OVERNIGHT ENERGY: The battle to shape a ‘clean’ standard

“The purpose of them is to deny climate change exists,” he told
reporters in the Capitol Monday. “To run for president you have got to
deny climate change exists.” Brown criticized what he called an “anti-science agenda” and a “Flat Earth Society agenda.”

House Republicans, who want to scuttle EPA’s power to regulate
greenhouse gas emissions, are beginning hearings this week on the issue. “I think it will be seen by reasonable people for what it is, I think
it will be seen by the right-wing base as more read meat,” Brown said.

Taking aim at GOP White House field

Brown then noted potential GOP presidential hopefuls like former
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who
have backed away from support for capping emissions and softened their
comments on humans’ contribution to climate change.

“A whole bunch of these people – now, their right-wing base tells them
what to do,” Brown said. “Since Bennett’s loss, when the right-wing
base says jump, they jump really high.” Brown was apparently referring to former Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah), who lost out last year to a Tea Party-backed challenger.

ON TAP TUESDAY:

Administration officials to speak at green jobs conference

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson is speaking Tuesday at a green jobs conference hosted by the industry-environmental group the BlueGreen Alliance. The conference, which runs through Thursday, also includes remarks by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley.

DOE releasing new report on electric vehicles

Department of Energy Assistant Secretary David Sandalow will release a report on electric vehicle deployment. “The report will examine progress to date in meeting President Obama’s goal of putting one million electric vehicles on the road by 2015, as well as additional steps that can continue to accelerate America’s leadership in electric vehicle deployment,” DOE said in a statement.

Upton to outline policy goals

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) will speak Tuesday at an event hosted by the National Journal at the Newseum. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Here’s what E2 had to offer on Monday: Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) chief of staff is heading to K Street; a new report said BP did not put pressure on the Scottish government to release the Lockerbie bomber; the Interior and Energy Departments outlined a plan to promote offshore wind; and House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) attacked the White House for abandoning Atlantic Coast oil-and-gas development.

E2 also got a sit-down interview with House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.). He told us that he’s planning to introduce legislation to streamline nuclear licensing; he suggested he isn’t too keen on Obama’s clean energy standard proposal; and he said he is hoping to find “common ground” on energy with Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.).

Please send tips and comments to Ben Geman, ben.geman@digital-staging.thehill.com, and Andrew Restuccia, arestuccia@digital-staging.thehill.com.

Follow us on Twitter: @E2Wire, @AndrewRestuccia.