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Washington, D.C. Readers:
 OurEnergyPolicy and Young Professionals in Energy will be hosting a happy hour this evening - on Tues, Nov. 5, 6-8 p.m. RSVP and see details on our events page and in the events section below.
November Discussion
By Morgan D. Bazilian
Director, Payne Institute and Professor of Public Policy, Colorado School of Mines
"Of the 35 critical minerals designated in a 2018 Department of Interior report, the United States is 75-100% reliant on 24 of them. Many of these are essential inputs to clean energy technologies such as lithium-ion batteries, solar modules, and wind turbines.

"We can expect that the tremendous growth and innovation in resource-dependent clean energy technologies will continue, and so will the increasing demand for the critical minerals which form the building blocks of these technologies. This has important implications for geopolitical dynamics, industrial growth, innovation in high-tech sectors, and responsible consumption and production.... " Read more.
  1. What do you see as the best way to address our dependence on foreign sources for these critical minerals?
  2. To what extent does the supply chain security risks of these minerals represent a barrier to climate change targets or goals?
  3. What are the key points across each supply chain for critical minerals where policy interventions are required?
This is our featured discussion for the month of November. Read more about the change to the frequency of our discussions and other updates in our October 2 newsletter .
Ongoing Congressional Discussion
The U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis is requesting information around policies that Congress should adopt to solve the climate crisis and adapt to the impacts of climate change. OurEnergyPolicy staff will provide responses from this discussion to the committee. Please comment by Monday, November 11 to have your response included.
  1. What policies should Congress adopt to decarbonize the electricity sector, consistent with meeting or exceeding net-zero emissions by mid-century? What analysis demonstrates that the recommended policies achieve that goal?
  2. If you recommend a Clean Energy Standard, how should it be designed?
  3. How could policies to decarbonize the electricity sector complement a carbon pricing program?
  4. How can Congress expedite the permitting and siting of high-voltage interstate transmission lines to carry renewable energy to load centers?
" The greatest need we have for decarbonizing our electricity supply is a clean and cost-effective means to supply backup power. It’s needed to convert intermittent 'as available' wind and solar energy to reliable 'on demand; power. Even with the impressive drop in battery costs in recent years, batteries remain far too expensive to supply power for days-long or occasional weeks-long periods of adverse weather. They can’t begin to cover for seasonal variation." - Roger Arnold , Silverthorn Engineering
In addition to the questions above, feel free to leave a comment responding to any question from the Request for Information , including these questions on decarbonizing the transportation sector, manufacturing clean energy technologies, an innovation agenda, and carbon removal .
Podcast Spotlight


Climate change has risen to the top of the legislative agenda for the U.S. House of Representatives since Democrats took control of the chamber in January. And laying the groundwork for policy options is the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis .

In this edition of Columbia Energy Exchange, host Bill Loveless talks with Representative Kathy Castor, a Florida Democrat who heads the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. What has this special panel accomplished and how has it navigated this controversial issue?
October Discussion
Thanks to all who commented in our discussion on Dr. Moniz's Green Real Deal!
"I’d like to thank OurEnergyPolicy.org for this opportunity to discuss the work of my nonprofit think tank, the Energy Futures Initiative, and discuss our framework for a Green Real Deal. I am also grateful to the participants who provided thoughtful feedback on this forum...."
- Ernest Moniz , President and CEO, Energy Futures Initiative
Update from Congress

New Legislation
  • Tues, Oct 29 - Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH-02) introduced the Protecting Our Conserved Lands Act (H.R. 4910), which would prevent the use of eminent domain to seize conservation land for natural gas pipelines.
  • Mon, Oct 28 - Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) introduced legislation (S. 2714) to reauthorize ARPA-E.

Resolutions
  • Tues, Oct 29 - Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT-01) introduced a resolution (H.RES.659) "affirming that states should maintain primacy for the regulation of hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas production on state and private lands...."
New Publications
 Resources for the Future
October 30, 2019
Institute of Clean Air Companies
October 31, 2019
Find these new publications and others in the OurEnergyLibrary.
Featured Events
Washington, D.C.
  • When: Tues, Nov 5, 6–8 p.m.
  • Where: Hawk 'n' Dove, 329 Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast, Washington, D.C. 20003
  • Appetizers will be provided and there will be a cash bar. Please RSVP via the Eventbrite page.
Anaheim, CA
  • When: Tues-Thurs, Nov 19-21
  • Where: Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802
  • Special Offer: We have a special offer on the ticket price from our partner, the American Energy Society. If you are interested, please contact amoulton@ourenergypolicy.org.

To see more upcoming energy events across the country, visit the OEP Events Calendar .
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