hosting a public panel discussion on the threat of cyberattacks targeting energy infrastructure and the utility industry’s ability to address the threat. Keynote speaker is former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff.  He will be followed by a panel discussion surrounding a new report released in conjunction with the event by Siemens and the Ponemon Institute, which seeks to shed light on how the global utility sector perceives its cyber vulnerabilities, assesses its readiness to meet future attacks, and the solutions they can implement to enhance operational security moving forward.

IN THE FUTURE

CSIS to release Oil/Gas Climate Engagement Report – On Tuesday, October 8^th, the CSIS Energy & National Security Program will release Oil and Gas Industry Engagement on Climate Change: Drivers, Actions, and Path Forward, a new report on the oil and gas industry’s climate engagement and opportunities to drive further technological development. This event will convene experts on the energy industry, the energy transition, and industry strategy relating to climate change to illustrate the themes and the findings of the report. Panelists will discuss the industry’s investments in low-carbon technologies, how to take advantage of the investment made thus far, and what more companies can do to help get us on track to limit dangerous global warming.

CSIS to Look at Ocean Issues – Also on next Tuesday at CSIS, its Stephenson Ocean Security Project holds a forum on the relationship between climate stress and maritime security. Two panels and a keynote conversation will discuss the science and security implications of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) forthcoming Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate. The forum will close with a keynote discussion with Admiral (ret) John M. Richardson, 31^st Chief of Naval Operations, examining how the United States can best adapt its security strategy to meet the challenges posed by the changing ocean.

SEJ Set for Colorado – The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) holds its annual meeting in Ft. Collins, CO at Colorado State University on Wednesday October 8^th through Sunday the 13^th.   Colorado simultaneously boasts and suffers from a population explosion in Denver and other cities. It is also fertile ground for both clashes and collaborations among parties vying for rights to land, water and air, whether to preserve it for wildlife and human recreation or to use it for energy.   Of course, Bracewell Hosts its Thursday reception for the 19^th straight year.

WCEE Litigation Forum Set – On Thursday October 10^th at 6:00 p.m., the Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment (WCEE) hosts its Fourth Annual Litigation Roundtable with the women Administrative Law Judges of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency. The Judges will discuss their experience as Administrative Law Judges, interesting developments in their careers, who mentored them along the way and who they themselves mentored, and share the “Dos & Don’ts” regarding hearings and settlement conferences.

Exelon Innovation Summit – Thursday October 12

Chatterjee to Keynote AWEA Finance Conference – The AWEA Wind Energy Finance & Investment Conference is set for New York on October 10 and 11^th at the TimesCenter.  This year, the agenda includes sessions led by experts from across the sector who will be sharing their experiences, perspectives and outlook for the future of wind energy finance & investment.  FERC Chair Neil Chatterjee will keynote.

Nuclear Science Week Set for Capitol Hill – Nuclear Science Week is coming to Washington, D.C. October 14-18^th. On Wednesday, October 16^th from Noon to 5:30 p.m. in the Rayburn Foyer, there will be a dynamic, interactive exhibits where people can learn about and discuss the benefits of nuclear science.   A list of events is here.

AEE Holds Western States Energy Conference – The Advance Energy Economy (AEE) holds its first annual Western Regional energy policy conference in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 16^th and 17^th.  The event brings together business leaders and policymakers from across the region to identify ways to achieve this goal, state by state and through a regional grid, powered by advanced energy growth from New Mexico to Washington State. Topics will include regionalizing electricity markets in the West, utility action for an advanced energy future, Electric Vehicles (EVs) as assets for cleaning the grid, challenges and opportunities for siting renewable energy projects and grid modernization. 

ACORE Forum Set for SF – ACORE’s 2019 Renewable Energy Grid Forum will take place on October 17^th in San Francisco at the Hilton Financial District.   The event will feature a discussion on the reliability and resilience of 100% clean energy.  Event co-chair and Edison International’s Senior Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development Drew Murphy will hold a fireside chat on the role of utilities in America's transition to renewable energy moderated by ACORE’s President and CEO Greg Wetstone.  Our friend Rob Gramlich also speaks.

Offshore Wind Conference Moves to Boston – The American Wind Energy Assn holds its annual Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition on Tuesday October 22^nd and Wednesday the 23^rd in Boston at the Park Plaza.  The event has cultivated a dedicated and thriving global community of top developers and experts, making it the largest and most successful gathering of offshore wind energy professionals in the United States.  The decision to grant small refinery hardship is a legal decision, not a political one, and we’re pleased that USDA’s influence didn’t cause EPA to depart from the rule of law. Small Refiners hurt by broken #RFS #ethanol.

DOE to Host Atomic Wings – ClearPath and the Department of Energy will host an Atomic Wings lunch and learn on Capitol Hill on October 22^nd. This event continues the series of educational lunches on nuclear energy.

ELI Annual Dinner to Honor Patagonia Leaders – The 2019 Environmental Law Institute Awards Dinner will take place on Tuesday, October 22^nd at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.  ELI will honor 2019 award winners, Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Rose Marcario, Patagonia's president and CEO.  Bracewell is a major sponsor of the event.