Welcome back from the Labor Day holiday and last blast of Summer. I spent most of the weekend watching the US Open tennis matches and then that crazy Michigan-Western Michigan college football ending. It is a miracle the Wolverines won the game, but kudos to Western for a strong performance that should have won the game (and easily staying inside the 27-point spread). The NFL launches tomorrow for the season opener with the New England Patriots visiting the Seattle Seahawks on NBC (former Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin makes his broadcast debut).
Last week, the House passed legislation, 370-48, to fund the government until December 11th with 29 Democrats and 19 Republicans voting against it. The continuing resolution heads to Trump to be signed into law (The Senate approved the bill 90-6-1 on August 8th). What this really does is shorten the time Congress will be here in September. Already, the House will be back only next week with its leadership nixing the final two in-session weeks of September. As of now, the Senate is still planning to be in for the full three weeks, but it is unclear whether that will change. The Senate does have a lot it could do (that the House already has done) including permitting, Surface Transportation, a farm bill and NDAA, just on issues that touch energy.
This week Republicans head to Dallas for their newly-minted “Mid-Term Convention” and expect a full slate of Democrats to be there as well to keep them in check. With events being in Texas energy country, we do expect some energy industry politicos to attend. Let me know if you have questions on gas prices, nuclear power, natural gas or renewables. Happy to discuss all of it.
Canada’s reciprocal tariffs kick in today. As of now, the tariffs largely DO NOT impact cross border energy. However, the fight is likely to impact my purchase last week of a new (needed) hockey referee jersey! My colleagues Paul Nathanson and Josh Zive are tracking everything and are excellent experts should you have trade/tariff questions.
On Wednesday, I am finally sitting down with David Roberts of Volts for a down-to-earth, real discussion of energy, climate and politics on his widely-popular podcast. I cannot wait for the chat and you will hear about it next week with Links.
Finally, mark your calendars now for next week as it is National Clean Energy Week. There will be events throughout the week and the policy forum on Tuesday and Wednesday. As well, AGA will hold its very important Winter Fuels Outlook on Thursday of that Week (Sept 17th).
Call with questions.
Best,
Frank Maisano
(202) 828-5864
C. (202) 997-5932
FRANKLY SPOKEN
“We consider all options of how you can move prices that are favorable for American consumers, but right now, we’re leaning in on maximum production, energy addition.”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright on CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday.
ON THE PODCAST
Madam Policy Podcast Talks Critical Minerals with Amanda Van Dyke – In this episode of Bracewell’s Madam Policy, my colleague and host Dee Martin sits down with Amanda Van Dyke, Founder of the Critical Mineral Hub and author of The Mineral Imperative, to explore why critical minerals have become a defining issue for the global economy, national security, and industrial strategy. Amanda breaks down what qualifies as a critical mineral, why supply chains are increasingly vulnerable, and why understanding mineral systems is essential for policymakers.
FUN OPINIONS
On Labor Day, Remember Who Builds This Country, What Fuels Their Work – In a Labor Day op-ed in The Center Square, PA Building Trades leader Jeff Nabor and Marcellus Shale Coalition President Jim Welty write the answer is not choosing between energy and workers. The answer is putting American energy and American workers on the same team. They say right now, America has a tremendous opportunity to put both its resources and its workers to work. After years of delays and uncertainty surrounding critical infrastructure, the country is confronting the need to build more power generation, pipelines, manufacturing capacity and other infrastructure needed to support a growing economy. At the same time, Americans want good-paying jobs that allow families to build a future here at home.
FROG BLOG
US Power Output for Data Center Will Have Impacts – In his column in RTO Insider, Around the Corner columnist Peter Kelly-Detwiler wonders what would happen to the grid’s overall reliability — and U.S. wholesale markets — if more turbines were pulled from the bulk power system in favor of on-site data center generation. He writes it will be challenging.
FUN FACTS
Offshore Wind is Down but Certainly Not Out: Below is a snapshot of the US offshore wind sector showing that amid Trump officials’ resistance it is down, but hardly out. Four East Coast projects are nearly complete construction, and two of these have begun delivering power
IN THE NEWS
Olsen to Head Interior’s MMA – Mike Olsen, an Interior Department adviser with a background in both the oil and gas and offshore wind sectors, is set to take over the Marine Minerals Administration, Politico first reported on Friday. Olsen spent nearly a decade working for the offshore energy giant Equinor with a focus on emerging markets and offshore wind, following earlier stint at Interior during the Bush Administration. He also was our colleague here at Bracewell.
OPEC+ Keeps Production Levels the Same – OPEC+ kept its oil output policy unchanged for October at a meeting on Sunday as the producer group needs to agree on new quotas before deciding its next output steps. The meeting of seven core OPEC+ members — Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria, Kazakhstan and Oman — comes as the Iran war continues to disrupt oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, limiting OPEC+’s influence over prices and market share.
Equinor Launches Energy Storage Operations in TX – Equinor’s East Point Energy has completed construction and started operations at Citrus Flatts, a 100 MW/200 MWh energy storage facility in Harlingen, Texas. With this Equinor has put five battery storage facilities into commercial production in four years. Citrus Flatts is East Point’s second operational project, following the start-up of the 10 MW/20 MWh Sunset Ridge facility last year. Combined, Citrus Flatts and Sunset Ridge can supply enough electricity to power around 30,000 homes for up to two hours within Texas’ ERCOT power market. These projects represent a key step in building a competitive, scalable position in onshore power for Equinor. They also mark East Point’s progression from developer to independent power producer (IPP), in line with Equinor’s strategy to capture value across the value chain.
Cheniere, Equinor to Deliver LNG to Europe – Equinor has taken delivery of its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo under long-term supply agreements signed with Cheniere, the largest producer of US LNG. The cargo was loaded at Cheniere’s Sabine Pass LNG export facility in Louisiana and is bound for Europe. Future deliveries will serve customers in Asia and Europe, based on market demand, demonstrating Equinor’s ability to connect reliable US energy supply with growing demand in global markets through its integrated LNG portfolio. Under the 15-year agreements signed in 2022 and 2023, Cheniere’s Gulf Coast facilities will ultimately supply Equinor with around 3.5 million tons of LNG annually. These volumes will allow Equinor to double its global LNG portfolio by 2030, strengthening the company’s ability to deliver reliable energy to customers while supporting energy security and economic development in key international markets.
70+ Organizations Urge Congress to Revoke Federal Approval of Costly CA Mandates – More than 70 consumer, energy and manufacturing organizations today sent a letter to leaders of the United States Senate and House of Representatives urging them to exercise Congressional Review Act (CRA) authority to overturn six waiver rules from EPA authorizing the State of California to impose costly electrification mandates for vehicles, small engines, ports and marine vessels. The letter notes:
“Each of these [California] rules carries significant implications for consumers, fuel producers, equipment manufacturers, the maritime industry and the broader U.S. economy. Policies of this magnitude should be decided by Congress, not a single state.”
Organizations signed onto the letter raised the following points as well:
- American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)
“Mandates and bans that start in Sacramento don’t stop at California’s borders. They raise costs for consumers and manufacturers, limit choices and threaten energy security for Americans around the country. Congress should pass all six CRA resolutions to stop California bureaucrats from imposing their agenda — and their prices — on the rest of America.” – Chet Thompson, President and CEO, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)
- American Petroleum Institute (API)
“These waivers would allow California’s vehicle, small engine, and marine-related mandates to affect consumers across the country. We urge Congress to move forward in overturning these rules and help restore consistency while protecting consumer choice and affordability.” – Kristin Whitman, Senior Vice President of Federal Relations, American Petroleum Institute (API)
- United States Chamber of Commerce
“We applaud Congress’s efforts to right-size regulatory overreach and ensure policies with nationwide implications preserve consumer choice, affordability and economic competitiveness. From lawn equipment and personal vehicles to commercial vessels that keep America’s ports and supply chains moving, disapproving these waivers will remove costly mandates that drive up costs for consumers, businesses, and workers across the country.” – Chad Whiteman, Vice President, Environment and Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA)
“Agricultural retailers depend on light-duty trucks, small-engine equipment, and other essential tools to serve farmers every day. The Agricultural Retailers Association supports Congressional action to protect consumer choice and ensure major vehicle and engine policy decisions are made at the national level, and therefore consistent from state to state, preserving reliable options for agriculture and rural America.” – Daren Coppock, President and CEO, Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA)
- Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA)
“For years, CARB’s At-Berth Regulation has created significant challenges and uncertainty for California refiners and importers at a time when stabilizing the industry is a top priority. Policymakers and regulators have been unable to solve the many problems related to the At-Berth Regulation and Congress has decided that it is time to move forward. California consumers should not have to bear the brunt of a further constrained fuel supply.” – Jodie Muller, President and CEO, Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA)
Waivers issued by EPA during previous administrations allowed California to enforce rules imposing incremental vehicle electrification mandates, port and marine vessel electrification and emissions rules, and small gas-engine bans — policies with far-reaching costs and consequences for American manufacturers, consumers and U.S. national security. Other states are able to enforce California’s vehicle and maritime regulations as their own.
ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
Forum Looks at Nuclear Power, Europe – The Hudson Institute holds a discussion this morning at 10:00 a.m. on nuclear energy and Europe’s low-carbon security. The event will examine how expanding nuclear deployment can strengthen Europe’s energy and economic security by reducing import dependence, improving system reliability, and lowering emissions, while addressing key barriers, including financing, regulation, supply chain resilience and strategic technology dependencies. Westinghouse’s Katie Strangis is among the speakers.
Fall Air Meetings Set for Raleigh – Association of Air Pollution Control Agencies (AAPCA) Fall Meeting is set for tomorrow to Friday in Raleigh, NC. The meeting will feature presentations from state and local air quality agencies, U.S. EPA, and other air quality professionals. The agenda will cover Clean Air Act policy, legal, technical, and implementation updates, with a format similar to recent AAPCA meetings.
Forum Looks at El Nino Events – The Stockholm Environment Institute holds a virtual discussion tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. on science, policy and action aimed at reducing Super El Nino risks.
ConservAmerica Forum Looks at Water Infrastructure – ConservAmerica is holding a webinar tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. focused on how public-private partnerships can support water infrastructure and watershed restoration projects by leveraging private capital alongside public funding. Panelists will explore how partnerships improve and speed efforts to build resilient water infrastructure and promote watershed restoration.
Forum to Look at Clean Energy Investment – The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace holds a virtual discussion on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. on future US foreign investment in clean energy. The Sustainability, Climate and Geopolitics program of Carnegie is publishing a series of reports outlining a vision for the future of U.S. foreign energy investment, focusing on the International Development Finance Corporation, the Export-Import Bank and the overall cross-agency project pipeline. Jesse Young, former Chief of Staff for the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate at the U.S. State Department and former senior climate and energy advisor at the U.S. Import-Export Bank leads the panel discussion,
Forum Looks at Defense, Energy Logistics – The Institute for Defense and Government Advancement holds its 2026 Defense Logistics and Energy Summit tomorrow and Thursday. Deputy Assistant Defense Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment Erica Plath delivers keynote remarks.
Forum Looks at Advance Transmission Techs – On Thursday at Noon, the Conservative Energy Network holds a webinar on focused on the policy, regulatory and planning reforms needed to accelerate deployment of advanced transmission technologies to ensure America’s grid can keep pace with the next era of economic growth. This conversation will examine how advanced transmission technologies (ATTs) can help increase the capacity, efficiency, reliability, and flexibility of America’s existing transmission system while larger infrastructure projects move through planning, permitting, and construction. Panelists will explore technologies such as grid-enhancing technologies, advanced conductors, and other innovative transmission solutions that can help unlock additional capacity and connect new generation and large loads more quickly.
Forum Looks at SCOTUS Case, Water Permit Obligations – The National Association of Clean Water Agencies holds a webinar on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. examining the Supreme Court’s decision in City and County of San Francisco v. EPA will affect wastewater agencies’ permit obligations. The webinar will also look at permitting authorities response to the decision and the impact on enforcement issues.
Experts Preview SCOTUS Climate Litigation Case – George Mason University’s Law & Economics Center holds a webinar on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. previewing upcoming oral arguments in the Supreme Court case involving Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County. Panelists will analyze the merits of the parties’ arguments and the broader implications of the Court’s review for climate change litigation, federalism and the constitutional allocation of state and federal authority, preemption, energy policy, and the future of state-law climate and other novel tort claims.
NAS Looks at Climate, Buildings – The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine holds a virtual discussion on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. tackling buildings climate impacts.
IN THE FUTURE
Clean Energy Week – Set for September 14th to 18th, National Clean Energy Week is an annual week-long celebration of clean energy innovation with conversations to help solve the world’s most pressing challenges in nuclear, solar, wind, wave, hydropower, geothermal, natural gas, biomass, carbon capture, storage and waste-to-energy technologies. National Clean Energy Week (NCEW)’s 10th Annual Policymakers Symposium kicks off Tuesday, September 15th at Convene Hamilton Square. The state of the energy industry forum includes AGA’s Karen Harbert, Hydro’s Malcolm Woolf, ACP’s Jason Grumet and NEI’s John Kotek, while Turn Forward’s Hillary Bright is also speaking on Grid Issues and offshore wind. Keynoters include BLM’s Steve Pearce, Reps Buddy Carter, Nikki Budzinski, Scott Peters, and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, as well as Sen. John Curtis.
Policy Program to Focus on Climate, Economy – On Tuesday September 15th at 4:00 p.m., the Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition Institute holds the official launch of its Thriving Economy Project comprehensive policy menu focused on job creation, economic competitiveness, affordable and reliable energy and durable climate solutions. Developed with Members of Congress, policy experts and communities across the country, it offers a menu of actionable policy options to chart a path toward economic growth and prosperity for all Americans.
Forum to Discuss Climate Legal Issues – Meet the Future holds a forum on Wednesday September 16th at the National Press Club previewing the Supreme Court Boulder case hosted by Meet the Future and former Bloomberg correspondent Kevin Cirilli. The event is a two-part panel discussion with panel onepreviewing the Supreme Court’s Review of Boulder v. Suncor Energy. The panel brings together various experts to examine the implications for federal authority, national energy policy, national security, and climate lawsuits across the US with panelists headlined by former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr. A second panel exploring the obstacles and opportunities facing American energy leadership features former Ohio Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan, sand ClearView’s Kevin Book.
SAFE Webinar Looks at Power Grid Executive Order – On Wednesday September 16th, SAFE holds a webinar focused on Executive Order 14420, “Declaring a National Emergency to Secure the United States Bulk-Power System.” The event focuses on which components are the most pressing component bottlenecks for grid buildout, why some of these chokepoints sit further upstream than most people realize, where adversarial supply chain dominance poses the greatest risk to grid security, and what the right investment mechanism looks like for each constraint, since capacity, concentration, and demand certainty each require a fundamentally different fix. NEMA’s Bridget Bartol is among the experts speaking.
RFF Hosts Clean Energy Forum – Resources for the Future (RFF) holds a webinar on Wednesday, September 16th for the second event in the series outlining the local, sectoral, national and international economic impacts of climate change. Panelists will discuss implications for federal, state, and local policies, as well as emerging policy needs. This webinar is the second in a three-part webinar series, “The Economic and Financial Impact of Climate Change.”
Wright to Headline Daily Caller Energy Forum – On Thursday September 17th at 9:30 a.m., the Daily Caller, the Daily Caller News Foundation and ClearPath holds a Daily Caller Live forum featuring Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. The event will explore how climate litigation is reshaping the energy sector, who benefits and who bears the costs, and whether America can produce enough energy to power the AI revolution and lead the global race.
AGA Winter Heating Meeting Set – AGA will release its Winter Heating Outlook on Thursday September 17th.
Climate NYC Week – Climate Week NYC 2026 is set for September 22nd to 24th. The event features a multitude of activities and forums address climate, decarb, innovation, clean energy and much more. ClearPath and API host their usual Monday event while Bracewell hosts two events jointly with the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and another with Gevo. We have a comprehensive list of events if you are Interested.
ACP to Host Storage Event – ACP will hold a forum about the future of energy storage at RECHARGE26 on September 22nd to 24th in Aurora, CO, just outside Denver. The U.S. energy storage market is entering a period of significant opportunity—and uncertainty. This session will examine the policy, economic, technology, and demand-side factors that could shape market growth in the years ahead.
Agri-Pulse Forum Set for KC – The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse hold the 12th annual Ag Outlook Forum on September 21st and 22nd in Kansas City at the Marriott Downtown. The event includes Fireside chats with former U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture Mike Johanns and Dan Glickman. The Ag Outlook Forum brings together leaders from agriculture, government, finance, policy, and agribusiness to examine the issues shaping today’s agricultural landscape.
Atlantic Council Awards Set – The 2026 Atlantic Council Global Citizen Awards will be held on Wednesday September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. The event honors world leaders, diplomats, the C-Suite, and the philanthropic, social, and entertainment communities to celebrate the highest expression of global citizenship. Held on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, this special evening underscores the Atlantic Council’s critical mission to shape the global future together, while recognizing the accomplishments of key global citizens seeking to improve the state of the world.
Bracewell Expert Speaks at Maritime Fuels Conference – The Argus Sustainable Marine Fuels Conference will be head in Houston, Texas on September 23rd to 25th bringing together stakeholders from across the marine fuels and bunkering value chain to address the practical realities of decarbonization in the North America market. The conference will examine viable near‑term fuel options alongside emerging supply chains, port and bunkering infrastructure readiness, the role of charterers and cargo owners, and the regulatory and policy developments shaping investment decisions. Bracewell’s Tim Urban speaks.
Critical Minerals Forum Set For CO – The 5th annual Payne Institute Critical Minerals Symposium will be held on September 24-25, 2026, at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO. Critical minerals are now a top tier business, technological and political priority in the United States and globally. The event will focus on the complexities and opportunities related to the future of Critical Minerals than this one at Mines.
NOAA, DOE Officials Headline C3 Energy Summit – C3 holds its second annual American Energy Summit on Monday September 28th at the Planet Word Museum. The event will explore the people, policies, technologies, and capital shaping the future of American energy security. NOAA’s Laura Grimm and DOE’s Katie Jereza will speak.
RFF Series Looks Financial Sector – On Thursday, October 1st, Resources for the Future (RFF) holds a webinar describing the impact of climate change on small and large banks, insurance providers, investors, and asset managers. The panelists will discuss cross-sectoral spillovers, as well as policy implications for supervision, regulation, and disclosure. This webinar is the final in a three-part webinar series, “The Economic and Financial Impact of Climate Change.”
SCOTUS TO Take Up Suncor-Boulder Climate Case – The landmark climate change case Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County is scheduled for oral argument before the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) on Monday, October 5th. The court officially setting Suncor as the very first case to kick off the new 2026–2027 Supreme Court term.
Environmental Markets Association Meeting set for Annapolis – The Environmental Markets Association holds its 30th Annual Meeting in Annapolis on October 5th to 7th. EMA’s event covers the carbon markets, RECs, emerging instruments reshaping sustainable commerce and much more.