Jason Scott addresses Energy Policy at first NY Clean Energy Forum

Jason Scott gave a brilliant speech to our first New York Clean Energy Forum this morning at the Harvard Club.  The speech focused on the challenges to legislating clean energy policy in this political climate.  The failure of last Congress to address any energy specific policy and the influx of a new breed of Legislators, especially House members, in this session are not encouraging for the passage of energy policy.   After Jason’s speech, Michael Moynihan, our Clean Energy Initiative Director, led an energetic discussion on energy policy and other energy-related issues with our group of over 30 people.

Scott pointed out that even if there is not legislation passed this session, important groundwork must be made now to get anything significant passed in the future.  Organizing coalitions, educating the public and advocating in Congress are the spade work that will help build coalitions for and conditions to craft energy policy in two years.  He outlined media messaging feedback pointing out that messaging for energy policy will require nuanced advocacy.  For example, the motto that clean energy creates jobs did not actually materialize.  Something, I might add, that NDN President, Simon Rosenberg, had been saying that all last year.  Consequently, this message did not resonate and frankly fell totally flat with the public and, importantly, elected officials.  To understand the uphill battle for clean energy policy, read Speaker John Boehner’s recent blog

According to Scott, the closest we might come to any policy determinates would be a Clean Energy Standard (aka Renewable Electricity Standard, or Renewable Portfolio Standard).  You will note the slight change of term – changed to appeal to a broader and more skeptical public.  But that will not happen without an intense discussion on what constitutes “Clean Energy”.  In addition to renewable technologies, the Administration is proposing, natural gas, clean coal, and nuclear. (By the way, is there even a thing as clean coal?)  Factoring in the regional issues of coal, wind, natural gas and solar and you have a legislative conundrum that has traditionally been more regional than ideological.  But, perhaps not in the 112th Congress.  For good background on the 112th Congress read  Van Ness Feldman LLC’s speculation. 

Mark Your Calendars.  We have two speakers scheduled for our New York Clean Energy Forum.  Mike Granhoff will speak to our Forum on Tuesday, April 12 and Peter Fusaro will speak on Tuesday, May 17.  Both events will be held at the Harvard Club.