OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Energy Dept., EPA chiefs in House hot seat

A panel will hear from Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.

The senior House Republican who will run the hearing isn’t happy with the witness list, however – Republicans wanted broader swath of federal officials to appear.

McCarthy will make the economic case for Obama’s climate plan. And then she can expect questions from Republicans who allege power plant emissions rules will hurt families and businesses.

{mosads}But beyond those familiar plotlines, the hearing might hold a few surprises. Check E2-Wire tomorrow for coverage.

Across the Capitol: Senate lawmakers are still seeking a path forward on amendments to energy efficiency legislation that has stalled on the floor.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) suggested Tuesday that an agreement could be in sight to allow the bill to proceed. But it hasn’t happened yet.

TUESDAY’S ENERGY ACTION:

Boxer won’t seek floor vote on climate bill

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) won’t seek a floor vote on major climate legislation, and instead will focus on pushing emissions fees in broader tax reform discussions, she said Tuesday. Click here for more.

Murkowski opposes Obama’s FERC nominee

The top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee said Tuesday that she currently opposes Ron Binz, the White House nominee to lead the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Click here for more.

Coal country Dem seeks distance from Obama in Senate run

West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant (D) launched her campaign for Senate on Tuesday with a vow to fight President Obama if his energy policies threaten the state’s coal industry. Click here for more.

White House energy nominee takes Senate heat for ‘dead end’ remark

President Obama’s pick to run the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, under fire from Republicans, on Tuesday sought to clarify his controversial claim that natural gas will eventually be a “dead end.” Click here for more.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

– Gas prices have topped $3 for 1,000 days
– Dems push climate controls to combat extreme weather
– Federal agency: August was fourth-hottest on record 
– Wyden: Binz couldn’t attack coal from FERC perch
– Energy Department faces conservative attacks over ‘social cost of carbon’

AROUND THE WEB:

UN officials: World failing on climate

The Associated Press reports:

International leaders are failing in their fight against global warming, one of the United Nations’ top climate officials said Tuesday, appealing directly to the world’s voters to pressure their politicians into taking tougher action against the buildup of greenhouse gases.

Click here for more.

The Keystone lobbying slugfest

Bloomberg reports that the fight over the Keystone XL oil pipeline has been one of Washington’s most protracted and expensive lobbying campaigns. From their story:

In all, lobbyists representing more than 50 groups are engaged on the issue and about $1 million has been spent in television ads in 2013 alone, following expenditures of almost $16 million during last year’s election season.

Click here for the whole thing.

Study ranks cities on efficiency

USA Today reports:

While Congress dithers on energy efficiency, cities are moving ahead with energy-saving steps such as bike-sharing, tougher building codes, electric vehicle charging stations and cool roofs, says a study out Tuesday that ranks 34 major U.S. cities.

Click here for the whole story.

Please send tips and comments to Ben Geman, ben.geman@digital-release.thehill.com

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