Trump officials, energy execs to speak at pro-coal event during UN climate talks

The details: The speakers at the event are likely to be the following, according to several people familiar with the event:

• Wells Griffith, Trump’s adviser on global energy and climate issues.
• Steve Winberg, assistant secretary for fossil energy at the Energy Department.
• Rich Powell, executive director of the ClearPath Foundation, a nonprofit working on cleaner energy technologies from a conservative perspective.
• Asfaha Tesfai, director of commercial development for Sempra LNG [liquefied natural gas] & Midstream.
• Cheniere Energy, another company exporting natural gas, declined to participate in the event, according to a person familiar with the event.

For the record:

• An Energy Department spokeswoman confirmed Winberg’s participation.
• Powell confirmed his participation and said he would be focusing on advanced nuclear power technologies.
• A spokesman for Sempra confirmed Tesfai's participation.

• State Department and White House spokespeople didn’t comment on the speakers, and said instead the event, set for Dec. 10, will focus on how “job-creating innovations have contributed to reducing U.S. emissions while also growing our economy and providing reliable and affordable access to energy.”

Flashback, from our on-the-ground coverage at the conference last year:

• Divisions over climate change on display at Trump panel in Germany
• Highlights: Trump team’s event at climate summit

What’s next: I'll be in Katowice beginning Dec. 9. Negotiators are looking to make progress on the technical aspects of the 2015 deal, which goes into effect in 2020.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to add a representative from Sempra as a panelist at the event.