Bipartisan energy talks are moving forward at a rapid pace, while reconciliation remains on the ice. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is pitching a new efficiency standard for commercial water heaters.
This is Overnight Energy & EnvironmentThe latest news on energy, the environment, and beyond is available at. For The Hill, we were Rachel FrazinAnd Zack Budryk.This newsletter was sent to you by someone else? Subscribe here
Bipartisan talks pick up steam
A group of around a dozen legislators is pushing for a bipartisan agreement on climate change. They meet three times per week to try to reach a deal that could win 60 votes in an evenly divided Senate.
The talks were led by Sens. Joe Manchin(D-W.Va. Lisa Murkowski(R-Alaska), appears to have gained momentum as work continues on a separate reconciliation package, which would have included climate provisions.
However, lawmakers say that discussions about the bipartisan maneuver are still in their infancy and it is not clear if they will be able reach a deal that satisfy both sides.
The latest talks took place Wednesday evening and were focused on tax credit, which was also a major component to the Democrats’ failed Build back Better bill.
Build Back Better included tax credits to support energy sources like solar, wind, and nuclear as well as things such carbon capture and batteries.
Some Democrats expressed hope that President Biden would accept some of these credits through the bipartisan route.
There’s a way for climate action to be taken. Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), stated Tuesday that much of what was in reconciliation bills could be in this bipartisan bill.
Irreconcilable differences? Hickenlooper replied that Democrats are not trying to negotiate between themselves and pursue a bipartisan strategy.
Others, however, see a possible bipartisan package running concurrently with reconciliation bills.
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) Senator Tom Carper (D.Del.) described a dual-track process that would include a bipartisan legislation on climate change, which builds on the bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and another that may be more ambitious.
He said that both can be done simultaneously.
Find out more about the talks taking off here. Rachel.
MEANWHILE, SOME FEARS IT A STALLING MANEUVER
Democratic senators are concerned that Manchins energy talks are Manchins excuse for not negotiating a budget reconciliation bill. Some of them believe the package must be drafted by Memorial Day to have any chance at passing.
We are running out time. We are staring at the calendar and Im worried that we will waste our time on futile conversations.
Another senator Democrat expressed concern that Manchin (the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee) may take up several weeks of Senate calendar trying to reach an energy deal with Republicans, but not getting a result, and stall any progress on Biden’s agenda.
Senator, I agree with your concern.
The lawmaker stated that Manchin seems completely focused on the bipartisan Energy Talks, which took part throughout this week.
The source stated that Chairman Manchin appears to be genuinely interested in all the opinions at the table.
Numerous Democratic senators are at this point close to giving in to the possibility that Manchin will vote for any type of budget reconciliation package. He has repeatedly stated his desire to work in a bipartisan fashion with Republicans.
I’m the skeptic in budget reconciliation, said Senator Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill. It was not on my agenda when I returned in January. I was going to focus on everything other than reconciliation.
He said that it is ultimately up to Manchin (and fellow centrist Sen. Kyrsten Silema (D-Ariz.), whether a budget reconciliation bill passes, but he doesn’t count on it.
Learn more about the Fears that it could be a stalling tactic, by The Hills Alexander Bolton.
Energy proposes regulations to water heaters
Thursday’s announcement from the Department of Energy outlined new energy efficiency rules for commercial hot-water heaters. These regulations would require the use of condensing technology.
According to the department, the proposed rules could reduce energy costs by up to $140million per year and $2.4 billion over the next 30 years. They are expected to reduce carbon emissions equivalent to 4.8 million homes, and cut methane emissions by 2.3 million vehicles.
Water heaters are a significant driver of energy costs. Many are models that have not been updated in over a century.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s 2021 report estimates that they are especially energy inefficient in multi-household homes, where they use more energy to heat than space, light, or cooling.
According to the same analysis, replacing these units with more efficient hot water heaters would reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 58 percent.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), heating commercial buildings with gas-powered equipment accounts for nearly 20% of commercial buildings’ natural gas consumption.
You can read more about the proposal from Zack.
SOME PERSONNEL NEWS
- The White House Council on Environmental Quality made the announcement on Thursday JalonneWhite-NewsomeWhite-Newsome would be the Senior Director for Environmental Justice. White-Newsome established a consulting firm that focuses on climate change and environmental justice. Her appointment follows the departure of Cecilia Martinez, her predecessor.
- On Thursday, the Senate confirmed Kathryn HuffIn an 80-11 vote, Huff was elected to lead the Energy Departments Nuclear Energy Office. Huff, who was previously the Office of Nuclear Energys principal assistant secretary, has been in that position since last year. Prior to that, he was an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign’s radiological, plasma and nuclear engineering department.
ON TAP NEAREST WEEK
Wednesday:
- Brenda Mallory, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Will testifyIn an oversight hearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Thursday:
- The House Natural Resources Committee will host a HearingReforming the Mining Law of 1872
- The House Energy and Commerce Committee is holding a Hearing on hydropower
- The House Foreign Affairs Committee will host a HearingClimate change and forest conservation
WHAT WE’RE READING
- Petroleum giant Shell reports its highest quarterly profit since 2008, thanks to soaring commodity prices.CNBC)
- Louisiana state legislator pushes bills that benefit the oil-and-gas industry and her husband (Floodlight)
- West Virginia legislators support federally funded hydrogen hub, which critics call a costly gamble.The Charleston Gazette-Mail)
- The Ocean’s Biggest Garbage Pit Is Full Of Floating Life (The New York Times))
- A solar battle is underway in Wareham, Mass.The Boston Globe)
This concludes today. Check out The Hills Energy & Environment pageFor the most recent news and coverage. We hope to see you next week.
