Energy Update: Week of January 6

Energy Update - January 06, 2020

Friends,

We’re back!!!  Hope you had a great HOLIDAYS!!!   After some great college and pro football games over the last couple weekends, we are narrowing the field for the Super Bowl, as well as eagerly anticipating next week’s Clemson-LSU College Championship.  And we also got an early sense of the movie-award front runners with last night’s Golden Globes where 1917 won Best Picture for Drama, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood won Best Motion Picture for Musical/Comedy and Russell Crowe took home Best Actor for his excellent portrayal of Roger Ailes.  Full results of the Golden Globes here.

This week we start the new decade, so we are looking forward with 20 issues for 2020, beginning with the Top 10 today:

1) 2020 Presidential

2) Election Year Challenges

3) Impeachment Impact

4) Climate Change, Election

5) Utilities Acceptance of Renewable in Mix

6) Deep Decarbonization

7) NatGas Next

8) The Changing Energy Workforce

9) More Wind Offshore

10) Solar Roller

I have left a few spaces open below for you to tell me what issues you think are important for next year.  Give me your suggestions and we’ll include some of them.

Before we get to the action, there is new uncertainty after the killing of Iranian Quds Force General Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad airport.  We can help with some experts on what it may mean for energy/oil markets as we saw Brent crude futures exceed $70 per barrel in London for the first time since the September attacks on Saudi Arabian production facilities. While there is a lot here, I am really most concerned because Hannah is in Tel Aviv right now on a Birthright Israel trip. 

We return to the action this week.  While most of the wider focus will be on impeachment questions, there are a few important things on the schedule:

  • As Congress restarts, the White House reforms to NEPA are expected soon (and my colleagues Ann Navaro/Kevin Ewing/Christine Wyman can help you break that down). 
  • Early in the week, we expect the House Energy Democrats to roll out new climate legislation as soon as tomorrow when they hold a presser. 
  • Several House members, including E&C Chairs Pallone and Tonko, as well as Rep. Pete Olson, will introduce HFC legislation this week which will match the Senate’s bill that has broad bipartisan support in advance of a hearing expected next Tuesday where HVACR execs are among those testifying. 
  • House Dems will move PFAS legislation this week on the floor after an agreement fell out of the year-end budget/tax deals, starting with the Rules Committee tomorrow.
  • As for hearings, water is on the agenda as House Transportation looks at WRDA, while Senate Environment deals with state perspectives on nonpoint source water management. 

Off the Hill, SEIA rolled out its Solar+Decade today. Tomorrow, API holds its state of the Energy industry at the Anthem while the US Chamber’s Tom Donohue addresses annual the State of American Business at the Chamber on Thursday.  Finally, the Consumer Electronics show (with our friend Tyler Suiters at the PR helm) rolls into Las Vegas starting tomorrow where there are always some interesting vehicle and energy innovations announced.

Finally, an important survey for you – especially if you connected to the utility industry. Utility Dive's State of the Electric Utility annual survey provides invaluable information on and about key utility issues like climate resilience, cybersecurity, EVs, markets, regulation and the workforce changeover.  You can contribute to the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020SEU

That’s all for today, call with questions.

Best,

Frank Maisano

(202) 828-5864

C. (202) 997-5932

20 ISSUES FOR 2020

1) 2020 Presidential – Is it time again already?  And yes, it will be politics all the time. As we progress through 2020, we will be under a full slate of political action starting this month in Iowa where the first-in-the-nation votes are well underway.  What impact will the election have?  We know it will create a huge policy distraction. While the upcoming presidential election will dominate the conversation in the coming months, we still must pay attention to every other race out there on the federal, state and local level because that is where most environmental issues are most impacted.  We at Bracewell’s PRG are also starting are election focus SOON with our new 2020 PRG Election PULSE.  Stay tuned here throughout the year for insights, podcasts, video, data-driven comparisons of candidate positions and much more as the year rolls on. 

2) Election Year Challenges – This year-long sweep will keep a target on the back of candidates, parties, Congress and President Trump for every little political move and its meaning. There will be a lot of legislative activity, starting this week with House Democratic carbon legislation, much of it will be symbolic and messaging. It also will likely clear the Congressional schedule some time around mid-March or April to focus on theme legislating and political campaigning – always a dangerous time for both Congress and the Administration.  Who is standing at the end of the day on November 3rd remains a mystery today but the road will be loud, twisting and bumpy. 

3) Impeachment Impact – Early on in 2020, impeachment will have a major impact on the narrative.  The larger question remains what impact will it have on November elections?  What is clear is that there are a number of key Senators and a bunch of important House races that will likely feel the impeachment pinch.  On the Senate side, Republicans Cory Gardner (CO) and Susan Collins (ME) will be under pressure while Dems Doug Jones (AL) and likely Gary Peters (MI) may have to worry.  On the House side, there are 31 House Democrats that won Trump districts in 2018.  Many like Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Abigail Spanberger of VA and several California seats in traditional Republican areas like Orange County will be key to watch.

4) Is this the Year for Climate Change, Election – This is a perennial question that has never been answered in the affirmative despite the claims of environmental activists each election cycle.  Is this the year?  Probably not.  But our friend Amy Harder write that she sees this year as a new high water mark for climate change’s role in the presidential contest among Democratic candidates. And although it’s unlikely to be the biggest topic, she says it could be a wedge issue in the general election more than it has been in previous cycles. While I agree there are massive difference between all Democratic candidates and President Trump and this issue will play a targeted role, the larger focus on and battle for key Rust Belt states – as well as the strong economy and focus on independent voters makes it less likely that climate change and environment will be a game changer.  

5) Utilities Acceptance of Renewables in Generation Mix – For years, renewables struggled to break into the utility “Cool Kids Club.”  It cost too much and was too much hassle.  But improving technologies, state regulatory policies, an increasing internal focus on climate and reducing emissions and lots of available baseload natural gas have now made solar, wind and other renewable real contributors to utilities’ generation mix.  While this will likely continue in 2020 and is even trickling down to rural co-ops and public power, it will likely start to flatten unless we can improve transmission development, as well as push offshore wind or energy storage forward faster. The slowdown also may be helped by enviro activists trying to stop natural gas production/pipelines and new transmission projects.

6) Deep Decarbonization – With climate becoming a more significant talking point in electoral politics, deep decarbonization and innovation will take a much more important role in both political and policy discussions.  Look for innovation policies that will make clean energy technologies for all fuels affordable—solar, wind, hydro and other renewables, as well as nuclear, carbon capture for fossil fuels, energy efficiency, and storage. These technologies will make the grid more secure, resilient, and affordable. At the same time, we can establish rational, ambitious regulations to guide their use as they become increasingly affordable.  They will also be important in international negotiations. Whether nations meet targets of any climate agreement depends primarily on their ability to deploy technologies that satisfy their energy needs while avoiding greenhouse gas emissions. The opportunity for real action lies in cooperative efforts to reduce the friction in global systems for energy technology research and development, trade and investment.

7) NatGas Next – For years, enviros and industry thought of natural gas as a bridge fuel to cleaner and future fuels. And after the last decade’s Shale Revolution, it has changed the way we use energy.  The energy of the present has been transformed by technologies that have unlocked massive reserves.  This vast supply of oil and gas has given us the energy independence its leaders have sought for decades and upended the geopolitics of the world energy trade. Now, environmental activists are getting cold feet on natgas and are trying to stop it at all costs. Several Democratic candidates have pandered to progressive voters by promising to ban fracking, but can you win key states like PA, MI and OH with those policies?

8) The Changing Energy Workforce – Attrition, an aging workforce and a lack of job opportunities that appeal to younger workers have left the energy industry with a manpower problem. Indeed, in the U.S. energy sector, 77% of employers report difficulty hiring qualified workers during the last 12 months, according to a 2019 report by the Energy Futures Initiative, the think tank run by former Energy Sect. Ernest Moniz.  That could be poised to change, however, especially for utilities. As mentioned earlier, they are more involved in renewable energy and other sexy new technologies.  And for the oil sector, great pay and more interest in taxes on carbon, as well as utility business's increasing role in addressing climate change, align solidly with Millennials and Gen Zers to work in a field, and for an employer, that is socially responsible and aligned with their values.

9) More Wind Offshore – Offshore wind power has come a long way since the first offshore wind turbine was installed off the coast of Denmark in 1991. And in the US, the atmosphere around the future is electric. One of the first major offshore windfarms in the US, Vineyard offshore windfarm ran into trouble last summer, but there is great momentum with new projects coming on line as soon as next year.  Analysts predict the U.S. will swiftly catch up with foreign competitors. According to BloombergNEF, the U.S. is on track to become fourth in offshore wind capacity by 2030.  Look for progress this year as projects go from concepts/plans to actual projects in the water, and a supply chain starts to stand up alongside these new projects.

10) Solar Roller – While they seem to have come out on the short end of the tax deal at the end of the year, there is no doubt the future is bright for the solar Industry.  In fact, when energy and climate analysts look back on the 2020s, they will see a transformed energy landscape dominated by new solar energy generation. The industry has an aggressive goal for solar power to reach 20% of all U.S. electricity generation by 2030.  You can see their roadmap here at the Solar+ Decade. By 2030, the industry expects to double the U.S. solar workforce, add $345 billion in private investment, and offset electricity sector emissions by 35%.

Next Week: The Next 10

11) Electrification

12) The Future is…Plastics

13) Key SCOTUS Cases

14) Fuel Efficiency Fight as Proxy for Battle with States

15) RFS Saga Rolls on Even with Massive Farm Aid

16) Nuclear, Now or Never

17) Energy Storage

18) Regs, Regs, Regs

19)

20)

As mentioned above, I have left a few spaces open for you to tell me what issues you think are important for next year.  Give me your suggestions and we’ll include some of them.

 

FRANKLY SPOKEN

“'Trump money' is what we call it. It helped a lot. And it's my understanding, they're going to do it again."

Farmer Robert Henry of New Madrid, Mo. Who grows soybeans and other products in a story by NPR on the increase in farm payments last year. 

ON THE PODCAST

Co-Ops Program Aimed at Grid Advances Discussed – The latest episode of NRECA’s Along Those Lines podcast looks at Advancing Energy Access for All, a new NRECA initiative, that focuses on low- and moderate-income households who are at risk of being left out of some of the latest advances on the grid. NRECA’s Adaora Ifebigh, who oversees the initiative, discusses the effort as well as Tony Anderson, CEO of Cherryland Electric Cooperative in Michigan, which has several programs aimed at helping members in need.

FUN OPINIONS

WSJ Editorial: California NatGas Bans Violate Law – In an editorial in the Wall Street Journal, the board blasted California cities for violating environmental laws to ban natural gas. The editorial cites efforts earlier this year the city of Berkeley prohibited natural gas connections in nearly all new buildings, while Windsor in Sonoma County banned natural gas in new low-rise residential buildings. Liberal groups are urging other cities to do the same, though switching to electric appliances would cost about $7,200 and increase energy bills by an average $388 per year the WSJ says.  It also highlights the California Restaurant Association lawsuit against Berkeley’s natural-gas ban saying that “losing natural gas will slow down the process of cooking, reduce a chef’s control over the amount and intensity of heat, and affect the manner and flavor of food preparation.”

FROG BLOG

Local Attorney Shines Spotlight on Importance of ACP SCOTUS Case – A local attorney writes a lengthy analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court’s examination of legal questions connected to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, thrusting the pipeline project into the national spotlight and intensifying the accompanying debate.  Walker Richmond writes in Charlottesville’s Daily Progress “the focus of the court’s inquiry — the Appalachian Trail — provides a fascinating counterpoint to the proposed pipeline. The trail and the pipeline are both long and winding paths, but one of them is a wooded trail envisioned as a tool for harmonizing humans’ relationship with nature, whereas the other is a metallic tube that embodies our mastery of it.”

IN THE NEWS

U Dive Survey Shapes Direction of Utilities in 2020 – Utility Dive's State of the Electric Utility annual survey is a vital piece of research, providing invaluable information on and about the utility space.  And the good folks at UD need your help and input again this year.  The 2020 survey delves deep into today's timeliest topics: electric vehicles, climate resilience, cybersecurity, markets, regulation, and best business practices. The results will help explain the shape of the future of electric utility. If you complete it, you will also receive first access to the survey report once complete. Here is a link to the survey, please offer your additional insights: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020SEU

India Missing Targets to Limit Coal Plants – Looking at 2020 and emissions coming out of UN climate meetings, Reuters reports that coal-fired utilities around New Delhi were still operating despite threats from the Indian authorities to close them down if they had not installed equipment to cut emissions of sulfur oxides by the end of the year. The Indian government also may end a tax on coal to ease financial pressures on utility and distribution companies, according to another report by Reuters. The report said a waiver, which would end the current levy of $5.61 per ton, could also shore up enough capital for power companies to invest in pollution-curbing equipment. But critics say the policy could jeopardize the rollout of renewable energy sources if coal becomes more competitive as a result of the waiver.

Duke, NC agreed on Coal Ash Removal at 6 Sites – In a major achievement that puts the coal ash debate to rest in North Carolina, state regulators, community groups and Duke Energy have agreed to a plan to permanently close the company’s remaining nine coal ash basins in the state, primarily by excavation with ash moved to lined landfills. The agreement by Duke, NC’s DEQ and groups represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) detailed a reasonable and prudent plan for basin closure that continues to protect people, communities and the environment with a keen focus on investing for the future and our shared clean energy vision. This plan is consistent with the approach Duke Energy is taking to close ash basins in South Carolina and benefits customers and communities in both states. Under the agreement, seven of the basins will be excavated, with ash moved to lined landfills, including two at the Allen Steam Station (Belmont, N.C.), one at Belews Creek Steam Station (Belews Creek, N.C.), one at Mayo Plant (Roxboro, N.C.), one basin at the Roxboro Plant (Semora, N.C.) and two at the Cliffside/Rogers Energy Complex (Mooresboro, N.C.).  Almost 80 million tons of ash will be excavated from the remaining sites. The company is already removing ash from basins at other facilities, bringing the total amount of material to be excavated in North Carolina to approximately 124 million tons.

The agreement calls for expedited state permit approvals which would keep projects on a rapid timeline with excavation at the six sites completed in 10 to 15 years. 

Key Elements – The NC Coal Ash plan has several key elements:

Manages Cost – These plan will reduce the total estimated cost to close the nine basins by about $1.5 billion, as compared to the April 1, 2019 NCDEQ order requiring full excavation. As a result, the estimated total undiscounted cost to permanently close all ash basins in the Carolinas is now approximately $8 billion to $9 billion, of which approximately $2.4 billion has been spent through 2019. Most of the remaining expenditures are expected to occur over the next 15-20 years.

Protects Groundwater – The agreement also ensures that impacted groundwater is addressed and includes provisions to streamline the process for this important work. Drinking and recreational water supplies are safe now, and Corrective Action Plans will address groundwater at each site to ensure those supplies remain protected. 

Promotes Recycling – As previously announced, Duke Energy is closing all of its coal ash basins, including 31 in North Carolina. Material from 12 basins will be reprocessed and recycled into useful construction material. Recognizing that recycling is the only way to avoid permanent disposal of ash, the parties agree to explore opportunities to maximize recycling at those sites by extending closure deadlines to 2035.

Resolves litigation – The agreement completely resolves the pending disputes over ash basin closure plans being debated by the parties in various courts, including cases before the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings, North Carolina Superior Court and United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The parties will make the necessary court filings to dismiss each case.   

Perry to Join Energy Transfer Board – Wondering what former Secretary Perry would do?  On January 1st, Perry joined the board of directors at LE GP LLC, which is the general partner of Dakota Access pipeline company Energy Transfer LP. Perry had served on Energy Transfer's board until the end of 2016. 

ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK

Science Conference Set – The National Council on Science and the Environment (NCSE) holds its 2020 Annual Conference on January today through Thursday at the Omni Shoreham in Washington, D.C.  The event includes more than 800 leaders from the sciences, education, government, policy, business, and civil society to foster a dialogue across these sectors on environmental policy- and decision-making with the use of science. The Annual Conference program includes presentations by leading experts and sessions that spotlight new research, innovation, and the power of collaboration through partnering. Attendees will join meaningful conversations, network with peers, and make vital connections.

API Sets State of American Energy – API hosts its annual State of Energy on tomorrow at the Anthem.  

Platts Gas Storage Conference Set – Platts hosts its 18th annual Gas Storage Outlook Conference tomorrow and Wednesday in Houston at the Royal Sonesta Hotel.  The event will examine the full range of complex issues surrounding the use, operation, and development of gas storage in today’s evolving environment.

CSIS Hosts Conversation on European NatGas issues – CSIS hosts a conversation with the author, Thane Gustafson on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the Europe-Russia relationship.  The issue has always had a political and geopolitical dimension, ever since the Soviet Union first supplied gas to Western Europe in the late 1960s. “Yet to boil down the subject of Russian-European gas relations to geopolitics is to miss a large part of the story,” writes Thane Gustafson, a professor of government at Georgetown University and a Senior Director at IHS Markit, in his new book The Bridge: Natural Gas in a Redivided Europe (Harvard University Press, 2020). He continues to say: “The gas revolution in Europe has deep roots, which originated quite independently of Russia, and are only distantly related to geopolitics.”

Senate Enviro to Host State Officials on Water – The Senate Environment Committee holds a hearing with state officials Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. aimed at so-called nonpoint source pollution, which is created when water from rainfall or snowmelt moves over and through the ground, picking up contaminants and delivering them to nearby waterways.  Former EPA Water Office head and now Maryland Department of Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles and Wyoming DEQ official Jennifer Zygmunt will testify.

WRI’s Stories to Watch Set – On Thursday at 9:00 a.m., the World Resources Institute holds its 17th Stories to Watch event for policymakers, business executives, thought leaders, and media in Washington, DC, and around the world.  With the new decade, WRI CEO Andrew Steer will share insights on why the year ahead will be critical for people and the planet. Andrew will explore trends, major moments and policy decisions related to climate change, biodiversity, corporate sustainability, technology, politics, and more. He will discuss how actions by governments, businesses, activists, finance and innovators will shape the trajectory for climate action and other environmental issues for the decade to come.

State of American Business Event Set – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce holds the 21st annual State of American Business event on Thursday at 10:00 a.m., where they will explore the most important trends, opportunities, and challenges facing the business community in the coming year - and beyond.

House Transport Panel Looks at Water Recourses Legislation – The House Transportation Committee’s Water Resources and Environment panel holds a hearing on proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2020 Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Lt. Gen Todd Semonite, commanding general, Army Corps of Engineers will testify.

Forum to Feature State Dept Enviro Expert – The Business Council for International Understanding holds a briefing on Thursday at Noon with Keith Krach, undersecretary of State for economic growth, energy and the environment.  Krach offer remarks on the Department's priorities for 2020 and his vision for the bureaus and offices for which he is responsible.

WCEE to Hold Idea Lunch – The Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment (WCEE) is kicking off 2020 by combining its Come Dream with Us event and the WCEE new member meeting. The event features a brief introduction to the organization, the events they hold and the organization’s committees.  Following the introduction, WCEE holds its annual Lunch & Learn planning session, where they brainstorm about the Lunch & Learn (i.e. brown-bag) events you would like to see WCEE facilitate in the coming year. WCEE will review the events held over the last year, discuss topics under development, and get thoughts on what else it should do.

GTM Hosts Analysts to Talk Solar, Grid – Greentech Media hosts a webinar on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. that will cover the most compelling research findings from 2019 across three Wood Mackenzie coverage areas – solar, storage and the grid edge. A panel of Wood Mackenzie analysts will discuss what changes 2019 brought to cleantech across four categories: Technology (from solar inverter innovation to battery chemistry), manufacturing (supply chains for solar, batteries and grid tech), investment and financing (including M&A and corporate activity), and deployment.

Forum to Focus on Global Policy, Energy Challenges – On Thursday at 5:30 p.m., CSIS and Texas Christian University host the next installment of the Schieffer Series, “2020 Challenges Ahead.” CSIS experts Kathleen Hicks, Stephanie Segal and Sarah Ladislaw will join Beverly Kirk, Director of CSIS’s Smart Women Smart Power Initiative and Bob Schieffer to discuss a range of issues to look out for in 2020. Panelists will cover challenges ranging from the manifestations of U.S.-China tensions and Brexit to the United States’ withdrawal from global engagement and leadership, climate change and domestic stability. 

Daimler Head Talks Auto Industry in DC – The Economic Club of Washington DC hosts a forum on Friday at Noon at the Marriott Marquis featuring Ola Källenius, head of Mercedes. Ola’s focus on electric and autonomous vehicles has made him an industry leader as Mercedes-Benz plans to invest more than $12 billion into the company’s new line of battery-powered vehicles. In 2020, Mercedes-Benz will launch the first member of its new EQ line of fully electric vehicles, with nine more slated to launch by 2022.

IN THE FUTURE

House Energy to Look at HFCs – The House Energy & Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on January 14th on HFC legislation.  Already the senate has introduced legislation that has 34 bipartisan cosponsors (17 Rs/17 Ds).  The hearing will likely mean that House legislation is probably imminent early in January.   More on this in our first 2020 Update. 

Atomic Wings Planning Session Set – DOE and ClearPath hold their first Atomic Wings Luncheon on Wednesday January 15th at Noon in 2043 Rayburn.  Kick off the New Year with Movers & Milestones in Nuclear Energy.  Panel and Speaker information forthcoming.

Forum to Focus on DOE Solar Prize – On Wednesday, January 15th at 12:00 p.m. at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, Nation of Makers’ Energy Innovation lead Tim Bailey will discuss the Department of Energy's $3 million American-Made Solar Prize.  The DOE Prize is revitalizing U.S. solar manufacturing by tapping into American’s competitive spirit and the nation's unparalleled innovation ecosystem. Through the American-Made Network, the world's best-in-class national laboratory research base is combined with an unparalleled entrepreneurial support system consisting of pioneering fabrication facilities, energy incubators, and other valuable resources.  Bailey will look in detail at how the DOE is structuring this prize competition to create a portfolio of innovations primed for private investment and commercial scale up--and learn where you might fit into the network.

BPC to Host Siemens CEO – The Bipartisan Policy Center hosts its Bob and Elizabeth Dole Series on Leadership featuring a discussion with Siemens CEO Barbara Humpton, where she guides the company’s strategy and engagement in serving the company’s largest market in the world, with more than 50,000 employees and over $23 billion in revenues and $5 billion in annual exports.

Iowa RFA to Hold Summit – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Assn will hold Its 2020 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit on Thursday January 16th at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona, Iowa.  The forum will take on all facets of the Renewable Fuel Standard and discuss the future for the policy.

Energy Economists Host Growth Economist to Talk Ethanol – The U.S. Energy Economists host their January lunch on Friday January 17th at The National Union Building.  Chris Bliley, vice president of regulatory affairs at trade association Growth Energy, will talk to us at lunch about the evolving picture for ethanol at lunch and the state of the Renewable Fuels Standard, specifically Renewable Volume Obligations, Renewable Identification Numbers and the small refinery exemption. He will also talk about E15 blending, E10 in Mexico and other ethanol production drivers.

National Biodiesel Conference Set – Off a fresh victory to renew the Biodiesel Blenders Tax Credit in December’s budget deal, the National Biodiesel Board holds its annual National Biodiesel Conference in Tampa on January 20th to 23rd.  Our friends Jim Massie, Tim Urban and John Eichberger will be among the speakers. 

Washington Auto Show Policy Days Set – On January 21st and 22nd, the Washington Auto Show holds its annual policy days just prior to the launch on the 2020 auto show.  As the “Public Policy Show” on the auto show circuit, the 10-day public show is preceded by two Public Policy Preview Days of special events and announcements for officials in government, industry and the media.  This year, Mobility Talks will focus on a policy discussion talk on Smart Cities and Urban Mobility with a significant discussion on autonomous vehicles.  SAFE’s Robbie Diamond will be featured on the plenary panel on Wednesday January 22nd. 

Trump to Attend Davos Economic Forum – The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting will be held In in Davos-Klosters on January 21st to 24th.  The forum is the foremost creative force for engaging the world's top leaders in collaborative activities to shape the global, regional and industry agendas.  President Trump has already announced he will attend this year after missing last year because of the government shutdown. 

CSIS Looks at Deep Decarbonization – On Thursday January 23rd at 10:00 a.m., CSIS launches its Climate Solutions Series, a year-long initiative which will bring together a wide range of audiences over six sessions to examine global pathways to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in different sectors of the economy.  The first session will look at various pathways to net-zero emissions, ranging from a significant reduction in fossil fuel consumption and major behavior changes with little reliance on “negative emissions,” to smaller structural changes with a heavy reliance on technologies to reduce carbon from point sources and the atmosphere. The event will feature a presentation on these various pathways, followed by a facilitated discussion featuring perspectives from national, state, and city government officials.

USEA Annual Energy Forum Set – The U.S. Energy Assn holds its annual State of the Energy Industry Forum on Thursday January 23rd at 10:00 a.m. at the National Pres Club.  USEA begins each calendar year with its widely- recognized State of the Energy Industry Forum.  The Forum brings together distinguished leaders from the most influential energy trade associations to share their outlook and to discuss dynamic issues facing the energy industry in the new year.

SEJ Launches 2020 Journalists Guide – The Society of Environmental Journalists will hold its annual Policy roundtable and release its 2020 Journalists’ Guide to Energy and Environment on January 24th in a forum at the National Geographic Society In Washington.   More on this in the new year…

Super Bowl LIV – Sunday February 2nd

Iowa caucuses – Monday February 3rd

State of the Union – Tuesday February 4th

International HVACR Conference Set – The International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Expo is set for February 3rd to 5th in Orlando.  The AHR Expo is the world’s largest HVACR event, attracting the most comprehensive gathering of industry professionals from around the globe each year. The Show provides a unique forum where manufacturers of all sizes and specialties, whether a major industry brand or innovative start-up, can come together to share ideas and showcase the future of HVACR technology under one roof.

Forum to Look at CCS – The Atlantic Council holds a forum on Tuesday February 3rd at 3:00 p.m. to look at the global status of CCS technologies.  This event explores the current status of carbon capture and storage, the next generation of CCS projects, policies, and technologies taking shape around the world, and the important role they play in global decarbonization.

State Energy Officials Look at Policy Issues – The National Association of State Energy Officials 2020 Energy Policy Outlook Conference and Innovation Summit will be held on February 5th to 7th at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC.  The conference will examine the key policies and initiatives needed to drive modernization and resilience across our energy infrastructure – grid, pipelines, buildings and transportation.

National Ethanol Conference ready for Houston – The National Ethanol Conference is set for February 10th to 12th in Houston at the Marriott Marquis.  The forum focuses on marketing, legislative and regulatory issues facing the ethanol industry.


Sustainable Energy Factbook Forum Set – BloombergNEF and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) will be releasing the 2020 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook in Washington, DC, on February 13th.  In its eighth year, the Factbook provides new industry information and trends for the U.S. energy economy, with an in-depth look at the energy efficiency, natural gas and renewable energy sectors as well as emerging areas such as digitalization, micro-grids, offshore wind, hydrogen and renewable natural gas.