Today The Hill posted an article listing the five things to watch in energy policy during the coming year. 

1.  As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moves to tighten restrictions on greenhouse gases, the Republicans in Congress will move to limit the EPA’s power.  Senator John Rockefeller’s (D-W.Va.) has previously tried to delay the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases and failed, but this year he will have a Republican majority in the House and more Republicans in the Senate to help with his efforts.  West Virginia is heavily dependent on the coal industry for its economy, and the EPA regulations would have a serious impact on the state’s economy. 

2..The continuing impact of the Gulf Oil Spill will also be an item on the Congressional agenda.  Under current law, the financial penalties levied on the companies involved will go back to the federal government,  There will be a move to send the money back to the Gulf region where the damage was done.  Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.) recently stated that she wants 80 percent of the penalties to go to the Gulf region.

3.  Can the Republicans and President Obama find common ground on energy policy?  OPEC stated recently that it’s goal was oil prices at $100 a barrel.  As Americans watch that price reflected in the cost of heating their homes and at the gas pump, there will be a cry for developing domestic oil resources.  As prices rise, Congress may be forced into allowing offshore drilling permits to be issued.

4.  The Sierra Club and The Environmental Defense Fund are already making plans to see tougher limits on greenhouse gasses put in place.  They were not happy with their progress in the last Congress and are planning to take a more ‘confrontational stance.’   There will be a battle as to whether or not man-made climate change is real.

5.  Our relationship with China in regard to green energy will be complicated this year by China’s green tech trade practices. 

According to the article;

“The Obama administration escalated the conflict Dec. 22 by announcing it will seek formal World Trade Organization talks with China over its wind industry subsidies, which U.S. officials believe have run afoul of WTO rules.”

The November elections are not only going to have an impact on taxes and spending–there are many energy issues that will be part of the debate in the coming year.