An overview of the corporate lobbying detected by InfluenceMap related to oil, fossil gas, and methane for the month of October 2022.
At the close of the public comment period in early October for the Department of Energy’s consumer furnace energy efficiency proposal, InfluenceMap found contrasting positions from the oil and gas industry on the proposed rule update. Opposition was led by the American Gas Association (AGA) while utilities demonstrated support, including in joint letters submitted by California utilities, including Edison International, and another group that included Avangrid.
Analysis undertook by InfluenceMap in October 2022 of the submissions to the consultation on the Safeguard Mechanism Reforms show how the Australian fossil fuel sector has in general been highly engaged yet unsupportive of ambitious reform of the policy. This included, but was not limited to, oppositional responses by the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA) and the Minerals Council of Australia.
InfluenceMap has identified an intense lobbying battle taking place over fossil fuel phase-out in the EU Energy Performance of Building Directive. A broad spectrum of companies and industry associations advocated in favor of a fossil fuel phase-out, including Iberdrola calling for higher ambition, and opposition from fossil gas companies, such as PGE Group, advocating for a continued role for fossil gas heating systems.
InfluenceMap has detected increased activity from the Asia Natural Gas and Energy Association (ANGEA) in September and October 2022. In October 2022, ANGEA CEO Paul Everingham led ANGEA in a visit to meet with the Royal Thai Government and the Ministry of Energy, Trade and Industry. This appears to have coincided with an increase in communications from the association regarding the need for Thailand to invest in its fossil gas infrastructure. ANGEA’s advocacy activities appear to focus on promoting fossil gas all over the Asia region, with a particular focus on employing discourse around energy poverty and accessibility in Asia and the role of fossil gas as a ‘partner’ to renewables.
This month, InfluenceMap released its new Methane Platform, tracking corporate engagement with methane regulations. The platform highlights the lack of methane regulations enacted so far, despite top line commitments under the Global Methane Pledge, negative lobbying from the oil & gas sector and agricultural sector on US and EU methane regulations, as well as they key narratives used by industry to lobby against methane regulations.
For more information on the Methane Platform, please contact [email protected].