by James Peters and Matthew Simmons| August 20, 2015

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced its long-awaited rule to regulate existing power plants and set the framework for state plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Most significantly, the “Clean Power Plan” includes goals to cut carbon emissions from electric power generation by 32 percent by 2030, increase generation from renewables to 28 […]

by Matthew Simmons| November 13, 2014

The Republican wave of the 2014 midterm elections confirmed that the fate of the Keystone XL pipeline, which has dogged the administration since before the 2012 election, is THE defining energy debate of the Obama presidency and useful shorthand for the debates to come. In short, Keystone demonstrates the tension between national political will to […]

by Matthew Simmons| October 31, 2012

The energy policy discussion has changed significantly since the 2008 election. Two major points of discussion that year – promoting nuclear energy and climate change legislation – fell victim to a major natural disaster and the lingering economic pain caused by the financial crisis. In place of those policy options, the landscape has been remade […]

by Matthew Simmons| February 9, 2012

Information is the coin of the realm in Washington, and the media habits of the city’s influencers reflect that demand for news, insight and gossip. Whether from traditional channels such as cable and broadcast news or newer outlets including Twitter and the blogosphere, influencers inside the Beltway generate, share and discuss information at home, at […]