WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY: Good afternoon and happy Wednesday, readers! With the help of our editor Joe Lawler, today’s newsletter focuses on coverage of Energy Secretary nominee Chris Wright’s confirmation hearing, where Maydeen was reporting live.
Welcome to Daily on Energy, written by Washington Examiner energy and environment writers Callie Patteson (@CalliePatteson) and Maydeen Merino (@MaydeenMerino). Email cpatteson@washingtonexaminer dot com or mmerino@washingtonexaminer dot com for tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. If a friend sent this to you and you’d like to sign up, click here. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email, and we’ll add you to our list.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM WRIGHT HEARING: Energy Secretary nominee Chris Wright had a fairly easy confirmation hearing this morning before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, with most Democrats appearing to seek common ground with him. You can read Maydeen’s full story on the hearing with the Liberty Energy CEO here.
But here are some highlights, in case you missed them…
Wright pledges to be an ‘unabashed’ energy proponent: “I will work tirelessly to implement his bold agenda as an unabashed steward for all sources of affordable, reliable and secure American energy,” Wright said in his opening statement.
Cassidy claims his support for pollution fee: Sen. Bill Cassidy asked Wright about his proposed pollution fee, and was pleased with the answer he got.
In discussing the policy, which would impose a fee on certain carbon-intensive imports from abroad, Wright called it a “creative idea.”
Cassidy said he is “taking that as a yes you’ll support my foreign pollution fee.”
The exchange is notable, given that many of Cassidy’s fellow Republicans are wary of the idea of a carbon border adjustment or pollution fee.
Tough questioning from Padilla: One of the few moments of tension in the hearing came when Sen. Alex Padilla of California pressed Wright over a past social media comment that “the hype over wildfires is just hype to justify more impoverishment from bad government policies.” Padilla asked him if he stood by the remark in light of the fires currently devastating parts of Los Angeles. Wright, in his brief response, said the wildfires were a tragedy but stood by his remarks, drawing condemnation from Padilla.
No commitment on blue hydrogen to McCormick: Freshman Sen. Rich McCormick asked Wright about his support for blue hydrogen, an important topic for the natural gas industry in Pennsylvania. Wright, though, said he needed to study up on the relevant policies and IRA tax credit.
DUFFY SAYS ELECTRIC VEHICLE DRIVERS SHOULD PAY FOR USE OF ROADS: Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary nominee Sean Duffy, formerly a Wisconsin congressman, said in his confirmation hearing that electric vehicle users should be charged somehow for road use.
“They should pay for use of our roads,” Duffy said in the Senate Commerce Committee hearing, CNBC reports. “How to do that is a little more challenging.”
Given that EVs do not use gas, EV drivers do not pay gas taxes that help pay for roads. As EVs make up a greater share of the vehicles on the road, policymakers have sought ways to make them contribute to infrastructure. Some states have explored new tolls, implementing fees at public EV charging stations, and enacting vehicle-miles traveled taxes.
EXTREME WEATHER IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR GLOBAL RISKS IN 2025: The World Economic Forum released its annual global risk report, ranking extreme weather as the second biggest risk facing the world in 2025 just below armed conflict.
The report asked 900 worldwide experts to rank the top concerns this year, and 14% of respondents selected extreme weather.
“The burden of climate change is becoming more evident every year, as pollution from continued use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas leads to more frequent and severe extreme weather events,” the report said. “Heatwaves across parts of Asia; flooding in Brazil, Indonesia and parts of Europe; wildfires in Canada; and hurricanes Helene and Milton in the United States are just some recent examples of such events.”
NYC CLIMATE LAWSUIT DISMISSED: A judge dismissed New York City’s climate lawsuit against Exxon Mobil, BP, and Shell, Reuters reports.
Supreme Court Justice Anar Patel rejected the city’s argument that its citizens had been deceived by the energy companies’ about their effects on the climate. She argued that the city could not maintain both that New Yorkers are very sensitive to what is going on with the climate and that they were fooled by the oil companies.
“The city cannot have it both ways,” Patel wrote yesterday. Patel also dismissed the claim that the oil companies engaged in “greenwashing.”
A spokesman for the city said that it is reviewing its options and that “our complaint alleged that these defendants spent millions to mislead consumers to think that they, and their products, contribute to a clean energy future…. They do not.”
THE LATEST ON THE LOS ANGELES FIRES: Red flag warnings remain throughout Los Angeles and Ventura counties until later this afternoon, keeping those in the area on alert for any new fires.
“Key message: We are not out of the woods yet. Please stay on guard for a fast-moving fire. The winds underperformed today, but one more enhancement could happen tonight-tomorrow. The PDS Red Flag Warning remains in effect for the same areas, now for 3am to 3pm Wed,” The National Weather Service said yesterday on X.
Evacuation orders have dropped to 82,400, but evacuation warnings remain higher due to the winds. California deployed an additional 300 firefighters to Los Angeles due to the expected stronger winds.
Data on the fires: As of this afternoon, the Palisades Fire, which has burned 23,713 acres, is 13% contained. The Eaton Fire that has burned 14,117 acres is 45% contained. The Hurst Fire is close to 100% contained and has burned 799 acres. Meanwhile, a fire in Ventura county called the Auto Fire started on Monday and has burned 61 acres and is 50% contained.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom yesterday issued an executive order to target real estate speculators who might offer unsolicited cash to purchase property from those who lost their homes.
“We will not allow greedy developers to rip off these working-class communities at a time when they need more support than ever before,” Newsom said in a statement.
RUNDOWN
New York Times More Americans Than Ever Are Living in Wildfire Areas. L.A. Is No Exception.
Inside Climate News To Reduce its Carbon Footprint, UNC Could Burn Pellets Composed of Paper and Plastic
Washington Post For service workers, Los Angeles fires consumed jobs, homes and dreams