ENERGY AND CLIMATE DEBATE
With just over two weeks until election day, Congress is preparing for a brief but intense Lame Duck session, while continuing final campaign pushes. With several races still in the too-close-to-call column, the Senate's balance of power remains uncertain, though Republicans will retain control of the House.
In the meantime, climate negotiators will spend the week in Bonn, Germany, with the last United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change summit prior to the annual international climate negotiation this December in Lima, Peru.
CONGRESS
Recess
Congress is in recess until after the November 4
elections.
ADMINISTRATION
AFPM Supports RFS Decrease
The American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers sent a
letter October 14 to President Obama in support of the
Environmental Protection Agency's proposed 16 percent reduction
of the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standards, siting the E10 blend wall.
The Obama Administration plans to finalize the standards in the
coming weeks.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Climate Action CBA Necessary
The Government Accountability Office released a report October 16 advising the Department of
Agriculture to make information on the farm-level economic costs
and benefits of addressing climate change more available to
farmers. Farmers told the agency that they currently make decisions
based on short-term economic incentives because they are focused on
producing commodities at the lowest price, but costs and benefits
of climate adaptation and mitigation efforts often accrue over
several years.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Trade Mission
Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker led a business
development mission beginning October 18 focused on healthcare and
energy sectors in Tokyo, Japan, and Seoul, Korea. This is Secretary
Pritzker's first trade mission to Asia since taking office in
June 2013.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Green Building Standards
The Department of Energy published a final rule October 14 that lays out criteria
federal agencies must follow when using green building rating
systems. Under the new rule, rated buildings must be able to
demonstrate continued energy and water efficiency gains at least
every four years, and agencies may use the rating system most
appropriate for their buildings. The rule goes into effect November
13.
The weekly Energy & Environment Update from ML Strategies provides an overview of what's happening on and off Capitol Hill and around the world that may impact energy and environmental policies and industry players. Read the update here.
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