Energy Update: Week of September 9th

Friends,

Welcome to Debate week. Tomorrow, former President Trump and VP Harris will square off, in perhaps, the latest “most important moment” of this 2024 election. This one is pretty big. And while I would expect some energy/climate issues will emerge in the discussion, I wouldn’t expect much detail beyond the sloganeering we have been hearing to date. Expect Trump to push hard on Harris’ energy/fracking flip-flop and Green New Deal softening, while Harris will likely continue to highlight the Biden successes on the clean energy and infrastructure funding and the jobs it is creating. Enjoy the show starting at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. The latest polls say the race is razor close but there is still a long way to go. I also visit the Julie Mason Show on Sirius XM P.O.T.U.S Ch. 124 tomorrow at 4:45 p.m. to preview and talk about energy in the race.

Congress is back in earnest this week with votes on China-related legislation, including measures targeting Chinese-made electric-car batteries, making it harder for foreign nationals to buy U.S. farmland, prohibiting the Homeland Security Department from funding any university that receives money from the Chinese government and establishing a China division within the DOJ. House Republican leaders released a continuing resolution on Friday that would fund the government through late March but got immediate pushback from a small band of House Freedom Caucus Members. This will be the short-term discussion over the next week or so.

Permitting legislation is set for committee action in the House Resources Committee on Wednesday. Last Week, Chairman Westerman introduced his legislation, which addresses some National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) issues and could be the first effort by House Republicans to address bipartisan legislation the Senate energy panel approved in late July.

Other hearings include an NRC nomination for Matt Marzano in Senate Environment, while House Financial Services looks at ESG issues, House Transportation looks at WOTUS and House Energy tackles Biden-Harris energy impacts on inflation.

For other events, Washington Post Live holds conversations tomorrow with former National Economic Council director Brian Deese and Schneider Electric CEO Peter Herweck about the challenges and opportunities of the new energy era. Then on Wednesday afternoon, 1) Brookings hosts an event on carbon markets with Sen. Peter Welch, (D-VT); 2) the Aspen Tech Policy Hub is hosting a webinar looking at post Chevron decision for nonprofit advocacy and 3) the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) hosts a webinar on the urgency for permitting reform to speed energy infrastructure with Reps. Buddy Carter, Chrissy Houlahan, Scott Peters and Garret Graves.

Congrats to our friend Jael Holtzman (who is also fronts DC punk rock band Ekko Astral when not covering climate/Congress) for launching her new Heatmap Newsletter, The Fight. Every week, it will deliver scoops and analysis on the local battles and national trends shaping the future of climate action as part of Heatmap Plus, a new side of the site launching this week that goes even deeper into the projects, politics, and people shaping the energy transition.

The US Open concluded three GREAT weeks of tennis in NYC with Aryna Sabalenka defeating American Jessica Pegula 7-5, 7-5 on Saturday and world #1 Jannik Sinner taking the Men’s title in straight sets over the US’s Taylor Fritz yesterday.  What an awesome launch to the NFL season with a great Ravens-Chiefs game to kick it off on Thursday and a super Detroit Lions-LA Rams OT thriller to end the weekend last night. Aaron Rodgers returns tonight as the Jets take on the SanFran 49ers for the opening week of MNF. And wow, did Texas put it to defending National Champ, Michigan!!!

This Friday is Friday the 13^th so get ready!!!  Call with any questions.

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932                                                                                                                   

FRANKLY SPOKEN

 “This (EPA) rule would increase the price of farm vehicles and force farmers to rely on a charging network that does not yet exist. Unrealistic emissions goals also pull the rug out from underneath farmers, who answered the call to grow the crops necessary to produce renewable fuels.”

Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, in a filing regarding EPA’s light-duty and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards for model years 2027-2032.

“Democrats insist they aren’t coming for gas stoves, but look at how the People’s Republic of Berkeley is trying to tax them into obsolescence.”

An editorial in the Wall Street Journal looking at the Berkeley, CA November voter initiative that would tax owners of larger buildings for consuming gas.

ON THE PODCAST

Power Challenges Highlighted in Energy Rush – In Part 4 of Energy Rush, a four-part series from EPSA’s Energy Solutions podcast, host Todd Snitchler explores the challenges and opportunities presented by rising load growth, pathways for policy and market design, and ways to meet the moment. In part 1 of the final episode of the four-part series exploring the challenge and opportunity presented by rising power demand, Snitchler interviews state and national policy leaders Texas Rep. August Pfluger and Arizona Commissioner Lea Marquez Peterson. In part 2, they interview competitive power experts and executives from Alpha Generation, Calpine Corporation and LS Power.

FUN OPINIONS

Burgum Highlights Energy Dominance on MTP – In a Sunday appearance on Meet The Press, ND Gov. Doug Burgum highlighted energy as a key issue to boost the American economy with Donald Trump as President. Burgum said “the opportunity we have with energy abundance and energy dominance as a country, just like some states have and just like some countries. You take a look at Norway or some of the countries in the Middle East to build up huge sovereign wealth funds off of their energy, we have States in America – Alaska, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota – just those five states alone have built up over $330 billion of endowment funds because of the way they've managed energy in those States,” Burgum says Trump was envisioning that if we have energy dominance, we sell energy to our friends and allies, we build up endowment funds and then you can help pay for the cost of things that Americans need just like we do in our state.

FROG BLOG

NatGas Microgrids Key Bridge for Data Centers – In a post on Fierce Network, executive editor Diana Goovaerts, who covers cloud, artificial intelligence (AI) and data center networks, writes natural gas is emerging as a key power source for energy hungry data centers and microgrid technology provides a way for them to put that fuel to work. Natural gas is undoubtedly on the radar for data center builders looking to supplement or circumvent the traditional electrical grid.

FUN FACTS

Data Centers will Need Massive Power: Hart Energy reports that anecdotal evidence suggests "jaw-dropping" energy needs as AI data centers come online.  Building up the power supply will be a complicated process for producers and midstream companies.

IN THE NEWS

Coalition Urges Court to Reverse EPA’s New Vehicle Emissions Standards – Litigants filed a legal brief in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals including auto dealers representing sixteen brands and dozens of dealerships in major markets across the country, API, the National Corn Growers and the American Farm Bureau challenged EPA’s light-duty and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards for model years 2027-2032.

API Letter Warns of Gulf Drilling Delays – A new letter from API’s Mike Sommers says a recent court ruling could put all oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico at risk. A federal judge in Maryland last month threw out a Trump-era biological assessment, known as a BiOp, on how the fossil fuel industry must mitigate risks to vulnerable marine life in the Gulf of Mexico. API CEO Mike Sommers wrote while the judge’s order takes effect in December, NOAA Fisheries had indicated to the court that the earliest it could complete a new assessment is early spring of 2025. That gap could create a “significant bureaucratic bottleneck” for producers in the Gulf and potentially “halt or seriously slow all operations” there. He urged the agency to work with industry to help expedite progress on the new BiOp. Will send letter if you need it.

LNG Project Approved, Despite Pause – The Biden administration has approved the first liquefied natural gas export license since a court overturned a previous pause on new permits, granting it to New Fortress Energy Inc. for its Fast LNG project. The five-year license will allow the company to increase exports to nations without free-trade agreements, though the total export volume remains unchanged, according to the US Energy Department.

Third Way Report Highlights Permitting Benefits – Think Tank Third Way released a study last week that shows bipartisan legislation in the Senate to streamline the federal permitting process would lead to a net drop in global greenhouse gas emissions. The findings could bolster support for the bill among skeptical Democrats. The legislation’s backers, which include clean energy developers and some Senate Democrats, have said it would help meet President Joe Biden’s ambitious climate goals despite including pro-fossil-fuel measures alongside provisions enabling more production of renewables and build-out of interstate transmission lines. The analysis of the emissions impact of S. 4753 from Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) and ranking member John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) — shared exclusively with POLITICO — drew from other new and recent modeling on major elements of the bill from Resources for the Future, RMI and Princeton University’sJesse Jenkins.

Texas Exceeding Plugged Orphan Well Goals – The Railroad Commission of Texas plugged 1,012 orphan wells in Fiscal Year 2024, surpassing its legally mandated target of 1,000 wells for the eighth consecutive year. Funding for the effort is underwritten by the oil and gas industry. "We continue to be a national leader in addressing orphaned wells," says RRC official Danny Sorrells.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

RE+ Set for Anaheim – RE+ will be held in the Anaheim Convention Center all this week. Developed by the nation’s leading clean energy organizations, the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), RE+ reflects an ongoing entrepreneurial approach to renewing best practices across the clean energy landscape as the marketplace evolves.

Groundwater Conference Set for Nashville – The Groundwater Protection Council (GWPC) holds its annual forum in Nashville, TN today to Wednesday to discuss source water protections, efforts to address produced water from the oil and gas industry and elements of EPA’s underground injection control program. Expect some discussion of EPA issues, WOTUS and permits.

Forum Looks at Climate Innovation – The Center for Global Development and the Market Shaping Accelerator at the University of Chicago are co-hosting a day-long event today on innovation titled "Accelerating Innovation for Climate and Pandemic Preparedness.” This event also marks the culmination of MSA’s year-long open innovation competition. Teams from around the world competed to develop promising applications of market shaping pull mechanisms to reduce harm from pandemics and improve global health. In the afternoon, the three finalist teams will present their proposals to a panel of expert judges with up to $600,000 in prizes to be distributed on the day.

Atlantic Council Hosts European Energy Security Forum – The Atlantic Council holds its ninth annual Central and Eastern European Energy Security Conference tomorrow. The annual event brings together key decision-makers in the US administration, members of Congress, industry leaders, ministers of the Central and Eastern European regions, the Delegation of the European Union, and experts from the think tank community to discuss the geopolitics of climate and energy security cooperation.

FERC Workshop to Look at Grid Queue – Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will convene a staff-led workshop tomorrow and Wednesday in the Commission Meeting Room at Commission headquarters to provide a public forum for the presentation and discussion of opportunities for further innovation and increased efficiency in the generator interconnection process.  

House Resources Looks at Fish/Wildlife Issues – The House Natural Resources Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. on the Fish and Wildlife Service examination operation long tail liberation.

Deese, Schneider Electric CEO Headline WaPo Energy Forum – Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m., Washington Post Live holds conversations with former National Economic Council director Brian Deese and Schneider Electric CEO Peter Herweck about the challenges and opportunities of the new energy era. 

House Banking Focused on ESG Challenges – The House Financial Services Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. on scrutinizing the failed use of environmental, social and governance standards and the influence of proxy advisors.

House Resources Marks Up Westerman-Peters Permitting Legislation – Following bipartisan Senate permitting success, the House Natural Resources Committee announced it would hold a hearing for Chairman Westerman’s bill and others on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. CRES President Heather Reams is among those scheduled to testify at this hearing. You can see Westerman and Peters’ draft here.

CSIS Forum Looks at NatGas, Manufacturing – The CSIS Energy Security and Climate Change Program holds a live streamed event on America’s manufacturing resurgence and the role of natural gas in the carbon competitive world on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. The event will highlight key observations and policy recommendations from a CSIS study on what roles natural gas may play in ensuring and extending the U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing while furthering decarbonization. Following several keynote remarks, this report launch event will feature a panel discussion on the nexus between U.S. energy resource endowment, manufacturing competitiveness, and geo-economic competition among several experts.

House Transpo Looks at WOTUS – The House Transportation and Infrastructure Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on Waters of the United States Implementation in the Post-Sackett Decision looking at experiences and perspective. Witnesses include Alaska DEC Commissioner Emma Pokon, Colorado DPH Water Quality Director Nicole Rowan, Farm Bureau rep Courtney Briggs and Vincent Messerly, on behalf of the National Association of Home Builders.

Senate Environment Hosts NRC Nom – On Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., The Senate Environment Committee holds a hearing on the nomination of Matthew Marzano to be a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

House Energy Looks at Biden Harris Energy Policies – The House Energy and Commerce Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on the Biden-Harris energy agenda.

Brookings Aims to Discuss Energy Transition Workforce – On Wednesday at 1:00 p.m., the Brookings Center on Regulation and Markets (CRM) will host a public event addressing these important topics. The event will include a keynote fireside chat with Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) followed by a panel of policy and industry experts on workforce development challenges, particularly those related to the coming energy transition. This event is a part of the CRM series on Reimagining Modern-day Markets and Regulations.

Aspen Forum Focuses on Chevron Decision – On Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., the Aspen Tech Policy Hub is hosting an informational webinar looking at post Chevron decision nonprofit advocacy. The webinar will start with insights from Josh Chafetz at Georgetown University and former clerk for Judge Guido Calabresi of the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. A panel of nonprofit representatives, including Sanjay Narayan of the Sierra Club, Mallory Morales of Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, and Corynne McSherry of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, will then discuss how their organizations are thinking about policy advocacy post-Chevron.

BPC Looks at Permitting – The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) hosts an event on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. looking at the urgency for permitting reform to speed energy infrastructure. Speakers include Reps. Buddy Carter, Garret Graves, Chrissy Houlahan and Scott Peters. The conversation will focus on what policies both sides of the aisle could support in a federal permitting bill. They will also discuss the House’s take on the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 (S. 4753), recently reported by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with a vote of 15-4. As background, please see BPC’s explainer on the Energy Permitting Reform Act and our report, Finding the Goldilocks Zone for Permitting Reform, which outlines 70 bipartisan policy options ranked by effectiveness and political controversy. Several of these policy options closely mirror those in the Senate bill.

Crit Mineral Forum Set – The Colorado School of Mines will host the annual Critical Minerals Symposium on Thursday and Friday in Golden, CO. This symposium serves as a platform for government officials, business leaders, investors, academics, and community members to engage in vital discussions aimed at identifying opportunities and mitigating challenges associated with the future of critical minerals. The event is a project of the Payne Institute's Critical Minerals Initiative, in partnership with the Global Energy Future Initiative at Mines.

HFC Phasedown Litigation Set for Thursday – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will hear oral argument Thursday challenging EPA’s phase down of climate-warming hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), under the 2020 HFC “AIM” law. The rule at issue restricts the use of HFCs in specific applications. Grocery sector groups trying to block the phasedown saying EPA is setting overly strict requirements.

Forum to Look at Carbon Removal – On Thursday at 3:00 p.m., EESI and the World Resources Institute (WRI) holds a briefing about effective policy-making for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Leveraging key findings from recent reports, panelists from NGOs, academia, and the private sector will explore existing policies supporting different stages of CDR development, the level of CDR we expect to need, the potential for CDR in the United States, policy options to enable scaling to that level, and private sector perspectives on the policy landscape. Panelists will also pinpoint key takeaways relevant for federal policymakers.

IN THE FUTURE

Webinar Looks at Gas Utilities Role – On Monday September 16^th at 1:00 p.m., Utility Dive and West Monroe holds a webinar to look at role of gas utilities in the energy transition. Panelists will delve into the challenges of meeting decarbonization targets and explore the pivotal role of the gas industry in this transition. Industry experts will discuss the hurdles faced in achieving these ambitious goals and share strategies on how gas utilities are planning for a more sustainable future.

Webinar Looks at VPPs – Next Monday at 1:00 p.m., Advanced Energy United hosts a webinar with several expert panelists where they will explore successful Virtual Power Plant (VPP) case studies and discuss opportunities to expand markets for VPPs. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of how VPPs can help regulators, utilities, and other grid stakeholders manage key challenges facing the grid, as well as the importance of scaling this solution to meet the nation’s energy needs. 

Semafor Hosts Southern CEO, Rep. Casten on Energy – Semafor will hold a forum on Tuesday September 17^th  at 9:00 a.m. on powering the next era of American energy. Rep. Sean Casten (D-Illinois) and Chris Womack, President and CEO, Southern Company will join Semafor’s editors to examine the importance of reliable energy infrastructure to economic development, and the ways the public and private sectors are working together to protect energy security.

WoodMac Forum Looks at Copper – Wood Mackenzie expert hold an upcoming webinar 'Copper Rush: Diversify or go pure play?', on the Tuesday September 17^th starting at 9:00 a.m. where they will discuss how valuations, carbon footprints, and balance sheet health will shape the M&A strategies and overall corporate plans of both diversified miners and pure-play copper companies.

Axios Hosts San Diego Energy, Decarb Event – Axios is hosting a morning event in Long Beach on Tuesday, September 17^th to convene local leaders in energy and policy for conversations on prioritizing sustainability in California's strategies around energy, the environment and economic development. Axios 1 big thing host & editor Niala Boodhoo and San Diego reporter Andrew Keatts will host one-on-one conversations with Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and others.

Brookings Hosts Treasury’s Zindler – On Wednesday September 18^th, the Brookings Initiative on Climate Research and Action will host a public event to explore the challenges and opportunities related to financing a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable country. Brookings experts will briefly discuss new research findings released the prior week. Following a keynote from Ethan Zindler, the U.S. Treasury Department’s climate counselor, a panel of national climate journalists will dive deeper into the challenges and opportunities to address climate financing gaps. Reporters will include WSJ’s Amrith Ramkumar, Aime Williams of the Financial Times and Time’s Justin Worland.

Media Brief on Industrial Emissions Set – On Thursday September 19^th at 12:00 p.m., the Carbon Capture Coalition holds an on-the-record virtual media briefing on the role of carbon management in reducing industrial emissions. The briefing will feature Carbon Capture Coalition head Jessie Stolark, David Soll of the Industrial Innovation Initiative, LiUNA’s Kevin Pranis, Ben King of the Rhodium Group and United Airlines Decarbonization Director Rohini Sengupta. Ben Finzel (ben@renewpr.com) to RSVP.

UN General Assembly Summits Launch Climate Week – The 79^th session of the United Nations General Assembly will be held from September 22^nd to 27^th, marking a crucial milestone in the global effort to accelerate progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Heads of State and Government will gather at UN Headquarters in New York on 22-23 September 2024 to address the critical challenges and gaps in global governance exposed by recent global shocks. This Summit aims to reaffirm commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Charter while enhancing cooperation and laying the foundations for a reinvigorated multilateral system. It also includes the Summit of the Future, held during UNGA, underscores the urgent need for enhanced international cooperation to address pressing challenges such as climate change, poverty and inequality, while also tackling the impacts of ongoing conflicts and global health crises.

Climate Week Set – Climate Week NYC 2024 will take place from September 22–29, 2024, in New York City. The event is hosted by the Climate Group in partnership with the United Nations General Assembly and the City of New York. The event's goal is to showcase climate action and discuss how to do more. It's considered the world's largest annual climate event, with over 600 in-person, hybrid, and online events and activities. The event will bring together leaders from business, tech, politics, academia, and civil society, as well as artists and activists.

Clean Energy Week Set for DC – The 8^th annual National Clean Energy Week will be held on September 23 to 27^th to look at policies, industries, and innovations that power our daily lives while producing no or very little greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the very real technological and political challenges, a clean energy future is in our reach, and America is ready to lead the way. The event features the flagship Policymakers Symposium on the Wednesday 25^{t h} and Thursday the 26^th. For the first time since 2019, the Policymakers Symposium will be held fully in-person at The Conrad in Washington, D.C., with an online viewing option for remote attendees. The Symposium offers attendees the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals and hear from bipartisan leaders who are driving innovation and shaping the future of clean energy. Panel topics to include permitting reform; clean energy tax credits; rural communities and domestic manufacturing; offshore wind; liquid fuels; electric vehicles; hydrogen; nuclear; innovation; reducing industrial emissions; looking ahead to 2024 elections, 119th Congress and COP29; U.S. competitiveness, global leadership and supply chain security.

WaPo Event Features Kerry – As world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly, Washington Post Live will explore the course of climate change across all seven continents, one at a time in an event on Monday September 23^rd at 2:00 p.m. Speakers include former U.S. secretary of state John Kerry, managing director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva, Germany’s state secretary and special envoy for international climate action Jennifer Morgan, CNN anchor and chief climate correspondent Bill Weir and many more.

RMI Hosts Climate Week Event – On Tuesday September 24^th at the Scandinavia House in NYC, RMI holds Climate Week NYC 2024 events with experts and partners in four sessions focused on how re-energizing the world through catalyzing innovative climate solutions. Panels include energy transition, reducing methane, clean industrial communities and a conversation on changing hearts and minds in the fight against climate change.

WaPo Also Hosts Wednesday Climate Event – On Wednesday September 25^th at 4:00 p.m., Washington Post Live holds conversations with changemakers and visionaries about the innovations that could shape the future of our planet. As scientists, entrepreneurs and governments race to develop climate technologies, environmental experts say that the world could be on the cusp of a new green industrial revolution. Google’s James Manyika headlines the speakers.

FP Focuses on Sustainable Food – On Thursday September 26^th at 12:30 p.m., Foreign Policy hosts an event at UNGA79 to hear from leading experts, scientists, policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs who are building more sustainable food systems. The event will discuss measures to advance crop science and regenerative agriculture, enhance soil sustainability and nutrient density, and provide innovative financing and safety nets to bolster food system resilience.

Mineral Forum Set for Kennedy Center – Forum to take Deep Look at Minerals, Mineral, Clean Energy – The Earthshot Foundation and OurEnergyPolicy are hosting an exclusive gathering at the Kennedy Center on October 7^th for the Terranauts Minologues. The event features a select group of senior leaders in energy that will delve into the urgent issue of critical minerals and the evolving energy eco-system. This daylong event will feature stimulating presentations and dynamic panel discussions, marking the culmination of a yearlong inquiry into the security, supply chain and responsible mining challenges in ensuring a sufficient availability of essential materials for the future energy landscape.

Gevo’s Gruber, Others to Headline Houston Infrastructure Forum – Leading SAF producer Gevo CEO Pat Gruber will headline US Energy Stream’s 7^th Energy Infrastructure Forum 2024 held on October 15^th-16^th at the Petroleum Club of Houston, TX. The Energy Infrastructure Forum brings powerful U.S. Congressmen from both sides of the aisle together with top energy executives and technology leaders to convene for off-the-record discussions and provide market intelligence on the latest energy infrastructure such as LNG infrastructure, hydrogen, ammonia and gas production, storage and transportation, O&G pipelines, power grids and power plants, renewable energy projects, carbon capture and storage, and nuclear SMR. Other speakers include Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and many more.