News of the Day:
From the Washington Examiner, Daily on Energy:
EXPERTS DON’T THINK BIDEN WILL STOP OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION: Energy experts, including former California air chief Mary Nichols and International Energy Agency chief Faith Birol, expect Biden to act aggressively to curb greenhouse gas emissions but not completely block oil and gas development.
“I don’t think President Biden is going to suddenly put a stop to oil and gas development,” Nichols said during remarks today at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum. “That’s just not possible in terms of his commitments to maintaining and growing jobs.”
Nichols added that it would also be “extremely divisive and difficult” to put a stop to oil and gas development, noting that even California, which has been the most aggressive state on policies to curb emissions and promote electric cars, is still producing oil and gas.
The former California top air official urged the Biden administration to also focus on how to clean up liquid fuels, which she and IHS Markit vice chairman Daniel Yergin said will be important in the near-term to reduce transportation sector emissions.
Innovation on the agenda: Birol, while acknowledging the world will continue to need oil for many years to come, said the speed of its decline will depend on how quickly clean energy technologies come to dominate the energy landscape.
The IEA chief said he’s watching closely to see how strongly Biden focuses on clean energy innovation, suggesting he expects Biden to massively boost research and development of technologies from wind and solar to carbon capture to battery storage.
The position of the U.S. as the world’s most powerful economy “will give unmistakable signals to investors around the world,” Birol said.
POLITICS:
For Immediate Release: January 19, 2021
Senate Republicans Announce Majority for 32nd Alaska Legislature.
JUNEAU – Republican members of the Alaska Senate today announced that agreement has been reached to form a legislative majority.
The 13 initial members – in alphabetical order – include Senator(s) Click Bishop, Mia Costello, Roger Holland, Shelley Hughes, Peter Micciche, Robert Myers, Lora Reinbold, Josh Revak, Mike Shower, Bert Stedman, Gary Stevens, Natasha von Imhof and David Wilson.
Additional members may be joining the organization.
The six-member Senate Majority leadership team, which balances Alaska’s diverse geographic and philosophical representation, includes:
- Senate Majority Leader Shelley Hughes;
- Senate Majority Whip Mia Costello;
- Senate Rules chairman Gary Stevens;
- Senate Finance co-chairs Bert Stedman and Click Bishop; and
- Senate President Peter Micciche.
The caucus is based upon a “Caucus of Equals” philosophy, recognizing the diverse nature of the group and the districts throughout the state represented by the members.
Information about specific committee chairmanships, committee membership and caucus objectives is forthcoming.
The Senate Majority leadership team released the following joint statement:
“As Alaskans are aware, there are differences in this group. Yet all members have agreed to a transparent and respectful organization that will work through this session’s tough decisions toward solutions best for all Alaskans.”