Climate Action in Biden’s America
Joe Biden has been declared the winner of the U.S. presidential election, but his party is unlikely to control the Senate, limiting his ability to implement the sweeping climate policies he pledged during his campaign.
Published: November 9, 2020
Institutions
With major national election outcomes still in flux Wednesday morning, energy lobbyists and policy analysts were parsing the potential for divided government to dampen energy policy shifts, even if Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden ultimately prevailed.
Scott Segal, co-chairman of Bracewell's Policy Resolution Group, said in the vote tabulation trends continue, it seems most likely the Senate will remain in Republican hands. In that scenario, the ability to use the budget-reconciliation process or eliminate the filibuster is "effectively off the table," he said during the group's Nov. 4 webinar on the election outcome. Both steps have been discussed in the context of Democrats passing climate-related legislation.
Bracewell energy regulatory lawyer Christine Wyman said no matter who takes White House, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will play a bigger role in the nexus of energy and climate policy than it has played in the past.
Panelists Expect FERC Under Biden to Look Closely at Carbon Pricing, Pipelines
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission could take further steps to accommodate carbon pricing in wholesale power markets and consider the environmental impacts of pipelines if Democrat Joe Biden wins the U.S. presidential race, panelists said during the S&P Global Platts Financing U.S. Power Virtual Conference.
Read the Full ArticleDemoted FERC Chair Sees Himself, Agency Playing Big Post-Election Role
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission member Neil Chatterjee defended his actions on clean energy and climate after President Donald Trump on Nov. 5 unexpectedly replaced him as chair of the independent agency.
Read the Full ArticlePolicy
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Democrat – Rhode Island, said Nov. 13 that "good guy" corporations with climate change reduction strategies need to be more active in pressing federal lawmakers to enact carbon pricing, specifically calling out technology companies to do more, while industry experts addressed other carbon pricing challenges.
A prime example is that the lobbying and trade organization TECHNET, whose membership includes Silicon Valley companies such as Google, Apple and Microsoft, brought a 13-page priority list earlier this year to Congress that had no mention of climate change or renewable energy, Whitehouse said.
GOP Lawmakers Call Out FERC for Inaction on Grid Resilience, Seek Answers on Next Steps
A recent push by Republican US lawmakers urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to finally define grid resilience and take action to ensure coal's continued place in the energy mix is unlikely to spur any new policies this late in the game, a power industry observer said Nov. 23.
Read the Full ArticleBiden Presidency to Create 'Big Momentum' on Tackling Climate Change: IEA's Birol
The election of Joe Biden to the US presidency and his commitment to rejoining the Paris Agreement will create a "tremendous momentum" to fight climate change and will likely lead to a "big push" for technological innovation in the area, International Energy Agency executive director Fatih Birol said Nov. 25.
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Metals
As president-elect of the world's biggest uranium consumer, observers believe Joe Biden could help bring about a proverbial sea change to the politics around nuclear power compared to his former boss Barack Obama, as bipartisan support appeared to grow for legislation aimed at bolstering the U.S. nuclear sector.
U.S. Coal Jobs Down 24% from the Start of Trump Administration to Latest Quarter
Despite a campaign promise to put coal miners back to work and support "beautiful clean coal," President Donald Trump is on track to leave the White House with the nation posting the lowest coal production and jobs figures in recent history.
"You watch what happens — if I win, we're going to bring those miners back," Trump said at a 2016 rally.
Leadership
US Representative Deb Haaland, Democrat-New Mexico, who reportedly is being considered for secretary of the Interior Department by President-elect Joe Biden, said there are too many extractive industries operating on federal lands and that leasing practices should be changed to encourage more clean energy activity.
Federal land policy will be "extremely critical" in the effort to mitigate climate change impacts in the next presidential administration, Haaland said in an webcast interview with Reuters during the virtual Energy Transition North America Conference.
"Renewable energy is the future of our world, it's the future of our country and we need bold action on climate change," Haaland said.
Danly Quietly Takes Reins at His First Open meeting as FERC Chairman
James Danly gaveled in his first meeting as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Read the Full ArticleU.S. Senate Energy Panel Advances Paired FERC Nominees by Voice Vote
Two nominees to the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission were reported out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee by voice vote Nov. 18.
Read the Full ArticleBiden Taps Former Secretary of State John Kerry as International Climate Envoy
President-elect Joe Biden has selected former Secretary of State John Kerry to serve as a presidential international envoy for climate change issues as the incoming administration seeks to reposition the U.S. as a leader in the fight against global warming.
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Energy Transition
Eager to advance their agenda under supportive new leadership in Washington, renewable energy groups have released policy wish lists, confident that President-elect Joe Biden's administration can work with what could be a narrowly divided Congress to strengthen renewable energy tax credits, invest in new transmission and establish a national renewable energy portfolio standard.
While Democrats will retain control of the House, runoff elections for Georgia's two Senate seats will determine whether Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell retains his position as majority leader.
U.S. ELECTIONS: SEIA Discusses 100-day Renewables Agenda for Biden, Congress
The US can address job creation, economic recovery, climate change, renewable energy deployment and COVID-19 relief by investing in a clean, affordable electricity system, the Solar Energy Industries Association said Nov. 17 about its 100-day agenda for President-elect Joe Biden and the newly elected Congress.
Read the Full ArticleListen: California's Clean Car Ambitions Clear First Roadblock with Biden Win
Jennifer McIsaac, lead analyst of emissions and clean energy for Platts Analytics' Future Energy Outlook Service, on the market, policy and logistical challenges ahead. * John Boesel, president and CEO of CALSTART, a clean transportation nonprofit, about the results of a recent study showing that auto suppliers want policy makers to set strong standards in this area.
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Further Reading
