Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene an Executive Session on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 10 a.m. EDT to consider the following piece of legislation:
- S. XXXX, Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022
The legislation calls for updated oil spill planning, a new Arctic Security Cutter and new studies on Arctic operations, a study on the “impacts on shipping and commercial, tribal, and recreational fisheries from the development of renewable energy on the West Coast,” and “a grant program to provide assistance to eligible entities to develop and implement mitigation measures that will lead to a quantifiable reduction in threats to marine mammals from shipping activities and port operations.”
Nomination of Shailen P. Bhatt to be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration
From 2005 to 2008, Bhatt served as deputy executive director of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. From 2009 to 2011, he served as associate administrator for policy and government affairs for the Federal Highway Administration. From 2011 to 2014, he was the secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation. From 2014 to 2017, he served as executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation. From 2017 to 2021, he was the president and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Systems America, a transportation lobbying organization. He joined AECOM, an engineering firm, as senior vice president for global transportation innovation and alternative delivery in 2021.
Free Speech Under Attack (Part III): The Legal Assault on Environmental Activists and the First Amendment
On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. ET, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, will hold a hybrid hearing to examine how the fossil fuel industry is weaponizing the law to stifle First Amendment protected speech and stymie efforts to combat climate change by abusing Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participations (SLAPPs) and anti-protest laws.
Since the 1980s, SLAPPs have been used by powerful entities and individuals to silence critics through costly, lengthy, and often meritless litigation. These lawsuits have recently been employed by the fossil fuel industry to target environmental activists and non-profits by claiming defamation, trespass, and even racketeering to deter them from speaking out against proposed fossil fuel pipelines and other projects that contribute to climate change.
In response to increased protest activity surrounding fossil fuel pipelines, 17 states have enacted anti-protest laws as of June 2022, labeling them “critical infrastructure protection laws.” These laws are selectively enacted and enforced to target environmental activists and protect corporate interests.
The fossil fuel industry’s use of SLAPPs and support for anti-protest laws not only stifles free speech, but also serves as another form of disinformation about climate change. After years of spreading denial and disinformation, fossil fuel companies now acknowledge the existence of climate change but are attempting to ensure their greenwashing narrative dominates by silencing opposing views.
WITNESSES- Prof. Anita Ramasastry, Henry M. Jackson Professor of Law, University of Washington School of Law
- Elly Page, Senior Legal Advisor, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law
- Deepa Padmanabha, Deputy General Counsel, Greenpeace USA
- Anne White Hat, Sicangu Lakota, L’eau Est La Vie Camp
Soil Health Practices and Programs that Support Regenerative Agriculture
- Jeff Moyer, Chief Executive Officer, Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA
- Steve Nygren, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Serenbe, Chattahoochee Hills, GA
- Ken McCarty, Partner, McCarty Family Farms, Colby, KS
- Rick Clark, Owner, Farm Green & Clark Land and Cattle, on behalf of Regenerate America, Williamsport, IN
- Dr. Rebecca Larson, Ph.D., Vice President, Chief Scientist and Government Affairs, Western Sugar Cooperative, Denver, CO
When Banks Leave: The Impacts of De-Risking on the Caribbean and Strategies for Ensuring Financial Access
The Full Committee will hold a hearing entitled, “When Banks Leave: The Impacts of DeRisking on the Caribbean and Strategies for Ensuring Financial Access.” on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. in room 2128 of the Rayburn House Office Building/ Cisco Webex.
Legislation- H.R. 8535, the “Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act” (Rep. Lee)
- H.R. 8797, the “Caribbean Stakeholders Engagement Act” (Rep. Waters)
- H.R. 8798, the “The INCSR Improvement Act” (Rep. Waters)
- H.R. ___, the “AML Examiners Academy Act”
Witnesses
Panel I- Mia Amor Mottley, K.C., M.P., Prime Minister of Barbados; Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment; Minister of National Security and the Public Service (with responsibility for Culture and CARICOM Matters)
- Wendy Delmar, CEO, Caribbean Association of Banks
- Wazim Mohamed Mowla, Assistant Director and Lead of the Caribbean Initiative, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, Atlantic Council
- I. Wayne Shah, Senior Vice President, Financial Institutions – Head of Caribbean Region, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and Executive Director, Financial & International Business Association (FIBA)
- Amit Sharma, CEO, Founder, and Director, FinClusive
- Liat Shetret, Director of Global Policy and Regulation, Elliptic
Inflation Reduction Act Celebration
Pathways toward Grid Decarbonization
The power sector is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States—accounting for a quarter of total emissions. Experts have noted that decarbonizing this sector and electrifying other sectors is crucial for achieving economy-wide emissions reductions. A new report from Resources for the Future (RFF) and the Clean Energy Buyers Institute examines five pathways toward decarbonization of the power sector. The report finds that three of them would reduce costs and inflation: a national transmission macrogrid, further competition among electricity generators, and expansion of retail supply choice among buyers. The other two are candidates for going beyond the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act: a national clean electricity standard and utility-led decarbonization.
Join us on Tuesday, September 13, for an RFF Live webinar exploring the report’s key findings and examining the likely impacts of the five pathways. A panel of experts—including lead author Daniel Shawhan and other major contributors to the report—will discuss the emissions reductions and health benefits from each pathway, the monetary benefits and costs for the power sector and energy consumers, and the effects on company purchases of green power.
Speakers- James Elsworth, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Caroline Golin, Google
- Michael O’Boyle, Energy Innovation
- Daniel Shawhan, Resources for the Future
- Bryn Baker, Clean Energy Buyers Association (Moderator)
2023-2028 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil & Gas Leasing Program Virtual Public Comment Meeting
You are invited to attend a virtual public comment meeting hosted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) as part of the National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Program and Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement.
Please note that registration to provide an oral comment is strongly recommended as those who register will receive preference. Oral public comments will be limited to two-minutes.
We look forward to hearing your comments on the Proposed Program and Draft Programmatic EIS.
Additional meeting and public comment information can be found here.
To sign up for the mailing list and receive future news and updates, go to the BOEM website.
Appalachian Resistance Comes to DC!
Frontline communities in Appalachia – and across the country – are being used as bargaining chips in a Manchin/Schumer side deal aimed at ramping up fossil fuel projects. This is unacceptable. But let it be known, the resistance is organized and ready to bring the fight to DC!
Join frontline leaders in a rally on Sept 8th outside the Capitol to demand that U.S. Senators and Representatives stop Manchin’s dirty deal. If you are an Appalachian impacted by the climate crisis or a member of a frontline community impacted by fossil fuels please indicate your interest to attend meetings with Congress in the RSVP form.
If passed, this would gut bedrock environmental protections, threaten tribal authority, endanger public health, fast-track fossil fuel projects, cut public input and push approval for Manchin’s pet project, the Mountain Valley Pipeline. We can’t allow communities to be sacrificed to more oil and gas drilling, pipelines, petrochemical buildout and climate disasters! Join us on Sept 8th by making our voices clear: ‘We are not your sacrifice zones! #StopMVP and Manchin’s dirty deal!’
- note: ASL and Spanish translation will be made available, the location will be ADA accessible
- buses are available from Durham, NC, Christiansburg, VA, Morgantown, WV, and New York City. More info here.
Power in the Pacific: Unlocking Offshore Wind Energy for the American West
On Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. PT, at the Morro Bay Community Center, the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a field hearing in Morro Bay, Calif., titled, “Power in the Pacific: Unlocking Offshore Wind Energy for the American West.”
Presiding: The Honorable Alan Lowenthal, Chair
Following dedicated efforts of the Biden administration and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to promote offshore wind leasing off the Atlantic coast, the administration is now taking significant steps to launch the next generation of wind energy in the Pacific. With BOEM expected to announce the first offshore wind lease sale in the Pacific soon, the hearing will give stakeholders an opportunity to provide input on the lease sale and discuss emerging opportunities and challenges for the growing industry. This first lease sale will set the tone for future offshore wind development in the Pacific, making stakeholder input particularly salient.
Witnesses:
Panel I
- Doug Boren, Pacific Regional Director, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, U.S. Department of the Interior
- Ronald Tickle, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Real Property, U.S. Department of Defense
Panel II
- Kourtney Vaccaro, Lead Commissioner for Offshore Wind, California Energy Commission
- Dawn Ortiz-Legg, Supervisor, San Luis Obispo County
- Violet Sage, Chairwoman, Northern Chumash Tribal Council
- Debbie Arnold, Supervisor, San Luis Obispo County
Panel III
- Matthew Arms, Director of Environmental Planning, Port of Long Beach
- Josh Boswell, Vice President, Policy and Economic Development, REACH Central Coast
- Jeremiah O’Brien, Vice President, Morro Bay Commercial Fisherman’s Organization
- Minority Witness TBD
- Adam Stern, Executive Director, Offshore Wind California
- Mark Simonin, Business Manager, IBEW Local 639
- Eddie Ahn, Executive Director, Brightline Defense
- Minority Witness TBD
Following the hearing, Chair Lowenthal will be joined by Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.) and others for a tour of the Vistra Energy Corp battery project site, colloquially known as the “Stacks.” During the tour, the members will learn about shore-side energy infrastructure related to the future offshore wind development. The tour is not open to press.
Morro Bay Community Center
1001 Kennedy Way
Morro Bay, CA 93442