Racing towards Memorial Day

Friends,

Happy Memorial Day run up week! Get those summer pants out (not really a rule anymore) if you didn’t already have them out for the Preakness on Saturday. I did pretty well at my home track (Laurel Park) where the race was run this year while Pimlico is “refreshed.” While not picking Napoleon Solo (which kept me from a big payout) I won a little money on Iron Honor (2nd), Chip Honcho (3rd) and Ocelli (4th)  And then a great surprise at the PGA championship just outside Philly where Canadian Aaron Rai shot a final round 65 to pull away from a tight field of really great golfers. The NBA rolled on with the Detroit Pistons being blown out in game 7 at home by Cleveland, and Buffalo roared back from an early deficit to force a Game 7 tonight against Montreal.  Side note on the Sabres-Canadians series: In game 4, the US and Canadian anthems were sung by Gideon Zelermeyer, brother of Valero GR head (and former Bracewell alum) Salo Zelermeyer (Gid is a cantor at a Temple in the 514). Finally, Indy 500 races on Sunday.

There is no let down this week even as we charge into the unofficial opening of Summer with Memorial Day. We know that driving demand will be higher in spite of gas prices. No movement yet on whether there will be a gas tax holiday. Many experts say a tax holiday could create more problems, notably a further increase in the national debt and greater strain on the Highway Trust Fund (which is already facing strain from EVs and increased ICE fuel efficiency). I talked about this with Julie Mason on SIRIUS XM’s POTUS last week. 

This morning, the big news is NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy announced plans to merge in one of the largest potential electricity deals ever. If approved, it would be the world's largest player in renewables and battery storage and would lead the U.S. in total power generation (the largest company in natural gas-fired power, #2 in nuclear).

HVACR industry leaders will descend on Capitol Hill today and tomorrow for their annual legislative and regulatory fly-in. In addition to hearing from government officials, including Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Roberson and other agency and Hill staff, advocates will fan out across House and Senate offices tomorrow to discuss issues such as affordability, workforce development, and reform of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).

The President delivers the commencement speech at the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut on Wednesday. It is Commissioning Week in Annapolis too with Blue Angels flying on Wednesday; grad ceremonies on Thursday. NOAA also delivers its Hurricane Forecast for the 2026 Season on Thursday.

The Senate convenes this afternoon to vote on a group of en bloc nominations including BLM’s Steve Pearce, DOE’s Kyle Hausvelt and renoms of Dave LeCerte at FERC and David Wright at NRC. A Senate Environment subpanel focuses on Congress's bipartisan push to reduce regulations on the nuclear industry. The House Approps Committee moves funding for Energy and Water programs later this week and the Subpanel will release its first version of Environment/Interior funding as well. On Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee will hold a hearing on the Justice Department’s judgement fund which should feature fireworks from Republicans on past environmental group payouts and from Democrats on the recent Administration offshore wind buybacks.

Finally, the Earthshot Foundation-OurEnergyPolicy GridIron Forum finale is getting close (JUNE 8th).   The speaker line up is great and the policy discussion will be essential reading for the policy game. Sign up now…

Call with questions.

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“We’re going to keep them flowing. We can’t be a major energy exporter to the world if we decide sometimes to stop exporting our energy.”

Energy Secretary Chris Wright in a live shot on CNBC from The Golden Pass LNG facility saying that expanding exports of all fossil fuels are a top administration priority. (Quote at 10-minute mark of interview)

ON THE PODCAST

Sommers, Maloney Join New 535 News Broadcast – In the interviews with the new 535 News Website (started by our friends former Fred Upton Comms Director David Woodruff, former WSJ reporter Brody Mullins and CNN producer Kristin Wilson. API’s Mike Sommers and EEI’s Drew Maloney were among the first to sit down with Mullins to discuss Hill Energy policy.

Political Climate Gang Discusses State Affordability – On this episode of Political Climate, Hosts Julia Pyper, Brandon Hurlbut, and Neil Chatterjee break down why energy affordability has become one of the hottest political issues heading into the 2026 midterms, what state leaders are doing about it, and whether or not their strategies will work.

FUN OPINIONS

Exports Have Saved Us, But For How Much Longer – In his column in Bloomberg Opinion, Javier Blas writes a massive surge in US exports has kept the oil market in check. But the clock is ticking: it's sustaining the flow using a stockpile. And unlike the printing presses of the Fed, it can’t just be topped up with a fresh sheaf of paper.

FROG BLOG

Is Iran Holding all the Cards in Strait of Hormuz? – In a piece in the National Interest, former State Department expert and head of the Center for National Interest Paul Saunders writes like Russia before it, Iran is learning that using the prospect of an oil crisis as a threat no longer works after the crisis begins. The thing about playing cards is that, once you play a card, you no longer have it. Russian President Vladimir Putin learned this lesson, quite expensively for Russia, in attempting to use his country’s vast pipeline gas exports to Europe as political leverage following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. From this perspective, Iran’s leaders—many of whom assert excellence at the “chess” of international diplomacy—would do well to think again about card-playing. Oil and gas are different commodities and their markets operate differently. Oil is much easier than gas (especially pipeline gas) to deliver to various markets, although its characteristics and purpose-built refineries do impose limits. What is important is that the global energy system is coping with, but not yet adapting to, the loss of oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz. The distinction is an important one.

FUN FACTS

Exports Increasing Energy Dominance: From crude oil and liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to other products such as propane, the flow of fuel from U.S. ports has put a big dent in the national trade deficit and helped to stabilize overseas markets during war and other periods of scarcity.

IN THE NEWS

E15 Rolls Through the House – The House passed legislation allowing for year-round E15 sales, taking the first step toward settling a long-running dispute over ethanol and small refiner issues. As lawmakers look for quick relief from high gas prices. The deal was supported by traditional adversaries, API/AFPM and the ethanol industry. API President and CEO Mike Sommers:

“As Americans continue to face pressure from rising energy costs, this bill delivers greater certainty for consumers while expanding choices at the pump. We thank Representatives Adrian Smith, Randy Feenstra, Stephanie Bice, and Michelle Fischbach for their leadership and urge the Senate to build on this momentum by passing similar legislation that strengthens the U.S. fuel supply and expands consumer choice.”  

 A broad coalition of energy producers, small refiners, biofuel stakeholders, agriculture groups, fuel retailers and equipment manufacturers urged lawmakers to advance this legislation, highlighting how a holistic and balanced approach to E15 improves consumer choice and market certainty while supporting reliable, affordable fuel supply. The legislation expands choice at the pump by enabling nationwide, year-round access to E15 and eliminating seasonal barriers and a patchwork of state requirements. It allows—but does not mandate—retailers to offer E15, while preserving E10 availability for consumers. In a piece in The Daily Caller, C3’s Nick Loris argued the policy could end up doing the opposite. Loris says expanding ethanol mandates without protections for small refineries can raise fuel costs, distort energy markets and leave consumers paying more at the pump.

Interior to Speed Up Alaska Oil, Gas Permitting – The Interior Department will streamline the permitting process for oil development inside the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska to produce more oil from the region. Interior will establish a new permit framework for building and operating oil production sites and related infrastructure within the reserve. Under the approach, qualifying projects could be more swiftly analyzed and authorized, potentially in just 30 days. The effort could benefit Repsol and ConocoPhillips, who are already holding leases within NPR-A through expedited reviews of projects underway. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the effort builds on what industry and federal regulators have already learned about responsible oil development in the region. Don’t expect environmental groups to pass on it. Remember their strong opposition to the CP Willow project, where Burgum made the announcement on Friday during a visit to oil and mining sites in Alaska.

Grid experts Discuss Federal Transmission Role in New Paper – The Electricity Customer Alliance and Americans for a Clean Energy Grid released a new white paper Monday that looked at the role of federal transmission pricing policy amid growing U.S. electricity demand. The report, prepared by Grid Strategies, is the first of two volumes. It examined the evolution, current framework and emerging challenges around federal transmission pricing in the United States — with a particular focus on how costs are allocated and recovered at the wholesale level. It lands as transmission pricing is at the center of policy debates around affordability and the future of the grid.

SEIA Lands Former Minnesota Governor as CEO – The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) announced that Tim Pawlenty will serve as the organization’s new president and CEO. Pawlenty was the 39th Governor of the state of Minnesota, serving two terms from 2003 to 2011. As Governor, he oversaw a $50 billion biennial budget, led more than 20 state agencies and departments, and championed some of the nation’s most forward-looking renewable energy initiatives. He also previously served as president and CEO of the Financial Services Roundtable, advancing policies to strengthen the U.S. financial system. SEIA is the national trade association for the U.S. solar and energy storage industry, representing companies across the value chain and driving policies that expand reliable, low-cost, American-made energy. The organization has played a central role in growing solar and storage into the fastest-growing energy sources in the country, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, and billions of dollars in investments while strengthening American energy independence. Pawlenty will assume the role on June 15. Until then, Darren Van’t Hof will continue serving as interim president and CEO, providing steady leadership and ensuring a seamless transition for the organization and its members.

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

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 today to Thursday 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.

NARUC Webinar Series Looks at EVs – Tomorrow to Thursday at 2:00 p.m. each day, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners will hold an event about electric vehicle grid integration and grid impacts for state regulators. Topics include managed charging program models, including a focus on distribution-optimization, rate design, customer engagement strategies and the emerging potential of bidirectional charging. Guest speakers from commissions, utilities and independent evaluators will share real-world insights and lessons from case studies.

House Science Looks at Cyber Threats on Water Systems – House Science’s Environment Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on applying science to secure U.S. water systems from cyber threats.

Hudson Looks at Climate, Power Competition – The Hudson Institute holds a discussion tomorrow at 10:00 on environmental agendas and geopolitical ends. The event will assess climate policy and power competition.

House Energy Looks at Potomac Spill – The House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee holds a hearing tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. on examining the Potomac Interceptor Collapse.

RFF Looks at Oil/Gas in Local Communities – Tomorrow at 2:00 p.m., Resources for the Future (RFF) hosts a forum to feature local perspectives on economic futures taking the view from oil and gas communities. Using insights gathered from interviews in oil-and-gas-producing western Colorado, central Oklahoma, and Kern County, California, presenters will highlight how these communities think about their economic futures and offer potential strategies to increase their economic resilience.

House Approps Marks up Energy, Water Funding – On Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., the House Appropriations Committee holds a markup of the FY2027 Energy and Water Development bill; and the FY2027 Legislative Branch bill.

Senate Marks up Nuclear Bills – The Senate Environment Clean Air, Climate and Nuclear Innovation and Safety Subcommittee holds a hearing on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. looking at the "Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act"; the "RECHARGE Act"; and the "Enrichment Licensing Modernization Act."

House Resources Looks at Reclamation Project – On Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., the House Natural Resources Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee holds a hearing on the Federal Reclamation program's next century.

House Approps Marks up Energy/Water Funding – On Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., the House Appropriations Committee holds a markup of the FY2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies bill; and the FY2027 Legislative Branch bill.

NASA Administrator Headlines Lunch – The Aero Club of Washington holds a luncheon panel on Wednesday at Noon with NASA Administrator Jared Isaascman.

Senate Approps Panel Looks at Army Corps Budget – The Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee holds a hearing on the FY2027 Budget Request for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation.

House Approps to Move Environment Funding – On Thursday at 8:00 a.m., the House Appropriations Interior/Environment Subcommittee holds a markup of the FY2027 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bill.

DeSantis Headlines Federalist Summit – The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies Structural Constitution Initiative holds its Executive Branch Summit on Wednesday and Thursday. EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi and USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden speak. Florida Gov Ron Desantis headlines.

NOAA to Release Hurricane Forecast – On Thursday at 11:00 a.m., NOAA hurricane experts hold a news conference to announce the anticipated activity for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, factors that may influence hurricane development, and provide advice for how the public can prepare for the season.

BCSE, ACEEE Holds Massachusetts Forum – On Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in Boston, MA. BCSE's American Energy Abundance Alliance and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) are hosting a roundtable discussion to examine the role of energy efficiency and clean energy in Massachusetts.

IN THE FUTURE

Memorial Day – May 25th

Brookings Event to Address Carbon Markets – On Thursday, May 28, the Center on Regulation and Markets at Brookings will host a public event to examine the challenges facing project-based carbon markets and proposals for their reform. Part of the center’s ongoing series, Reimagining Modern-day Markets and Regulations, the event will kick off with a keynote and fireside chat from Annette Nazareth, chair of the governing board for the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market, who will assess the current state of carbon credit markets and offer a vision for the path forward. Nellie Liang, senior fellow at the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at Brookings, will moderate the conversation. Following the keynote, a panel of distinguished experts—including Derik Broekhoff (Stockholm Environment Institute), Sanjay Patnaik (Brookings), Erin Shortell (Institute for Policy Integrity), and Philippe Delacote (INRAE)—will discuss specific policy proposals drawn from their recent research, exploring how carbon markets might be strengthened, better regulated, and more effectively designed.

CLEANPOWER Set for Houston – CLEANPOWER 2026 is set for the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston June 1st to June 4th. The annual American Clean Power Assn forum is where the industry holds its most important conversations about policy and the future of clean energy. FERC Commissioner David Rosner is among the speakers.

EEI Meetings Headlined by NBC Sports Tirico, DOE’s Fitzsimmons – EEI 2026, the Edison Electric Institute’s (EEI) annual meeting and thought leadership conference, will be held in Las Vegas on June 2nd to 4th.  The event is the premier event for the U.S. electric power industry. Keynote speakers include Siemens Energy AG CEO Christian Bruch, Alphabet and Google President and Chief Investment Officer Ruth Porat, Emerald AI CEO Dr. Varun Sivaram, NBC Sports & Olympics Lead Host & Play-by-Play Announcer Mike Tirico and DOE’s Alex Fitzsimmons.

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.

Heatmap Forum Looks at Energy Entrepreneurs – Heatmap News holds its second annual Energy Entrepreneurship event on Wednesday June 3rd that will convene founders, investors, manufacturers, and bipartisan policymakers to examine the technologies poised to define the next chapter of American energy: batteries, next-generation geothermal, nuclear fusion, and more. Beyond deployment, eh event will spotlight the industrial backbone of the transition: clean energy manufacturing and the jobs that come with it. Trent Bauserman of Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Travis Kavulla of Base Power are among the speakers.

GridIron Dialogue Report, Series Set for Finale – The Earthshot Foundation, in partnership with OurEnergyPolicy, will host the GridIron Dialogues Finale on June 8th in Washington, D.C. The event marks the culmination of a year-long, whole-of-grid dialogue series that engaged more than 200 engineers, economists, regulators, and operators across a dozen sessions spanning every element of grid planning, investment, and operations. From fuel supply to transmission, distribution, and customer energy management, the GridIron Dialogues examined the grid as a system of systems – the single largest machine ever built, and the infrastructure on which every sector of our economy depends. The Finale will share key findings from the series and premiere a white paper—The GridIron: From Rivals in Gridlock to Champions of a Stronger, Smarter Grid—that summarizes whole-of-grid insights and includes an Electricity Abundance Playbook.

California Hydrogen Summit Set – The California Hydrogen Business Council holds a its 2026 California Hydrogen Summit on June 8th and 9th at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento. The Summit will showcase the strategies accelerating affordable production, infrastructure build out, market adoption, and policy alignment. This is where California’s next steps for hydrogen are being decided.

Chamber Environment Summit Set – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will host its 2026 Environmental Innovation Summit on Wednesday, June 17 at its headquarters in Washington, DC. Speakers and participants will focus on where the private sector is driving environmental innovation both domestically and globally, including in energy, the circular economy, agriculture, biodiversity, resilience, and more. NOAA’s Neil Jacobs will be among the speakers.

London Climate Action Week – London Climate week will be held on June 20 – 28 in London, England.

SEIA Holds Finance, Tax Seminar in NYC – On June 23rd and 24th, the Solar Energy Industries Association holds its annual Finance, Tax, and Buyers Seminar in New York, NY.