Daily on Energy: Environmentalists hold kick-off call for Harris, EPA hits key goal, and energy efficiency tax credits go to the wealthy

ENVIRONMENTALIST ALLIES HOST CALL FOR HARRIS: Environmental officials and advocates coalesced on a kick-off call for Vice President Kamala Harris Friday afternoon, teasing a September launch of a “Climate Voters for Harris-Walz” campaign effort that will help to mobilize a bloc Joe Biden struggled to court.

More details, please: A number of recognizable faces were on the call to draw support for the vice president, touting the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and drawing a contrast between Harris and her opponent, former President Donald Trump.

What we heard a lot of: A number of mentions of Project 2025, a vast set of policy proposals created by former Trump officials and other conservatives that was coordinated by the Heritage Foundation. Trump has since distanced himself from the policy proposals, but the Harris campaign has continued to tie the controversial playbook back to the former president.

While touting Harris’ environmental record, everyone featured in the call had the same message: pick a climate crusader, or be left with someone who does little to acknowledge the issue of climate change and reducing emissions.

“This is the most important election of all time for the climate, for the protection of the planet,” said Sen. Ed Markey, who was on the call. “The denier-in-chief cannot be in the Oval Office.”

Why this is important: Efforts to draw a sharp contrast to Trump — who has called climate change “a hoax” and has threatened to roll back portions of the IRA – is a strategy the Harris campaign is looking to repeatedly employ heading into November. With the launch of the climate voters campaign effort, it seems that Harris is looking to energize climate voters in a way Biden could not in his own reelection campaign.

The event’s organizer, the social media platform We Don’t Have Time, distributed a series of talking points to those on the Zoom call.

Who was there: John Kerry, the former climate envoy for the Biden administration, was on the call to urge support for the Harris-Walz ticket. Kerry had left his position to help Biden in his reelection campaign, but seems to be now redirecting his efforts to helping the Harris team.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, former Biden Climate Advisor and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Markey, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, and representatives from the League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club were also on the call.

Some celebrity sightings: American actor Jane Fonda and science educator Bill Nye made special guest appearances, expressing urgency to elect officials that would “promote the progress of science.”

Welcome to Daily on Energy, written by Washington Examiner Energy and Environment writer Nancy Vu (@NancyVu99). Email nancy.vu@washingtonexaminer dot com for tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list.

GREEN BANK FUNDS SECURED ON IRA’S 2ND ANNIVERSARY: The Environmental Protection Agency announced today it has obligated all of the funds from its “Green Bank,” allowing for recipients to launch projects across the nation in the aims of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while focusing on investment in low-income and marginalized communities.

The deets: $27 billion of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund has been distributed under three separate programs – the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund, the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, and the $7 billion Solar for All program. Recipients were selected back in April, and have worked with the agency to revise their work plans in order to receive the funds.

“With climate impacts increasingly impacting all Americans, and especially those in communities that have been historically left behind, EPA knew it had to move swiftly and deliberately to get this historic funding out the door,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan in a written statement. “Two years after he signed the law, President Biden is delivering the full $27 billion that he secured in this legislation.”

More about those programs: The National Clean Investment Fund has three grant recipients that would establish national clean financing institutions to fund projects across the country, with a sizable chunk dedicated to low-income and marginalized communities.

The accelerator grants five recipients money to establish “hubs” providing funds and technical assistance to deploy distributed energy, net-zero buildings, and zero-emission transportation projects. 100% of the capital is dedicated to low-income and marginalized communities.

The Solar for All program has 60 grant recipients to create new or existing low-income solar programs.

Why this is important: The EPA, along with other agencies under the Biden administration, has been rushing to distribute funds from their 2022 climate law. But as the IRA turns two years old today, the Biden administration has been struggling to get the funds distributed. Furthermore, the race to spend the money comes as Trump has threatened to roll back portions of the IRA if he wins the White House, and Republicans have introduced targeted measures to slash the EPA’s “green bank.” However, with the funds being fully allocated to grantees, the chances of that are now slim to none.

ENERGY TAX CREDITS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY GOING TO THE RICH: Wealthy homeowners have claimed the majority of the Biden administration’s energy efficiency tax credits, while low-income households are barely getting anything, a new E&E News analysis shows.

The publication found that households with an income of $200,000 or more got $2.2 billion in tax credits. Households with incomes below $25,000 got a small portion of that amount – $32 million – even though they make up a larger population than their wealthy counterparts.

The disproportionate allocation is raising red flags from economists and advocates, who are concerned that the tax credit is giving taxpayer funds to people who don’t need the financial aid. The disparity is also prompting scrutiny of the Biden administration’s approach of using tax incentives to form the bedrock of his climate change policy – a “carrots” over “sticks” approach that drew criticism from many environmentalists.

Some stats: The residential energy credits last year cut income taxes and federal revenue by a total of $8.4 billion. The average credit was $1,100, but the credit amount increased for people with higher incomes.

To draw a picture: People with incomes below $100,000 made up 76% of all federal taxpayers in 2023. Yet, this demographic received 34% of the tax credits, amounting to $2.9 billion. People with $100,000 or more accounted for just 24% of federal taxpayers last year, and received 66% percent of the tax credits – totaling $5.5 billion. Read more on that here.

TOP CONSUMERS OF RUSSIAN OIL: China and Saudi Arabia were Russia’s top customers for fuel oil and vacuum gas oil exports in July, new data shows.

According to Reuters, the exports rose 7% from June to roughly 4 million metric tons.

Why this is important: Since the European Union’s embargo on Russian oil went into effect last year, Asian countries have been the top customer for the country’s fossil fuel products. Just last month, direct fuel and VGO shipments increased by 18% month-on-month, totaling 0.7 million tons.

Imports to Saudi Arabia almost doubled from June, and were sent to power generation plants to fulfill summer energy demand.

But also: Exports to Fujairah, Turkey, and South Korea have increased as well. Read more on that here.

RUNDOWN

World Resources Institute Banks Have Committed to Net Zero, but Aren’t on Track to Reach It

Grist Most Americans don’t know the country’s biggest climate law helps the climate

E&E News What to expect on climate at the Democratic convention

2024-08-16 21:32:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fdaily-on-energy%2F3124886%2Fdaily-on-energy-environmentalists-hold-kick-off-call-for-harris-epa-hits-key-goal-and-energy-efficiency-tax-credits-go-to-the-wealthy%2F?w=600&h=450, ENVIRONMENTALIST ALLIES HOST CALL FOR HARRIS: Environmental officials and advocates coalesced on a kick-off call for Vice President Kamala Harris Friday afternoon, teasing a September launch of a “Climate Voters for Harris-Walz” campaign effort that will help to mobilize a bloc Joe Biden struggled to court. More details, please: A number of recognizable faces were,

The event’s organizer, the social media platform We Don’t Have Time, distributed a series of talking points to those on the Zoom call.

The Solar for All program has 60 grant recipients to create new or existing low-income solar programs.

TOP CONSUMERS OF RUSSIAN OIL: China and Saudi Arabia were Russia’s top customers for fuel oil and vacuum gas oil exports in July, new data shows.

According to Reuters, the exports rose 7% from June to roughly 4 million metric tons.

Imports to Saudi Arabia almost doubled from June, and were sent to power generation plants to fulfill summer energy demand.

But also: Exports to Fujairah, Turkey, and South Korea have increased as well. Read more on that here.

RUNDOWN

World Resources Institute Banks Have Committed to Net Zero, but Aren’t on Track to Reach It

Grist Most Americans don’t know the country’s biggest climate law helps the climate

E&E News What to expect on climate at the Democratic convention

, ENVIRONMENTALIST ALLIES HOST CALL FOR HARRIS: Environmental officials and advocates coalesced on a kick-off call for Vice President Kamala Harris Friday afternoon, teasing a September launch of a “Climate Voters for Harris-Walz” campaign effort that will help to mobilize a bloc Joe Biden struggled to court. More details, please: A number of recognizable faces were on the call to draw support for the vice president, touting the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and drawing a contrast between Harris and her opponent, former President Donald Trump. What we heard a lot of: A number of mentions of Project 2025, a vast set of policy proposals created by former Trump officials and other conservatives that was coordinated by the Heritage Foundation. Trump has since distanced himself from the policy proposals, but the Harris campaign has continued to tie the controversial playbook back to the former president. While touting Harris’ environmental record, everyone featured in the call had the same message: pick a climate crusader, or be left with someone who does little to acknowledge the issue of climate change and reducing emissions. “This is the most important election of all time for the climate, for the protection of the planet,” said Sen. Ed Markey, who was on the call. “The denier-in-chief cannot be in the Oval Office.” Why this is important: Efforts to draw a sharp contrast to Trump — who has called climate change “a hoax” and has threatened to roll back portions of the IRA – is a strategy the Harris campaign is looking to repeatedly employ heading into November. With the launch of the climate voters campaign effort, it seems that Harris is looking to energize climate voters in a way Biden could not in his own reelection campaign. The event’s organizer, the social media platform We Don’t Have Time, distributed a series of talking points to those on the Zoom call. Who was there: John Kerry, the former climate envoy for the Biden administration, was on the call to urge support for the Harris-Walz ticket. Kerry had left his position to help Biden in his reelection campaign, but seems to be now redirecting his efforts to helping the Harris team. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, former Biden Climate Advisor and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, Markey, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, and representatives from the League of Conservation Voters and the Sierra Club were also on the call. Some celebrity sightings: American actor Jane Fonda and science educator Bill Nye made special guest appearances, expressing urgency to elect officials that would “promote the progress of science.” Welcome to Daily on Energy, written by Washington Examiner Energy and Environment writer Nancy Vu ( @NancyVu99 ). Email nancy.vu@washingtonexaminer dot com for tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here . If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list. GREEN BANK FUNDS SECURED ON IRA’S 2ND ANNIVERSARY: The Environmental Protection Agency announced today it has obligated all of the funds from its “Green Bank,” allowing for recipients to launch projects across the nation in the aims of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while focusing on investment in low-income and marginalized communities. The deets: $27 billion of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund has been distributed under three separate programs – the $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund, the $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator, and the $7 billion Solar for All program. Recipients were selected back in April, and have worked with the agency to revise their work plans in order to receive the funds. “With climate impacts increasingly impacting all Americans, and especially those in communities that have been historically left behind, EPA knew it had to move swiftly and deliberately to get this historic funding out the door,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan in a written statement. “Two years after he signed the law, President Biden is delivering the full $27 billion that he secured in this legislation.” More about those programs: The National Clean Investment Fund has three grant recipients that would establish national clean financing institutions to fund projects across the country, with a sizable chunk dedicated to low-income and marginalized communities. The accelerator grants five recipients money to establish “hubs” providing funds and technical assistance to deploy distributed energy, net-zero buildings, and zero-emission transportation projects. 100% of the capital is dedicated to low-income and marginalized communities. The Solar for All program has 60 grant recipients to create new or existing low-income solar programs. Why this is important: The EPA, along with other agencies under the Biden administration, has been rushing to distribute funds from their 2022 climate law. But as the IRA turns two years old today, the Biden administration has been struggling to get the funds distributed. Furthermore, the race to spend the money comes as Trump has threatened to roll back portions of the IRA if he wins the White House, and Republicans have introduced targeted measures to slash the EPA’s “green bank.” However, with the funds being fully allocated to grantees, the chances of that are now slim to none. ENERGY TAX CREDITS ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY GOING TO THE RICH: Wealthy homeowners have claimed the majority of the Biden administration’s energy efficiency tax credits, while low-income households are barely getting anything, a new E&E News analysis shows. The publication found that households with an income of $200,000 or more got $2.2 billion in tax credits. Households with incomes below $25,000 got a small portion of that amount – $32 million – even though they make up a larger population than their wealthy counterparts. The disproportionate allocation is raising red flags from economists and advocates, who are concerned that the tax credit is giving taxpayer funds to people who don’t need the financial aid. The disparity is also prompting scrutiny of the Biden administration’s approach of using tax incentives to form the bedrock of his climate change policy – a “carrots” over “sticks” approach that drew criticism from many environmentalists. Some stats: The residential energy credits last year cut income taxes and federal revenue by a total of $8.4 billion. The average credit was $1,100, but the credit amount increased for people with higher incomes. To draw a picture: People with incomes below $100,000 made up 76% of all federal taxpayers in 2023. Yet, this demographic received 34% of the tax credits, amounting to $2.9 billion. People with $100,000 or more accounted for just 24% of federal taxpayers last year, and received 66% percent of the tax credits – totaling $5.5 billion. Read more on that here. TOP CONSUMERS OF RUSSIAN OIL: China and Saudi Arabia were Russia’s top customers for fuel oil and vacuum gas oil exports in July, new data shows. According to Reuters, the exports rose 7% from June to roughly 4 million metric tons. Why this is important: Since the European Union’s embargo on Russian oil went into effect last year, Asian countries have been the top customer for the country’s fossil fuel products. Just last month, direct fuel and VGO shipments increased by 18% month-on-month, totaling 0.7 million tons. Imports to Saudi Arabia almost doubled from June, and were sent to power generation plants to fulfill summer energy demand. But also: Exports to Fujairah, Turkey, and South Korea have increased as well. Read more on that here. RUNDOWN World Resources Institute Banks Have Committed to Net Zero, but Aren’t on Track to Reach It Grist Most Americans don’t know the country’s biggest climate law helps the climate E&E News What to expect on climate at the Democratic convention, , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DOE-1024×580.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Nancy Vu,

Forty percent of major Biden manufacturing projects suffer delays

Roughly 40% of the projects announced in the first year of the implementation of President Joe Biden’s largest industrial and climate infrastructure spending bills have been put on hold, according to a new analysis that illustrates the difficulty of translating major subsidies into physical construction.

During the 117th Congress, Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act, which together offered more than $400 billion in subsidies for clean technology and the domestic buildout of semiconductors.

For projects worth up to $100 million, however, $85 billion have been put on hold for several months or years or paused for an unspecified period of time, according to a Financial Times investigation. The total valuation of these projects was $227.9 billion.

This poses a complication for the Biden administration, which has said that its spending measures would reshore industries and bring back manufacturing jobs to the United States. The delays are also a setback for Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign as she looks to attract support from blue-collar workers.

It also highlights the failure of the Biden administration to enact permitting reform to facilitate the construction of major projects. As part of negotiations for the Inflation Reduction Act, Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) struck a deal with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to put a permitting reform proposal on the floor, arguing it was essential to realizing the potential of the law and its subsidies. Biden endorsed the reform measure, but it failed to advance thanks to opposition among Democrats. A new proposal from Manchin, along with Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), has reignited hope that a bipartisan effort could gain traction in the upper chamber.

Industry players said poor economic conditions, slowed demand, and a lack of policy clarity during an election year have caused them to move in other directions.

The Financial Times conducted more than 100 interviews with companies and state and local authorities and reviewed press releases and filings to help determine the progress of the projects.

Some of the largest projects on hold are Enel’s $1 billion solar panel manufacturing facility in Oklahoma, LG Energy’s $2.3 billion battery storage facility in Arizona, and Albemarle’s $1.3 billion lithium refinery in South Carolina.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Within the first year of implementing the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act, more than $220 billion in manufacturing investments were announced, and companies looked to locate operations in the U.S. in hopes of benefiting from the subsidies. But tough market conditions, along with competition from China, slowed demand for electric vehicles, and policy ambiguity has put progress on hold.

Furthermore, many companies often cannot receive funding until they achieve certain production milestones due to labor and supply chain requirements.

2024-08-15 20:01:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolicy%2Fenergy-and-environment%2F3123056%2Fforty-percent-biden-manufacturing-projects-suffer-delays%2F?w=600&h=450, Roughly 40% of the projects announced in the first year of the implementation of President Joe Biden’s largest industrial and climate infrastructure spending bills have been put on hold, according to a new analysis that illustrates the difficulty of translating major subsidies into physical construction. During the 117th Congress, Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act,

Industry players said poor economic conditions, slowed demand, and a lack of policy clarity during an election year have caused them to move in other directions.

The Financial Times conducted more than 100 interviews with companies and state and local authorities and reviewed press releases and filings to help determine the progress of the projects.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Furthermore, many companies often cannot receive funding until they achieve certain production milestones due to labor and supply chain requirements.

, Roughly 40% of the projects announced in the first year of the implementation of President Joe Biden’s largest industrial and climate infrastructure spending bills have been put on hold, according to a new analysis that illustrates the difficulty of translating major subsidies into physical construction. During the 117th Congress, Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS and Science Act, which together offered more than $400 billion in subsidies for clean technology and the domestic buildout of semiconductors. For projects worth up to $100 million, however, $85 billion have been put on hold for several months or years or paused for an unspecified period of time, according to a Financial Times investigation. The total valuation of these projects was $227.9 billion. This poses a complication for the Biden administration, which has said that its spending measures would reshore industries and bring back manufacturing jobs to the United States. The delays are also a setback for Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign as she looks to attract support from blue-collar workers. It also highlights the failure of the Biden administration to enact permitting reform to facilitate the construction of major projects. As part of negotiations for the Inflation Reduction Act, Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) struck a deal with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to put a permitting reform proposal on the floor, arguing it was essential to realizing the potential of the law and its subsidies. Biden endorsed the reform measure, but it failed to advance thanks to opposition among Democrats. A new proposal from Manchin, along with Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), has reignited hope that a bipartisan effort could gain traction in the upper chamber. Industry players said poor economic conditions, slowed demand, and a lack of policy clarity during an election year have caused them to move in other directions. The Financial Times conducted more than 100 interviews with companies and state and local authorities and reviewed press releases and filings to help determine the progress of the projects. Some of the largest projects on hold are Enel’s $1 billion solar panel manufacturing facility in Oklahoma, LG Energy’s $2.3 billion battery storage facility in Arizona, and Albemarle’s $1.3 billion lithium refinery in South Carolina. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Within the first year of implementing the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act, more than $220 billion in manufacturing investments were announced, and companies looked to locate operations in the U.S. in hopes of benefiting from the subsidies. But tough market conditions, along with competition from China, slowed demand for electric vehicles, and policy ambiguity has put progress on hold. Furthermore, many companies often cannot receive funding until they achieve certain production milestones due to labor and supply chain requirements., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AP24227615280857-scaled-1024×683.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Nancy Vu,

Texas geothermal start-up is the first storage project that will be connected to the grid

A Houston geothermal company announced a first-of-its-kind project Tuesday that would allow for the storage of geothermal energy to power the state’s grid — a major milestone for the budding industry.

Sage Geosystems announced it had entered a land use agreement with utility San Miguel Electric Cooperative to launch an energy storage facility later this year in Christine, Texas. Dubbed the “EarthStore” facility, the storage system will be paired with renewables to provide energy to Texas’ grid. When combined with solar energy, it will allow for 24/7 electricity generation at a low cost.

Geothermal energy — which is heat extracted from the Earth’s interior — has been around for centuries, but its commercial use has been around since the early 1900s. Since then, it’s been a relatively small industry, facing hindrances that stem from high costs and permitting hurdles. However, its adoption has ramped up in recent years, as many in the industry see it as a less carbon-intensive source of energy that can run whenever, despite weather conditions.

“Once operational, our EarthStore facility in Christine will be the first geothermal energy storage system to store potential energy deep in the earth and supply electrons to a power grid,” said Cindy Taff, CEO of Sage Geosystems. “Electric utilities and co-ops like SMECI, will be able to use our technology to complement wind and solar, and stabilize the grid.”

Sage will act as a facilitator to sell electricity to ERCOT, the organization that regulates Texas’s grid. The company touted geothermal storage as a viable alternative compared to solar and wind, whose energy can only be stored in short durations. The facility will be located near SMECI’s coal power plant, and will use Sage’s technology to store energy at six- to 10-hour durations. The companies expect the cost of generation to be under 10 cents per kilowatt hour.

Sage will still have to apply for two drilling permits in Texas — one for the EarthStore facility and the second will be adjacent to the company’s existing test well.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

While the advancement of geothermal has been mostly bipartisan, some environmental advocates have expressed concerns over the environmental impact of the projects. Although geothermal releases relatively less emissions into the air, some greenhouse gasses — such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide — are emitted into the atmosphere. Pollution can also seep into surrounding water, killing local fish and wildlife. Furthermore, the extraction of geothermal can cause localized seismic activity if it is not properly contained.

Still, many see geothermal as a cleaner method of extracting energy that’s more consistently available than renewables, which depend on whether the wind is blowing or the sun is out. A bipartisan permitting reform proposal from Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) have provisions that would streamline the approval process for geothermal energy and boost the industry at large.. And earlier this year, the Bureau of Land Management adopted actions that would look to approve geothermal projects more quickly.

2024-08-14 18:13:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolicy%2Fenergy-and-environment%2F3121385%2Ftexas-geothermal-start-first-storage-project-connected-grid%2F?w=600&h=450, A Houston geothermal company announced a first-of-its-kind project Tuesday that would allow for the storage of geothermal energy to power the state’s grid — a major milestone for the budding industry. Sage Geosystems announced it had entered a land use agreement with utility San Miguel Electric Cooperative to launch an energy storage facility later this,

Sage will still have to apply for two drilling permits in Texas — one for the EarthStore facility and the second will be adjacent to the company’s existing test well.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

, A Houston geothermal company announced a first-of-its-kind project Tuesday that would allow for the storage of geothermal energy to power the state’s grid — a major milestone for the budding industry. Sage Geosystems announced it had entered a land use agreement with utility San Miguel Electric Cooperative to launch an energy storage facility later this year in Christine, Texas. Dubbed the “EarthStore” facility, the storage system will be paired with renewables to provide energy to Texas’ grid. When combined with solar energy, it will allow for 24/7 electricity generation at a low cost. Geothermal energy — which is heat extracted from the Earth’s interior — has been around for centuries, but its commercial use has been around since the early 1900s. Since then, it’s been a relatively small industry, facing hindrances that stem from high costs and permitting hurdles. However, its adoption has ramped up in recent years, as many in the industry see it as a less carbon-intensive source of energy that can run whenever, despite weather conditions. “Once operational, our EarthStore facility in Christine will be the first geothermal energy storage system to store potential energy deep in the earth and supply electrons to a power grid,” said Cindy Taff, CEO of Sage Geosystems. “Electric utilities and co-ops like SMECI, will be able to use our technology to complement wind and solar, and stabilize the grid.” Sage will act as a facilitator to sell electricity to ERCOT, the organization that regulates Texas’s grid. The company touted geothermal storage as a viable alternative compared to solar and wind, whose energy can only be stored in short durations. The facility will be located near SMECI’s coal power plant, and will use Sage’s technology to store energy at six- to 10-hour durations. The companies expect the cost of generation to be under 10 cents per kilowatt hour. Sage will still have to apply for two drilling permits in Texas — one for the EarthStore facility and the second will be adjacent to the company’s existing test well. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER While the advancement of geothermal has been mostly bipartisan, some environmental advocates have expressed concerns over the environmental impact of the projects. Although geothermal releases relatively less emissions into the air, some greenhouse gasses — such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide — are emitted into the atmosphere. Pollution can also seep into surrounding water, killing local fish and wildlife. Furthermore, the extraction of geothermal can cause localized seismic activity if it is not properly contained. Still, many see geothermal as a cleaner method of extracting energy that’s more consistently available than renewables, which depend on whether the wind is blowing or the sun is out. A bipartisan permitting reform proposal from Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) have provisions that would streamline the approval process for geothermal energy and boost the industry at large.. And earlier this year, the Bureau of Land Management adopted actions that would look to approve geothermal projects more quickly., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/AP24177191447994-1.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Nancy Vu,

Oil supply could reach surplus if OPEC+ restores production: IEA report

Oil supply could possibly reach a surplus if OPEC+ decides to make due on their promise of restoring oil production in October, a new report from the International Energy Agency shows.

Earlier this summer, the oil bloc had outlined a plan to relieve some of their production cuts, starting in October. And while inventories are currently struggling to keep pace with the demand of the summer driving season, tipping the market into a deficit, supply is expected to stabilize in the coming months, according to the IEA’s August oil markets report.

This would likely create a surplus, as oil consumption in China has slowed, and non-OPEC+ countries such as the United States, Guyana, Canada, and Brazil are increasing their supply that would cover expected demand.

“Despite the marked slowdown in Chinese oil demand growth, OPEC+ has yet to call time on its plan to gradually unwind voluntary production cuts starting in the fourth quarter,” the report said.

OPEC+ had detailed a plan to restore production of 543,000 barrels a day during the fourth quarter, but the group warned these plans could be “paused or reversed” depending on market conditions. However, the report notes that even if the production boost is put on ice, the current balance suggests global supplies could build by an average of 860,000 barrels per day next year, as non-OPEC+ supply increases to around 1.5 million barrels per day in 2024 and 2025.

The uncertainty of OPEC+’s next move makes it hard to say whether oil prices will get further relief from the restoration of production. As the driving season slows down heading into the fall, gas prices are set to drop, but whether they will further decline remains to be seen. Plus, gas prices are an evergreen election issue, and will be closely watched heading into the November election.

“If OPEC [moves] ahead with restoring some of their production, that could put more downward pressure on that seasonal trend of declining prices,” said Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “I don’t think it would be a significant boost to gas prices, which would likely already be falling.”

Oil markets, overall, have exhibited “Olympic levels of volatility” over the last couple of weeks, the IEA states, with the economy roiling the market and geopolitical tension in the Middle East further constraining supply.

“For now, supply is struggling to keep pace with peak summer demand, tipping the market into a deficit,” the report said. “As a result, global inventories have taken a hit.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

In a separate report released Monday, OPEC lowered projections for world demand growth for the first time, citing softening expectations for China’s oil demand growth in 2024. Its projections, however, are still higher than other industry estimates.

A decision on whether OPEC will move forward in restoring oil production will be made in the coming weeks — but a weaker global economy could encourage OPEC to push back their timeline of restoring oil production, De Haan told the Washington Examiner.

2024-08-13 17:56:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolicy%2Fenergy-and-environment%2F3119945%2Foil-supply-reach-surplus-opec-restores-production-iea-report%2F?w=600&h=450, Oil supply could possibly reach a surplus if OPEC+ decides to make due on their promise of restoring oil production in October, a new report from the International Energy Agency shows. Earlier this summer, the oil bloc had outlined a plan to relieve some of their production cuts, starting in October. And while inventories are,

Oil supply could possibly reach a surplus if OPEC+ decides to make due on their promise of restoring oil production in October, a new report from the International Energy Agency shows.

“Despite the marked slowdown in Chinese oil demand growth, OPEC+ has yet to call time on its plan to gradually unwind voluntary production cuts starting in the fourth quarter,” the report said.

“For now, supply is struggling to keep pace with peak summer demand, tipping the market into a deficit,” the report said. “As a result, global inventories have taken a hit.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

, Oil supply could possibly reach a surplus if OPEC+ decides to make due on their promise of restoring oil production in October, a new report from the International Energy Agency shows. Earlier this summer, the oil bloc had outlined a plan to relieve some of their production cuts, starting in October. And while inventories are currently struggling to keep pace with the demand of the summer driving season, tipping the market into a deficit, supply is expected to stabilize in the coming months, according to the IEA’s August oil markets report. This would likely create a surplus, as oil consumption in China has slowed, and non-OPEC+ countries such as the United States, Guyana, Canada, and Brazil are increasing their supply that would cover expected demand. “Despite the marked slowdown in Chinese oil demand growth, OPEC+ has yet to call time on its plan to gradually unwind voluntary production cuts starting in the fourth quarter,” the report said. OPEC+ had detailed a plan to restore production of 543,000 barrels a day during the fourth quarter, but the group warned these plans could be “paused or reversed” depending on market conditions. However, the report notes that even if the production boost is put on ice, the current balance suggests global supplies could build by an average of 860,000 barrels per day next year, as non-OPEC+ supply increases to around 1.5 million barrels per day in 2024 and 2025. The uncertainty of OPEC+’s next move makes it hard to say whether oil prices will get further relief from the restoration of production. As the driving season slows down heading into the fall, gas prices are set to drop, but whether they will further decline remains to be seen. Plus, gas prices are an evergreen election issue, and will be closely watched heading into the November election. “If OPEC [moves] ahead with restoring some of their production, that could put more downward pressure on that seasonal trend of declining prices,” said Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “I don’t think it would be a significant boost to gas prices, which would likely already be falling.” Oil markets, overall, have exhibited “Olympic levels of volatility” over the last couple of weeks, the IEA states, with the economy roiling the market and geopolitical tension in the Middle East further constraining supply. “For now, supply is struggling to keep pace with peak summer demand, tipping the market into a deficit,” the report said. “As a result, global inventories have taken a hit.” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER In a separate report released Monday, OPEC lowered projections for world demand growth for the first time, citing softening expectations for China’s oil demand growth in 2024. Its projections, however, are still higher than other industry estimates. A decision on whether OPEC will move forward in restoring oil production will be made in the coming weeks — but a weaker global economy could encourage OPEC to push back their timeline of restoring oil production, De Haan told the Washington Examiner., , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Oil_Pipeline_Energy_Fossil_Fuel_5567.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Nancy Vu,

Department of Energy files appeal to continue pause on new LNG exports

The Department of Energy is appealing a recent court decision that lifted the agency’s pause on new liquified natural gas exports to certain countries, intensifying a legal fight between Republican states and industry players on the one hand and the Biden administration and environmentalist allies on the other.

Several top DOE officials filed a notice of appeal Monday to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, aiming to reverse a recent decision from a federal judge overturning the agency’s freeze on new LNG export approvals to non-free trade agreement countries.

Critics of the pause have argued it is unconstitutional and would hurt the fossil fuel industry. Environmentalists, on the other hand, cheered the move after it was announced in January. They have said that an increase in exports could increase levels of greenhouse gas emissions. The pause was instituted for the administration to study the climate effects of projects before approving exports.

Last month, Judge James Cain of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, a Trump appointee, stayed the agency’s export pause, arguing the move goes against the language of the Natural Gas Act and undermines the legislative branch’s “determination that LNG exports are presumptively in the public interest.”

Some environmentalists had downplayed the significance of Cain’s decision, saying it wouldn’t have any immediate effect on the permits in the queue for LNG export projects or the DOE’s study evaluating the environmental and economic impact of exports. They argued the agency would still have to evaluate each project to see if it aligns with the public’s interest.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The original lawsuit was filed by officials from 16 GOP states who claimed the administration overstepped its authority when it initiated the pause.

Liz Murrill, the attorney general for Louisiana, one of the states in the lawsuit, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner that the Biden administration’s appeal was “not a surprise, but we expect the injunction to be upheld since the administration has no legal basis for pausing the approval of LNG export applications.”

2024-08-05 18:09:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolicy%2Fenergy-and-environment%2F3110830%2Fdepartment-energy-appeal-pause-new-lng-exports%2F?w=600&h=450, The Department of Energy is appealing a recent court decision that lifted the agency’s pause on new liquified natural gas exports to certain countries, intensifying a legal fight between Republican states and industry players on the one hand and the Biden administration and environmentalist allies on the other. Several top DOE officials filed a notice,

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The original lawsuit was filed by officials from 16 GOP states who claimed the administration overstepped its authority when it initiated the pause.

, The Department of Energy is appealing a recent court decision that lifted the agency’s pause on new liquified natural gas exports to certain countries, intensifying a legal fight between Republican states and industry players on the one hand and the Biden administration and environmentalist allies on the other. Several top DOE officials filed a notice of appeal Monday to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, aiming to reverse a recent decision from a federal judge overturning the agency’s freeze on new LNG export approvals to non-free trade agreement countries. Critics of the pause have argued it is unconstitutional and would hurt the fossil fuel industry. Environmentalists, on the other hand, cheered the move after it was announced in January. They have said that an increase in exports could increase levels of greenhouse gas emissions. The pause was instituted for the administration to study the climate effects of projects before approving exports. Last month, Judge James Cain of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, a Trump appointee, stayed the agency’s export pause, arguing the move goes against the language of the Natural Gas Act and undermines the legislative branch’s “determination that LNG exports are presumptively in the public interest.” Some environmentalists had downplayed the significance of Cain’s decision, saying it wouldn’t have any immediate effect on the permits in the queue for LNG export projects or the DOE’s study evaluating the environmental and economic impact of exports. They argued the agency would still have to evaluate each project to see if it aligns with the public’s interest. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The original lawsuit was filed by officials from 16 GOP states who claimed the administration overstepped its authority when it initiated the pause. Liz Murrill, the attorney general for Louisiana, one of the states in the lawsuit, said in a statement to the Washington Examiner that the Biden administration’s appeal was “not a surprise, but we expect the injunction to be upheld since the administration has no legal basis for pausing the approval of LNG export applications.”, , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AP18345080895929-1-1024×683.jpg, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Nancy Vu,

Daily on Energy: Chevron ditches California for Texas, White House reviewing Manchin-Barrasso, and the EU’s message to China

CHEVRON DITCHES CALIFORNIA FOR TEXAS: Chevron is moving its headquarters to Texas from California, where it’s been stationed for more than 140 years, after the state’s climate regulations caused problems for the oil company.

The company announced Friday that it plans to move its headquarters to Houston from San Ramon. Although the company’s corporate roots in California go back to the 1800s, much of its activity has been flowing to Texas in recent years. Chevron has roughly 7,000 employees in the Houston area, compared to 2,000 in California.

The move comes as the company has been public about its differences in policy stances on energy with California.

“We believe California has a number of policies that raise costs, that hurt consumers, that discourage investment and ultimately we think that’s not good for the economy in California and for consumers,” Chevron CEO Mike Wirth told the Wall Street Journal in an interview.

More details: In a press release, the company announced it expects corporate functions to migrate to Houston over the next five years, but noted the immediate relocation efforts will be minimal to employees based in California. Positions in support of the company’s operations in the state will remain in San Ramon.

Some context: Just last year, California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued Chevron, along with other oil majors such as Exxon Mobil and Shell, arguing that the companies had misled the public about their role in climate change. Read more here.

Welcome to Daily on Energy, written by Washington Examiner Energy and Environment writer Nancy Vu (@NancyVu99), with help from policy editor Joseph Lawler. Email nancy.vu@washingtonexaminer dot com for tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list.

WHITE HOUSE WEIGHS IN ON PERMITTING PROPOSAL: The Biden administration made clear it supports permitting reform legislation – but wouldn’t give a clear stance on the proposal introduced by Sens. Joe Manchin and John Barrasso, E&E News reports.

In a statement to E&E News, the White House stated it was reviewing the text that advanced out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this week. The bill is meant to streamline transmission projects that would aid renewable technologies – but also includes provisions on fossil fuel projects that would put the Biden administration in a tight spot.

A White House spokesperson told the publication the administration wants to ensure clean energy and infrastructure projects “are built quickly and efficiently, reflect community input, and protect our environment and public health.” Read more on that here.

ISA ELECTS ITS NEWEST LEADER: Leticia Carvalho has been elected to be the next secretary general of the International Seabed Authority – becoming the first scientist and woman to steer the organization. But her accession to the top slot could mean a slowed push to mine deep sea beds for critical minerals, Bloomberg writes.

A former Brazilian oceanographer and environmental regulator, her election ends the two-term tenure of Michael Lodge, a British attorney. In contrast, Lodge had pushed for regulations that would stimulate the growth of the seabed mining industry, and was scrutinized for his association with companies the authority regulates.

The 79-34 vote follows a controversial election campaign filled with accusations that a Lodge supporter tried to bribe Carvalho to drop out of the race.

What to expect from Carvalho: The ISA had issued dozens of contracts to companies to explore for critical minerals such as cobalt, nickel, and other metals across more than 500,000 square miles of seabed. The organization had set a deadline of July 2025 to adopt mining regulations governing those efforts. However, Carvalho previously told Bloomberg that years of negotiations are still ahead, to ensure that ecosystems are protected from the effects of mining. More on that here.

SENATE WRDA PASSES BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT: The Senate unanimously passed a water restoration bill Thursday, setting the bill up for conference between the two chambers’ versions.

More about WRDA: The bill, named after retiring Environment and Public Works Chairman Tom Carper, is biennial legislation that would authorize flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across the U.S.

“This bill addresses the diverse water resources needs of our nation and directs the Army Corps of Engineers to continue its work to make our communities more resilient in the face of extreme weather,” Carper said in a written statement.

Along with Carper, committee Ranking Member Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, as well as subcommittee leaders Mark Kelly and Kevin Cramer, helped to craft the legislation.

The House passed its Water Resources Development Act last month in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner. Keep your eyes peeled for a conferenced bill once lawmakers are back from recess.

EU’S MESSAGE TO CHINA – CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE ACTION FUND: The European Union is planning on pressing rising economies, such as China, at COP29 to add money to a fund that would help developing countries curb emissions and build climate resilience, Politico EU scoops.

According to a draft document, the EU will call for an expanded “contributor base” that would reflect the “evolving nature of respective capabilities.”

“Such broadening of contributions provides an opportunity to increase the finance to support the most vulnerable countries and communities and reflects strong global solidarity towards them,” the draft document says. “In this context [the EU] CALLS on all countries according to their financial capabilities, including emerging economies, to contribute to the new goal.”

While the statement doesn’t explicitly name a country, the prepared statement comes amid European officials pushing China to contribute to the fund, arguing that China’s economy has grown considerably while being the top contributor of emissions.

Why this is important: Financing is going to be a hot topic at COP29, as evidenced by the UN Secretary General’s press conference last month calling for additional actions on climate finance. But the draft position hints that the EU may advocate for fewer countries receiving the subsidies, or possibly direct the money to more vulnerable nations. Read more on that here.

RUNDOWN

E&E News Josh Shapiro’s popular climate crusade: Plugging old oil wells

Canary Media What if billionaires bought heat pumps for everyone?

New York Times Inside the Petrostate Hosting This Year’s Global Climate Negotiations

2024-08-02 20:33:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fdaily-on-energy%2F3109501%2Fdaily-on-energy-chevron-ditches-california-for-texas-white-house-reviewing-manchin-barrasso-and-the-eus-message-to-china%2F?w=600&h=450, CHEVRON DITCHES CALIFORNIA FOR TEXAS: Chevron is moving its headquarters to Texas from California, where it’s been stationed for more than 140 years, after the state’s climate regulations caused problems for the oil company. The company announced Friday that it plans to move its headquarters to Houston from San Ramon. Although the company’s corporate roots,

The move comes as the company has been public about its differences in policy stances on energy with California.

The 79-34 vote follows a controversial election campaign filled with accusations that a Lodge supporter tried to bribe Carvalho to drop out of the race.

SENATE WRDA PASSES BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT: The Senate unanimously passed a water restoration bill Thursday, setting the bill up for conference between the two chambers’ versions.

Along with Carper, committee Ranking Member Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, as well as subcommittee leaders Mark Kelly and Kevin Cramer, helped to craft the legislation.

The House passed its Water Resources Development Act last month in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner. Keep your eyes peeled for a conferenced bill once lawmakers are back from recess.

According to a draft document, the EU will call for an expanded “contributor base” that would reflect the “evolving nature of respective capabilities.”

RUNDOWN

E&E News Josh Shapiro’s popular climate crusade: Plugging old oil wells

Canary Media What if billionaires bought heat pumps for everyone?

New York Times Inside the Petrostate Hosting This Year’s Global Climate Negotiations

, CHEVRON DITCHES CALIFORNIA FOR TEXAS: Chevron is moving its headquarters to Texas from California, where it’s been stationed for more than 140 years, after the state’s climate regulations caused problems for the oil company. The company announced Friday that it plans to move its headquarters to Houston from San Ramon. Although the company’s corporate roots in California go back to the 1800s, much of its activity has been flowing to Texas in recent years. Chevron has roughly 7,000 employees in the Houston area, compared to 2,000 in California. The move comes as the company has been public about its differences in policy stances on energy with California. “We believe California has a number of policies that raise costs, that hurt consumers, that discourage investment and ultimately we think that’s not good for the economy in California and for consumers,” Chevron CEO Mike Wirth told the Wall Street Journal in an interview. More details: In a press release, the company announced it expects corporate functions to migrate to Houston over the next five years, but noted the immediate relocation efforts will be minimal to employees based in California. Positions in support of the company’s operations in the state will remain in San Ramon. Some context: Just last year, California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued Chevron, along with other oil majors such as Exxon Mobil and Shell, arguing that the companies had misled the public about their role in climate change. Read more here. Welcome to Daily on Energy, written by Washington Examiner Energy and Environment writer Nancy Vu ( @NancyVu99 ), with help from policy editor Joseph Lawler . Email nancy.vu@washingtonexaminer dot com for tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here . If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list. WHITE HOUSE WEIGHS IN ON PERMITTING PROPOSAL: The Biden administration made clear it supports permitting reform legislation – but wouldn’t give a clear stance on the proposal introduced by Sens. Joe Manchin and John Barrasso, E&E News reports. In a statement to E&E News, the White House stated it was reviewing the text that advanced out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this week. The bill is meant to streamline transmission projects that would aid renewable technologies – but also includes provisions on fossil fuel projects that would put the Biden administration in a tight spot. A White House spokesperson told the publication the administration wants to ensure clean energy and infrastructure projects “are built quickly and efficiently, reflect community input, and protect our environment and public health.” Read more on that here. ISA ELECTS ITS NEWEST LEADER: Leticia Carvalho has been elected to be the next secretary general of the International Seabed Authority – becoming the first scientist and woman to steer the organization. But her accession to the top slot could mean a slowed push to mine deep sea beds for critical minerals, Bloomberg writes. A former Brazilian oceanographer and environmental regulator, her election ends the two-term tenure of Michael Lodge, a British attorney. In contrast, Lodge had pushed for regulations that would stimulate the growth of the seabed mining industry, and was scrutinized for his association with companies the authority regulates. The 79-34 vote follows a controversial election campaign filled with accusations that a Lodge supporter tried to bribe Carvalho to drop out of the race. What to expect from Carvalho: The ISA had issued dozens of contracts to companies to explore for critical minerals such as cobalt, nickel, and other metals across more than 500,000 square miles of seabed. The organization had set a deadline of July 2025 to adopt mining regulations governing those efforts. However, Carvalho previously told Bloomberg that years of negotiations are still ahead, to ensure that ecosystems are protected from the effects of mining. More on that here. SENATE WRDA PASSES BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT: The Senate unanimously passed a water restoration bill Thursday, setting the bill up for conference between the two chambers’ versions. More about WRDA: The bill, named after retiring Environment and Public Works Chairman Tom Carper, is biennial legislation that would authorize flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across the U.S. “This bill addresses the diverse water resources needs of our nation and directs the Army Corps of Engineers to continue its work to make our communities more resilient in the face of extreme weather,” Carper said in a written statement. Along with Carper, committee Ranking Member Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, as well as subcommittee leaders Mark Kelly and Kevin Cramer, helped to craft the legislation. The House passed its Water Resources Development Act last month in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner. Keep your eyes peeled for a conferenced bill once lawmakers are back from recess. EU’S MESSAGE TO CHINA – CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE ACTION FUND: The European Union is planning on pressing rising economies, such as China, at COP29 to add money to a fund that would help developing countries curb emissions and build climate resilience, Politico EU scoops. According to a draft document, the EU will call for an expanded “contributor base” that would reflect the “evolving nature of respective capabilities.” “Such broadening of contributions provides an opportunity to increase the finance to support the most vulnerable countries and communities and reflects strong global solidarity towards them,” the draft document says. “In this context [the EU] CALLS on all countries according to their financial capabilities, including emerging economies, to contribute to the new goal.” While the statement doesn’t explicitly name a country, the prepared statement comes amid European officials pushing China to contribute to the fund, arguing that China’s economy has grown considerably while being the top contributor of emissions. Why this is important: Financing is going to be a hot topic at COP29, as evidenced by the UN Secretary General’s press conference last month calling for additional actions on climate finance. But the draft position hints that the EU may advocate for fewer countries receiving the subsidies, or possibly direct the money to more vulnerable nations. Read more on that here. RUNDOWN E&E News Josh Shapiro’s popular climate crusade: Plugging old oil wells Canary Media What if billionaires bought heat pumps for everyone? New York Times Inside the Petrostate Hosting This Year’s Global Climate Negotiations, , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DOE-1024×580.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Nancy Vu,

Daily on Energy: LCV spends big, EPA issues fuel waivers in Midwest, and OPEC+ holds steady

LCV’S SPENDING PLANS: The League of Conservation Voters is announcing its “largest investment ever” in its voter mobilization program, in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and congressional candidates.

What’s happening: The group announced Thursday that it will pour $2.5 million into its GreenRoots Member Mobilization Field Program to organize in a number of swing states and districts, such as those in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The funds will go towards turning out voters to support Harris and other Democratic candidates. LCV members are expected to knock on doors, make calls, and write letters to voters.

The groundswell of support isn’t just from LCV: Just yesterday, the Green New Deal Network announced it would back Harris – an endorsement that President Joe Biden was unable to obtain, due to his backing of Israel in its conflict in Gaza and his support for fossil fuels.

Other green groups that Harris was able to get an endorsement from that Biden wasn’t: 350 Action, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Clean Water Action, Climate Hawks Vote, Food and Water Action, and Friends of the Earth Action.

But will this momentum continue? During a youth leaders press call with representatives from organizations like LCV and Voters of Tomorrow, activists touted the groundswell of financial support following Harris’ announcement to enter the race. Jessica Siles, the deputy press secretary of Voters of Tomorrow, noted the group had a virtual address from Harris this past weekend, where Harris noted she wanted to “earn the youth vote.”

“I definitely think in the next 90 or so days, she’s going to definitely have to come out with a policy platform and have to earn that vote from young voters on these issues,” she noted.

Why this is important: While momentum is high, it will have to continue all the way to November. Harris will have to balance attracting youth climate voters, who are pressing her to keep to her liberal record on energy, versus appealing to swing voters in traditional, fossil fuel jobs.

FUEL WAIVERS ISSUED BY EPA: The Environmental Protection Agency has issued an emergency fuel waiver to help alleviate shortages in four states affected by an ExxonMobil refinery shutdown.

What happened: A refinery in Illinois had experienced an emergency shutdown from a power outage after a storm of tornadoes hit the state last month. Although power was restored, it can take weeks to restore the power of a large facility. The facility produces about 9 million gallons of fuel every day.

What the order does: The move would waive federal and state requirements that regulate the volatility and emissions of gasoline. The fuel would then be quickly approved for the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The waiver will continue until Aug. 20.

“As a result of the ExxonMobil refinery shutdown, Administrator [Michael] Regan determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and has granted a temporary waiver to help ensure that an adequate supply of gasoline is available in the affected areas until normal supply to the region can be restored,” the EPA press office said in a written statement.

The EPA stated that it would continue to “actively monitor” the fuel supply situation and is “considering additional measures to alleviate the impact.”

SENATE ENERGY AND WATER FUNDING BILL PASSES COMMITTEE: The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved a measure to fund the Department of Energy and water development for fiscal year 2025 on Thursday.

The bipartisan bill would provide $61.5 billion in discretionary funding, including $35 billion in defense funding and $26.5 billion in non-defense funding.

“This bipartisan bill delivers new investments to advance cutting-edge scientific research happening at labs across the country, to support critical water infrastructure, and to prepare communities for extreme weather events,” said Sen. Patty Murray, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.

On the other side of the Capitol: The House version of the bill, however, provides $59 billion in total discretionary funding – and is filled with partisan policy riders. The measure was pulled from floor consideration amid whipping issues and disagreement on how to navigate votes on controversial policy riders. A few other appropriation measures were pulled from floor consideration, with many of them being normally noncontroversial.

What’s next: Lawmakers are officially gone for the August recess, and will have to work within a time crunch to get either a package or separate appropriation bills passed – or face the option of a stop-gap funding measure. However, it’s looking increasingly less likely members will be able to pass all 12 funding bills through regular order.

OPEC+ MAINTAINS OIL OUTPUT: Top OPEC+ ministers have agreed to maintain their oil production policy, holding up a plan to reduce daily output – but reiterated that the move could be paused or reversed, depending on the market, Reuters reports.

An online meeting between ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies was held on Thursday. The group is currently cutting a total of 5.86 million barrels per day to help support the market amid unsteady global demand and increased supply from competitors. In a statement following the meeting, the members reiterated that the most recent cuts – a voluntary reduction of 2.2 million barrels per day until September – can be rolled back or paused, if necessary.

The bloc had agreed in June to phase out the latest layer of cuts between October 2024 to September 2025, and extend earlier cuts of more than 3.6 billion until the end of 2025. Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman noted that OPEC+ could pause or reverse the production hikes if the market wasn’t strong enough. Read more on that here.

RUNDOWN

E&E News What’s next for the permitting bill?

Bloomberg Midwestern Farmers Who Say Yes to Solar Power Face Neighbors’ Wrath

The New York Times Where Potential Democratic V.P. Candidates Stand on Climate

2024-08-01 21:31:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fdaily-on-energy%2F3108211%2Fdaily-on-energy-lcv-spends-big-epa-issues-fuel-waivers-in-midwest-and-opec-holds-steady%2F?w=600&h=450, LCV’S SPENDING PLANS: The League of Conservation Voters is announcing its “largest investment ever” in its voter mobilization program, in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and congressional candidates. What’s happening: The group announced Thursday that it will pour $2.5 million into its GreenRoots Member Mobilization Field Program to organize in a number of swing,

The funds will go towards turning out voters to support Harris and other Democratic candidates. LCV members are expected to knock on doors, make calls, and write letters to voters.

“I definitely think in the next 90 or so days, she’s going to definitely have to come out with a policy platform and have to earn that vote from young voters on these issues,” she noted.

FUEL WAIVERS ISSUED BY EPA: The Environmental Protection Agency has issued an emergency fuel waiver to help alleviate shortages in four states affected by an ExxonMobil refinery shutdown.

The EPA stated that it would continue to “actively monitor” the fuel supply situation and is “considering additional measures to alleviate the impact.”

The bipartisan bill would provide $61.5 billion in discretionary funding, including $35 billion in defense funding and $26.5 billion in non-defense funding.

RUNDOWN

E&E News What’s next for the permitting bill?

Bloomberg Midwestern Farmers Who Say Yes to Solar Power Face Neighbors’ Wrath

The New York Times Where Potential Democratic V.P. Candidates Stand on Climate

, LCV’S SPENDING PLANS: The League of Conservation Voters is announcing its “largest investment ever” in its voter mobilization program, in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and congressional candidates. What’s happening: The group announced Thursday that it will pour $2.5 million into its GreenRoots Member Mobilization Field Program to organize in a number of swing states and districts, such as those in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The funds will go towards turning out voters to support Harris and other Democratic candidates. LCV members are expected to knock on doors, make calls, and write letters to voters. The groundswell of support isn’t just from LCV: Just yesterday, the Green New Deal Network announced it would back Harris – an endorsement that President Joe Biden was unable to obtain, due to his backing of Israel in its conflict in Gaza and his support for fossil fuels. Other green groups that Harris was able to get an endorsement from that Biden wasn’t: 350 Action, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Clean Water Action, Climate Hawks Vote, Food and Water Action, and Friends of the Earth Action. But will this momentum continue? During a youth leaders press call with representatives from organizations like LCV and Voters of Tomorrow, activists touted the groundswell of financial support following Harris’ announcement to enter the race. Jessica Siles, the deputy press secretary of Voters of Tomorrow, noted the group had a virtual address from Harris this past weekend, where Harris noted she wanted to “earn the youth vote.” “I definitely think in the next 90 or so days, she’s going to definitely have to come out with a policy platform and have to earn that vote from young voters on these issues,” she noted. Why this is important: While momentum is high, it will have to continue all the way to November. Harris will have to balance attracting youth climate voters, who are pressing her to keep to her liberal record on energy, versus appealing to swing voters in traditional, fossil fuel jobs. Welcome to Daily on Energy, written by Washington Examiner Energy and Environment writer Nancy Vu ( @NancyVu99 ), with help from policy editor Joseph Lawler . Email nancy.vu@washingtonexaminer dot com for tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here . If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list. FUEL WAIVERS ISSUED BY EPA: The Environmental Protection Agency has issued an emergency fuel waiver to help alleviate shortages in four states affected by an ExxonMobil refinery shutdown. What happened: A refinery in Illinois had experienced an emergency shutdown from a power outage after a storm of tornadoes hit the state last month. Although power was restored, it can take weeks to restore the power of a large facility. The facility produces about 9 million gallons of fuel every day. What the order does: The move would waive federal and state requirements that regulate the volatility and emissions of gasoline. The fuel would then be quickly approved for the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The waiver will continue until Aug. 20. “As a result of the ExxonMobil refinery shutdown, Administrator [Michael] Regan determined that extreme and unusual fuel supply circumstances exist and has granted a temporary waiver to help ensure that an adequate supply of gasoline is available in the affected areas until normal supply to the region can be restored,” the EPA press office said in a written statement. The EPA stated that it would continue to “actively monitor” the fuel supply situation and is “considering additional measures to alleviate the impact.” SENATE ENERGY AND WATER FUNDING BILL PASSES COMMITTEE: The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved a measure to fund the Department of Energy and water development for fiscal year 2025 on Thursday. The bipartisan bill would provide $61.5 billion in discretionary funding, including $35 billion in defense funding and $26.5 billion in non-defense funding. “This bipartisan bill delivers new investments to advance cutting-edge scientific research happening at labs across the country, to support critical water infrastructure, and to prepare communities for extreme weather events,” said Sen. Patty Murray, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. On the other side of the Capitol: The House version of the bill, however, provides $59 billion in total discretionary funding – and is filled with partisan policy riders. The measure was pulled from floor consideration amid whipping issues and disagreement on how to navigate votes on controversial policy riders. A few other appropriation measures were pulled from floor consideration, with many of them being normally noncontroversial. What’s next: Lawmakers are officially gone for the August recess, and will have to work within a time crunch to get either a package or separate appropriation bills passed – or face the option of a stop-gap funding measure. However, it’s looking increasingly less likely members will be able to pass all 12 funding bills through regular order. OPEC+ MAINTAINS OIL OUTPUT: Top OPEC+ ministers have agreed to maintain their oil production policy, holding up a plan to reduce daily output – but reiterated that the move could be paused or reversed, depending on the market, Reuters reports. An online meeting between ministers from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies was held on Thursday. The group is currently cutting a total of 5.86 million barrels per day to help support the market amid unsteady global demand and increased supply from competitors. In a statement following the meeting, the members reiterated that the most recent cuts – a voluntary reduction of 2.2 million barrels per day until September – can be rolled back or paused, if necessary. The bloc had agreed in June to phase out the latest layer of cuts between October 2024 to September 2025, and extend earlier cuts of more than 3.6 billion until the end of 2025. Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman noted that OPEC+ could pause or reverse the production hikes if the market wasn’t strong enough. Read more on that here. RUNDOWN E&E News What’s next for the permitting bill? Bloomberg Midwestern Farmers Who Say Yes to Solar Power Face Neighbors’ Wrath The New York Times Where Potential Democratic V.P. Candidates Stand on Climate, , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DOE-1024×580.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Nancy Vu,

Industry groups coalesce around Manchin-Barrasso permitting reform bill

Industry groups are coalescing around Sens. Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso’s (R-WY) proposal that would overhaul the permitting process for several energy projects, including fossil fuel and transmission line projects. However, environmentalists aren’t happy with the measure, calling it a “dirty deal” that would be a giveaway to the fossil fuel industry.

Support has been growing both on and off Capitol Hill, and senators from both parties have praised the legislation. Nevertheless, the bill faces long odds for a floor vote after Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) threw cold water on the possibility of any permitting reform bill passing the chamber this year.

The swell of support and opposition comes as the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is set to mark up the legislation on Wednesday, marking the first procedural test the bill will have to pass for there to be even the possibility of a full-chamber vote.

Manchin told reporters he was feeling confident about the bill passing committee.

Along with streamlining projects, the bill requires the interior secretary to hold at least one offshore wind and one offshore oil and gas lease sale every year between 2025 and 2029, aiming to end the slowdown of lease sales under the Biden administration, which has offered the lowest level of offshore oil and gas lease sales in history.

Erik Milito, the president of the National Ocean Industries Association, praised the offshore provisions, saying that the industry has run into difficulty with the Biden administration in promoting the development of oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico.

“We’ve run into roadblocks with the current administration,” Milito told the Washington Examiner. “The gaps in leasing and the resistance to allowing the industry to get additional acreage, to get out there and develop the resources — it has generated a lot of uncertainty, and it’s actually something that ends up driving investments into other parts of the world.”

The bill is also meant to speed up project approvals that are often held up for years due to court battles, enacting what is known as judicial reform. It would shorten time frames during all stages of litigation for energy projects and require courts to expedite the review of legal challenges. Under current law, interest groups can sue over a project permit for up to six years, and if a federal agency is tasked with fixing a permit, there isn’t a deadline to address its deficiencies. The bill would establish a 150-day deadline for groups to sue over a permit and a 180-day deadline for federal agencies to act on remanded permits.

Milito advocated judicial reforms that would force agencies to fix any deficiencies found in a project’s environmental assessment or impact statement rather than having the option of shutting down the permit application altogether.

The NOIA president said the Supreme Court’s recent ruling to overturn Chevron deference, a legal doctrine that instructed judges to defer to federal agency interpretations of the law in cases the statute is ambiguous, could also reduce agencies’ power to determine approval of projects. He said the judicial branch before Chevron’s overturn was giving agencies more authority than laid out in the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires agencies to review the environmental effects of projects and make determinations on a permit application.

“NEPA is pretty straightforward and basic, and that expansion should’ve never occurred,” he said.

A number of industry groups in Western states that promote onshore drilling have lined up behind the proposal, such as the Western Energy Alliance, the Wyoming Mining Association, and the Utah Petroleum Association.

It’s not just the fossil fuel industry getting behind the measure. The Solar Energy Industries Association voiced support for the provisions that would aim to speed up transmission projects and streamline clean energy infrastructure. The group has advocated reforms that would “fairly” allocate costs for the transmission lines, and the bill contains provisions that would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to clarify that customers receiving no benefits from projects should not be forced to pay.

But not everyone is going as far to praise the deal. Environmental groups have deemed the measure a “giveaway” for fossil fuel groups and stated the bill is lined with provisions that would roll back environmental protections for communities and public lands.

“While this bill would offer some steps forward on transmission reform, which we hope to help usher forward, this bill would altogether be a leap backward on climate, health, and justice if passed into law,” said Alexandra Adams, a managing director of government affairs at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “The Senate should reject it and look toward alternative solutions already being considered.”

Some Senate climate hawks, however, seem open to supporting the bill. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), who has been open to amending NEPA to streamline transmission projects, called the bill a “constructive beginning” and a “serious bipartisan effort.” Still, he mentioned he would have to weigh the pros and cons of the bill, mentioning that he was against the requirements for the interior secretary to hold offshore lease sales.

“What I haven’t done is weigh all the equities,” he told the Washington Examiner.

Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO), a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee who has been working with Manchin on transmission legislation, mentioned that while the bill “isn’t perfect,” it still “looks pretty good” to him.

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), a senior member of the committee, has come out in support of the bill, further increasing its chances of passing in committee. The bill is slated to be marked up in committee on Wednesday, when senators are expected to propose amendments.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

However, the bill faces an uphill climb to the Senate floor. Schumer previously poured cold water on bringing any permitting proposal to the floor, calling it “virtually impossible” to pass. But Manchin and Schumer have been in conversations about the bill, both lawmakers confirmed to the Washington Examiner. However, neither member was able to confirm if the bill would make it to the floor.

“[Schumer] has been very receptive,” Manchin said. “Let’s see what happens.”

2024-07-30 20:19:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolicy%2Fenergy-and-environment%2F3104583%2Findustry-groups-coalesce-around-manchin-barrasso-permitting-reform-bill%2F?w=600&h=450, Industry groups are coalescing around Sens. Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso’s (R-WY) proposal that would overhaul the permitting process for several energy projects, including fossil fuel and transmission line projects. However, environmentalists aren’t happy with the measure, calling it a “dirty deal” that would be a giveaway to the fossil fuel industry. Support has,

Manchin told reporters he was feeling confident about the bill passing committee.

“NEPA is pretty straightforward and basic, and that expansion should’ve never occurred,” he said.

“What I haven’t done is weigh all the equities,” he told the Washington Examiner.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“[Schumer] has been very receptive,” Manchin said. “Let’s see what happens.”

, Industry groups are coalescing around Sens. Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso’s (R-WY) proposal that would overhaul the permitting process for several energy projects, including fossil fuel and transmission line projects. However, environmentalists aren’t happy with the measure, calling it a “dirty deal” that would be a giveaway to the fossil fuel industry. Support has been growing both on and off Capitol Hill, and senators from both parties have praised the legislation. Nevertheless, the bill faces long odds for a floor vote after Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) threw cold water on the possibility of any permitting reform bill passing the chamber this year. The swell of support and opposition comes as the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is set to mark up the legislation on Wednesday, marking the first procedural test the bill will have to pass for there to be even the possibility of a full-chamber vote. Manchin told reporters he was feeling confident about the bill passing committee. Along with streamlining projects, the bill requires the interior secretary to hold at least one offshore wind and one offshore oil and gas lease sale every year between 2025 and 2029, aiming to end the slowdown of lease sales under the Biden administration, which has offered the lowest level of offshore oil and gas lease sales in history. Erik Milito, the president of the National Ocean Industries Association, praised the offshore provisions, saying that the industry has run into difficulty with the Biden administration in promoting the development of oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico. “We’ve run into roadblocks with the current administration,” Milito told the Washington Examiner. “The gaps in leasing and the resistance to allowing the industry to get additional acreage, to get out there and develop the resources — it has generated a lot of uncertainty, and it’s actually something that ends up driving investments into other parts of the world.” The bill is also meant to speed up project approvals that are often held up for years due to court battles, enacting what is known as judicial reform. It would shorten time frames during all stages of litigation for energy projects and require courts to expedite the review of legal challenges. Under current law, interest groups can sue over a project permit for up to six years, and if a federal agency is tasked with fixing a permit, there isn’t a deadline to address its deficiencies. The bill would establish a 150-day deadline for groups to sue over a permit and a 180-day deadline for federal agencies to act on remanded permits. Milito advocated judicial reforms that would force agencies to fix any deficiencies found in a project’s environmental assessment or impact statement rather than having the option of shutting down the permit application altogether. The NOIA president said the Supreme Court’s recent ruling to overturn Chevron deference, a legal doctrine that instructed judges to defer to federal agency interpretations of the law in cases the statute is ambiguous, could also reduce agencies’ power to determine approval of projects. He said the judicial branch before Chevron’s overturn was giving agencies more authority than laid out in the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires agencies to review the environmental effects of projects and make determinations on a permit application. “NEPA is pretty straightforward and basic, and that expansion should’ve never occurred,” he said. A number of industry groups in Western states that promote onshore drilling have lined up behind the proposal, such as the Western Energy Alliance, the Wyoming Mining Association, and the Utah Petroleum Association. It’s not just the fossil fuel industry getting behind the measure. The Solar Energy Industries Association voiced support for the provisions that would aim to speed up transmission projects and streamline clean energy infrastructure. The group has advocated reforms that would “fairly” allocate costs for the transmission lines, and the bill contains provisions that would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to clarify that customers receiving no benefits from projects should not be forced to pay. But not everyone is going as far to praise the deal. Environmental groups have deemed the measure a “giveaway” for fossil fuel groups and stated the bill is lined with provisions that would roll back environmental protections for communities and public lands. “While this bill would offer some steps forward on transmission reform, which we hope to help usher forward, this bill would altogether be a leap backward on climate, health, and justice if passed into law,” said Alexandra Adams, a managing director of government affairs at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “The Senate should reject it and look toward alternative solutions already being considered.” Some Senate climate hawks, however, seem open to supporting the bill. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), who has been open to amending NEPA to streamline transmission projects, called the bill a “constructive beginning” and a “serious bipartisan effort.” Still, he mentioned he would have to weigh the pros and cons of the bill, mentioning that he was against the requirements for the interior secretary to hold offshore lease sales. “What I haven’t done is weigh all the equities,” he told the Washington Examiner. Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO), a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee who has been working with Manchin on transmission legislation, mentioned that while the bill “isn’t perfect,” it still “looks pretty good” to him. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), a senior member of the committee, has come out in support of the bill, further increasing its chances of passing in committee. The bill is slated to be marked up in committee on Wednesday, when senators are expected to propose amendments. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER However, the bill faces an uphill climb to the Senate floor. Schumer previously poured cold water on bringing any permitting proposal to the floor, calling it “virtually impossible” to pass. But Manchin and Schumer have been in conversations about the bill, both lawmakers confirmed to the Washington Examiner. However, neither member was able to confirm if the bill would make it to the floor. “[Schumer] has been very receptive,” Manchin said. “Let’s see what happens.”, , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AP24121581289503.jpg.optimal.jpg, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Nancy Vu,

Daily on Energy: California wildfire doubles, UN secretary general versus extreme heat, and oral arguments on Vineyard Wind

CALIFORNIA FIRE DOUBLES IN SIZE OVER TWO DAYS: A wildfire in California has spread to more than 164,000 acres Friday, becoming the largest blaze to sweep the state this year, the Los Angeles Times wrote.

The Park Fire grew to large spans over two days, with containment being reduced from 3% Thursday to 0% Friday morning. Conditions are likely to continue to be a challenge, according to forecasters.

At least 134 buildings have been destroyed, and another 4,000 are in danger of being destroyed, according to Cal Fire. 4,000 people were evacuated around Cohasset and Forest Ranch.

The cause? According to ABC News, officials in Southern California said they are searching for suspects that may have sparked the fire with illegal fireworks. The estimated economic toll is likely to be more than $10 million in damages. Read that here.

GUTERRES GAME PLAN ON EXTREME HEAT: The United Nations’ Secretary General is launching a global call to action to combat heat – and went as far as to blame fossil fuels for the record-breaking temperatures many countries are experiencing.

The deets: During a press conference yesterday, UN Secretary General António Guterres detailed the unprecedented heat that both developed and developing countries are witnessing. The official outlined a plan to combat heat, with four areas of focus: caring for vulnerable populations, upping protections for workers, boosting the infrastructure of economies to adapt to the heat, and phasing out fossil fuels.

“To tackle all these symptoms, we need to fight the disease. The disease is the madness of incinerating our only home,” he said. “The disease is the addiction to fossil fuels. The disease is climate inaction.

More about that plan: The secretary general advocated for increased access to low-carbon cooling and expanded passive cooling, measures to protect workers, and efforts to heat-proof economies and the environment. In his call to divest from fossil fuels, Guterres called for ending new coal projects and shifting fossil fuel subsidies to renewables while supporting vulnerable countries.

Why this is important: Guterres’ call to action comes ahead of this year’s annual global climate summit – otherwise known as COP29 – where global leaders will discuss and debate measures to combat global warming. However, a record number of fossil fuel representatives were at last year’s summit, marking an increase in influence from the industry as more countries look to divest from the sector and invest heavily in renewables.

Guterres notably mentioned the importance of climate finance – stating “climate action also requires finance action.” The secretary general called for multilateral development banks to increase lending capacity to help developing countries tackle climate change, and for wealthier countries to make good on their climate finance commitments.

TRANS MOUNTAIN PIPELINE DELAYED UNTIL AFTER 2025 ELECTION: The sale of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline is likely to be delayed until after Canada’s national election in 2025, sources tell Bloomberg, over promises made to tribal groups and the valuation of the sale itself.

The pipeline was bought by the Canadian government in 2018 to help ensure the expansion of the project could be completed. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that the government will not be the permanent owner.

However, preparing for the sale is getting more complicated, the publication outlines. First, the government had promised to sell a stake to dozens of individual indigenous groups in Western Canada, but the process is moving slowly.

There’s also a regulatory battle brewing over how much Trans Mountain will charge oil companies to ship crude. The project is expected to cost several times more than previous projections – and until final tolls are determined, potential buyers won’t have a full picture of the pipeline’s profitability, threatening the sale. Delaying the sale, at the very least, allows for more time for the government to prove the project is valuable – and pay off or refinance any debts. Read more about that here.

ORAL ARGUMENTS ON VINEYARD WIND: Federal judges are considering legal challenges against Vineyard Wind – the country’s first major offshore wind project – and it’s looking like they’re leaning toward siding with the Interior Department following oral arguments on Thursday, E&E News reports.

In arguments before the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Seafreeze Shoreside and the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance advocated for three judges to overturn lower court rulings that would support approvals for the project.

A pattern: The two cases appearing before the panel seem to be following a similar path to other legal challenges facing the offshore wind industry. Judges struck down previous lawsuits – including ones against the Vineyard Wind project – because the groups challenging the approvals did not do enough to show the parties were harmed from offshore development.

The panel of judges – all appointed by President Joe Biden – asked the fisheries groups to explain the substance of their claims against the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The judges appeared skeptical of claims brought by both groups.

Why this is important: The hearings come as the project is facing even more scrutiny following the halting of the project after a turbine blade broke off, scattering debris along the coast of Nantucket. The project was halted a few days later to investigate the incident. While the incident was not mentioned during the hearings, it could create even more pushback to the offshore wind project. Read more on that.

RUNDOWN

E&E News 5 takeaways from the Senate’s Interior-EPA spending bill

Financial Times Youth groups urge Kamala Harris to hold the line on climate change policy

New York Times A Test for Harris: How to Talk About the Green New Deal

2024-07-26 20:49:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fdaily-on-energy%2F3101300%2Fdaily-on-energy-california-wildfire-doubles-un-secretary-general-versus-extreme-heat-and-oral-arguments-on-vineyard-wind%2F?w=600&h=450, CALIFORNIA FIRE DOUBLES IN SIZE OVER TWO DAYS: A wildfire in California has spread to more than 164,000 acres Friday, becoming the largest blaze to sweep the state this year, the Los Angeles Times wrote. The Park Fire grew to large spans over two days, with containment being reduced from 3% Thursday to 0% Friday,

The Park Fire grew to large spans over two days, with containment being reduced from 3% Thursday to 0% Friday morning. Conditions are likely to continue to be a challenge, according to forecasters.

At least 134 buildings have been destroyed, and another 4,000 are in danger of being destroyed, according to Cal Fire. 4,000 people were evacuated around Cohasset and Forest Ranch.

RUNDOWN

E&E News 5 takeaways from the Senate’s Interior-EPA spending bill

Financial Times Youth groups urge Kamala Harris to hold the line on climate change policy

New York Times A Test for Harris: How to Talk About the Green New Deal

, CALIFORNIA FIRE DOUBLES IN SIZE OVER TWO DAYS: A wildfire in California has spread to more than 164,000 acres Friday, becoming the largest blaze to sweep the state this year, the Los Angeles Times wrote. The Park Fire grew to large spans over two days, with containment being reduced from 3% Thursday to 0% Friday morning. Conditions are likely to continue to be a challenge, according to forecasters. At least 134 buildings have been destroyed, and another 4,000 are in danger of being destroyed, according to Cal Fire. 4,000 people were evacuated around Cohasset and Forest Ranch. The cause? According to ABC News, officials in Southern California said they are searching for suspects that may have sparked the fire with illegal fireworks. The estimated economic toll is likely to be more than $10 million in damages. Read that here. Welcome to Daily on Energy, written by Washington Examiner Energy and Environment writer Nancy Vu ( @NancyVu99 ), with help from policy editor Joseph Lawler . Email nancy.vu@washingtonexaminer dot com for tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here . If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list. GUTERRES GAME PLAN ON EXTREME HEAT: The United Nations’ Secretary General is launching a global call to action to combat heat – and went as far as to blame fossil fuels for the record-breaking temperatures many countries are experiencing. The deets: During a press conference yesterday, UN Secretary General António Guterres detailed the unprecedented heat that both developed and developing countries are witnessing. The official outlined a plan to combat heat, with four areas of focus: caring for vulnerable populations, upping protections for workers, boosting the infrastructure of economies to adapt to the heat, and phasing out fossil fuels. “To tackle all these symptoms, we need to fight the disease. The disease is the madness of incinerating our only home,” he said. “The disease is the addiction to fossil fuels. The disease is climate inaction. More about that plan: The secretary general advocated for increased access to low-carbon cooling and expanded passive cooling, measures to protect workers, and efforts to heat-proof economies and the environment. In his call to divest from fossil fuels, Guterres called for ending new coal projects and shifting fossil fuel subsidies to renewables while supporting vulnerable countries. Why this is important: Guterres’ call to action comes ahead of this year’s annual global climate summit – otherwise known as COP29 – where global leaders will discuss and debate measures to combat global warming. However, a record number of fossil fuel representatives were at last year’s summit, marking an increase in influence from the industry as more countries look to divest from the sector and invest heavily in renewables. Guterres notably mentioned the importance of climate finance – stating “climate action also requires finance action.” The secretary general called for multilateral development banks to increase lending capacity to help developing countries tackle climate change, and for wealthier countries to make good on their climate finance commitments. TRANS MOUNTAIN PIPELINE DELAYED UNTIL AFTER 2025 ELECTION: The sale of the Trans Mountain oil pipeline is likely to be delayed until after Canada’s national election in 2025, sources tell Bloomberg, over promises made to tribal groups and the valuation of the sale itself. The pipeline was bought by the Canadian government in 2018 to help ensure the expansion of the project could be completed. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that the government will not be the permanent owner. However, preparing for the sale is getting more complicated, the publication outlines. First, the government had promised to sell a stake to dozens of individual indigenous groups in Western Canada, but the process is moving slowly. There’s also a regulatory battle brewing over how much Trans Mountain will charge oil companies to ship crude. The project is expected to cost several times more than previous projections – and until final tolls are determined, potential buyers won’t have a full picture of the pipeline’s profitability, threatening the sale. Delaying the sale, at the very least, allows for more time for the government to prove the project is valuable – and pay off or refinance any debts. Read more about that here. ORAL ARGUMENTS ON VINEYARD WIND: Federal judges are considering legal challenges against Vineyard Wind – the country’s first major offshore wind project – and it’s looking like they’re leaning toward siding with the Interior Department following oral arguments on Thursday, E&E News reports. In arguments before the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Seafreeze Shoreside and the Responsible Offshore Development Alliance advocated for three judges to overturn lower court rulings that would support approvals for the project. A pattern: The two cases appearing before the panel seem to be following a similar path to other legal challenges facing the offshore wind industry. Judges struck down previous lawsuits – including ones against the Vineyard Wind project – because the groups challenging the approvals did not do enough to show the parties were harmed from offshore development. The panel of judges – all appointed by President Joe Biden – asked the fisheries groups to explain the substance of their claims against the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The judges appeared skeptical of claims brought by both groups. Why this is important: The hearings come as the project is facing even more scrutiny following the halting of the project after a turbine blade broke off, scattering debris along the coast of Nantucket. The project was halted a few days later to investigate the incident. While the incident was not mentioned during the hearings, it could create even more pushback to the offshore wind project. Read more on that. RUNDOWN E&E News 5 takeaways from the Senate’s Interior-EPA spending bill Financial Times Youth groups urge Kamala Harris to hold the line on climate change policy New York Times A Test for Harris: How to Talk About the Green New Deal, , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DOE-1024×580.webp, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Nancy Vu,

House passes Interior bill with steep cuts to EPA

The House passed a partisan appropriation bill Wednesday for the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other related agencies. The measure, which passed 210 to 205, would impose a 20% cut to the EPA and includes several conservative provisions that are likely to doom it in the Senate.

The fiscal 2025 spending bill proposes $38.5 billion in discretionary funding, $72 million below fiscal 2024 funding levels, and includes steep cuts to various agencies. The measure would roll back a number of Biden administration regulatory efforts, such as the Department of Energy’s fuel economy standards and its rules curtailing emissions from power plants, as well as an EPA rule regulating industry emissions that affect downwind states.

“With good stewardship as our compass, the FY25 Interior bill ensures every resource is used wisely and effectively,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said.

The funding measure will be stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The White House issued a veto threat earlier this week.

“The Administration strongly opposes the nearly 100 harmful policy provisions in the bill that interfere with DOI’s scientific and evidence-based decision-making,” the White House wrote of the Interior bill. “Among other negative impacts, these provisions would slow the Nation’s progress in growing the clean energy economy by restricting or modifying DOI’s energy and mineral development programs, and overturn science-based rulemakings that protect public lands and help to prevent numerous species from extinction.”

Notably, the bill cuts $464 million from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and Bureau of Trust Fund Administration. The bill also cuts $210 million from the National Park Service, along with millions in cuts across other offices.

A notable rider in the measure would require an issuance of a new five-year offshore oil and gas lease plan, following criticism that the Biden administration’s plan would offer the lowest number of offshore lease sales in history.

The measure also has a number of riders that are not related to energy or the environment, such as prohibiting funds for diversity and equity efforts.

House Republicans had also scheduled a separate vote on a measure funding the Energy Department and water development. But that bill was pulled from the voting schedule after Republican leadership hesitated to force members from competitive districts to vote on controversial amendments for a bill that will never pass into law, Politico reported.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Members offered nearly 200 amendments to the bill for consideration. One that was approved was a measure from Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) that would reduce funding for the EPA’s Environmental Programs and Management account by $7 million and reallocate the funds to the inspector general’s office. Another rider, offered by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), would prevent the Bureau of Land Management from finalizing and implementing a plan to expand the rollout of solar in Western states.

The House has passed four appropriation bills, but it’s unlikely that more will pass before the August recess. A bill funding the legislative branch, a measure that’s long been considered easier to pass, failed earlier this month over disagreements regarding member pay and higher spending. The House is expected to leave town until September as soon as Wednesday.

2024-07-25 02:04:00, http://s.wordpress.com/mshots/v1/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonexaminer.com%2Fpolicy%2Fenergy-and-environment%2F3097466%2Fhouse-passes-interior-bill-steep-cuts-epa%2F?w=600&h=450, The House passed a partisan appropriation bill Wednesday for the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other related agencies. The measure, which passed 210 to 205, would impose a 20% cut to the EPA and includes several conservative provisions that are likely to doom it in the Senate. The fiscal 2025 spending bill proposes,

“With good stewardship as our compass, the FY25 Interior bill ensures every resource is used wisely and effectively,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said.

The funding measure will be stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The White House issued a veto threat earlier this week.

The measure also has a number of riders that are not related to energy or the environment, such as prohibiting funds for diversity and equity efforts.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

, The House passed a partisan appropriation bill Wednesday for the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other related agencies. The measure, which passed 210 to 205, would impose a 20% cut to the EPA and includes several conservative provisions that are likely to doom it in the Senate. The fiscal 2025 spending bill proposes $38.5 billion in discretionary funding, $72 million below fiscal 2024 funding levels, and includes steep cuts to various agencies. The measure would roll back a number of Biden administration regulatory efforts, such as the Department of Energy’s fuel economy standards and its rules curtailing emissions from power plants, as well as an EPA rule regulating industry emissions that affect downwind states. “With good stewardship as our compass, the FY25 Interior bill ensures every resource is used wisely and effectively,” Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), the chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said. The funding measure will be stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate. The White House issued a veto threat earlier this week. “The Administration strongly opposes the nearly 100 harmful policy provisions in the bill that interfere with DOI’s scientific and evidence-based decision-making,” the White House wrote of the Interior bill. “Among other negative impacts, these provisions would slow the Nation’s progress in growing the clean energy economy by restricting or modifying DOI’s energy and mineral development programs, and overturn science-based rulemakings that protect public lands and help to prevent numerous species from extinction.” Notably, the bill cuts $464 million from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Indian Education, and Bureau of Trust Fund Administration. The bill also cuts $210 million from the National Park Service, along with millions in cuts across other offices. A notable rider in the measure would require an issuance of a new five-year offshore oil and gas lease plan, following criticism that the Biden administration’s plan would offer the lowest number of offshore lease sales in history. The measure also has a number of riders that are not related to energy or the environment, such as prohibiting funds for diversity and equity efforts. House Republicans had also scheduled a separate vote on a measure funding the Energy Department and water development. But that bill was pulled from the voting schedule after Republican leadership hesitated to force members from competitive districts to vote on controversial amendments for a bill that will never pass into law, Politico reported. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Members offered nearly 200 amendments to the bill for consideration. One that was approved was a measure from Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) that would reduce funding for the EPA’s Environmental Programs and Management account by $7 million and reallocate the funds to the inspector general’s office. Another rider, offered by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), would prevent the Bureau of Land Management from finalizing and implementing a plan to expand the rollout of solar in Western states. The House has passed four appropriation bills, but it’s unlikely that more will pass before the August recess. A bill funding the legislative branch, a measure that’s long been considered easier to pass, failed earlier this month over disagreements regarding member pay and higher spending. The House is expected to leave town until September as soon as Wednesday. , , , https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AP24169760531193-1024×683.jpg, Washington Examiner, Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cropped-favicon-32×32.png, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/feed/, Nancy Vu,

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