The Lot Sixteen Blog
Biden Administration Regulatory Activity is a Race Against Congressional Review Clock
It's worth understanding what's driving the tremendous amount of recent regulatory activity and announcements from the Biden administration on climate and energy policy – which is likely to continue in the weeks ahead. Here’s a few major rulemakings and announcements that have already been finalized or are expected to in the days ahead.
What’s Next for the U.S.-EU Green Steel and Aluminum Talks?
In our third installment of our Trading Thoughts “Trade & Climate” series, we are taking stock of negotiations between the United States and European Union seeking to address green trade in steel and aluminum and the prospects of reaching a final agreement as the EU and U.S. forge ahead toward 2024 elections.
Capitol Hill’s Must-Pass Agenda
As Congress returns to Washington after a two-week recess, and we finally have Fiscal Year 2024 in the rearview mirror, Lot Sixteen took a look at the remaining must-pass items as well as other priorities in the legislative agenda before the end of the year.
No Consensus on Carbon Tariffs or Taxes in Congress
Recently on Trading Thoughts, we kicked off our series on “Trade & Climate” with a look at how the European Union’s (EU) Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) could reshape international trade and climate policy. In our second installment of the series, we will explore legislative proposals coming from this side of the Atlantic.
SEC Finalizes Scaled Back Climate Disclosure Rule
Yesterday, the Securities and Exchange Commission finalized its landmark climate disclosure rule, omitting so-called Scope 3 emissions that the agency has signaled for months would likely be jettisoned from the final regulation.
Trading Thoughts on the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
For the first time in its twenty-eight year history, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly known as COP28, included an entire day dedicated to the role of international trade policy in addressing climate change. In our first in a series of upcoming posts on “Trade & Climate,” we will explore the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
Axios: Lunch with Lot Sixteen’s Colin Hayes
Axios sat down with Lot Sixteen cofounder Colin Hayes over arepas at The Royal.
For Lot Sixteen, Season of Giving is Personal
Lot Sixteen found a new way to give this year – gifting employees money to direct to their charity of choice and also matching the first $100 employees donate to that charity, increasing the total amount of money donated to important causes.
America Recycles Day
Each year, nearly 430 million tons of plastic is produced globally – two thirds of which is only used for the short-term and quickly becomes waste. We need to drastically alter our relationship with plastic in order to reduce its negative effects, such as contamination of soil, water supplies and even our own bodies. And, Americans largely recognize this.
Breaking Down the U.S. Reversal on Digital Trade
In a departure from long-standing U.S. policy on digital trade, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative recently announced it was pulling back its support for certain e-commerce proposals at the World Trade Organization in order to preserve domestic policy space for digital trade regulation. Advocates of the move view these digital trade rules as barriers to regulating the domestic technology industry. Opponents fear the move marks an abandonment of U.S. leadership on setting the rules of the road for digital trade. Lot Sixteen breaks down the Administration’s decision and what to watch for in the coming months.
Insights from a Past Hill Reporter
Geof Koss, Lot Sixteen Vice President, Phish-lover and skateboarder, sat down with us to discuss insights as a past Hill reporter, how to disconnect and recharge from work, and advice for young professionals in Washington, D.C.
To Be (Quoted), Or Not To Be
For better or for worse, much of corporate America still measures the success of any PR effort based on the number of impressions or mentions it generates. (We would argue that it’s a flawed metric, but that’s for another blog post.)
Lot Sixteen Members Give Congressional Update for the Aluminum Association
Over a hundred Aluminum Association members from across the industry attended the Aluminum Association’s annual meeting here in Washington, D.C., at The Wharf. Several Lot Sixteeners were happy to join the meeting to discuss pressing matters facing the industry, from recycling and sustainability to trade and vehicle electrification. Here’s what we covered.
Reading with the Lot: Three Favorites from Lot Sixteen’s Book Club
Each month Lot Sixteen’s book club researches trending books and must-read stories to provide some new ideas on which book we should read next. From there, we all take a vote and read the book that wins the majority. Here’s some of our favorites so far.
Absent U.S. Leadership, Trans-Pacific Trade Pact Moves Forward
President Trump walked out of a major trade agreement with Pacific trading partners to the shock of many around the world. While President Biden is trying to forge a new path, China seeks to fill the void and U.S. allies are already stepping in, leaving the United States in the dust.
Bioplastics Are Not the Answer to the Plastic Pollution Problem
Plastics made from plant material, such as corn starch or sugar cane, have emerged on the market and increased in popularity amongst consumers. These so-called “bioplastics” come in many forms, the most popular of which is polylactide acid, a type of bioplastic often used in the packaging industry for takeout containers and silverware. But are they really any better for the environment?
Celebrating National Intern Day in the Nation’s Capital
We sat down with our six interns for a quick Q&A. They answered why they chose Lot Sixteen and laid out their favorite parts about being in Washington, D.C., including some fun facts they learned along the way.
White House Climate Goals: The Great Disconnect
The private sector is doing its utmost to utilize the IRA and achieve Biden’s decarbonization goals. It would behoove the bureaucracy to pay attention to what ALL of the administration is doing and consider whether policies are helping or hindering the president’s climate goals.
A Packed July for Congress, Long To-Do List Before Summer Recess
Summer is in full steam ahead. Here’s what we’re keeping an eye on…Both the House and Senate are back this week; Members roll up their sleeves to tackle a long to-do list before the August recess; NDAA action coming this week in the House, with FAA to follow next week; and the Appropriations slog continues.
Congress Flexes Its Muscles Over Trade Authority
Earlier this month, leaders of the House Ways & Means and Senate Finance Committees unveiled a bipartisan bill that approves the first phase of recently agreed upon trade talks with Taiwan and lays out a process and expectations for congressional approval of subsequent agreements under the initiative. The bill cleared the House floor last week in a unanimous vote.