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<[link removed]> <[link removed]>ClearPath Action Rundown
June 5th, 2026

Happy Friday! 

1. PASSED: House advances bipartisan package to unlock geothermal permitting



America's geothermal potential has long been stranded behind federal red tape; the House just moved to change that. The House passed a bipartisan package <[link removed]> that includes H.R. 1687 <[link removed]>, the CLEAN Act, and H.R. 5631 <[link removed]>, the Geothermal Energy Advancement Act, targeting the core permitting barriers that have kept geothermal energy sidelined on federal lands. Under the current system, a single geothermal project can trigger separate NEPA reviews up to six times over its lifespan.

The package addresses those barriers directly:

- Requires the Interior Department to process geothermal lease applications within 60 days of completing applicable federal requirements;
- Expands National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) categorical exclusions for geothermal activities, bringing treatment closer to parity with oil and gas;
- Establishes a dedicated geothermal ombudsman and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) permitting task force to standardize reviews across field offices; and
- Increases lease sale frequency and updates royalty-sharing metrics to improve project economics.

What's clear: Permitting reform is the key to unlocking geothermal development. The technology is ready, private capital is flowing and American drilling expertise gives the United States a real competitive edge. Congress has the opportunity to get the barriers out of the way and let the industry build.

Plug in: Read ClearPath's A Clear Path for Geothermal Permitting: Cutting Delays, Driving Deployment <[link removed]> for the full case on what federal reform can unlock.

2. Unleashing U.S. Energy: Lessons from Japan



The delegation with U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass and visiting energy infrastructure sites across Japan.

ClearPath brought nine U.S. Senate Republican staff to Japan this week as part of our educational series, the Clean Energy Innovation Academy (CEIA) for a firsthand look at what energy security looks like in practice. The delegation toured liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure, nuclear fuel cycle and decommissioning sites and met with U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass, Japanese government officials and industry leaders.

Why Japan:

- Japan has committed $550 billion into U.S. strategic industries, with roughly $300 billion directed toward energy; 
- That capital flows here because our allies trust American reliability and see the U.S. as their partner of choice; and
- As one of the world's largest energy importers and a top buyer of U.S. LNG, Japan is a critical example of why American energy leadership matters for global energy security.

What's clear: The energy policy decisions made in Washington carry weight far beyond U.S. borders, and the U.S.-Japan partnership is a clear example of what American energy leadership looks like in practice.

Plug in: Read Unleashing U.S. Energy: Lessons from Japan <[link removed]> by Justin Williams <[link removed]> and Emily Johnson <[link removed]> for the full recap.

3. DOE commits $134 million to rare earth elements production



Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are essential for permanent magnets used in many energy technologies, consumer electronics and advanced manufacturing applications. DOE is investing <[link removed]> $134 million to produce REEs from waste materials, turning unconventional feedstocks into domestic sources of critical minerals.  

What to know:

- Two projects were selected for award negotiations - one led by Colorado School of Mines and one led by Phoenix Tailings;
- Colorado School of Mines’ REE Demonstration Facility would process rare earths from red mud waste;  
- Phoenix Tailings’ demonstration-scale facility would produce high-purity rare earth metals from industrial waste; 
- These projects will demonstrate the commercial viability of transforming waste into valuable supplies of domestic critical minerals.  

What’s clear: The U.S. relies heavily on foreign sources for rare earth elements. Developing and demonstrating innovative technologies to turn historical liabilities into domestic sources of critical minerals will strengthen American energy, the economy and national security.

Plug in: Read Jeremy Harrell’s previous testimony <[link removed]> before Congress to understand why the domestic production of critical minerals is essential to advance U.S. leadership.

4. FERC clears the way for Pennsylvania's 835 MW nuclear restart



FERC approved waivers <[link removed]>that will accelerate grid access for the 835 MW Crane Clean Energy Center (formerly known as Three Mile Island Unit 1), a restarted nuclear plant expected to begin generating power in 2027. The waivers allow Constellation to transfer Capacity Interconnection Rights (CIRs) from its retiring Eddystone natural gas plant to Crane. 

- CIRs are required for participation in PJM’s capacity market and enable a plant to deliver its full output to the grid. 
- Without those rights, Crane could have generated power in 2027, but would not have been able to fully connect to the grid until around 2030. 

Crane was able to secure this opportunity because:

- Constellation owns both facilities;
- The plants are geographically close enough to have similar impacts on the grid; and
- Eddystone was already scheduled to retire, freeing up its CIRs for transfer.

What’s clear: Crane’s unique circumstances allow it to bypass years of waiting for transmission upgrades and bring power online faster. However, one-off solutions like this will not solve PJM’s broader supply challenges. Expanding grid infrastructure and reforming interconnection processes remain essential to adding new generation at the scale and speed needed to meet growing demand and keep electricity prices affordable.

Plug in: Read ClearPath'sTime to Fix America's Permitting Problems and Let America Build <[link removed]> for more on modernizing interconnection queues.

5. 250 years of American energy innovation



As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, ClearPath is highlighting <[link removed]> America's innovation story. From the earliest discoveries in electricity and steam power to modern nuclear, natural gas, advanced grid technologies and agriculture, American innovators have consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible.

Great American energy innovators: Benjamin Franklin

- 1747–1750: Conducted experiments in Philadelphia that defined the language of electricity, coining the terms "positive" and "negative" <[link removed]>and inventing the word "battery" <[link removed]> for a group of connected charge-storing jars — foundational concepts for the future of electrical energy systems. 
- 1752: Through his kite experiment, he proved that lightning is a form of electricity, <[link removed]> confirming his theory that atmospheric energy could be understood, measured and harnessed <[link removed]>. 
- 1752: His discovery was applied directly to public safety, developing a grounded rod that protected homes, ships and buildings <[link removed]> from lightning strikes.

What’s clear: Benjamin Franklin's findings were just the beginning of an American tradition turning scientific curiosity into real-world solutions, laying the groundwork for centuries of innovation.

Plug in: To learn more about American energy breakthroughs and their timeline, click here. <[link removed]>

6. ICYMI

- The Green River Advanced Nuclear Project chose Holtec International <[link removed]> to build its reactor in Green River, Utah. This project supports Utah’s Operation Gigawatt initiative to stimulate economic growth and a nuclear energy future in the region. 
- FFAR’s 2025 Impact Report <[link removed]> reveals how advancing agricultural research is helping farmers, optimizing federal investments and strengthening U.S. competitiveness.   
- The House Armed Services Committee issued its FY27 NDAA Chairman's Mark <[link removed]>,  directing the DOW to brief the defense committee on domestic primary aluminum production and opportunities to minimize supply chain risks.  
- Electra and POSCO <[link removed]> announce a joint development agreement to unite Electra’s electrochemical iron-making process with POSCO’s manufacturing expertise to accelerate clean iron production.
- DOE’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation announced <[link removed]> $15 million for two projects to accelerate production of critical minerals from abundant domestic sources and unconventional feedstocks.

<[link removed]>ClearPath believes America must lead the world in innovation over regulation…markets over mandates…providing affordable, reliable, clean energy. 

That's all from us. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

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