E2-Wire

In a letter, McCain criticizes policy that allows Cabinet members to keep private email accounts for official business.

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz has vowed to shake a few things up at the Energy Department (DOE) — but the agency’s support for solar power is not one of them.

Moniz put strong faith in solar power during remarks Monday at a Washington, D.C., conference. That continues the trend set forth by his predecessor, Steven Chu, who was a staunch advocate of the renewable energy source.

“I would argue that I believe that the scale and time frame of impact of solar technology, I believe, again, is underestimated,” he said at the U.S. Energy Information Administration-hosted event. “There are many situations today when solar is in fact competitive.”

“We are aggressively pursuing this in many dimensions,” he continued. “I think that’s an example of something we will look back on in 10 years and be surprised at the scope.”

House appropriators want to slash green energy projects to help cover increased spending on nuclear security.

This week brings a flurry of activity on and off Capitol Hill — sometimes way off.
 
The House Energy and Commerce Committee will wade into battles over proposals to expand U.S. natural gas exports.
 
The title of Tuesday’s hearing conveys the majority Republicans’ pro-export stance: “U.S. Energy Abundance: Regulatory, Market, and Legal Barriers to Export.”

Reuters reports that President Obama is leaving one tool to help address climate change on the shelf for the time being.

The Wall Street Journal looks at how Iran’s presidential election could affect the nation’s energy sector.

Bloomberg reports on a new development in the global natural gas market.

The Associated Press provides an update on North Dakota’s surging oil production.

The National Journal profiles Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Al Gore is urging President Obama to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants

How much do new regulations cost? It depends on whom you ask.

A for-profit wildlife organization in Miami has hired a K Street firm to lobby against legislation aimed at protecting big cats.

Baucus noted increased interest but said it’s unclear whether the idea of a carbon tax can gain any real political momentum.

Obama has reportedly been telling Democratic donors at closed-door fundraisers he will unveil new proposals.