OVERNIGHT ENERGY: The battle to shape a ‘clean’ standard

State of Play: The Center for American Progress (CAP), a liberal think tank with strong White House ties, is laying down a marker in the battle to shape energy legislation this year.

The group on Monday circulated “principles” to guide a “clean energy standard” – that’s the proposal President Obama is pushing that would require a steep increase in low-carbon power generation.

Under Obama’s plan, utilities would supply 80 percent of their power from sources like renewables, nuclear energy, and natural gas by 2035. But CAP – in what may foreshadow a broader push by liberal groups – is calling for provisions that ensure renewable sources like wind and solar, along with energy efficiency, meet a substantial part of the target.

In the memo circulated Monday, the group applauds Obama’s plan, but adds: “In embracing this agenda, however, we emphasize that it is essential that such a policy builds a strong market for innovative clean energy technologies in order to foster the rapid expansion of the emerging American clean-tech industry.”

“First and foremost, that requires a specific and separate target to ensure the growth of our cleanest electricity resources including energy efficiency, and wind, solar, geothermal, and other truly renewable electricity sources,” the group said.

“For that reason, we recommend that an 80-percent clean energy standard include a requirement that 35 percent of America’s energy needs will be met by truly renewable energy and energy efficiency by 2035,” they add.

Their plan also lays out several other principles, such as arguing that a clean standard should not weaken Environmental Protection Agency air pollution rules, noting EPA’s authority should not be used as a “bargaining chip.” But that could create a collision with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Graham backs a clean standard but argues that energy legislation should also include preemption of EPA climate rules and wider domestic drilling.

NEWS BITES: 

Landrieu may back Barrasso plan to block climate rules

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) said in the Capitol Monday that she might sign onto Sen. John Barrasso’s (R-Wyo.) sweeping plan to prevent the federal government from addressing climate change under environmental statutes like the Clean Air Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Landrieu last year backed Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-Alaska) failed bill to overturn EPA’s authority to regulate emissions, but Barrasso’s plan is even more sweeping.

“We met today on it and we had a good discussion, and I’m going to think about it,” Landrieu told reporters. She said she is “considering” co-sponsoring the measure, noting, “I am looking at all different options right now.”

Ohio’s Sherrod Brown slams GOP on climate, sees ‘flat earth’ agenda

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) had this to say Monday about upcoming House GOP-led hearings on EPA’s climate change regulations:

“The purpose of them is to deny climate change exists,” he told reporters in the Capitol Monday. “To run for president you have got to deny climate change exists.” Brown criticized what he called an “anti-science agenda” and a “Flat Earth Society agenda.”

House Republicans, who want to scuttle EPA’s power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, are beginning hearings this week on the issue. “I think it will be seen by reasonable people for what it is, I think it will be seen by the right-wing base as more read meat,” Brown said.

Taking aim at GOP White House field

Brown then noted potential GOP presidential hopefuls like former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who have backed away from support for capping emissions and softened their comments on humans’ contribution to climate change.

“A whole bunch of these people – now, their right-wing base tells them what to do,” Brown said. “Since Bennett’s loss, when the right-wing base says jump, they jump really high.” Brown was apparently referring to former Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah), who lost out last year to a Tea Party-backed challenger.

ON TAP TUESDAY:

Administration officials to speak at green jobs conference

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson is speaking Tuesday at a green jobs conference hosted by the industry-environmental group the BlueGreen Alliance. The conference, which runs through Thursday, also includes remarks by White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley.

DOE releasing new report on electric vehicles

Department of Energy Assistant Secretary David Sandalow will release a report on electric vehicle deployment. “The report will examine progress to date in meeting President Obama’s goal of putting one million electric vehicles on the road by 2015, as well as additional steps that can continue to accelerate America’s leadership in electric vehicle deployment,” DOE said in a statement.

Upton to outline policy goals

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) will speak Tuesday at an event hosted by the National Journal at the Newseum. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Here’s what E2 had to offer on Monday: Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) chief of staff is heading to K Street; a new report said BP did not put pressure on the Scottish government to release the Lockerbie bomber; the Interior and Energy Departments outlined a plan to promote offshore wind; and House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) attacked the White House for abandoning Atlantic Coast oil-and-gas development.

E2 also got a sit-down interview with House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.). He told us that he’s planning to introduce legislation to streamline nuclear licensing; he suggested he isn't too keen on Obama’s clean energy standard proposal; and he said he is hoping to find “common ground” on energy with Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.).

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