Welcome to Fall… Hope everybody is safe from this weekend’s nor’easter that wreaked havoc up and down the East Coast really starting the Fall transition. And with that transition comes the November election just over a month away.
I hope you caught the MTV Video awards last night with Madonna headlining the winners. Of course, Taylor Swift was a big winner as well. The US came from behind on Sunday singles day to defend its Presidents Cup title at Medinah Country Club in Ohio with President Trump in attendance. 21-year-old rookie Jackson Koivun was the hero going undefeated, even outshining world #1 Scottie Scheffler. The NHL season launches tomorrow late afternoon when the defending Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes host the Florida Panthers — the previous year’s champ – in a 5:00 p.m. season opener.
Last week was busy with the talk of permitting reform legislation, off/on diesel export bans and NY Climate Week. Also, Greenpeace boarding the New Zealand State-owned Science Vessel working with Glomar Minerals to transparently collect scientific data from nodules in the deep Pacific Ocean-area known as the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ). It was also great to see so many of you up at various events in New York, including events with API/ClearPath, BCSE/Bracewell and the Rainey Center, as well as media houses like Semafor, Bloomberg, Axios and Heatmap.
Here in Washington, the House remains on the campaign trail while the Senate tries again to pass Ratepayer protection legislation that passed the House by a wide margin. The legislation aims to enhance regulatory oversight of data center cost impacts, but there’s a political wrinkle: the bill is caught up in midterm politics regarding its sufficiency and who gets credit. As for permitting, it doesn’t seem likely it will get a vote before the elections despite heavy lobbying on all sides..
Today, C3 holds its annual Energy Summit at Planet Word. It is a great line up including Joe Manchin (on the stage now) and House Resources Chair Bruce Westerman (at the end of the day). I am moderating a panel this afternoon on American supply chains just prior to Westerman. Meanwhile for energy comms pros, Positive Current (run by our friend Amos Snead) will hold a private, off the record conversation on the top issues facing the energy industry on Wednesday morning. I will moderate a panel with EEI’s Emily Schillinger and Entergy’s Rob Hartley. Other events include a multi-day Power Magazine Conference with NEDC’s Peter Lake, DOE’s Dario Gil and NRC’s David Wright, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) holds a virtual discussion Wednesday on corporate climate action and the Federalist Society previews the Supreme Court’s October term on Thursday.
Congratulations to our friend Josh Seigel, who moves today from POLITICO to Punchbowl to help expand the newsletter’s energy coverage. As his reporting has shown, Josh is an excellent writer with a strong grasp of politics, and I look forward to following his work at Punchbowl.
Finally, remember next Monday is the First Monday of October and that means the Fall Term of the Supreme Court, which launches the term with oral arguments in Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County. The case focuses on whether federal law precludes state-law suits over the effects of greenhouse-gas emissions on the global climate.
Call with questions.
Best,
Frank Maisano
(202) 828-5864
C. (202) 997-5932
FRANKLY SPOKEN
“I hope and pray they uphold the law. Greenpeace have a foul habit of interfering with other people’s property.” The men and women who earn their living on the RV Tangaroa were being “held to ransom by these green pixies who live in a fairy world. The fact of the matter is we have a huge oceanic environment. I’m certainly very keen for us to proceed and research and uncover what potential is there rather than making an arid rejection decision in the absence of rational information. It is possible to create the necessary guardrails )(for deep sea mineral collection), it’s not a foreign takeover. New Zealand has a host of similar minerals, manganese in the south, phosphate off the coast of the Chathams, and the Greenpeace nymphs, that they speak for less than 1%. The vast majority of Kiwis, subject to guardrails, are as keen as mustard for us to create prosperity out of our mineral estate. I know this because I am the Minister for Resources.”
New Zealand Minister of Resources in an interview after Greenpeace activists boarded a state-owned science vessel after it returned from a trip where it collected data on deep-sea minerals.
“When the government tries to fix one thing, short term, they break 12 other things. By banning that, you’re basically going to suppress drilling more activity here, which I think is bad for American exploration and for our companies here. You just put your thumb on the scale and we never know when we’re going to need that production later.”
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on the potential for an administration-sponsored export ban.
ON THE PODCAST
Wright Joins Shift Key Podcast – U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has been the face of the Administration’s policy agenda. In this episode of Shift Key, he joined host Robbie Meyer for a live conversation at its Heatmap House event, part of New York Climate Week. Wright answered questions about the Trump administration’s war on wind, a ban on diesel fuel exports, and how China has been able to buttress global oil supplies since the spring.
Rainey Center’s Hunt Highlights Permitting Needs – On the Heritage Power Hour Podcast, Rainey Center CEO Sarah Hunt explains why permitting reform is so important if the nation is going to meet this unique moment in its history and tells us how we can get those reforms finally moving. Sarah also touches on other issues as well, such as the importance of conservation policy and the proper government role in the energy sector.
FUN OPINIONS
Sommers Blasts Diesel Restriction in WSJ Column – In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, API President and CEO Mike Sommers explains why banning U.S. diesel exports would worsen the global fuel shortage and calls for practical steps to increase supply and restore energy flows.
FROG BLOG
Energy Future Now: War Reshaping Energy Investment – In this week Energy Future Now, NCEA Senior Fellow Neil Atkinson joins RealClear’s Maggie Miller to examine how the war in the Middle East is reshaping global energy investment, and why its consequences extend far beyond the price of gasoline.
FUN FACTS
NatGas Remains Affordable: A Washington Post editorial says as the Iran conflict continues to roil energy markets, sending crude oil and gasoline prices higher, there’s one bright spot for American customers: natural gas. For that, they can thank American innovation and free markets. Rather than trying to manage demand, squeeze trade or pace innovation, the U.S. has achieved natural gas affordability through abundant supply driven by technological progress.
IN THE NEWS
Greenpeace Boards NZ Science Vessel – A group of Greenpeace activists boarded the Earth Sciences New Zealand state-owned science vessel RV Tangaroa in Wellington Harbour on Saturday morning. One of the activists was dressed as US president Donald Trump and flew an American flag from railings on the ship. The RV Tangaroa had just returned from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific, between Hawaii and Mexico, where it surveyed deep sea minerals for the company Glomar Minerals. Glomar Subsidiary UK Seabed Resources said in a statement:
It is disappointing that Greenpeace illegally boarded a research ship to interfere with legitimate scientific research. This expedition was carried out under a UK-sponsored exploration contract with the International Seabed Authority, building new knowledge of the deep ocean. We welcome substantive, civil conversation, but the safety and security of our crew is our upmost priority.
Background on the incident: On 26 September 2026, Greenpeace protesters boarded the RV Tangaroa as it demobilised from a survey of UK Seabed Resources’ (UKSR) UK2 licence area in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ). The vessel departed Tahiti on 29 July to carry out the survey under UKSR’s UK and International Seabed Authority (ISA) obligations. UKSR, a wholly owned subsidiary of Glomar Minerals Inc., holds two UK-sponsored ISA licence areas, and has a strong track record of working with leading scientific research organisations. The protesters were removed and arrested according to local Wellington Police. UK Seabed Resources Ltd is a UK registered, regulated and controlled company which has carried out multiple research campaigns in the CCZ since 2013. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glomar Minerals, Inc., an American seabed minerals company building the first US-based vertically integrated polymetallic nodule business – securing a distinctive deep-sea resource and refining it domestically into the critical minerals that strengthen American economic security, support advanced manufacturing, and reduce dependence on foreign sources of strategically important materials. Through responsible development and strategic investment, Glomar is helping build the foundation for a more secure and competitive U.S. economy. Learn more about UKSR supported publications and research here.
Revolution Wind Project Completes Construction – The $6.2 billion Revolution Wind farm has installed its 65th and final turbine, completing construction. The project has been producing carbon-free power for Rhode Island and Connecticut since March, but at partial output. Ørsted said the project will be able to deliver up to its full 704-megawatt capacity later this year. Hillary Bright, executive director of offshore wind advocacy group Turn Forward said:
“The completion of Revolution Wind is an important milestone for Rhode Island, Connecticut, and the broader New England region. As electricity demand continues to grow, the region needs more generation that can strengthen reliability, diversify the power supply, and provide greater certainty for consumers.”
Permitting Deal Set for Post Election Day – In his last story for POLITICO, our friend Josh Seigel reported that bipartisan legislation to speed energy projects won’t get a vote before November’s elections. Top negotiators — Environment Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and ranking member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), along with Energy Chair Mike Lee and ranking member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) — were unable to reach agreement on a package. Industry groups praised the progress as a victory and will be ready to engage when Congress returns in November. The Chamber of Commerce said after leading 100 trade groups and local chambers in a letter that said, “a modernized permitting system will help us build smarter, faster, and more sustainably—we just need a system that keeps pace with our ambition.”
Diesel Export Ban Latest – The Trump administration has signaled it will not move forward with a ban on U.S. diesel exports after heavy resistance from the energy sector and internal pushback. After news reports that officials are weighing imposing a ban on diesel exports, new reports suggest they are also seeking alternatives to bring prices for the fuel down from record highs. Several options are on the table to alleviate the financial burden the high prices have inflicted on the farming and transportation sectors without a full halt to exports of the fuel, which economists and oil industry executives have warned would ultimately disrupt fuel production and push prices higher.
S. Korea Nuclear Deal Moves Forward – South Korea confirmed its first project under a $350 billion US investment pact on Tuesday and said it is considering two others. Korea’s Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said they would build a gas-fired power plant project in Texas, while also moving forward on investing in two South Korean-designed nuclear reactors as part of a broader nuclear investment initiative.
Rainey report Says Permitting Certainty Most Important Fight – The Joseph Rainey Center for Public Policy released a report, “When Permits Aren’t Permanent,” last week, arguing that the permitting debate has focused on getting infrastructure projects approved while paying less attention to whether those approvals remain secure after investors commit billions of dollars. Hunt argues that the national permitting debate has focused heavily on how quickly projects receive approval while paying too little attention to whether those approvals remain durable once billions of dollars have been committed. The report argues that the consequences of permitting instability can ultimately reach ordinary Americans. When investors demand a higher return to compensate for authorization risk, the report contends that those costs can flow through to the people who rely on the resulting infrastructure – including ratepayers, tollpayers, taxpayers and retirement savers.
ON THE SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
NOAA, DOE Officials Headline C3 Energy Summit – C3 holds its second annual American Energy Summit today 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. I am moderating a panel at 4:00 p.m., see you there.
POWER Magazine Holds Experience Power Event – POWER Magazine holds its Experience Power Conference today to Wednesday. Speakers include DOE’s Dario Gil, NEDC’s Peter Lake, NRC’s David Wright and Dominion’s Matthew Gardner.
RFF Holds Another Resilient Energy Economy Forum – Resources for the Future holds a virtual discussion today at 3:00 p.m. on resilient energy economies that evaluates the effectiveness of local, regional and federal efforts to support fossil fuel-dependent communities. In this webinar, three researchers will discuss their work examining the effectiveness of local, regional, and federal efforts to support economic development and diversification in fossil fuel-dependent communities, discussing policies and programs from Washington State, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
White House, Congressional Officials Headline Energy Conversation – Tomorrow, America’s Growth Summit brings together a wide array of business leaders, policymakers, investors, technologists, and economic thinkers at the Willard InterContinental in Washington, DC. Speakers include FERC Chair Laura Swett, Sen. Mike Rounds, White House aide Peter Navarro and White House Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Christopher Phelan.
Forum Tackles Critical Minerals Tax Issues – The International Institute for Sustainable Development holds a virtual discussion tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. on strengthening public revenues in the age of critical minerals. The event will look at lessons from a decade of practical solutions to tax avoidance in mining.
WRI Looks at Low Carbon Cement – Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the World Resources Institute holds a virtual discussion on growth with low-carbon cement. The event features several experts presenting the policy, financial and industrial outlook for deploying lower-pollution cement projects. Presenters will discuss technology, policy, financing, and other challenges and opportunities for deploying decarbonized cement projects in emerging markets and developing economies. Jana Psarska, Head of Policy and Advocacy for the Global Cement and Concrete Association, is among the speakers.
Forum Focuses on Batteries – The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace holds a virtual discussion tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. on battery geopolitics, looking inside the high-tech race to store energy. The conversation will draw on recent research evaluating the latest in battery policy, technology and market trends.
Forum Talks Energy Industry Comms Strategy – On Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. at the Rooftop of The Riggs, Positive Currents hosts a forum to talk about what the country is hearing about energy growth, what has worked and what has not. The closed press event will feature senior communications and public affairs leaders from utilities and energy developers, the trades and congressional energy staff. The room is invitation only and seating is limited. No press will be present and the discussion is off the record, so the morning can be built for candor rather than talking points.
Conservative Legal Group Looks at SCOTUS Preview – On Thursday at Noon, the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies holds a discussion on the Supreme Court Preview for October Term 2026. The forum will look at a bunch of important cases, including next Monday’s Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, focusing on “whether federal law precludes state-law suits over the effects of greenhouse-gas emissions on the global climate.
C2ES Talks Corporate Climate Issues – The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions holds a virtual discussion on Wednesday at Noon on corporate climate action. C2ES, maslansky + partners and Potential Energy Coalition surveyed 2,000 US adults, finding Americans across the political spectrum still expect companies to continue taking climate action. The webinar will dive deep into the findings from the survey. Researchers will explain the results of our survey—including how nearly 7 in 10 Republicans view limiting climate impact as ‘smart business’—and offer key insights about what they mean for company leaders looking to communicate on climate.
RFF Series Looks Financial Sector – On Thursday at 1:00 p.m., 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.”
WH Cyber Leader Headlines WaPo AI Summit – On Thursday at Noon, the Washington Post holds conversations with leading policymakers and industry pioneers about the growing debate over the pace of AI development and the impact of the fast-moving technology on cybersecurity, the workforce and the next frontiers of robotics. White House National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross, Sen. Todd Young and Rep. Jennifer McClellan are among the speakers.
Brookings Looks at Disaster Preparedness – On Thursday at 3:30 p.m., the Center for Community Uplift at Brookings and Next Leadership Development will host a public event to explore how community-led networks can support long-term resilience, including through focusing on health, wealth, and culture. In two panels that feature neighborhood leaders and policy experts, speakers will explore the importance of community-level resilience and how a “community hubs model” could improve disaster preparedness, response, and recovery in Black communities.
IN THE FUTURE
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.
Brookings Looks at China, US AI Challenges – On October 6th, the Center for Technology Innovation and John L. Thorton China Center at Brookings will convene an online discussion to consider how China and the U.S. are moving toward regulating AI models for safety, including pre-deployment and ongoing testing. Panelists will assess prospects for cooperation on AI safety based on results of the planned U.S.-China AI dialogue and the meeting in Washington, D.C., between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.
Hydrogen Summit Set – The Hydrogen Americas Summit will be held on October 6th and 7th at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. My colleague Kim Pinter speaks on a panel on Washington policy, tax credits and project viability.
USEA Looks at Powering AI – On Tuesday October 13th at 1:00 p.m., the US Energy Assn will hold a forum on the role coal can power play in keeping the grid reliable. The discussion look at how AI, data centers, electrification, and reshoring domestic manufacturing are driving rapid growth in electricity demand—and what that means for grid reliability. EPRI’s Michael Caravaggio is among the speakers.
Turn Forward Focuses on National Security, Offshore Wind – On October 14th and 15th in Hampton roads, VA, Turn Forward will hold an off-the-record discussion on national security issues with a wide-ranging group of experts.
ACCF Picks Up Cassidy Energy Conference Mantle – The American Council for Capital Formation holds its Third Annual Energy & Economic Security Summit in New Orleans on October 15th and 16th. The event convenes leaders from across industry, government, and the investment community under the theme “Build Power Compete.” The summit will explore the practical requirements for delivering major projects, powering manufacturing and the digital economy, securing strategic supply chains, and translating Louisiana’s capabilities into lasting American economic strength. Senator Bill Cassidy will return as a headliner for the event and former Rep. Garret Graves will MC the event. FERC Commissioner David LaCerte will also be speaking.
ELECTION DAY – November 3rd