1. Conservative Climate Caucus names new chair
This week, the Conservative Climate Caucus announced Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (R-IA), as the new Chair.
Founder and former Chair Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) transitioned to an advisory role as Chair Emeritus. Vice chairs include Reps.:
- Buddy Carter (R-GA)
- Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA)
- Gregory Murphy (R-NC)
- Tim Walberg (R-MI)
- Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR)
What's clear: “As I assume leadership of the Caucus, I look forward to continuing to promote an any-of-the-above strategy for ensuring U.S. energy dominance with a globally competitive economy while simultaneously reducing emissions for a cleaner, healthier planet,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks.
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2. New nuclear coming to Wyoming…
TerraPower, one of the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Programs (ARDP) demonstration reactors announced in 2020, submitted its Construction Permit application to the NRC for their Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, WY.
What to know:
- The Natrium reactor utilizes a molten salt thermal energy storage system, similar to concentrated solar power.
- This allows the facility to increase or decrease its output, providing flexibility and reliability for the grid.
What’s clear: The ARDP is a prime example of how goal-oriented investments turn into a success story with tremendous returns. Lower-cost advanced nuclear technologies can provide reliable, scalable, zero-emissions power and heat.
Plug in: Learn more in a testimony from ClearPath’s Chief Strategy Officer Jeremy Harrell.
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3. …and carbon capture for coal
Also in Wyoming, PacifiCorp is partnering with US-based carbon capture developer 8 Rivers and South Korean conglomerate SK Group to retrofit carbon capture onto a coal power plant.
What’s clear: PacifiCorp is the largest power provider in WY. This move pins the energy giant to build the second commercial-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) project on a U.S. coal plant – following the Petra Nova facility in Houston, TX.
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4. Former House leadership endorse CCLP
Last week, ClearPath launched its Conservative Climate Leadership Program (CCLP) to recruit and hire the next generation of clean energy champions on Capitol Hill and at ClearPath.
What’s clear: Former Congressman and ClearPath Advisory Board Member Greg Walden shared this quote regarding the need for CCLP:
“ClearPath’s innovative program offers a solution for Congressional offices - it will make short-term hiring easier, and in the long-run will bolster the field of conservatives interested in energy policy to work in Congress.” Retweet him!
Here’s what former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich had to say about CCLP:
"Congress is always in need of building the bench of future policy leaders. To have ClearPath opening doors for young conservatives to work on clean energy innovation is incredible; frankly, that premise would have been unthinkable when I ran Congress." – Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the House.
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5. Celebrating 10 Years of clean energy innovation
ClearPath celebrated 10 years of clean energy innovation in March. In addition to 17 Members of Congress who ClearPath works with, attendees included ClearPath alumni and industry partners.
Plug in: Check out the recap video highlights!
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6. ICYMI
- The Wall Street Journal outlines the stress on the power grid from AI data centers and climate rules.
- DOE announced $500 million in tax credits to boost industrial decarbonization.
- Read S&P energy analyst Daniel Yergin’s take on the energy “transition.”
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