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<[link removed]> <[link removed]>ClearPath Action Rundown
November 22nd, 2024
Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! We will be back in your inboxes on Friday, December 6th.
Congratulations to the DOE Secretary nominee, Chris Wright!
“Chris Wright’s extensive experience as an oil and gas executive, disruptive entrepreneur, and clean energy investor will serve him well as the leader of the Department of Energy. Chris helped advance the shale gas revolution in the U.S. and will lead the development of clean, affordable, reliable technology while furthering American energy leadership.” – ClearPath CEO Jeremy Harrell
1. ClearPath testifies before House Natural Resources Subcommittee
L-R: Dr. Colin Williams, Program Coordinator, Mineral Resources Program - U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior; Cheryl Lombard, Senior Program Director - Power, Infrastructure and Minerals - ClearPath Action; Jonathon Travis, Principle, Severance Tax - Ryan, LLC; Derf Johnson, Deputy Director - Montana Environmental Information Center; Frank White Clay, Chairman - Crow Tribe of Indians.
This week, ClearPath’s Cheryl Lombard testified before the House Natural Resources Energy & Mineral Resources Subcommittee on H.R. 7807, the Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act. Her testimony covered:
- How Congress and the Committee can work to meet energy demand with American supply of critical minerals and materials; and
- Accelerating American innovation to reduce global emissions and create jobs.
What’s clear: “Federal permitting must shift to expedite approvals for projects that deliver net benefits and meet legal standards for environmental laws, including clean air and water. This is especially true for critical minerals and materials projects due to their long development timelines. The Task Force created in this bill will strengthen international partnerships, domestic capabilities, and supply chains while protecting U.S. national security and economic stability,” said Cheryl.
Plug in: Watch Cheryl’s opening statement here <[link removed]>.
2. House Republicans champion clean energy innovation at COP29
An official House Energy & Commerce bipartisan delegation, led by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), attended COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Five House Republicans, including Reps. John James (R-MI), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Troy Balderson (R-OH), held a press conference highlighting:
- The importance of American leadership in clean innovative solutions to reduce global emissions without sacrificing economic development or national security; and
- The need for increased clean energy innovation technologies (i.e. CCUS, nuclear, fusion & more).
What’s clear: COP29 served as an important reminder of the U.S.’ role as a global leader in innovation. The bipartisan American delegation emphasized the need for market-driven solutions to lower emissions. This approach resonates with allies, who recognize the U.S. as a driver of technological innovation and a leader in efforts to reduce global emissions.
Plug in: Learn more in our recap blog <[link removed]> by CEO Jeremy Harrell and Senior Program Manager for Carbon Management Savvy Bowman.
3. Permitting progress for Hermes 2 Demonstration Plant
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced it will issue construction permits <[link removed]> to Kairos Power for the Hermes 2 Demonstration Plant to be built at the Heritage Center Industrial Park in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
This reactor:
- Marks the 3rd construction permit that the NRC has issued for a non-light water reactor (LWR), including research reactors (Abilene Christian University in Texas, Kairos Hermes, and now Kairos Hermes 2);
- Is now the first electricity-producing Gen IV plant to be approved for construction in the U.S.; and
- Received its construction license in 18 months <[link removed]>, about 5 months faster than Kairos’ first test reactor.
What’s important: Although these are test reactors, it is encouraging to see the NRC significantly reduce its review timeline. The NRC should continue to ensure licensing is efficient and predictable for commercial reactors.
4. House passes CLEAN Act
Rep. Fulcher’s (R-ID) Committing Leases for Energy Access Now (CLEAN) Act <[link removed]> passed the House this week by a vote of 244-171. CLEAN would:
- Require the Secretary of the Interior to hold annual lease sales for geothermal energy projects on federal lands and force replacement sales if a lease is missed for any reason;
- Speed up the geothermal drilling application process at the DOI; and
- Increase geothermal development, supporting U.S. energy independence and meeting growing American energy demand.
Plug in: “Nearly 90% of our nation's geothermal resources are located on federally managed lands. I introduced the CLEAN Act to remove red tape and require the Department of Interior to increase lease opportunities to bolster the exploration and development of this critical resource,” tweeted Rep. Fulcher <[link removed]>.
5. OCED finalized awards for 5 out of 7 regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs
DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) completed award negotiations <[link removed]> with both the Gulf Coast and Midwest Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs for up to $2.2B in total federal cost share.
- The Appalachian, Californian and Pacific Northwest Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs have also finalized award negotiations.
- The finalization of these awards allows each hub to begin Phase I of hub development which includes foundational activities.
What’s Clear: The Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs are being implemented as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and can increase American energy and national security while tackling emissions from difficult-to-decarbonize sectors. These Hubs have the potential to bolster local economies and enhance domestic production.
Plug in: Developers are still awaiting final guidance on a 45V clean hydrogen tax incentive. Read more <[link removed]> on why it’s important for the IRS to get this right.
6. Summit’s pipeline permit gets approval in North Dakota
North Dakota’s Public Service Commission approved a permit for Summit Carbon Solutions’ CO2 pipeline <[link removed]>. The pipeline will transport CO2 captured from ethanol facilities across the Midwest to underground storage sites in North Dakota, which has primacy over Class VI wells and where Summit must receive a carbon storage permit.
South Dakota, Minnesota and Nebraska must also approve permits for the portions of Summit’s project in those states.
What we know:
- Iowa recently approved Summit's permit;
- Summit has reapplied for a permit in South Dakota after it was previously denied;
- Minnesota regulators will vote on a small segment of Summit's pipeline in December; and
- Nebraska has no statewide permit process for carbon pipelines, and Summit will need to acquire a permit from each county it enters.
What’s clear: CO2 pipelines are essential for meeting energy security and global emissions reduction goals. To succeed, a streamlined permitting process for large, interstate CO2 pipeline projects is necessary for building out this critical infrastructure at the scale that is needed.
What’s on the whiteboard: Learn more about the importance of modernizing energy permitting here <[link removed]> and the 5,300 miles of pipelines in the U.S. here <[link removed]>.
7. Coming down the pipeline
Wednesday, December 4 at 3:50 - 4:40 p.m. – CEO Jeremy Harrell will speak on Energy Dialogue’s North American Gas Forum panel discussing natural gas and the next generation of clean energy technologies. Register here to attend <[link removed]>.
8. ICYMI
- ABOVE: Yesterday, ClearPath CEO Jeremy Harrell spoke at Dynamo Energy Hub’s virtual event with their Co-Founder and CEO Meade Harris on the new opportunities in the U.S. for climate action and clean energy.
- The PUC of Texas released its Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group Report <[link removed]>this week on Texas' plan to build a world-leading advanced nuclear power industry in the energy capital of the world.
- In a letter <[link removed]> to DOE Secretary Granholm, Reps. Guthrie (R-KY) and Obernolte (R-CA) recognize the importance of increasing power demand and grid reliability as it relates to American energy dominance.
- ClimeFi and XPRIZE launched the Global 1000 CDR challenge <[link removed]>, calling the world’s largest 1,000 public corporations to enter into new purchase agreements for at least 1,000 metric tons of permanent carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in 2025.
- Sens. Bennet (D-CO) and Murkowski (R-AK) introduced a bill <[link removed]> to support a wide range of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions.
- Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Jenkins announced $30 million in new funding <[link removed]>along with an agreement to develop SMRs for industrial decarbonization projects in Ukraine.
That's all from us. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
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