OVERNIGHT ENERGY: EPA cracks down on sulfur emissions

SULFUR EMISSIONS: The Environmental Protection Agency issued stricter limits on the amount of sulfur that can be blended into gasoline, which helps curb emissions from cars and trucks.

The EPA says the rule will prevent up to 2,000 respiratory deaths per year and will afford flexibility to small refineries.

{mosads}But industry groups like the American Petroleum Institute say the rule will hike gas prices by between 6 cents and 9 cents per gallon.

E2-Wire reported on the announcement here.

SEND NATURAL GAS TO UKRAINE? Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Monday said President Obama should be increasing natural gas exports to Ukraine.

More than half of Russia’s gas exports to the European Union run through a network of pipelines in Ukraine. Cutting off the supply would put the region’s energy security at risk.

Other Republican lawmakers made a similar case on Monday.

E2-Wire reports on the comments here.

ON TAP TUESDAY: Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz will hold a press conference on the department’s 2015 budget proposal.

The department says it will outline investments in President Obama’s all-of-the-above energy strategy, including innovation in “job-creating clean energy technologies” and national security.

ON TAP TUESDAY II: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will release its 2013 International Index of Energy Security Risk.

The report ranks nations by their energy security.

COLD SNAP: The weather caused a number of cancellations for Tuesday.

EPA administrator Gina McCarthy will not speak at the Bipartisan Policy Center event on greenhouse gas emissions, which was postponed.

Also, the House Natural Resources Committee canceled and delayed a few of its hearings set for Tuesday.

 AROUND THE WEB:

NBC News reports Russia’s energy minister canceled his trip to Houston, Texas, this week for a major energy conference.

Alexander Novak, Russia’s energy minister, was set to speak on Tuesday at the IHS CERAWeek conference.

“Depending on how this plays out in the next week or two, it will have a big impact on energy security,” said IHS Vice Chairman Daniel Yergin. “Russia will want to maintain its reputation as a credible supplier.”

The New York Times reports the EPA is moving to stop the development of an open-pit copper mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Here’s what ran on E2-Wire on Monday …

– Green group accuses GOP of ‘environmental racism’
– Energy Dept. proposes new standards for clothes washers
– Rep. Ryan: Send natural gas to Ukraine
– Apple CEO defends green projects
– EPA announces new sulfur emission limits
– Report calls for cyber protection
– Hundreds of Keystone protesters arrested outside White House

Please send tips and comments to Laura Barron-Lopez, laurab@digital-release.thehill.com.