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In July 26th, Japan Climate Leaders Partnership has published an opinion paper calling for development of an environment that ensures diversity of renewable options. These include development of a market environment in which electricity consumers can enjoy a variety of options to procure renewable energy economically and promptly and development of an environment that facilitates the establishment of virtual Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) schemes through 1) deregulation in order for virtual PPA not to be subjected to the Commodity futures trading law and 2) allowing direct trading by consumers for a wide range of non-fossil certificates.

In the Q2 2022 federal lobbying disclosures published on July 20th for American Gas Association and Edison Electric Institute with utilities CenterPoint, AES Corporation, American Electric Power Company, DTE Energy, Edison International, Exelon, FirstEnergy, NextEra, Pacific Gas & Electric, PPL Corporation, Public Service Enterprise Group, Southern Company, Vistra Corp, and Xcel Energy and Entergy, published on July 20th, disclosed the companies direct engagement with policymakers on the Build Back Better Act’s proposed methane fee without disclosing a clear position.

In the Q2 2022 federal lobbying disclosures for Ameren Corp and Duke Energy both utilities stated direct engagement with policymakers on the Build Back Better Act’s clean energy tax credits without disclosing any clear positions on the legislation. In the same disclosure, Duke also listed engagement activities on the “natural gas provisions” of the Build Back Better Act without providing any description of its position. In Consolidated Edison’s federal lobbying report for Q2 2022, published on July 20th, the utility stated direct engagement on the electric vehicle provisions of the Build Back Better Act without disclosing a clear position. The reports highlight the industry’s private engagement and lack of transparency on specific climate provisions of the reconciliation bill, which remains stalled in Congress.

These lobbying reports demonstrate strong industry engagement on the reconciliation bill, which remains stalled in negotiation following inconsistent statements from Senator Manchin.

In a July 20th press release, American Clean Power Association (ACP) CEO Heather Zichal advocated for government action on climate change and urged Congress to “get back to the table and come to a consensus on clean energy provisions that our country so desperately needs.” ACP’s push for a federal climate bill follows the breakdown of Congressional negotiations on the Build Back Better and inconsistent statements from Senator Manchin.

In an opinion article published by The Hill on July 20th, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) CEO Abigail Ross Hopper advocated for Congress to pass a climate package through budget reconciliation that includes tax credits for solar and clean energy. Citing research from the Rhodium Group that found the tax credits would help to address rising prices, Hopper emphasized that “if the concern is inflation, passing the reconciliation legislation is an essential part of the solution.” SEIA has continued to advocate for a federal climate bill after Senate negotiations on the reconciliation bill have broken down: on July 20th, the association Tweeted support for a climate deal and linked it to an action campaign that asked individuals to call their representatives in Congress and urge them to pass clean energy tax credits.

In a July 19th article by S&P Global regarding the stalled negotiations over the reconciliation bill, Exelon CEO Chris Crane appeared to support Congress returning to negotiations to pass a federal climate package. In the same article, a spokesperson for Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) similarly appeared to support Congress continuing “to look for a path forward to pass these important clean energy investments.”