OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Commerce pick Bryson slated for the hot seat

Tuesday’s Big Story: President Obama’s pick to run the Commerce Department will face his GOP critics when he appears before the Senate Commerce Committee that is vetting his nomination.

Republicans have all kinds of problems with the former CEO of Edison International (the parent company of Southern California Edison), calling his role in founding the Natural Resources Defense Council evidence that he is an “environmental radical.”

The president has lauded Bryson’s work on green energy. “Throughout a distinguished career in which he’s led nonprofits, government agencies, and large companies, he’s been a fierce proponent of alternative energy,” Obama said last month.

Bryson’s nomination is also wrapped up in labor and trade policy battles, and those issues are expected to be a major focus of Tuesday’s hearing.

But lawmakers including Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) — who is not on the commerce panel — are intent on keeping Bryson’s green views in the spotlight during his nomination process. Stay tuned.

NEWS BITES:

Salazar extends uranium mining ban around Grand Canyon

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Monday that the Interior Department will take emergency action to extend a ban that keeps 1 million acres of land near the Grand Canyon National Park off-limits to new uranium mining claims.

Salazar, in remarks at the south rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, said the Interior Department will withdraw the federal land from consideration for possible uranium mining for six months while the administration mulls a plan to protect the land for 20 years, which it calls its “preferred alternative.”

The Interior Department proposed a two-year moratorium on the practice in the area around the Grand Canyon in 2009.

The 20-year ban on uranium mining in the area “would ensure that all public lands adjacent to Grand Canyon National Park are protected from new hard rock mining claims, all of which are in the watershed of the Grand Canyon,” Salazar said. Interior says it will complete the environmental analysis of the 20-year
plan in the fall.

Pre-emptive strike: Salazar, in his remarks, sought to get out ahead of critics who claimed Monday that the move will block access to uranium reserves.

“[S]ome critics will falsely claim that with a full one-million acre withdrawal from new hard rock mining claims, we would somehow be denying all access to uranium resources,” Salazar said.
 
“That, of course, is not true. Uranium, like oil and gas, solar, wind, geothermal, and other sources, remains a vital component of a responsible and comprehensive energy strategy. We will continue to develop uranium in northern Arizona, Wyoming and other places across the country.”

But sure enough, Republicans criticized Salazar’s actions.

“Our country’s energy future remains in limbo because Secretary Salazar has chosen to placate his anti-energy special interest cronies,” said Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee’s National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee. “Instead of using his executive power to create policies that foster greater energy independence he has done the exact opposite, driving us toward increased reliance on foreign resources.”

DOE: More information on White House solar panels TBA



The Department of Energy says more information is coming on the plan to install solar panels on the White House roof.



“The Energy Department remains on the path to complete the White House solar demonstration project, in keeping with our commitment, and we look forward to sharing more information — including additional details on the timing of this project — after the competitive procurement process is completed,” Ramamoorthy Ramesh, director of DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Program, said in a blog post Monday.



Environmental groups have been pushing the White House to install the panels for months.

Supreme court ruling puts focus on EPA climate rules

All eyes are on the Environmental Protection Agency’s climate regulations now that the Supreme Court has ruled that the agency, not the courts, should impose curbs on greenhouse gas emissions.

Monday’s unanimous ruling puts the brakes on efforts by the states to force power companies to lower their emissions. Now, environmental groups say, the pressure is on EPA to move forward with its planned climate rules.

“Today’s Supreme Court decision highlights how crucial it is for EPA to set strong national limits on climate change pollution from power plants and other large industrial plants,” Earthjustice managing attorney David Baron said in a statement.

The Supreme Court ruling comes as EPA’s climate regulations are under attack from Republicans and some moderate Democrats, who are pushing legislation to prevent the agency from implementing the rules.

Dems welcome FTC gas price investigation

A number of Senate Democrats are applauding the Federal Trade Commission’s probe of potential manipulation of oil and gasoline markets — and claiming a measure of credit for pressing the agency to act.

“Federal officials are finally recognizing that where there’s smoke, there may be fire — and now they’ll investigate to find out. I am greatly encouraged that the FTC has heeded my call for a thorough investigation, including the use of compulsory process, to uncover and root out potential criminal activity of bad actors in our energy markets,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).

ON TAP TUESDAY:

Browner, EPA official talk toxics

The Center for American Progress (CAP) hosts an event on looming EPA air toxics rules for power plants that some major utilities allege will create major burdens and hope to delay.

The event’s panelists are likely to take a positive view of the rule and tout its public health benefits. The forum will feature EPA deputy administrator Bob Perciasepe and Carol Browner, the former White House energy adviser who recently left the administration and is now a CAP senior fellow.

Upton speaks at conservative think tank

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) will chat with bloggers at the conservative Heritage Foundation.

House panel to vote on coal bill

A panel of the House Energy and Commerce Committee is slated to vote on legislation that would block EPA from regulating a coal combustion byproduct known as coal ash as a hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

House panel weighs rules of engagement for drilling bill

The House Rules Committee will meet Tuesday evening to review legislation slated for a floor vote this week aimed at speeding up oil drilling off Alaska’s coast. The rules panel will decide which amendments will come up on the floor.

CEQ’s Sutley headlines efficiency forum

The Alliance to Save Energy and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are co-hosting a breakfast on energy efficiency. Speakers include White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairwoman Nancy Sutley.

Oil markets in focus

The Center for Strategic and International Studies will host a discussion on the International Energy Agency’s oil-and-gas market forecast. The event will feature senior officials with the multilateral agency, as well as other experts.

Gas ‘fracking’ in focus

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute and Heinrich Böll Stiftung North America will host an event on the development of natural gas from shale formations. Panelists will include Jeanne Briskin, leader of EPA’s Hydraulic Fracturing Research Task Force.

FERC official to discus natural gas too

The Natural Gas Roundtable will host a lunch with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission member John Norris.

Whitfield to focus on nuclear power

The U.S. Nuclear Infrastructure Council opens a two-day summit with remarks by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.), a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Forum to probe climate disaster response

Oxfam, the Woodrow Wilson Center and CNA will host experts — including former high-level military officials — to address the humanitarian response to climate change that will be needed.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Here’s a quick roundup of Monday’s E2 stories:

– Supreme Court rejects climate lawsuit against power companies
– World’s top nuclear watchdog: ‘Business as usual is not an option’
– New coalition hopes to jump-start Obama’s ‘clean energy standard’
– Federal Trade Commission opens probe of possible oil market manipulation

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

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