Post-Election Update

Democrats captured the White House and substantially improved their majorities in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives during Tuesday’s national elections. President-elect Barack Obama and his team plan to move quickly with a transition plan, with key cabinet positions possibly being announced as early as next week.

Energy Independence and Security Act Becomes Law; Congress Acts on Additional Energy-Related Bills but Issues Remain for 2008

Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act, an energy bill that includes new energy efficiency and renewable fuel requirements, but does not include renewable electricity requirements or energy tax incentives. Congress also adopted the omnibus appropriations bill which contains new direction on loan guarantees for advanced energy projects, and the Senate passed a farm bill containing incentives for biofuels, setting up a conference with the House of Representatives in early 2008.

New Ethics and Lobbying Reform Legislation Signed Into Law

President Bush signed into law comprehensive ethics and lobbying reform legislation that make important changes to the congressional rules governing the acceptance of gifts and travel expenses, as well as to internal congressional procedures relating to earmarks.

Energy Legislation Outlook in the 110th Congress

New Leadership in Congress Emerges From Mid-Term Election

Following gains of at least 28 seats in Tuesday’s election, Democrats seized control of the House of Representatives after 12 years in the minority. In the Senate, Democrats picked up 6 seats and gained control of the Senate with a 51-49 majority.

Congress and Cellulosic Biofuels, Opportunities and Risks

Recently, the World Bank issued a report claiming that the demand for biofuels in Europe and the United States is responsible for raising world food prices by 75 percent. This is only the latest in a string of critical reports that have diminished the original enthusiasm for biofuels as a solution to America’s domestic energy security and global climate change challenges.

Energy's Next Step

Once heralded as the lynchpin to America’s energy independence, ethanol is increasingly under attack as a flawed energy resource. The livestock and food industries criticize ethanol for the impact it has on the price of corn. Environmentalists point out that corn ethanol takes almost as much energy to make as it produces. Communities in more arid regions of the country worry about corn ethanol’s high demand for water.

Clean tech depends on federal policy

Curt Rich and Ben McMakin offer insight on why local leaders, companies with promising technologies, and venture capital and financial sectors must engage in both Washingtons if they want the promising clean-tech sector to thrive.

World Biofuels Markets 2010

Curt Rich is speaking at this event.

Webinar: 2010 Outlook for U.S. Energy and Environmental Policy

Van Ness Feldman hosted a webinar on January 13, 2010 during which the speakers, Kyle Danish, Curt Rich, and Ben McMakin, discussed the major trends pertaining to energy, environmental, and climate policy.

Cleantech Forum XXIII

Curt Rich is speaking at this event. Ben McMakin is attending. Van Ness Feldman is a sponsor.

Law Seminars International: Renewable Energy in the Midwest

Curt Rich is speaking at this event.

The Business of Renewable Energy 2009

Curt Rich is speaking at this event. Ben McMakin is attending. Van Ness Feldman is a Major Sponsor.