ClearPath Action Rundown
April 26th, 2024
Happy Friday!
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1. New acceleration for new nuclear
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved its proposed rule to streamline the environmental review process for new nuclear reactors.
- By finding the majority of environmental topics that can be treated generically it will allow the NRC staff and applicant to focus on the most relevant project-specific topics.
- The NRC staff estimate that using the advanced nuclear reactor Generic Environmental Impact Statement (ANR GEIS) could reduce the costs of environmental reviews by between 20% and 45%, depending on the project.
“This rule is an important step to help speed up the new nuclear technologies to market,” said Nicholas McMurray, ClearPath Action’s Managing Director for Nuclear and International Policy and former engineer at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “We applaud the Commissioners for taking steps to improve the licensing process.”
What's clear: New reactors seek to have an even smaller environmental impact, making them ideal solutions for industrial customers and data center users.
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2. A Decade of Dedication
10 years ago, Jay Faison founded ClearPath, and the climate debate sure looked different back then.
Over the past decade, ClearPath has worked with private sector innovators and leaders in Congress to shape conceptual ideas into pragmatic policy, which has led to the construction of real projects.
What's clear: U.S. emissions have decreased by 15%, more than any other nation. That hasn’t happened by chance; conservative clean energy leaders have catalyzed innovation policies, including:
- Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program concept in 2016;
- 45Q tax incentive in 2018; and
- The Energy Act of 2020, which culminated with new legislation like the Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act and the Advanced Geothermal Innovation Leadership (AGILE) Act.
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3. More gas, reduced emissions: New NPC Study on charting the course
Natural gas is the largest primary energy produced in the U.S., and its use is growing. This National Petroleum Council study, "Charting The Course: Reducing GHG Emissions from the U.S. Natural Gas Supply Chain," is a roadmap for advances in technology and policy that can lead to more use of gas with a 2050 reduction potential of:
- 70% methane emissions reduction
- 33% carbon dioxide emissions reduction
- 52% combined GHG emissions reduction
ClearPath's Rich Powell and Karen Obenshain contributed to the report, specifically on recommendations for standardizing differentiated gas, carbon capture and sequestration deployment at LNG facilities, and using satellites for global monitoring of GHGs, including methane.
A second NPC report, "Harnessing Hydrogen: A Key Element of the U.S. Energy Future," included contributions from ClearPath’s Natalie Houghtalen and Emma Quigg and examined the necessity of reaching deployment of domestic clean hydrogen.
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4. Senate companion to the Fusion Energy Act introduced
A new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate, the Fusion Energy Act, would improve the regulatory framework for fusion energy, helping clear the path for innovations that have demonstrated their technology.
- Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) … Todd Young (R-IN) … Alex Padilla (D-CA) … Cory Booker (D-NJ) … and Patty Murray (D-WA) sponsored.
- The U.S. House enacted similar provisions in the Atomic Energy Advancement Act, led by Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), with overwhelming bipartisan support 365 - 36.
What's clear: New fusion energy companies have attracted around $6 billion in private capital and are looking to produce power by the end of the decade.
Plug in: Learn more about fusion in our 101 here.
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5. ClearPath opposes new power plant rule
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) Clean Power Plan 2.0 immediately drew criticism from key Congressional leaders. This rule could threaten a cleaner, more reliable, and affordable U.S. grid because it does not adequately account for the following:
- Rising Demand — energy demand could double in the next decade.
- Reliability Risks — the grid needs more dispatchable power assets. Without enabling a carbon capture build-out, mandates will simply close more gas and coal, not facilitate more clean dispatchable generation.
- State of Permitting — mandating carbon capture by 2032 will require rapid new permitting of CO2 sequestration sites, expansion of pipeline infrastructure, and approval of emission control technology. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration has been slow in approving the appropriate permits, finalizing guidance, and empowering states to act.
- Consumer Affordability — according to ClearPath Action research, energy affordability is the top consideration for Americans today, and this rule would drive prices up.
What’s clear: Solutions to produce more clean energy and lower emissions must focus on policies that put markets over mandates and innovation over regulation. The Administration’s current approach to gas and carbon capture simply amounts to a shutdown of American energy.
Plug in: During the Obama Administration, the EPA had a similar Clean Power Plan overturned by the Supreme Court in 2022 in West Virginia v. EPA. The Supreme Court ruled to reassert Congress’s authority over this type of regulation.
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6. ICYMI
- ClearPath’s Chief External Affairs Officer Luke Bolar moderated a panel at EarthX in Dallas, TX and heard from Rep. Fleischmann (R-TN) about smart investments in nuclear energy.
- Bloomberg’s Ed Board embraces nuclear regulatory reform to accelerate SMRs.
- 25 Governors called on Pres. Biden to lift the pause on LNG export approvals.
- ClearPath shared its messaging at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and its 63 partner groups, representing the leading hunting, fishing, and conservation organizations, to strengthen the sportsman’s voice in D.C.
- The DOE announced a new permitting process for electric transmission facilities consistent with the FRA's lead agency provisions and a new award for a transmission project connecting Idaho and Nevada.
- This week, DOE announced four project winners to design carbon dioxide transportation systems.
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That's all from us. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
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