Lots still to do in 2022

Presented by Chevron: Your guide to the political forces shaping the energy transformation

Nov 28, 2022 View in browser   By Arianna Skibell Presented by Chevron The sun sets on the U.S. Capitol. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images This year has been big for energy and climate policy. Congress pumped $369 billion into clean energy in a historic climate bill , world leaders agreed to create a fund for climate reparations — though not necessarily to provide any money for it — and electric vehicle sales hit record numbers. Not to mention a global energy crisis that has major oil producers flip-flopping on whether to boost production. But a number of key decisions concerning the national and global energy future will be made in the last few weeks of 2022. Here's what to keep an eye on: On the Hill As Congress heads into a lame-duck session, Democrats have a slew of priorities on their to-do list before they lose control of the House. Lawmakers must pass a spending bill to keep the government from shutting down — either a stopgap measure that kicks the can down the road or an omnibus that sets agency spending for 2023. They're also looking to wrap up negotiations on the fiscal 2023 defense authorization bill, which Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) hopes to use to speed up permitting for large energy projects. But time is running short, and House Republicans, eager to craft their own proposal once in control, may lack the appetite for compromise. Democrats will also make a last-ditch bid to salvage several notable presidential nominations. Those include Joseph Goffman, a key Environmental Protection Agency nominee, whom Democrats have failed to advance out of committee three times . The fate of Richard Glick as chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a crucial agency for Biden's agenda, also hangs in the balance. Some supporters hope Manchin reverses course and agrees to hold a confirmation hearing for Glick's second term. Speaking of FERC If Glick fails to return for a second term, Democrats will lose the majority on the five-member panel. That means a number of Glick priorities could fall by the wayside , such as building transmission lines to carry wind and solar power into urban centers. Natural gas price cap Meanwhile, the United States and seven industrialized nations, the G-7, are putting increasing pressure on European Union countries to agree on a price cap for Russian oil. The goal is to inflict maximum pain on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, which set off a global energy crisis, while causing minimum harm to member countries. But where that level should be remains a point of contention. The measure is expected to come into force on Dec. 5, to coincide with an E.U. ban on seaborne imports of Russian crude oil and a similar U.K. ban on Russian crude, writes POLITICO reporter Charlie Cooper.   It's Monday — thank you for tuning in to POLITICO's Power Switch. I'm your host,  Arianna Skibell.  Power Switch is brought to you by the journalists behind E&E News and POLITICO Energy. Send your tips, comments, questions to  askibell@eenews.net.   A message from Chevron: We're working to help lower the lifecycle carbon emissions of transportation fuels. Find out how Chevron's renewable diesel can help fuel the way to a lower carbon future.   Listen to today's POLITICO Energy podcast Today in POLITICO Energy's podcast: Gloria Gonzalez breaks down how Puerto Rico's grid operator and government are dealing with the island's fragile power system, as important deadlines approach this week. Featured story Mandy Graham and her husband outside their current home. Their previous home flooded in 2019. | September Dawn Bottoms/POLITICO Billions of new taxpayer dollars are aimed at helping victims of extreme weather leave their vulnerable homes, writes Zack Colman. But without a lot of teeth, the federal programs may just perpetuate the problem. "We can't just rebuild back in the same spot, especially if we know that it's currently at risk — or that in the near future it's going to be at risk," said David Maurstad, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's deputy associate administrator of resilience.   A message from Chevron:   Power Centers Beverly Ash cleans up for the day at her soul food restaurant in North Port St. Joe, Moma Dot's. | Miranda Willson/E&E News Natural gas battles Longtime residents of Port St. Joe, Fla., are gearing up to fight the development of a natural gas export hub in a predominantly Black area on the city's north side, writes Miranda Willson. The St. Joe Co. plant was a major employer and a major generator of foul-smelling emissions and health concerns for the small Florida Panhandle city. Antarctica under threat An international meeting dedicated to the conservation of Antarctica's ocean ecosystems, which are being threatened by climate change, has once again ended in deadlock, writes Chelsea Harvey. For the sixth year in a row, members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources — part of the Antarctic Treaty System — failed to agree on any new marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean. Russia's war Ukraine's main power operator has announced emergency electricity shutdowns throughout the country due to a rapidly increasing power deficit, writes Tristan Fiedler. The operator shut down several power plants after recent Russian missile attacks, while worsening weather conditions have led to growing power consumption. On Monday morning, power demand outweighed supply by 27 percent. in other news Fires raged in central Portugal amid last summer's European heat wave. | Octavio Passos/Getty Images The great melt: Over 20,000 people died in western Europe's summer heat waves , according to new figures. Friends in high places: Energy companies expect more allies in Washington as Republicans are set to take over the House.   POLITICO APP USERS: UPGRADE YOUR APP BY DECEMBER 19! We recently upgraded the POLITICO app with a fresh look and improved features for easier access to POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Starting December 19, users will no longer have access to the previous version of the app. Update your app today to stay on top of essential political news, insights, and analysis from the best journalists in the business. UPDATE iOS APP – UPDATE ANDROID APP .     Subscriber Zone A showcase of some of our best subscriber content. Freight trains sit in a Union Pacific rail yard in Commerce, Calif., in September. | Ashley Landis/AP Photo California regulators are considering a zero-emission mandate for trains, a proposal that would have national repercussions for the rail industry. The Biden administration has granted Chevron permission to produce and export oil from Venezuela after the country's decision to restart talks with opposition groups. EPA says it is taking steps to improve the permitting process for wells used to inject carbon dioxide underground, following calls to shorten the timeline. That's it for today, folks! Thanks for reading.   A message from Chevron: Renewable fuels can help lower lifecycle carbon emissions in industries around the world. At Chevron, we're working to bring more renewable fuels to vehicles, today. Our renewable diesel can fuel trucks, trains, heavy-duty vehicles, and more, without requiring new equipment or infrastructure. The fuel—which is made with bio feedstock—has lower carbon intensity than regular diesel. It's just one of the ways Chevron is committed to increasing our renewable fuel production, and fueling a lower carbon world. Find out more about our renewable diesel.     Mark your calendar! The fourth annual edition of the Future Sustainability Week will take place from November 29 to December 1. Take part in discussions about the most current and pressing sustainability policies together with our expert speakers. Join this three-day-long summit, either in Brussels or online, by  registering today !       Follow us on Twitter Arianna Skibell @ariannaskibell   Follow us

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