On The Hill

Final Presidential Debate

The final U.S. 2020 presidential debate was held on Thursday, October 22, in Nashville, TN. President Donald Trump and former Vice-President Joe Biden offered different visions for the next four years.

Trump and Biden discussed various energy-related issues, including the future of the oil and gas industry, environmental justice, fracking, climate change, wildfires, and regulation.

Biden committed to moving away from oil as a key part of his climate change and environmental plan. “I would transition from the oil industry, yes. I will transition,” Biden said. “Because the oil industry pollutes, significantly,” he added.^[1] 

Trump capitalized on Biden’s comment, and said Biden would “destroy the oil industry.” After the debate, Biden clarified that he would get rid of subsidies for fossil fuels, not the industry itself. He also said people within the fossil fuel industry would not lose their jobs. 

The environmental policy discussion shifted to fracking, and Trump again claimed Biden was “against fracking.” Biden responded that he has ruled out a ban on fracking but does plan to ban new fossil fuel drilling permits on federal land.

Throughout the debate Trump boosted his environmental record, touted his work on the “Trillion Trees” initiative, and said he supports clean air and water. He also said the current administration has produced the “best carbon emissions numbers that we have had in 35 years.”

Biden reiterated that climate change was a threat, and that the administration’s deregulation would put the U.S. in a position “where we’re going to be in real trouble.” He has vowed to spend $2 trillion in a potential first term with a goal of neutralizing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.^[2] 

To view a transcript of the debate, click here.

 

COVID-19 Stimulus Update

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said they have made progress on reaching a deal on a stimulus package before the election.

As of Friday (Oct. 23) morning, Pelosi said she was waiting to hear back from committees on policy negotiations.

Throughout this week, Pelosi and Mnuchin have continued discussions on the package. They have indicated the two sides are close on language, but that two issues have presented problems: state and local funding and liability protections for businesses.

Notably, Democratic lawmakers told Pelosi they do not want a pre-election vote on a potential relief bill unless the Senate would take it up prior to election day. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has indicated he would bring a stimulus package to the floor if it had the White House’s support.

 

New Legislation

Ocean Climate Bill

On Tuesday (Oct. 20), House Democrats unveiled legislation that aims to boost offshore renewable energy production and protect the nation’s waters. The 342 page bill would increase offshore wind production, bar offshore oil and gas drilling, create new protected areas, and expand coastal and wetland restoration.

The “Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act,” was introduced by House Natural Resources Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ). “The way I look at it we are in a reciprocal relationship with nature: You reap what you sow,” Grijalva told reporters. “With solutions like this legislation and other proposals to confront climate change, we can and will do better,”^{[3] he added.} 

The bill would also require shipping vessels to report carbon dioxide emissions annually while prohibiting new oil and gas leasing in all areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. Additionally, the legislation would authorize $3 billion for “shovel-ready” coastal resilience projects and establish a new office at the White House Council on Environmental Quality to coordinate voluntary relocation efforts for communities impacted by rising sea levels.^[4] 

“By implementing a full suite of ocean-based climate solutions, this legislation would help frontline communities most at risk in the face of climate change, increase the resilience of our ocean ecosystems, and help put the United States back in a leadership role in the global effort to fight the climate crisis,” the committee summary states. 

To view text of the legislation, click here.

Gas-Powered Cars Phase Out

Democrats also released legislation to ban the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. The “Zero-Emission Vehicles Act of 2020” was introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and would establish a federal zero-emission vehicle standard, a first of its kind at the federal level.

The standard would require battery electric vehicles and fuel-cell vehicles to account for 50 percent of the new passenger cars sold in the U.S. by 2025, and 100 percent by 2035.

The Senate bill has four co-sponsors: Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ). Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) introduced a companion bill in the House, where it has 15 co-sponsors.

“The whole world, with a few science-denying holdouts in America, recognizes the imperative of ending carbon pollution,” Merkley said in a statement.

“By moving aggressively and boldly now, we can help save Americans from the dire health and economic impacts of the climate crisis, and make sure American workers are the ones building the next generation of cars for the world,” he added.^[5] 

To view the text bill, click here.

Fossil Fuel Investments

Senator Merkley also introduced two bills on Wednesday (Oct. 21) that are focused on limiting fossil fuel investments by financial institutions.

The “Protecting America’s Economy From the Carbon Bubble Act” would ban banks and other financial entities from making new loans for or investments in fossil fuel companies and from financing new projects.

The “Sustainable International Financial Institutions Act” would require the U.S. to use its position at international financial institutions to push for fossil fuel divestment.

“How we invest our money reflects our values today and will drive our future tomorrow,” Merkley said.

“Fossil fuel investments play a key role in accelerating climate chaos, which continues to spiral further and further out of control and claim lives and livelihoods in the process,” he added.^[6] 

The bills are the most aggressive proposals yet to address climate risks in the financial sector.

Microgrids

On Tuesday (Oct. 20), Representatives Nanette Diaz-Barragán (D-CA) and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) introduced legislation that would authorize $1.5 billion in annual grants to provide communities with funding to install clean energy microgrids to help with the impact of clean weather events.

The bill, the “Energy Resilient Communities Act,” would increase cost-sharing grants for low-income communities and their critical infrastructure, including hospitals and government buildings. It would also direct the Department of Energy to create a program to booster clean energy microgrid deployment to states and local communities.

“Keeping the lights on and maintaining health care and emergency services can be the difference between life or death,” Barragán said in a statement.

“The Energy Resilient Communities Act will help communities recover from extreme weather events by centering our most vulnerable communities at the heart of the clean energy revolution,” she added.^[7] 

To view the legislation, click here. 

Carbon Emissions

Last week, Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) introduced the “Carbon Costs Act,” which would direct the Government Accountability Office and the National Academy of Sciences to develop recommendations for a new, nonpartisan office to study how legislative proposals would affect carbon emissions.

“This legislation is an important step towards increasing our accountability in Congress to address the climate crisis,” Neguse said in a statement.

“Understanding the impacts of proposed legislation on our nation’s carbon emissions will allow us to make smart, informed policy decisions that ensure future generations will inherit a stable climate with clean air and water,” she added.^[8] 

To view a press release on the legislation, click here.

 

U.S. Oil Production

During the week that ended on Oct. 16, U.S. oil output went below 10 million barrels per day for the second time this year. A resurgence of COVID-19 infections has threatened economic growth in the sector.

The U.S. produced 9.9 barrels per day, down 600,000 from the week prior. Demand for gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fuel has weakened, according to the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) recent report. 

U.S. drilling companies have also experienced a wave of bankruptcies and consolidation and have cut production drastically.^[9] 

To view the latest EIA report, click here.

 

Supreme Court

On Thursday (Oct. 22), Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-0 to advance Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination. Democrats boycotted the vote.

Absent a bipartisan deal with Democrats, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) will set up a procedural vote on the nomination for Sunday (Oct. 25), and a final roll call for Monday (Oct. 26).

“In just a few days, (Barrett will) receive a vote on this floor, and I anticipate we’ll have a new associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States,” McConnell said.

“That is exactly what the American people want to happen,” he added.

 

References

^[1] Cama, Timothy. “‘I will transition’: Biden promises to move on from coal.” E&E Daily, 23 Oct. 2020. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/2a75c387/YOI6IqQlq0K2Pi_6emFbQA?u=https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/10/23/stories/1063716935

^[2] Colman, Zach & Lefebvre, Ben. “Trump, Biden swing haymakers on climate, energy.” Politico Pro, 22 Oct. 2020. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/fb2cb603/OHjov1bwjEK51jdBNVpSDQ?u=https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2020/10/trump-biden-swing-haymakers-on-climate-energy-2012646

^[3] Adragna, Anthony. “House Democrats unveil sweeping ocean climate bill.” Politico Pro, 20 Oct. 2020. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/41b312fd/UoClX5rTfkeVZHAey0uvqg?u=https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2020/10/house-democrats-unveil-sweeping-ocean-climate-bill-3984740

^[4] Sobczyk, Nick. “Dems eye bill to halt new offshore drilling, boost blue carbon.” E&E Daily, 19 Oct. 2020. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/56dea381/BlG0NQcDdUKezxB4okfkcQ?u=https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/10/19/stories/1063716453

^[5] Joselow, Maxine. “Dems introduce bill to phase out gas-powered cars.” E&E Daily, 21 Oct. 2020. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/09a0f331/26VntgRdYEuI7LLcNIBXhQ?u=https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/10/21/stories/1063716657

^[6] Sobczyk, Nick. “Jeff Merkley introduces bills to ban fossil fuel investing.” E&E Daily, 22 Oct. 2020. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/ef7f6a79/VIq0PxoonEygvdFWWPOuAg?u=https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/10/22/stories/1063716791

^[7] Dillon, Jeremy. “Bill looks to boost disaster-inspired clean microgrids.” E&E Daily, 21, Oct. 2020. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/ebf0a379/jO7uy927MU2IVhPOtIG6pw?u=https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/10/21/stories/1063716667

^[8] Sobczyk, Nick. “Democrats float bill to calculate carbon cost of legislation.” E&E Daily, 20 Oct. 2020. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/29bbbcd1/ju5VgvgKsU2c_RH-TprIqg?u=https://www.eenews.net/eedaily/2020/10/20/stories/1063716569

^[9] Lefebvre, Ben. “U.S. oil production slips below 10M barrels per day.” Politico Pro, 21 Oct. 2020. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/302df841/nUnb9yHHdUq6JphcnC45bA?u=https://subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2020/10/us-oil-production-slips-below-10-million-barrels-per-day-2011929