Senator Coons livetweets Cosmos episode about greenhouse effect and climate change

Senator Coons, who earned an undergraduate degree in chemistry, live-tweeted Sunday night's episode of the Fox science show, Cosmos, which focused on the greenhouse effect and its impact on our climate. Take a look at what he had to say:

Looking forward to tonight’s important episode of @COSMOSonTV at 9pm on FOX. The science of climate change and the impacts of inaction.

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) June 1, 2014

“The earth has seen nothing like it in 3 million years.” - @neiltyson on co2 levels in earth’s atmosphere. Watch @COSMOSonTV on Fox now.

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) June 2, 2014

"It’s a pretty tight case. Our fingerprints are all over this one.” - @neiltyson on source of increase in co2. Watch @COSMOSonTV on Fox now.

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) June 2, 2014

"All over the world, the oceans are getting warmer.” - @neiltyson on #cosmos on Fox now.

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) June 2, 2014

"The air, the water, and the land are all getting warmer. Global warming is really happening.”- @neiltyson talking science on #cosmos on Fox

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) June 2, 2014

“It’s not too late. There’s a future worth fighting for.” - @neiltyson on #cosmos on Fox.

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) June 2, 2014

“More solar energy falls on earth in 1 hour than all the energy our civilization consumes in 1 year.” - @neiltyson on #cosmos.

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) June 2, 2014

“It all depends on what we truly value and if we can summon the will to act.” - @neiltyson on climate change on #Cosmos

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) June 2, 2014

When’s the last time climate change received an hour of air time on network TV? Good for @COSMOSonTV, @neiltyson, @SethMacFarlane and @FOXTV

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) June 2, 2014

Senator Coons gets high marks from League of Conservation Voters

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) has once again recognized Senator Coons’ strong environmental voting record, awarding him a 92 percent rating for 2013 in their latest National Environmental Scorecard. The scorecard provides objective, factual information about the most important environmental legislation considered by Congress and the corresponding voting records of all members. Senator Coons’ lifetime rating is now 95 percent.

The 2013 LCV scorecard includes 13 Senate votes that demonstrate Chris’ commitment to addressing important environmental issues affecting Delaware and the nation. Chris scored above the Senate average by 35 percent and Delaware was noted as one of 26 states with an average score above 90, thanks to high scores from all three members of the Delaware congressional delegation.

At home in Delaware and in the Senate, Chris has been a strong voice for environmental conservation, clean and renewable energy development, and measures to curb and combat the effects of climate change. Over the last year, Chris voted for disaster relief for victims of Superstorm Sandy and investments to make our communities more resilient against future storms, as well as to preserve investments in advanced next generation biofuels by the Department of Defense, the nation’s single largest energy user. He also opposed efforts to block EPA regulation of greenhouse gases for the purpose of combating climate change.

Chris advocated heavily for the inclusion of strong conservation provisions in the farm bill approved by Congress last week. He has led a letter to the Appropriations Committee for the past three years urging robust funding for farm bill conservation programs.

For over 40 years, the National Environmental Scorecard issued by LCV has been the nationally accepted yardstick used to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health, and energy issues. The Scorecard represents the consensus of experts from 20 respected environmental and conservation organizations who selected the key votes to be scored.

Read Senator Coons’ scorecard here: http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/chris-coons

Download the full report here: http://scorecard.lcv.org/sites/scorecard.lcv.org/files/LCV_SCORE_FINAL_2.3.14.pdf

White House launches government-wide Quadrennial Energy Review

The White House on Thursday launched the first Quadrennial Energy Review (QER), a national assessment of the nation’s energy infrastructure that builds upon legislation co-sponsored by Senator Coons last year.

The QER, which is part of a broader national climate action plan announced by the President last summer, will help to coordinate energy policy around national priorities such as greater energy and climate security. The initiative builds upon goals laid out in the Quadrennial Energy Review Act, legislation co-sponsored by Senator Coons to authorize a comprehensive review of current domestic capabilities and future energy needs. The proposal is modeled after the highly-regarded Quadrennial Defense Review, a legislatively-mandated review of defense strategy and priorities. 

"A strategic blueprint of America’s energy priorities is a critical resource for innovators working to support our clean energy economy,” Chris said. “The Quadrennial Energy Review is a great planning tool to identify a baseline assessment of our technological, economic, and national security capabilities. It will then put our federal resources to work to help us better coordinate with the private sector and promote energy innovation.  This is a critical component of an all-of-the-above energy policy, and I am pleased that the President is putting it into action today.”

The first review is expected by January 2015, and will focus on the development of a national strategy for securing the infrastructure needed to transport, transmit, and distribute energy. More than a dozen federal agencies will participate in the review, along with members of the private sector, state and local governments, labor organizations, and the academic community.

Read more about the Quadrennial Energy Review here: http://1.usa.gov/1iWVs8C

Senator Coons sponsors bill to secure critical minerals

Most Americans are familiar with the importance of oil for gasoline and diesel, copper for electric wiring and motors, and aluminum for packing and vehicles.  However, we do not often hear about the importance of yttrium, cerium, neodymium, or lanthanum for consumer uses.  These basic elements are critical for more efficient light bulbs, oil refinery catalysts, lasers, and batteries respectively.  

To help secure the continued supply of minerals vital to our national defense, domestic energy, electronics production, and medical industry technologies, Senator Coons recently joined a bipartisan group of 16 senators to introduce the Critical Minerals Policy Act of 2013 (S. 1600). The legislation includes a number of provisions that would help revitalize the domestic supply of these precious minerals, many of which are in short supply domestically and come from overseas.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the United States is currently 100 percent dependent on foreign sources for 17 key mineral commodities and 50 percent dependent on overseas suppliers for some 24 additional minerals. The goal of the Critical Minerals Policy Act is to secure a more stable supply of mineral commodities by developing domestic sources, recycling existing supplies, and researching alternatives for critical minerals. Chris is also a strong supporter of efforts at the University of Delaware to develop alternatives to the use of rare earth elements, a subset of critical minerals.   

Through the establishment of a federal register in the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Critical Minerals Policy Act will help officials pinpoint which minerals are subject to potential supply restrictions and develop strategies to prevent price shocks and balance market demand. Other agencies, including the Department of Energy (DOE) and USGS, will join the DOI to strengthen educational research and workforce training critical to the development of domestic mineral supply chains. The legislation would also streamline the permit and review process of critical mineral mining on public lands to reduce costs and facilitate the environmentally responsible production of domestic resources.       

To further public understanding of critical mineral solutions, the Critical Minerals Policy Act would expand research programs aimed at promoting efficient mineral use and recycling across various U.S. industries. The DOE would also submit an assessment of domestically trained workers capable of carrying out critical mineral research, analysis, manufacturing, and production to enhance the domestic availability of critical minerals.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, more than 25,000 pounds of new minerals are needed every year for each person in the United States in order to make the items we use every day for infrastructure, energy, transportation, communications, health care and defense. By coordinating efforts across federal agencies, the Critical Minerals Policy Act will help to update mineral policy for the 21^st century and ensure our position in the world as both an economic and technological leader.     

Senator Coons congratulates Delaware EPSCoR on launch of climate change project

Senator Coons congratulated Delaware’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Thursday on the launch of its third grant project, and commended the program’s accomplishments over its ten-year history in the state. The National Science Foundation awarded a five-year, $20-million Research Infrastructure Improvement grant to Delaware EPSCoR in June for research focused on sea level rise and renewable energy.

“For ten years, the EPSCoR program has brought Delaware’s best and brightest scientists and educators together to pioneer innovative technologies and train the next generation of experts in rapidly growing fields,” Senator Coons said. “Each successive grant project has expanded our universities’ capacity to produce cutting-edge research, and helped Delaware become a leading hub for science and technology education. This grant will allow Delaware EPSCoR to continue supporting its successful programs and address the critical effects of climate change on our coastal areas.”

Delaware’s project will focus on water quality and renewable-energy use in vulnerable coastal areas subject to pressures from land use and climate changes. The research employs natural, physical, and social science approaches to examine the effects of rising sea levels on the cycling of soil-bound contaminants. The project will also investigate coupled land use and climate change impacts on water and natural systems ranging from tidal wetlands to agricultural land, to densely populated and polluted urban areas. Novel sensors will be developed for environmental monitoring. The project will also address renewable energy, including offshore wind.

The University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Wesley College, and Delaware Technical Community College will collaboratively address these themes using innovative research approaches and educational programs. The project includes public outreach activities and partnerships with private industry and government.

EPSCoR is designed to fulfill the National Science Foundation's (NSF) mandate to promote scientific progress nationwide. Twenty-eight states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam are currently eligible to participate. Through the program, NSF establishes regional partnerships with governments, higher education, and industry that strengthen states’ research and development capacities and boost academic competitiveness. Delaware was designated an EPSCoR state in January 2003, and program grants awarded in 2005 and 2008 have supported two previous projects focused on enhancing environmental science, complex environmental systems, and ecosystem health research.

Delaware was one of only five states awarded an NSF grant for science and engineering academic research.

Governors of 23 states call for MLP parity

A coalition of governors from 23 states wrote to Senator Coons Thursday to thank him for his efforts to create cheaper, cleaner energy. In the letter, the governors called for the passage of the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act. The legislation was co-sponsored by Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).

The bill would make it easier and cheaper for investors to fund a broad range of clean energy projects including wind, solar, fuel cells, and energy efficient buildings. The Governors Wind Energy Coalition’s letter states that “the Master Limited Partnership structure can help reduce the cost of capital and attract more investors to our states.”

The legislation expands access to a business structure known as "master limited partnerships." Since 1987, the ability to form a master limited partnership has been mostly limited to projects involving oil and gas pipelines. This has allowed those industries to explode in size and attract huge amounts of investment. This letter reflects that the reality that equal access to financing for all sources of energy makes sense, regardless of party or regional affiliation. From Hawaii to Iowa and from Maryland to Montana, governors see that master limited partnerships make sense and passage of Senator Coons’ legislation is a step towards a better energy future.

The following states are members of the Governors Wind Energy Coalition: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Washington

President's choice for Energy Secretary supports expansion of MLPs

President Obama's nominee for Secretary of Energy, Ernie Moniz, told senators in his confirmation hearing today that he supported Senator Coons' plan to expand the list of energy technology projects eligible for the "master limited partnership" status. 

The transcript follows:

SENATOR CANTWELL:

Do you see an opportunity, looking back at some of the resources that we have been talking about, as a way to better streamline — when you look at the marketplace and how things are being financed for — for clean energy solutions, do you see a better — a better way for us to make continued progress on clean energy solutions in — in the development of new technology? 

DR. MONIZ:

Well, I'm certainly aware, and very interested in a number of discussions about different approaches, such as, you know extension of master limited partnerships, REITS to clean energy, and as those prove to be — and I know in — in the — here, members are also interested in those approaches. Those, or others that can help move a lot of, kind of private capital into the game would be very, very, very interesting and I would love to work on those with the members.

SOTU Analysis: Leading the way in energy innovation

In this series of blog posts, Senator Coons’ legislative staff shares their analysis of the President’s State of the Union address with Delawareans.

In his State of the Union Address, President Obama emphasized the importance of scientific research and development, praising innovation and declaring that “we need to invest in the best ideas.” Senator Coons is a passionate believer in the importance of basic and applied science and is a strong supporter of innovative products being developed in Delaware.

President Obama called attention to innovative 3D printing that “has the potential to revolutionize the way we make almost everything.” In Delaware, the revolution has already begun. At the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, scientists such as Tariq Rahman and Whitney Sample have used 3D printing to create customizable assistive devices to help children overcome mobility challenges. These cutting edge innovations gave five-year-old Emma Lavelle plastic appendages that allowed her to play and hug her mother for the first time.

Last night, President Obama called for “a level of research and development not seen since the height of the Space Race.” He specified that today, no area holds more promise than investments in American energy. Delaware is once again leading the way, with energy research that is truly paradigm-shifting.

The University of Delaware was named as an Energy Frontier Research Center by the U.S. Department of Energy. An award of more than $17 million dollars will be used to find more efficient ways to convert complex molecules from biomass into chemicals and fuels. UD is also at work fueling innovation in partnership with Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) and the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation with transformational projects like super-strong magnets and hydrogen-fuel cells.  As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a leading champion of ARPA-E, Chris will continue to support these game-changing initiatives.    

During a recent visit to the University of Delaware’s STAR campus, Chris test-drove a car built by a joint project between the UD and NRG Energy. The car allows rechargeable battery-operated vehicles to also serve as a source of power to the electrical grid. With scientists such as UD professor Willett Kempton leading the way, Delaware at the forefront of realizing the President’s vision. 

SOTU Analysis: Investing in energy efficiency

In this series of blog posts, Senator Coons’ legislative staff shares their analysis of the President’s State of the Union address with Delawareans.

Last night in his State of the Union address, President Obama identified a key driver of economic growth that is both powerful and straightforward to implement: increasing the energy efficiency of our homes and businesses, where over 40% of our nation's energy is used.

President Obama announced he is setting a new goal of cutting in half the energy wasted by our nation’s homes and businesses over the next twenty years. Energy efficiency saves money, creates jobs, protects the environment and promotes energy independence.

Senator Coons has been a leading voice on energy efficiency in the Senate. In the last Congress, he co-sponsored the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act with Senators Shaheen and Portman to promote energy efficiency, as well as legislation to raise the standard for energy efficiency in our household appliances. In the current Congress, he will work with his colleagues to to ensure that a strong program to maximize energy efficiency becomes law.

Chris is a congressional vice chair of the Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency. A recent report released by the Alliance outlined policies that can double how effectively our economy uses energy by 2030. Doing so will bring a 100% return on investment, add 1% to the nation’s GDP, save the average household $1000 per year and create 1.3 million jobs around the country.

ICYMI: Sec. Chu endorses Sen. Coons’ proposal to spark investment in renewable energy projects

The Hill published an article on Wednesday on Energy Secretary Steven Chu’s support for Sen. Coons’ legislation that would open a financial structure for renewable energy.

The Obama administration lent its support Wednesday to a congressional effort that would open a financing structure for renewable energy.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu called on Congress to approve legislation that would let investors utilize master limited partnerships for renewable energy, which he said would spur development.

“It’s a world of difference and it will have a profound effect on capital private investment,” Chu said during an Energy Department event on wind energy.

Master limited partnerships are financing structures that are taxed like a partnership and traded like a stock. The arrangement reduces capital costs by spreading it among a greater number of investors, and by taxing the entity at one level instead of two.

Currently, the mechanism is available only to coal, gas and oil projects. It has been instrumental in funding pipeline construction across the country.

Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) is leading the congressional push to expand master limited partnerships to renewable energy. The concept has picked up bipartisan support in the Senate, and he predicted it will pick up more backers from both sides of the aisle next Congress.

Coons said last week that he had raised the issue with senior administration officials, and that he hoped the White House would advocate for the change.

It appears that message has reached Chu.

He said Wednesday that opening master limited partnerships would “level the playing field” for renewables, such as wind, with other energy investments.

“If the cost of financing goes down — guess what — the cost of wind goes down,” Chu said.