Melanie Nakagawa

New piece out at the New Energy Industrial Strategy (NEIS) Center Substack based on our recent RMI report. "Over the past two decades, economic statecraft has shifted from commodity diplomacy toward competition over technology, supply chains, and finance. China’s Belt and Road Initiative demonstrates how whole-of-government coordination can dominate energy markets, However, the United States lacks an equivalent strategy" https://lnkd.in/ekxe4skB

23

1 Comment

Energy regulators in California are poised to take two steps to address energy bill affordability, while still protecting the environment. The first is a critical decision on how energy utilities structure their profits, known as the “cost of capital”, and the second is a new set of rules focused on how California measures the affordability of utility services. These actions could result in over $300 million in annual savings for Californians. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gCziqH3A Proud to be doing this work Environmental Defense Fund on the EDF Energy Transition team. #utility #energy #returnonequity

30

Wonderful to hear U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright share his insights at The Daily Caller News Foundation's awards dinner last night—and a privilege to meet him. Secretary Wright and the administration have shown real leadership in getting U.S. energy policy on the right track. Ending the Biden-era LNG export pause and moving to repeal the EPA Power Plant Rule are especially important steps for Pennsylvania. But there’s still a lot of work to do here in the Keystone State. Pennsylvania has some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves—truly the Saudi Arabia of natural gas—and is the nation’s top electricity exporter. Yet state policy continues to hold the Commonwealth back from realizing its full potential. The recent withdrawal from RGGI—secured by Republicans in the legislature—was a major win for affordability and investment. Unfortunately, Governor Shapiro continues to pursue policies that would drive up electricity costs and deter new energy development. Pennsylvania should be doing the opposite: cutting red tape, encouraging new generation, and embracing clean, affordable natural gas that can power jobs, growth, and long-term energy security. The Commonwealth Foundation has a clear vision for how Pennsylvania can lead America’s energy future: https://lnkd.in/eKRD2SH3

54

1 Comment

Proud to share a byline on this article with my friend and colleague Simon Lomax, explaining why detecting and mitigating methane emissions provides a powerful advantage we can leverage for the benefit of American energy. Bottom line: 1. By capturing these emissions, we can produce and monetize materially more natural gas to help fuel rapidly growing domestic and global demand (AND with provably lower emissions). 2. With the range of home-grown, scientifically vaildated technologies now available for finding and quantifying these emissions, we can do this more cost effectively and at scale than ever before (AND profitably export these technologies to our friends and allies across the globe). Let's do this!

33

8 Comments

The global market for advanced energy technologies is enormous and growing dramatically, and the U.S. needs to compete by attracting capital and investment. As a country, we did that in recent years and have made significant progress. Changing course now means driving away investment, undermining our competitiveness, and ceding leadership to others.     To be a player in the fastest growing markets, we need to build cheaper and faster and push innovation. At a time when demand is projected to soar, we need all the power we can get, especially the most quickly deployable electricity technologies, which are providing over 90% of new supply each year. In tandem, we need to build domestic capacity to participate in these markets and reduce over-dependency on foreign supply chains. 

70

1 Comment

As an executive at Enbridge and a Board Member at the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), I'm extremely proud to share the collaborative work of our two organizations to assist workforce development in Indigenous communities. As part of my team at Enbridge, we have dedicated professionals committed to forging deeper relationships with Indigenous communities in both Canada and the United States near our company's locations and assets in both countries. Working with our businesses that has led to a number of unique equity partnerships, contracting roles and jobs for Indigenous people. At Enbridge, we are committed to building long-term relationships with First Nations, Indigenous communities, Tribal governments and groups—and education is a vital component of our partnerships. The new module described below aims to support energy education and workforce development, while acknowledging Tribal sovereignty and the unique role Indigenous communities can and do play in our energy projects.

42

Permitting reform for #cleanenergy infrastructure is absolutely critical. It is not optional. The crisis will only deepen the longer we wait. The newly amended clean energy tax incentives and surging grid capacity needs are accelerating demand and compressing project development timelines. To actually turn clean energy ambition into reality, we must fix the permitting process. Key takeaways from our recent Notes from Novogradac & Company LLP: 1️⃣ The window to qualify for vital tax incentives is shrinking. 2️⃣ Explosive demand for clean energy is colliding with outdated, slow, and uncertain permitting systems. 3️⃣ Without smoother, faster permitting, many clean energy projects may never get off the ground. 4️⃣ Reform is needed now to reduce costs, avoid delays, and ensure our clean energy goals and infrastructure investments deliver where they’re needed. 5️⃣ We’re at a tipping point: policy makers, industry leaders, and local communities must come together to streamline permitting, increase predictability, and unlock the full potential of these incentives. #CleanEnergy #PermittingReform #TaxIncentives

2

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued an RFI seeking input for the 2026 Critical Materials Assessment (CMA), which will identify minerals critical for energy based on two primary factors: importance to energy and supply risk. Comments are due on July 25. The CMA will consider materials used in a broad range of technologies, including energy production, transmission and storage, as well as end-use applications in vehicles, buildings, industry, transportation and computing—such as semiconductors and electronics. DOE may also consider “indirect raw materials” used in the manufacturing process but that do not contribute to the composition of the components or final products (ie, helium used in semiconductor manufacturing). The RFI seeks input on detailed questions related to: - Energy technologies of interest - Materials of interest - Supply chain info by material - Market dynamics by material - Challenges to domestic industry - Methodology used by DOE - Streamlining of DOE and DOI’s lists Many of these issues such as supply chains and market challenges, were assessed in the International Energy Agency (IEA)’s Minerals Outlook & are being assessed in the Section 232 investigation on processed critical minerals. This is an opportunity for energy companies & major end users to highlight technologies of interest, & companies involved in the minerals value chain (mining, refining at various stages, intermediate producers, users, investors, companies that have innovative solutions and technologies etc) to highlight minerals used in technologies of interest, supply chain & market challenges including for small volume coproduct minerals, & potential for recycling and of new technologies on the demand and supply side. In 2023, DOE identified the following minerals: aluminum, cobalt, copper, dysprosium, electrical steel (grain-oriented electrical steel, non-grain-oriented electrical steel and amorphous steel), fluorine, gallium, iridium, lithium, magnesium, natural graphite, neodymium, nickel, platinum, praseodymium, terbium, silicon and silicon carbide. The list of materials is intended to inform implementation of DOE’s critical mineral projects, consistent with the Trump administration’s priority of investing in domestic critical minerals projects, including for processing. In that regard, on June 30, President Trump issued a memo to various USG agencies intended to simplify the funding of mineral & material projects including by advancing info sharing among agencies and developing a common application for federal funding. Based on my experience in government, a common application & the associated info sharing have the potential to enhance inter agency coordination in awarding projects inc. coordination on projects at different supply chain stages and facilitation of better use of relevant USG experts. More in our article here. https://lnkd.in/eFR3G6Bf

25

2 Comments

On Monday we released the Pillars of Power, a new report outlining 30 policy recommendations for energy security and industrial resiliency. The key takeaway: Our defense industrial capability doesn't exist in a vacuum, it relies on secure energy sources and a thriving commercial sector. If we don't have the capability to build advanced vehicles, batteries, and other technologies here in the US, we can't build advanced weapons and defense systems. “We don’t all need to buy EVs. If 20% of the market is EVs, that’s enough to justify investments in batteries. We’re talking about 3 million cars a year, one in five,” said Michael Dunne during the webinar launch event. “We need those EVs to justify the investments in batteries. Without those batteries, we’re back to square one, totally vulnerable and subject to the whims of supply out of China. That’s reality today.” Thanks to Washington Examiner and Axios for great writeups of the report: WashEx: https://lnkd.in/eye5iVEr Axios: https://lnkd.in/eCh2qNjg Webinar: https://lnkd.in/e2spsimP

32

1 Comment

Want to learn more about Amazon Web Services (AWS)' investment in carbon free energy locally here in Washington State? Brandon Oyer, PE spent time Tyrah Majors on KOMO News to talk about how AWS is investing billions in carbon-free energy to power data centers, including a groundbreaking small modular reactor (SMR) project with Energy Northwest right here in Washington State that will bring over 1,000 construction jobs and 100+ permanent positions while adding new nuclear energy to the grid by the 2030s. Check out the interview here: https://lnkd.in/gJgSayhr #sustainability #datacenters #energy #AWS #decarbonization

94

1 Comment

Two weeks ago, I attended the CEBA Spring Summit and caught up with some of the world’s leading clean energy buyers, developers, and solution providers. Alongside, Devon Swezey at Google, we hosted a roundtable conversation on granular accounting, the evidence for granular accounting’s impact on system-wide decarbonization, the value it plays in strategic hedging for clean energy buyers, and some of the proposed changes being discussed within the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP) Scope 2 update process. The GHGP update process would become the talk of the week, and I think it's worth unpacking some of the conversations: A standing room only final panel capped numerous discussions around possible updates to the GHGP Scope 2 guidance. As of now, the technical working group – composed of experts, buyers, and practitioners in this space – is broadly supportive of a directional update to the GHGP Scope 2 guidance that would require more granular, and more accurate, time and location accounting for electricity purchases under their market based reporting. This is incredibly important for the integrity of scope 2 accounting and claims as we move into the phase of the energy transition that requires strategic decarbonization of every grid on which buyers operate. The proposed changes would not require any buyer to meet an ambitious 24/7 matching target and will include a pathway for reporting on the impact of electricity purchases outside of a company’s electricity inventory (consequential accounting). The proposed changes will simply require that the largest energy users in the world be more accurate in accounting for the electricity they actually use. The update process is set to go through 2027 and flexibilities and phase-ins will be baked into this update process to ensure broad feasibility, and there is more to be hashed out as public consultation begins later this year. But as CEBA has always made clear: voluntary procurement is incredibly important and the impact that energy buyers have made on the transition is stunning. As the clean energy transition evolves, so too must the rules we use to make claims around clean energy usage. Rules for higher integrity emissions accounting drive greater transparency about where actual impact is being made, send real signals for decarbonization technology development, and support a roadmap for science-aligned policy. Let’s not waste the potential for CEBA members to continue leading on the energy transition by fighting for status quo reporting rules – it will only serve to support shaky “100% renewable” targets backed by solar at night.

40

4 Comments

Big changes—and big opportunities—are unfolding as we build America’s energy future. I was honored to join my friends Melanie Allen (of the Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice) and Xavier de Souza Briggs (of Brookings Metro) for the final episode of season one of the “Metro Blueprint” podcast to discuss how federal policy shifts and community-driven innovation are reshaping the energy transition - and creating opportunities for communities to realize economic, community resilience and energy co-benefits - should we build the right kind of market. We talked candidly about: ✅Why local, community-based power matters—from more resilient, affordable energy to new job creation up and down the supply chain. ✅The critical role of partnerships: Public, private, nonprofit, and community leaders each hold a piece of the puzzle. Scaling up clean, distributed energy requires all hands on deck. ✅Building market infrastructure: It’s not just about technology, but ensuring capital flows to frontline communities, with policies and financial tools that drive both more widely shared distribution of the benefits of the work we finance and increase their impact. ✅Remaining challenges: Recent policy reversals threaten some gains, but state and local leaders, green banks, and grassroots networks are stepping up to keep progress moving. There’s enormous potential—but also urgency—to shape an energy system that meets our economic, resilience, and justice goals. Our Accelerating Community Investment (ACI) initiative at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is working to to help bridge the gap between communities, capital, and policy by building networks of practitioners and catalyzing investable opportunities. By strengthening local capacity, aligning public and private investment, and sharing practical models that work, the ACI initiative is helping to lay the groundwork for a more inclusive, resilient, and impactful energy marketplace that delivers tangible benefits to people and places often left out of the clean energy transition. Check out the full conversation (https://lnkd.in/ebgUCjNy) on the Brookings Metro podcast to learn: ✅What it will take to bring affordable and reliable energy to every community, ✅Why inclusive local solutions and partnerships are key, ✅How we can activate, grow and scale the networks and knowledge exchange needed to move the work forward, ✅And how we can all play a role in building an energy future that belongs to everyone. #EnergyTransition #CleanEnergy #CommunityPower #Infrastructure #BrookingsMetro #impactinvesting #communityinvestment #publicfinance

15

There’s a lot of talk about the importance of securing critical minerals supply chains to drive our global economy forward. But the speed and scale at which this is currently happening, risks recreating systems that exploit and subjugate workers and communities around the world. How can this be avoided? Jeffrey Berger and I share some thoughts on how to build a more sustainable approach to building strong critical minerals supply chains. Welcome thoughts / reaction / debate!

40

2 Comments

Colorado’s EPR Law: A Game-Changer for Recycling ♻️ Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program is reshaping recycling by shifting costs from taxpayers to producers. Here’s what you need to know: ✅ Efficiency & Access: Aims to improve recycling statewide, addressing Colorado’s low 15.5% recycling rate. ✅ Economic Boost: Supports a circular economy by incentivizing local businesses to reuse materials. ✅ Industry Impact: Producers must report packaging data by July 31, 2025, marking a new era of accountability. 📢 Dive into the legislative journey and industry perspectives as reported by Christopher Bornmann: [link]

5

Chairman Crapo deserves a great deal of credit for putting together what appears to be a thoughtful approach to energy tax credit reform. In particular, the Senate Finance Committee's reforms to the Sec. 45Y PTC and 48E ITC will drive reliability by supporting the deployment of baseload technologies like nuclear, geothermal, hydropower, and long-duration energy storage. There are a lot of unanswered questions surrounding FEOC requirements that will take time to answer, but to my eye, they maintain the House's intent while improving administrability. https://lnkd.in/e-wW6ZEy

13

This collaboration between Bridger Photonics and Highwood Emissions Management is a testament to what happens when brilliant teams of good people align around a shared goal: making emissions accountability simpler, faster, and more defensible for operators around the world. From detection to reporting — it's a comprehensive solution that operators have been asking for. Seeing it become real is a reminder of why we do this work. This is why drafting contracts is exciting, you guys! Thank you to the incredible Bridger team and to Highwood for building something the industry genuinely needs. Here's to what we'll accomplish together. 💙 #Methane #Emissions #OilAndGas #OGMP2 #CleanEnergy #BridgerPhotonics

10

Congress is moving forward with the DOMINANCE Act—bipartisan legislation that reorganizes how the U.S. secures critical mineral supply chains. The bill does something practical: it aligns federal capabilities across State, Commerce, DOE, and development finance institutions to accelerate mining and processing projects with trusted allies. Instead of fragmented efforts, it creates Energy Security Compacts—a coordinated platform to support strategic mineral investments abroad and build capacity in secure markets outside of China. Beijing controls over 70% of global rare earth mining and nearly 90% of refining. That’s leverage they’ve used before, and it’s leverage we can’t afford to ignore. Here’s where Utah fits in. While the DOMINANCE Act focuses on building international capacity with allies, Utah is building domestic capacity. Our state has committed to supplying roughly 25% of U.S. critical-mineral demand, cutting permitting times in half, and processing at least half of those minerals in-state. New discoveries like Ionic Mineral Technologies’ halloysite deposits show that Utah’s geology can deliver. The strategic logic is straightforward: expand production with allies abroad, expand production at home, and build processing capacity in places with the workforce and infrastructure to support it. Utah checks those boxes. This isn’t just about minerals. It’s about whether the U.S. can manufacture semiconductors, build data centers, produce advanced batteries, and maintain defense systems without depending on adversaries. Supply chain resilience is national security. I’m encouraged to see federal policy and state action moving in the same direction. If you’re working on critical minerals projects or in the energy space, I’d welcome the chance to connect.

14

California has been a leader in the climate space, including by pioneering a cap-and-trade system that has helped achieve a nearly 15% decrease in annual emissions below 1990 levels. Some other highlights - more in this op-ed from my colleague Will Turner on the importance of re-authorizing the cap-and-trade program: 🚬 Funded $28 billion in climate investments for a cleaner, greener future. Since 2016 - 35% of that has been allocated to disadvantaged and low-income communities. 🧑‍🏭 Supported 30,000 jobs over the past decade  💰 Returned over $10 billion to Californians via utility bill credits 🌲 Directed over $1 billion to projects run by Indigenous communities, protecting carbon-rich ecosystems and provide co-benefits like biodiversity protection, clean water, and wildfire resilience. The offsets mechanism within California's cap-and-trade program has sent $1.5 billion to programs run by tribes/Indigenous communities. https://lnkd.in/gFRRfn3i

14

1 Comment