ClearPath Action Rundown
January 24th, 2025
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Congratulations to Doug Burgum,
Chris Wright & Lee Zeldin on receiving bipartisan U.S. Senate
Committee approvals!
And congratulations to
Alex
Fitzsimmons,
formerly of ClearPath, for taking the role as Chief of Staff at the
U.S. Department of Energy!
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1. West Virginia
granted Class VI primacy |
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West Virginia is the fourth state
to be granted Class VI primacy. Last week, EPW Chair Capito (R-WV)
announced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
approved West Virginia’s Class
VI primacy application, allowing the W.V. Department of Environmental
Protection to permit Class VI wells in the state. Class VI
primacy:
- Has
proven to be an effective tool for streamlining the permitting process
for Class VI wells – enabling states to review and approve carbon
storage permits in a matter of months; and
- Is key
for unlocking carbon storage infrastructure and deploying carbon
management technologies broadly.
Seven other states have begun early
application activities to receive Class VI primacy. The EPA is
reviewing over 60 well applications in these states for 20 carbon
storage projects. Granting states Class VI primacy is key to
permitting these projects efficiently and getting steel in the
ground.
What’s clear:
“Carbon capture, utilization, and storage is essential to protecting
our ability to provide reliable, baseload power in West Virginia
through coal and natural gas while reducing our power and
manufacturing sector emissions,” said Chair
Capito.
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2. GE Hitachi’s
BWRX-300 accelerates SMR deployment |
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GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 could soon be
deployed in Tennessee, Indiana and North Carolina. A coalition led by
the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) applied for $800 million in
funding from DOE’s U.S. Gen III+ small modular reactor (SMR)
technology grant. If awarded, TVA plans to accelerate construction of
the SMR at its Clinch River site by two years with commercial
operation planned for 2033.
Along with TVA, this group includes
Duke Energy Corporation, Bechtel Corporation, BWX Technologies, Inc.
(BWXT), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), GE Hitachi and
others.
In addition:
- Duke
Energy entered an agreement with GE Hitachi to advance BWRX-300 SMR
design and licensing.
- American
Electric Power (AEP) selected the BWRX-300 as its preferred SMR to be
deployed at an existing power plant site in Indiana.
What’s clear:
Developers and utilities are collaborating to accelerate SMR
deployment while sharing risk and knowledge to reduce delays and
costs. The BWRX-300 will serve as a valuable reference for developers
providing insights and lessons learned for future reactor
deployments.
Plug in: Read more
about how addressing uncertainty and perceived risk will allow
companies to invest in the supply chains and workforce with the
Accelerating
Reliable Capacity Act.
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3. Interest in
restarting V.C. Summer Nuclear Station |
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South Carolina utility Santee
Cooper is
looking for a buyer for the partially built V.C. Summer nuclear power plant.
The completed Westinghouse
AP1000 reactors would be capable of generating more than 2,200
megawatts of nuclear power. This announcement follows an emerging
interest in large reactors.
New life to nuclear:
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Vogtle: Units 3 and 4
came online in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
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Diablo Canyon: The
plant was saved from shutdown when it received support from bipartisan
infrastructure law to remain operational.
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Palisades: The
Michigan nuclear plant received a federal loan year
to reopen.
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Three Mile Island: Constellation Energy and Microsoft partnered to reopen Unit
1.
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Daune Arnold: This
Iowa nuclear plant is considering reopening.
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V.C. Summer: Currently seeking
buyers to complete construction on two
reactors.
What’s clear: As the demand for energy from
data and AI centers increases, tech companies are looking to nuclear
energy as a source of 24/7 clean power.
Plug in: In the
Washington Examiner,
ClearPath CEO Jeremy
Harrell co-authored an op-ed with Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) on investing in
and advancing nuclear energy to ensure Americans’ growing demands are
met with reliable, affordable and clean energy.
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4. Interior finalizes
additional geothermal CatEx |
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The Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) finalized
a rulemaking to
create a new categorical exclusion (CX) for geothermal resource
confirmation. This builds on previously adopted authorities from the
Fiscal Responsibility Act championed by House Republicans in
2023.
The latest CX mirrors bipartisan
legislation introduced by Congress to equalize the playing field for
oil & gas activities on Federal geothermal resource leases for
geothermal activities up to 20 acres of surface disturbance. This
categorical exclusion:
- Has
bipartisan congressional support;
- Will
help deploy more 24/7 clean, reliable energy; and
- Will
lead the way for geothermal to meet growing demand for AI and data
centers.
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5. Oklo and RPower’s
unique power availability |
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Oklo and RPower
are
partnering on a
phased energy approach for data centers. Natural gas generators meet
immediate power demands for data centers and move to a backup role
when Oklo’s Aurora Powerhouse is deployed to provide long-term, clean
energy.
- This is
a first-of-a-kind phased energy approach involving a nuclear
developer.
- Oklo’s
first deployment of the Aurora Powerhouse is planned for late 2027 at
Idaho National Lab.
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Oklo aims
to deploy 12 GW of
nuclear power for data centers through 2044.
What’s clear:
Unique partnerships like this can accelerate the deployment of nuclear
reactors to meet the critical energy needs of data centers. This
approach addresses immediate power requirements of these centers while
simultaneously advancing commercialization of clean, firm, 24/7
nuclear power.
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6. Unleashing American
clean energy innovation |
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Recent executive orders could lead
to accelerated clean energy deployment. The bipartisan Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) included funding for innovative, clean
energy technologies such as advanced nuclear, geothermal, carbon
capture and industrial projects, yet only 12% of what Congress
appropriated to the Department of Energy (DOE) in 2021 has gone to
American energy developers.
Some quick topline spending data as
of Jan. 10, 2025 from ClearPath's Infrastructure
Tracker:
- $63
billion in appropriated funds to DOE for energy innovation from
Congress in the IIJA.
- $43
billion in announced awards from DOE.
- $13
billion (20%) of awards have completed negotiations with signed,
contractually obligated funds to project developers.
- $7.8
billion (12%) is out the door as outlayed on the federal government’s
books.
What’s clear: Many
delays stem from new requirements introduced by the Biden
administration, such as Justice40, DEI initiatives, or community
benefit plans. These additional layers slowed negotiations and were
unrelated to the technical or economic success of the projects. As the
Trump administration staffs up and reviews these projects it could
implement a more streamlined process to help unleash American energy
and approve projects faster.
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7. Republicans
accelerating American energy leadership |
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President Trump's first
administration started to make American energy dominant in all forms
of energy. The private sector needs all tools available, including tax
credits and faster permitting, for this Administration to meet rapidly
increasing electricity demand and have America lead in new
technologies.
U.S. global energy leadership
requires prioritizing innovation over regulation and incentives for new clean energy
technologies rather than new taxes on American energy
production.
House Republicans
outlined their tax priorities, offered vocal support
for including
federal tax incentives that play an important role in accelerating new
American innovation to reduce global emissions at the House Ways &
Means member day hearing on Wednesday.
Incentives like…
- 45Q:
carbon sequestration credit;
- 45Y/48E:
clean electricity production credit and investment credit;
and
- 45X:
advanced manufacturing credit…
…can help the Administration achieve American
energy leadership.
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8. NEW blog: Five
States to Watch for New Nuclear |
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U.S. power use is projected to hit
record
highs in 2024 and
2025, with electricity demand expected to rise
9% by 2028.
Several states are deciding to
act now by positioning nuclear as a key solution to meet growing needs
and attract investment.
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Indiana: Governor
Mike Braun released his Freedom
and Opportunity Agenda, which includes support for advanced nuclear power in the
state.
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Tennessee: Tennessee
is advancing nuclear innovation by leveraging Oak Ridge National
Laboratory (ORNL) and strategic partnerships.
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Texas: Texas released
a landmark
report in response
to Gov. Greg Abbott’s 2023 directive to the Public Utility Commission
of Texas (PUCT).
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Utah: Gov. Spencer
Cox is driving nuclear innovation with his 2025 budget announcement,
prioritizing site identification, permitting readiness and creating
the infrastructure and economic ecosystem needed to enable nuclear
leadership.
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Virginia: Virginia’s
load growth is projected to double by 2039, the
highest electricity demand in the nation, prompting Governor Youngkin to create a
strategic nuclear energy plan and Clean Energy Innovation Bank.
What’s clear: While federal policy drives broad nuclear
innovation, states play a critical role in actually building nuclear
generation infrastructure. The U.S. has seen early mover states
collaborate with tech companies and utilities to streamline
permitting, reduce delays and support early-site preparation. This
state-level action allows project concepts to become
reality.
Plug in: Learn
more about what these states are working on in our
latest
blog by ClearPath
fellow Bryson Roberson and Hannah Devereaux.
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9. Green light for
Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs |
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DOE’s Office of Clean Energy
Demonstrations (OCED) completed award negotiations with both the
Heartland and Mid-Atlantic Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs on January
17th for up to $1.6B.
- The
finalization of these awards allows each hub to begin Phase I of hub
development which includes foundational activities.
- Last
year: The Appalachian, Californian, Pacific Northwest, Gulf Coast and
Midwest Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs finalized award
negotiations.
What’s clear: The
Regional
Clean Hydrogen Hubs are part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and can increase
American energy, support national security, tackle emissions from
difficult-to-decarbonize sectors and bolster local
economies.
Plug In: Learn
more about the advantages of clean hydrogen in CEO Jeremy Harrell's
op-ed.
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ClearPath believes
America must lead the world in innovation over regulation…markets over
mandates…providing affordable, reliable, clean
energy. |
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That's all from us. Thanks for reading and have a great
weekend!
View this Rundown online
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