OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Waxman to launch new climate initiative

ON THE WAY OUT: Before heading for the exit, environmental advocate Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and members of the Safe Climate Caucus will launch a new initiative to respond to the threat of climate change on Thursday.

Members will hold a press conference Thursday morning to announce the initiative and discuss the climate change and environmental issues facing Congress and the nation in 2014.

{mosads}ON TAP THURSDAY: The Environmental Protection Agency will hold a hearing at its headquarters on President Obama’s proposed carbon pollution limits for new coal-fired power plants.

The rules would require new plants to install controversial carbon capture systems that help curb emissions. Republicans have blasted the rule, saying the technology is far from ready and would kill energy jobs.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) — an advocate of Obama’s climate agenda — is expected to testify at the hearing.

And Waxman will continue his climate-filled day at the EPA hearing. The long-time climate champion will hold a press conference with representatives from coal country and the Hispanic community outside of EPA headquarters in support of the proposed carbon pollution standard.

Rest of Thursday’s agenda…

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing on the Oregon and California Land Grant Act of 2013 and another bill focused on national forest jobs.

Also, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will consider a slew of water and wildlife bills and several EPA and Interior nominees.

Off Capitol Hill, the Brookings Institution will hold a discussion on the clean-energy challenges facing China.

AROUND THE WEB:

The Associated Press reports that a Seattle company will develop plans to build the first offshore wind energy farm on the West Coast.

The 30-megawatt project, announced on Wednesday, will be expensive but help stimulate the economy, AP writes.

“It’s not going to be economic out of the gate,” said Tommy Beaudreau, director of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. But “it’s important for Oregon to be on the edge of what could be a huge industry in the future.”

Cities have nearly doubled activities focused on reducing climate change, Bloomberg reports. Cities are reporting more than 8,000 climate actions have been implemented.

And the Houston Chronicle reports U.S. oil industry and business groups are forming a new coalition to push for the expansion of natural-gas exports.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Check out the stories that ran on E2-Wire on Wednesday …

– Landrieu eyed in anti-Keystone campaign
– Enzi: GAO report proves coal helps the economy
– Heitkamp: Feds to inspect freight rail tracks near ND crash site
– Salazar: Keystone XL a ‘win-win’ project
– White House: No politics in Keystone decision
– Vilsack confident climate change is impacting farmers today
– House Republican leaders struggle for debt-ceiling plan
– Feds blast three companies for labeling of rail-bound crude oil
– Obama launches ‘climate hubs’ to help farmers and communities

Please send tips and comments to Laura Barron-Lopez, laurab@digital-staging.thehill.com.