Marathon Budget Sessions Roll on in Congress

Friends,

Today is Patriots Day in Massachusetts, which celebrates the opening shots of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord. And of course, it is also the 130th running of the Boston Marathon. With perfect conditions, elite runners blazed the course with Kenya’s John Korir winning for the second year in a row in 2:01:52 — the fastest ever in the marathon's history. Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi also repeated as Women’s Champ taking the race in 2:18:50.

This week in Washington, the Administration remains focused on Iran and addressing Congressional hearings regarding its budget. However, the most high-profile event will be on Saturday when the President attends the White House Correspondent’s Dinner. Let me know If you need somebody for your table!

There continues to be a lot of discussion over the Iran conflict, whether the Strait of Hormuz is open/closed and market reactions and its impacts on crude oil and gasoline prices. It is important to keep the focus on the fundamental structural issues that will determine the path back to normalcy. Since this conflict began, little has changed in the fundamental uncertainty and infrastructure challenges that have been major industry concerns. Until that really changes, we will not begin to see the extended path forward. It will also take a while to recover from the supply imbalance and we will still go through the normal seasonal cycles that the oil market/gas prices always face (summer demand, fuel changeovers, refinery maintenance).

On the Hill, Senate Appropriations subcommittees will hold eight hearings this week on budget requests, including the secretaries of Energy, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce and Treasury. We will monitor Secretary Wright and Burgum’s hearings closely, so reach out if you need anything. It all starts today at 4:00 pm when House Interior Approps hosts Burgum. Also this afternoon, the House Rules Committee tees up several energy/environment bills on endanger species permitting reform, Thermal energy sources and repeal some energy-efficiency standards for federal buildings. Rules Chair Virginia Foxx has also notified members that leadership may put the farm bill on the floor next week.

It is DC Climate Week so there are a bunch of events scheduled throughout the week. Other events include tomorrow’s annual Columbia Global Energy Summit in New York City focusing on energy, security and geopolitics in the New World Order and a Daily Caller/American Chemistry Council event on manufacturing and innovation. The EFI Foundation, headed by former Energy Secretary Moniz, holds a forum on Wednesday looking at its new Energy Innovation Project. 

Remember to mark your calendars for the SAFE Summit 2026 NEXT MONDAY/TUESDAY at the Washington Convention Center 3rd Floor. Also, on FRIDAY May 1st the Chamber holds its 2026 Energy Future Forum. Register for both now!

See you on Saturday at the Hilton. Call with questions.

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

FRANKLY SPOKEN

   “That could happen later this year. That might not happen until next year. But prices have likely peaked and they'll start going down, certainly with a resolution of this conflict.”

Energy Secretary Chris Wright on the $3 price point during an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. The response has since challenged by President Trump

ON THE PODCAST

Armstrong Joins POLITICO Podcast to Talk Permitting – In a special episode of the POLITICO Energy podcast released this morning, ace Hill reporter Josh Siegel sits down with newly appointed Sen. Alan Armstrong, former CEO of Williams Companies, who says he is hoping to use his experience as an industry leader to help close a bipartisan deal on permitting reform this Congress.  “I can bring all my energy and passion to this one issue. I'm not campaigning. My focus is extremely narrow here,” Armstrong, who will serve until a successor is elected in November. Armstrong says he is already working across the aisle, meeting with Republican and Democratic leaders of EPW and Energy committees in recent days despite not being a member of either panel. He added he’s also been in touch with officials from the Trump administration, who he said are “not trying to stand in the way of a deal that is technology and resource neutral.”

Heatmap’s Meyer Joins Volts – In the latest episode of Volts, host Dave Roberts sits down with Heatmap’s Robinson Meyer to unpack the sheer madness of the current news landscape. We discuss the energy implications of the Iran war, the vexed politics of permitting reform, Microsoft’s retreat from carbon dioxide removal, the lessons of the IRA, the lingering pastoralism of the environmental movement, and much more.

FUN OPINIONS

Harbert: National, Energy Security is Anchored by NatGas – In an op-ed in the Daily Caller, American Gas Assn CEO Karen Harbert writes energy security is national security and it is a lesson our nation has learned before and one it can’t afford to forget now given the Iran conflict. Harbert says amid global uncertainty and severe winter weather, natural gas prices remain near $3, far below levels seen abroad. America’s abundant domestic resources, robust storage and extensive delivery network have insulated U.S. customers from the volatility driving up costs elsewhere. America’s natural gas advantage didn’t happen by chance. It was built over decades through innovation, investment and smart policy. Preserving it will require the same.

FROG BLOG

Republican Concerns about Iran, Politics and Trump – In a blog post on LinkedIn, former DOE loan office head Jigar Shah writes plug-in solar needs smarter rules, not just smaller ones. Rooftop solar has real momentum in the United States, but the biggest barriers to broader adoption are no longer the panels themselves. They are "soft costs" – permitting, inspections and utility interconnection processes that can add weeks of delay and hundreds of dollars in expense. The next wave of state policy should build on that foundation with sharper technical clarity: UL and NEC standards for safe power entry into the home; a direct export limit for the grid question; and a simple registration process for everything in between.

FUN FACTS

Forget Gas Prices, Your BBQ will Cost More Too: While everyone is rightly focused on gasoline and oil amid US-Iran war, the meat market isn't giving a respite. Live cattle wholesale prices in Chicago have reached a new all-time high, surpassing last October's peak.

IN THE NEWS

House, Senate Legislation Aims to Limit Climate Superfund Laws – Republicans in the House and Senate introduced legislation late last week to prevent state climate superfund laws. Rep. Harriet Hageman introduced legislation that aims to bar “retroactive climate liability lawsuits and other proceedings to implement or enforce an energy penalty law” and also throw out legal challenges already taking place. Sen. Ted Cruz also introduced similar legislation to further compel the federal government to wade into an issue dividing Democratic and Republican-led states. Both New York and Vermont enacted their own climate superfund laws in the last couple of years, which require major polluters to pay for their emissions over a set period of time, potentially raising billions of dollars for the states. Lawmakers in numerous other states have proposed similar policies, but those bills have yet to make it over the finish line.

“These efforts to retroactively penalize companies for lawfully meeting consumer demand are misguided and counterproductive,” API President and CEO Mike Sommers and AFPM President and CEO Chet Thompson said in a joint statement. “Congress should act decisively to reaffirm federal authority over national energy policy and end this activist-driven state overreach.”

Unanimous SCOTUS Decision Victory for Industry Groups in Louisiana Coastline/Climate Case – The Supreme Court ruled on Friday in an 8-0 decision that Chevron met legal requirements to transfer a yearslong dispute over its responsibility for Louisiana's eroding coastline from state to federal court under the federal officer removal statute. The law allows private entities like Chevron that are acting under the direction of the federal government to be heard before a federal bench. The case was closely watched and could make it easier for federal contractors and other private parties to move lawsuits against them to federal court.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

AEI Looks at Permitting – The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research holds a virtual discussion today at 1:00 p.m., on how Congress should reform infrastructure permitting. NEDC’s Brittany Kelm is Keynote.

ELI Forum on Deep Sea Mining, Clean Energy, NatGas – The Environmental Law Institute has five different webinars this week on topics like Deep Sea Mining, the God Squad effort, natural gas, clean energy permitting and a few other 

Burgum heads to House Interior Funding Panel – The House Appropriations panel in Interior/Environment hearing on the Interior budget is at 4:00 p.m. in 2008 Rayburn, featuring Secretary Burgum.

DC Climate Week Set – DC Climate Week is a community-organized week of events, exhibitions, tours, screenings, and gatherings across Washington, DC tomorrow to Sunday. For the Second year, the event will explore the challenges of the climate crisis and discover the solutions that give us hope. Bracewell will host several events so stay tuned for details. The Leadership Forum starts at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Columbia Global Energy Summit Looks at Geopolitics – Tomorrow in New York City, the annual Columbia Global Energy Summit, hosted by the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA, will focus on energy, security and geopolitics in the New World Order. Over the course of the day, speakers will provide thought-provoking commentary and analysis on key issues, such as the collapse of the rules-based international order, the impact of geopolitical shifts on the global economy, and how both of these dynamics shape the global energy industry. Program topics include demand flexibility and the rapid expansion of the AI industry, great power competition and the energy transition, increasing competition throughout critical mineral supply chains, energy affordability and permitting reform.

Forum Looks at Innovation, Manufacturing – The Daily Caller holds the next installment of the Daily Caller’s Live USA 250 policy forum series. Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., DC hosts the American Innovation and Manufacturing Renaissance sponsored by the American Chemistry Council, focusing on the shifting supply chains and rising global competition, the imperative for the United States to build, innovate and lead. The event convenes policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to explore how the U.S. can reassert its industrial edge, advance next-generation manufacturing, and strengthen long-term economic competitiveness. The discussion will center on what it takes to win—from modern industrial policy and technological leadership to workforce development and the regulatory reforms needed to drive growth.

Data Forum Focuses on Climate, Environment – The Data Foundation holds a Climate and Environmental Data Day forum tomorrow at the National Academies’ Keck Center. The event will explore how organizations are responding to these disruptions, building new coordination mechanisms, and reimagining what a climate and environmental data ecosystem can look like.

Wright heads to Senate Energy – The Senate Energy Committee holds its DOE budget hearing at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Energy Secretary Chris Wright testifies.

Forum Looks at Climate Finance, Global Stability – The Stimson Center and the Green Climate Fund will host a multi-speaker panel tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. looking at how early climate investment in adaptation, food systems, and water security can reduce the risk of conflict and displacement, and the unique position of international financial institutions and creative partnerships to make that case.

Electricity Canada Holds Washington Policy Forum – Electricity Canada holds its annual Washington Policy Forum tomorrow to Thursday where top executives from their member companies come to DC for meetings with government and industry stakeholders.

DLA Hosts Energy Forum – The 2026 DLA Energy Worldwide Energy event will be held tomorrow at the Hyatt in Crystal City. The event highlights the importance of partnerships across the entire spectrum of the energy supply chain and provides a forum for energy industry leaders to engage in dialogue about issues critical to both industry and consumers. Our focus is on developing energy solutions and building relationships with industry, suppliers, other government partners, and our allies. In 2026, workshops topics will focus across DLA Energy’s worldwide business including petroleum supply and distribution, supply chain services, aerospace energy, and installation energy.

WRI Hosts Climate Officials –The World Resources Institute will hold a forum on Wednesday to look at long-term climate strategies.  The event features numerous countries’ climate leaders.

C2ES Forum Looks at Battery Storage – The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions hosts a daylong event on Wednesday focused on securing the American battery supply chain. The event is at the Battery Show South in Charlotte, the largest trade show for batteries, EV technology and energy storage.

ABA Enviro/Energy Spring Conference Set for MN – The American Bar Association holds its environmental/energy/resources law section spring conference in Minneapolis Wednesday to Friday. From high-level policy updates to practical strategies for navigating the changing regulatory environment, including transactions, compliance, and litigation challenges, this conference will provide strategies for addressing the new legal climate.

Senate, House Approps Hosts Commerce Secretary – The Senate Appropriations panel holds a hearing on the Commerce budget on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in 192 Dirksen. House Approps takes on Commerce on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick testifies.

House Looks at NRC Budget – The House Energy and Commerce Energy Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on Nuclear Regulatory Commission oversight, priorities and FY2027 Budget. Commissioners will testify.

EFI Looks at Energy Data – The EFI Foundation holds a forum on Wednesday at Noon looking at its new Energy Innovation Project. The Project will look at data to power America's competitive edge. The new initiative to make sense of federal innovation policy and provide impactful recommendations to protect America’s technological edge. The project begins with the launch of a first-of-its-kind database that consolidates and tracks key metrics across government reports, federal appropriations, and DOE-issued awards.

Energy Panel Look at Enviro Laws, Supply Chain – House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Environment subpanel holds a hearing on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. on how major environmental laws may be preventing the nation from dominating key supply chains.

Senate Ag Hosts Rollins – The Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture hold it USDA budget hearing at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday in 106 Dirksen. Secretary Rollins testifies.

Wright heads to Senate Energy – The Senate Approps Energy panel holds its DOE budget hearing at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Energy Secretary Chris Wright testifies.

Conservative Energy Groups Hosts Christie – The Conservative Energy Network holds a fireside chat of its Empowering Tomorrow Webinar series on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. The conversation will examine how the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC) collaborates with state policymakers and regulators amid rapid changes in the energy landscape and also identify practical strategies for improving coordination on reliability, affordability, and infrastructure development across state and federal jurisdictions.

BCSE Look at Energy Marketplace – The Business Council for Sustainable Energy holds a discussion on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. focused on understanding the evolving energy marketplace. The event will share the latest findings from the newly released 2026 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook (produced by BloombergNEF for BCSE), covering trends in energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, hydrogen, electric vehicles, digitalization, carbon capture and storage, and more. Featured speakers will share insights about what these trends look like on the ground for companies deploying these sustainable technologies.

Webinar Looks at Fleet Electrification – On Thursday at 2:00 p.m., SAFE’s Electrification Coalition holds its first installment of the fleet electrification webinar series. This webinar equips fleet managers, procurement officers, and sustainability leads with a practical total cost of ownership framework to evaluate light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electrification decisions.

Forum Looks at Climate Data – The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and Climate Central hold a briefing on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. in 2168 Rayburn to discuss a key underpinning of the U.S. economy: publicly-available weather and climate data. In this new information environment, universities, nonprofits, and national associations are stepping up to fill the gaps in maintaining weather and climate data left by the federal government. Panelists will share where to look for these datasets and explore how these organizations are maintaining public access to critical information without the resources afforded by the federal government. They will also describe the implications of these changes for end users, from individuals using weather apps to multinational corporations making significant business decisions.

IN THE FUTURE

Energy Forum Set for San Antonio – The 13th Energy Thought Summit (ETS)will be held in San Antonio, TX on Monday April 27th to Thursday April 30th. The event will reflect on the industry's past achievements, while discussing the limitless opportunities that lie ahead. Immerse yourself in the collective wisdom of industry pioneers, thought leaders, and visionaries, inspiring us all to push the boundaries of what is possible when it comes to shaping our new energy future.

SAFE Summit to Tackle Critical Mineral, Energy Security Challenges – SAFE Summit 2026 is set for next Monday and Tuesday April 27th and 28th at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center – 3rd Floor Ballroom in DC.  The event will convene innovators and leaders at a premier conference event for high-stakes and high-impact conversations shaping the nation’s energy, transportation, and minerals future. Session topics focus on AI, batteries, mineral security policies, transmission, energy, Detroit’s China EV problem and more. Spotlighting SAFE’s The Pillars of Power: A Strategy for Energy Security and Industrial Resiliency, the Summit will focus on rebuilding America’s industrial base, securing critical supply chains, and embracing energy abundance.

Stimson Focuses on Iran, Climate Security – The Stimson Center’s Environmental Security Program and the AMENA Foundation holds an online discussion on Tuesday April 28th at 1:00 p.m. looking at how the conflict in the Middle East is reshaping environmental and human security across the Middle East and North Africa region. The event will bring together leading voices to examine how the intersection of war and climate change is driving new forms of insecurity, particularly in already fragile environments.

Rep. Lawler, Reams Headline Heatmap Permitting Forum – Heatmap holds an evening forum on Tuesday April 28th at 6:00 p.m. at Arlo in DC. In this conversation, the event will explore various paths available to speed up the permitting process and make it easier to build. The event starts with a conversation with Rep Mike Lawler (R-NY) (moderated by Robinson Meyer) and another policy conversation with CRES CEO Heather Reams (moderated by Jillian Goodman).

Conference Focuses on Nuclear Dominance – The Energy Policy Research Foundation (EPRINC) and the Institute for Energy Research (IER) will hold a conference on “Dominating Nuclear: Better, Faster, Stronger," on Thursday April 30, which brings together policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders for a discussion of America’s nuclear energy future. The Keynote Speaker will be Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN 3). Fleischmann oversees funding for the nuclear security complex and national laboratories, making him one of the most influential voices in Congress on nuclear energy. This conference is part of EPRINC’s Power Vision Series to explore challenges and potential remedies to accelerating nuclear energy deployment in the US. This is particularly important in light of rising electricity prices, surging power demand from AI, and the manufacturing renaissance.

Forum Look at State Gird Solutions – Heatmap and Advanced Energy United holds a conversation on Thursday April 30th at 1:00 p.m. looking at how advanced energy technologies, both grid-scale and distributed, are providing the affordability solutions that state policymakers and regulators are searching for.

Chamber Holds Energy Summit – On May 1st, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and RealClearEnergy hosts its   2026 Energy Future Forum. Affordability has become the watchword of the year, driving conversations across AI aspirations, reshoring efforts, mineral mining and refining, LNG exports, and more. Join leaders from industry, policy, and technology for a full day of discussions on how cost pressures are shaping the future of energy and innovation. Featured speakers include Energy Secretary Wright, Southern CEO Chris Womack, EQT CEO Toby Rice, FERC Commissioner David Rosner and Siemens Energy President Matt Neal.

Milken Global Policy Conference Set – On May 3rd to 6th, the 29th annual Milken Institute Global Conference will be held in Los Angeles. The Milken Conference is the Institute’s flagship annual event, bringing together leaders across health, finance, business, technology, philanthropy, and public policy. The 2026 conference focuses on translating recent disruption and innovation into practical solutions for a more sustainable, equitable and resilient future. Hundreds of great speakers including Sens. Tim Scott and Mark Warner, Ex-Im Bank Head John Jovanovic, Former VA Governor Glenn Youngkin and FL Gov Ron DeSantis, the Chamber’s Suzanne Clark, NEI’s Maria Krosnick and our friends Ayesha Roscoe (NPR) and Brian Sullivan (CNBC).

OPAL CEO Headlines ACT Expo – OPAL Fuels Co-CEO Adam Comora will headline the Clean Fuels for Commercial Fleets Workshop at ACT Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada on Monday May 4th. ACT Expo is North America’s largest fleet technology expo and conference and run through Thursday May 7th. In its 16th year, ACT Expo is widely recognized as the most important annual event for the commercial transportation industry. Comora’s presentation will set the stage for a landmark year in clean transportation innovation. Titled “From Fuel to Fleet: A Vertically Integrated Approach to Renewable Fuels that Drives Fleet Economics, Cost Savings, and Sustainability,” Comora’s remarks will draw on OPAL Fuels’ vertically integrated platform spanning renewable fuel production, infrastructure development, and fleet fueling solutions. Comora will share real-world examples of how fleets are simultaneously meeting cost, reliability, and sustainability goals.

Forum Looks at Endangerment -- On Monday May 4th at 2:00 p.m., the Institute for Policy Integrity is holding a webinar that will explore the doctrine’s development and current controversies, explaining how the doctrine is likely to apply in future cases. Drawing on the Institute for Policy Integrity’s work in this area–including our amicus brief in Learning Resources and reports on EPA’s authority–this webinar will examine the doctrine’s development in the Supreme Court, along with the Supreme Court opinions in Learning Resources, and survey the implications of Learning Resources for other recent federal actions, including EPA’s endangerment repeal.

Wright to Headline USEA Energy Forum – On May 5th, the US Energy Association will convene the US Energy Policy Forum in Washington, DC, to shift the national dialogue from high-level discussion to "Prioritizing Action." This landmark event will gather a select group of visionaries and decision-makers to bridge the gap between policy and practice, defining the next era of our energy landscape. Energy Secretary Chris Wright will Keynote.

USEA Hosts Diplomats at AI Conference – The US Energy Assn holds a special meeting on Thursday May 7th at 12:30 p.m. at the Special Competitive Studies Project AI+ Expo.  The event will feature a diplomatic conversation on the role of AI in European energy security.

CCS Forum Set For DC – The Global CCS Institute holds its 2026 Americas Forum on Carbon Capture and Storage on Tuesday May 12th in Washington, D.C. hosted at the Embassy of Australia. The Forum program will feature keynote remarks, expert panels and in-depth discussions on policy, technology, investment, and project developments. The event will also discuss Carbon Removal by Howard J. Herzog (MIT) and Professor Niall Mac Dowell (Imperial College London), both of whom will be speaking at the Forum.

CRES Energy Leadership Summit Focuses on Energy Dominance – On Thursday May 14th, CRES holds its second annual Energy Leadership Summit, a one-day event bringing together Trump Administration officials, Members of Congress and conservative industry leaders, advocates, researchers, investors and policymakers for high-impact conversations on the future of American energy. This year’s summit will focus on winning the race for energy dominance and leadership. From powering the AI revolution to unleashing American manufacturing capabilities and energy production, speakers will explore how the U.S. can stay ahead of the pack and how lawmakers can ensure federal policy keeps pace with rapidly growing demand.

Webinar Tackles Public Charging – On Thursday May 14th at 1:00 p.m., SAFE’s Electrification Coalition holds a webinar highlighting the current state of public and semi-public charging for medium- and heavy-duty EVs. During this session, the EC will present the most significant barriers to deploying charging and practical solutions identified through extensive stakeholder engagement.

American Biogas Council to Host 2026 BIOGAS AMERICAS Conference in Detroit – As the U.S. biogas industry continues to expand, BIOGAS AMERICAS heads to Detroit on May his May 18th to 21st at the Huntington Place Convention Center (or Cobo Hall for you DTW old-timers)). The event is the North America’s largest biogas and RNG tradeshow and conference. The event will convene project developers, operators, utilities, investors, technology providers, policymakers, and waste and wastewater professionals from across the continent to supply training and education, biogas industry data, and policy insight.

Washington Energy Summit Set – The 11th annual Washington Energy Summit 2026 will be held at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC. on June 3rd and 4th. The Washington Energy Summit is organized by U.S. Energy Stream and convenes U.S. Senators and Members of Congress, global energy leaders, and technology executives for candid, off-the-record dialogue. The main theme of the Summit is running the World on energy with volatility, technology and American energy dominance.