The professional association dedicated to the pursuit of abundant, affordable, safe energy.
The energy news you need to know today
Daily dose: March 21, 2019
Five Countries Responsible for 70% of World's Wilderness
Five Countries Responsible for 70% of World's Wilderness
|
Five countries are responsible for 70% of the world’s remaining wilderness:
(Note: The data excludes untouched wilderness in Antarctica.) AES is pleased to provide access to the peer reviewed research. |
|
Daily dose: March 20, 2019
Coal Production and Prices Increasing In Three Regions
Coal Production and Prices Increasing In Three Regions
Coal prices are increasing in three of the five major coal-producing regions, particularly the Northern and Central Appalachian regions.
Daily dose: March 19, 2019
Beltway Buzz
Beltway Buzz
- A bipartisan group of senators are urging the US government to block Huawei Technologies from supplying solar energy generators just as it has acted to keep the Chinese giant out of the US telecommunications network. The 11 lawmakers urged the Department of Homeland Security and the Energy Department to prevent Huawei from providing solar inverters, which convert solar energy to power that is usable on power grids for U.S. energy companies. AES is pleased to provide a true and correct copy of the letter.
- The White House has submitted to the EPA the final draft of its proposed rule that would allow year-round sale of 15 percent ethanol fuel to the White House for review - in time for the summertime driving season. AES is pleased to provide access to the White House notice.
- Republicans are testing to see if the Green New Deal can be a "wedge issue" that stabilizes Trump's base. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler is testing the "blocking" strategy: "the Green New Deal would do away with the internal combustion engine ... I'm really going to be interested to see the Democratic presidential candidates when they go to Iowa before the Iowa caucuses, and they try to explain to the people that live there why they don't want to have ethanol going into the future." Democratic election consultant Lukas Ross, a policy analyst for Friends of the Earth: "The GND will lose 2020 for Democrats. Democrats who call for emergency action to protect the climate will look like hypocrites.... A Democratic candidate cannot go to Iowa and talk seriously about a Green New Deal. If they do, Trump's base will grow."
Daily dose: March 18, 2019
Short-term research and development opportunities ... in Europe.
Short-term research and development opportunities ... in Europe.
|
|
Special Report: 15 upcoming energy/environment scotus cases
|
Of the 15 SCOTUS energy/environment cases under consideration, the justices have decided only one (issuing a November ruling that remanded a closely watched Endangered Species Act fight to a lower court). What makes the upcoming session more compelling is the uncertainty surrounding Justice Kavanaugh replacing Justice Kennedy, especially in light of questions about federalism and the division of power between federal and state governments? Before he was confirmed, there a 4-4 split between sympathetic versus skeptical judges.
|
|
On the docket...
- Kisor v. Wilkie: The biggest administrative law case set for arguments this spring is a fight over agency deference standards. The dispute involves veterans' benefits but centers on a broader question of whether the Supreme Court should overrule what's known as Auer deference, which directs judges to defer to an agency's reasonable interpretation of its own ambiguous regulation. If the Supreme Court overrules the standard, experts expect judges to apply more scrutiny to certain agency actions, and they expect federal agencies to start writing clearer regulations. Arguments are March 27.
- Parker Drilling v. Newton: The court last month agreed to take up a challenge to an appeals court ruling that state wage-and-hour laws extend to work conducted on federally controlled seabed. The case comes as the Trump administration is preparing to release the next iteration of its five-year plan to lease more than 90 percent of available federal offshore tracts for oil and gas development. Arguments have not yet been scheduled.
- Gundy v. United States: One of the first cases the Supreme Court heard in October involved a wonky constitutional law issue that could affect federal laws and agency power. The dispute involves a much broader question of just how much decisionmaking power Congress can delegate to administrative agencies.
- Knick v. Township of Scott, Pa.: The justices have heard oral arguments twice this term in this property rights case — the first time before Kavanaugh was confirmed. At issue is how landowners get to court when they think a local government agency has taken their property. The outcome could affect challenges to environmental rules.
- Washington State Department of Licensing v. Cougar Den Inc.: A state gasoline tax and tribal treaty rights are head-to-head in this dispute. Washington state wants businesses to pay up when transporting fuel across state lines, but the company involved says it's exempt from the gas tax because of treaty language giving the Yakama Nation access to public highways.
- Budha Ismail Jam v. International Finance Corp.: The Supreme Court's fall schedule also featured a fight over a coal-fired power plant in India. The main legal issue is whether Indian villagers can file a lawsuit against the International Finance Corp., an arm of the World Bank Group, for funding the project.
- Sturgeon v. Frost: An unusual case involving a hovercraft-riding moose hunter in Alaska returned to the Supreme Court this term after first being considered a few years ago. The litigation involves public lands, water rights and constitutional questions. The justices' final ruling could have impacts in Alaska and beyond.
- Virginia Uranium Inc. v. Warren: Another environmental case from the fall has an important federalism connection, as a Virginia firm fights for the right to produce uranium in the state. The state has long prohibited the process, but the company and the Trump administration say the mining ban treads on the federal government's turf.
- Herrera v. Wyoming: State wildlife rules, federal lands and tribal treaties were at issue in this case involving a Crow Tribe member who hunted elk on national forestland in Wyoming. The state prosecuted the man for illegal hunting, sparking a battle over treaty rights and federal versus state jurisdiction.
- Carpenter v. Murphy: This capital case argued in November raises questions about whether 3 million acres in Oklahoma are still under tribal control. A finding that the land is in fact still held by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation could have major ramifications for local energy operators.
- Thacker v. TVA: A test of the Tennessee Valley Authority's legal immunity has yet to be resolved. This case stems from a lawsuit over personal injuries sustained during maintenance work by the federally owned electric utility. The court is still weighing whether and in what cases TVA can be sued in the course of its commercial activities.
- County of Maui v. Hawai'i Wildlife Fund; and, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP v. Upstate Forever: The Supreme Court is considering whether to take up a major Clean Water Act debate involving whether the law applies to pollution that moves through groundwater before reaching a waterway subject to federal oversight.
- Atlantic Richfield v. Christian: A fight over a Superfund site in Montana could also land on the court's docket. The case involves whether property owners can bring common law claims for restoration of a site after EPA has already approved cleanup efforts. The Supreme Court asked the Trump administration to file a brief expressing its views.
- Adorers of the Blood of Christ v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission: Catholic nuns are asking the high court to take up their challenge to a natural gas pipeline in Pennsylvania. They say the pipeline's route across their land violates their religious freedom rights.
- Electric Power Supply Association v. Star; and, EPSA v. Rhodes: Circuit courts have upheld nuclear subsidies in both Illinois and New York. But competing power generators are asking the Supreme Court to step in and strike down the state programs.
THE BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP
The official e-magazine of the Society
Scope & Aims: A commitment to independence and integrity, the delivery of high quality content, and a writing style that conveys significance in an engaging way.
Members receive a subscription; Visitors can access the e-magazine. |
Members of AES receive:
- Subscription to Energy Today - Subscription to Energy Matters - Expert Link permission granted - Access to Course Hunter for energy - Special event invitations and discounts - and much more.... 
|
The official e-newsletter of the Society
Scope & Aims: Trusted sound-bite summaries of the energy news you need to know right now (... with an emphasis on providing access to primary sources!) Be sure to look at the award winning issue, "The Year In Energy."
Members receive a subscription Visitors can access the archive. |
An expert match-making service - Talent search and acquisition - Expert testimony - Technical questions ... Need help? AES has members who can answer any question, solve any problem, or advice for any challenge. All searches are anonymous, ENS compliant, and obligation free.
To begin an engagement or for more information, please contact AES. |
Online Professional Development A comprehensive Course Directory of online professional development courses and programs in energy. Listings from over two thousand institutions in the U.S. and abroad are available.
|
The AES Event Series The Society hosts small events designed to strengthen regional energy clusters. These events are attended by state and local leaders who know the details of ongoing initiatives and how to leverage them, how to capitalize on the intersections between businesses, universities, and government, and who have in-depth knowledge of their own regional competitive advantages.
|
Sponsor the American Energy Society
Change global energy
Engage with thought-leaders
Expand the community
Change global energy
Engage with thought-leaders
Expand the community
INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN ENERGY SOCIETY'S PARTNER-SPONSORS:
INTRODUCING THE AMERICAN ENERGY SOCIETY'S PARTNER-SPONSORS:
|
In the category of Law...
In the category of Industrial Professional Services ... 
|
In the category of climate and remediation....
In the category of Associations and Networks ... 
|
|
In the category of cybersecurity: |
In the category of incubators and accelerators: |
|
|
Be a catalyst for change
THE AMERICAN ENERGY SOCIETY IS GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF ITS PARTNER-SPONSORS
For more information about the many benefits of sponsorship, please contact the American Energy Society
|
American Energy Society, by the numbers:
|
|
Contact Us!
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions ... about anything!
To ask a question.
To nominate new members.
For group membership and its additional benefits.
To make a contribution.
Please JOIN the Society today.