DeepSummary
The episode features a panel discussion on the future of US climate policy, hosted by Amy Myers Jaffe at New York University. Panelists include Ana Unruh Cohen from the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Elizabeth Gore from the Environmental Defense Fund, and Rob Gramlich from Grid Strategies, LLC. They discuss the accomplishments of the Inflation Reduction Act and challenges in implementing it, such as funding and planning for improving the transmission grid and the permitting process for new infrastructure projects.
The panelists highlight the importance of efficient and transparent permitting, as well as community engagement and addressing environmental justice concerns. They also touch on the potential role of hydrogen as a climate solution and the ongoing debates around its implementation.
Key topics include the durability of the Inflation Reduction Act's provisions, the need for carbon pricing, the challenges in transmission planning and cost allocation, the proposed FERC rule on transmission, the Biden administration's efforts to streamline permitting, and the role of the interagency task force on hydrogen.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Inflation Reduction Act has spurred significant investments in clean energy and infrastructure, but its durability and full implementation may face challenges depending on the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.
- Improving the transmission grid and streamlining the permitting process for new infrastructure projects are crucial for the success of the energy transition, but must also address community engagement and environmental justice concerns.
- The proposed FERC rule on transmission planning and cost allocation is seen as a key step in enabling the expansion of renewable energy sources.
- The Biden administration is taking multiple approaches, including regulatory changes and interagency task forces, to address issues such as permitting, environmental review, and the potential role of hydrogen as a climate solution.
- Debates continue around the implementation and guardrails for using hydrogen as a climate solution, with concerns about its additionality and potential to replace or complement electrification.
- Community engagement, environmental justice, and addressing the needs and concerns of local communities are critical components of successfully implementing climate policies and infrastructure projects.
- While progress is being made, significant challenges remain in fully realizing the goals of the Inflation Reduction Act and accelerating the energy transition.
- Bipartisan cooperation and legislation may be necessary to fully address issues such as transmission planning, cost allocation, and streamlining permitting processes.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “We've seen an additional 10 billion in solar, leading to about 52 new and expanded plants, another 70 billion in private investment for EV supply chains, and 90 plus plants expanding.“ by Anna Unruh Cohen
- “I think the biggest risk to all of the progress being made under the IRA is in the election of 2024. If we see an anti climate president head to the White House, you know, if Donald Trump comes back to Washington, you know, he has the ability to take a sledgehammer to the progress that's already being made and stymie the additional progress that we could make if we could have the full implementation of the Inflation Reduction act.“ by Elizabeth Gore
- “I think if you do both of those things well, it makes these projects go more smoothly. It eliminates the tension and the friction that can make some of these projects drag out forever. So I don't see them in conflict. I see them working together.“ by Elizabeth Gore
Entities
Person
Organization
Company
Book
Episode Information
The Energy Gang
Wood Mackenzie
9/22/23
What’s Next for US Energy Policy?
As part of Climate Week in New York, The Energy Gang recorded a special edition in partnership with New York University: an expert panel discussing the future direction of US climate policy and its implications for the energy transition.
Amy Myers Jaffe, a regular contributor to The Energy Gang and director of the Energy, Climate, Justice, and Sustainability Lab at NYU, hosted the event, leading a conversation about the key steps that governments, regulators and companies need to take to pave the way to a low-carbon future.
Joining her for the discussion were Ana Unruh Cohen, the senior Director for NEPA Clean Energy and Infrastructure at the White House Council on Environmental Quality; Elizabeth Gore, the senior vice president of political affairs at the Environmental Defense Fund; and Rob Gramlich, founder and president of Grid Strategies, LLC.
The vital need to strengthen the US power grid was one of the key topics. As Rob Gramlich explains, it is about more than just funding: regulation and policy support are critical, too. The new rule on transmission planning and cost allocation proposed by FERC – the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – is seen as an essential component of an energy policy suited for the new world of low-carbon power supply.
The need for efficient and transparent permitting of new infrastructure projects was also highlighted in the discussion. Building a low-carbon energy system requires massive investment in infrastructure such as power lines and wind farms. The harder it is to get those projects built, the slower the transition to low-carbon energy will be. The panel discuss some of the key issues involved in securing approvals for projects, including the Permitting Action Plan of 2021, the updates to regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and infrastructure buildouts' community benefits.
Towards the end of the discussion, the panel shifts its focus towards hydrogen. Is it truly the next frontier for climate solutions, or is it a mere distraction? The US already produces about 10 million metric tons of hydrogen annually, with high carbon emissions, for industrial use. But there is mixed opinion about the potential for much more extensive use of low-carbon hydrogen as a way to cut emissions in sectors where it is not currently used, such as steel-making and power generation. As research and development continues, hydrogen looks set to remain a contentious topic in climate and energy debates in the future.
Follow the conversation on X – we’re @theenergygang. And subscribe to the show so you don’t miss an episode.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.