OVERNIGHT ENERGY: The wide world of natural gas exports (geopolitics edition)
{mosads}President Obama’s pick to run the Navy’s energy operations will face the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday for his confirmation hearing.
Vice Adm. Dennis McGinn (Ret.) will likely face questions from Republicans about his advocacy for renewable energy.
McGinn currently leads the American Council on Renewable Energy, and has been a proponent of the Navy’s green energy efforts.
Those renewable energy programs, such as transitioning the Navy fleet to run on more domestic biofuels and incorporating more wind and solar generation, have caught flak from Republicans who call them too expensive.
Democrats have defended the renewable energy push, saying it insulates the armed forces from oil price shocks.
House GOP to take aim at ‘fracking’ rule
A House Natural Resources Committee panel will hold a Thursday hearing on legislation to thwart planned Interior Department regulation of oil-and-gas “fracking” on public lands.
Click here for the witness list and a copy of the bill.
Agency to gaze into global energy crystal ball
The federal Energy Information Administration (EIA) will unveil its latest International Energy Outlook at a press conference Thursday morning at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
It forecast examines production, consumption and other trends through 2040. EIA chief Adam Sieminski will speak at the rollout.
“The IEO2013 includes projections of world energy demand by region and primary energy source through 2040; electricity generation by energy source; and energy-related carbon dioxide emissions,” an advisory states.
“Among other topics, Mr. Sieminski will discuss EIA’s view on long-term petroleum and other liquids fuel supplies, prospects for global natural gas markets, energy demand growth among developing nations, and key uncertainties that may alter the long-term projections,” it states.
Science committee to explore coal tech
The latest forum for allegations that the White House is waging a “war on coal” will be the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
A panel will hold a hearing Thursday titled, “The Future of Coal: Utilizing America’s Abundant Energy Resources.” Witnesses will include the head of the Energy Department’s (DOE) fossil energy office.
The DOE recently solicited applications for billions of dollars in loan guarantees for coal and other fossil energy projects that avoid or trap carbon emissions, and the department also does R&D into coal technologies.
But Republicans contend another agency – the Environmental Protection Agency – is crushing the coal industry with various existing and planned air pollution rules. Expect to hear criticism of the “war on coal” Thursday, while Obama administration defenders say it’s low-cost natural gas – not regulations – that are behind coal’s woes.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Check out these stories that ran on E2-Wire Wednesday …
— Obama taps former Senate energy aide for White House role
— NJ Dem Senate hopeful: ‘Millions will die’ from climate change
— Obama: Grow middle class to fight climate change
— Energy bills advance with House vote
— Sen. Markey, greens urge action on offshore drilling after Gulf blowout
— GOP slams EPA on ‘fracking’ as committee leader weighs bill
— Ex-Energy chief Chu backs Rep. Holt in NJ Senate race
— Biden, in India, calls climate change a risk to development
— Senate Dems ‘disappointed’ Great Lakes not mentioned in Obama climate plan
— Judge upholds SEC’s ‘conflict minerals’ disclosure rule
— ‘Social cost of carbon’ battle hits House floor
NEWS BITES:
Dems form group to promote ‘sustainable coal’
Current and former Democratic lawmakers launched a group Wednesday that aims to accelerate advanced coal technologies.
The CoalBlue Project features Reps. Bill Enyart (D-Ill.) and Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), as well as former Reps. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), Jerry Costello (D-Ill.) and Tim Holdren (D-Pa.).
The group’s formation comes as forthcoming greenhouse gas emissions regulations for power plants threaten to shutter coal-fired generators — unless utilities install advanced technologies that are currently costly.
“As Democrats from states with proud traditions in the coal fields, we view the mission of the CoalBlue Project as essential within the broader context of national energy policy,” Rahall and Enyart said in a statement. “A viable energy future can only be achieved with clean coal.”
House GOP bill would slash international climate funds
The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday a spending plan that would end U.S. contributions to a pair of World Bank-administered programs: The Strategic Climate Fund and the Clean Technology Fund.
Click here for a copy of the fiscal 2014 State and Foreign Operations bill and accompanying committee report language.
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