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McConnell cancels recess to tackle coronavirus
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is scrapping next week’s recess to work on an economic aid package as the nation reels from the fast-moving coronavirus. “I am glad talks are ongoing between the administration and Speaker [Nancy] Pelosi. I hope Congress can pass bipartisan legislation to continue combating the coronavirus and keep our economy strong,” McConnell said earlier this afternoon in announcing the change in Senate schedule. [ read more … ]
Energy Bill
Senate energy bill negotiations could be delayed until after recess
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) said Wednesday that negotiations on sweeping and bipartisan energy legislation will cool down over next week’s recess amid disputes over a potential amendment to the legislation. A proposal introduced by Carper and Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) has held up negotiations on the energy package put forth by Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.). [ read more … ]
FERC
Meeting closed to public over virus fears
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will still hold its monthly meeting next week, although it will be closed to the public. The meeting will go on with staff as well as accredited media. [ read more … ]
Senate approves Danly as new FERC commissioner
The Senate voted this morning, 52-40, to confirm the nomination of James Danly to serve on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The vote paves the way for Danly, currently serving as FERC’s general counsel, to join the commission with a term that expires June 30, 2023, although he first needs to be sworn in. [ read more … ]
Grid
Texas grid fight may echo nationally
In February, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas Judge Lee Yeakel issued an order dismissing with prejudice a complaint from affiliates of Florida-based NextEra Energy Inc. NextEra argued the law could freeze it out of a planned transmission project and a pending power line acquisition in Texas. A motion for a preliminary injunction also was dismissed.
NextEra has since filed notice of an appeal. And it asked the district court to block application of the law on the two deals while the appeal is pending — a request that drew a scathing rebuke from Texas’ attorney general and others representing the defendants. [ read more … ]
Oil Price
The oil crash and climate: What to know
he U.S. Energy Information Administration reported yesterday that oil would experience its first year-on-year decline in production since 2016, raising new questions about how the recent price crash might affect greenhouse gas emissions. Lower oil prices will reduce U.S. drilling activity late this year, EIA said in its monthly outlook. U.S. oil production will average 13 million barrels per day this year before falling to 12.7 million barrels per day in 2021 — the first time back-to-back declines have happened in four years. [ read more … ]
Note: News clips provided do not necessarily reflect the views of coalition or its member governors.