Welcome to your weekly Rundown, for the week ending September 27.
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BEST Act Clears Energy Committee
The U.S. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee passed critical, large grid-scale battery storage legislation including The Better Energy Storage Technology (BEST) Act out of committee this week setting up another bipartisan clean energy bill for a full Senate vote.
The BEST Act would reorient the U.S. Department of Energy’s grid-scale storage research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) efforts around ambitious technology and cost goals to facilitate breakthroughs for the 21st Century U.S. electricity grid’s needs. BEST Act is sponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Martha McSally (R-AZ), and Angus King (I-ME). Read more here
RICH'S TAKE
“Energy storage is a unique technology that can add value to the entire grid - in generation, transmission, and distribution. It can supply energy when demand is larger than supply, in times of grid disruptions, and when renewable resources are not available for use. The BEST Act will help us achieve clean energy solutions and ensure the U.S. is leading on battery storage technology.”
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OGCI Goes Big For Carbon Capture at Climate Week
The Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) announced a new initiative to encourage large-scale investment in carbon capture, use and storage (CCUS). OGCI’s “CCUS KickStarter initiative” will work to launch industrial carbon capture project hubs around the world. One of their first priority hubs will be in the US in the Gulf of Mexico. Read more about the initiative
RICH'S TAKE
“This is a very exciting announcement from the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative. Developing five major carbon capture hubs globally, including one in the Gulf Coast, should help facilitate a commercially viable path forward for the CCUS industry.”
Also at Climate Week
ClearPath co-hosted an event called Capturing Carbon & Your Attention, a cocktail reception and short film on Carbon Capture & Storage. The event was co-hosted by Clearpath, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, and the International CCS Knowledge Centre.
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DTE Energy, NRG Latest Power Companies to Make Bold Zero Emissions Commitments
NRG Energy, Inc. announced this week a commitment to be net-zero emission by 2050. NRG says their emissions reduction goals align with new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidance, “which calls for limiting global warming to a 1.5˚ Celsius increase.” Achieving their goals would avoid approximately 1 billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2050, according to their release. Read more here
DTE Energy, the largest electric utility in Michigan, has also said they plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in generation by 2050. Read the DTE Energy announcement
RICH'S TAKE
“Seeing private industry take big bold steps with market based solutions that will also make sense for consumers is the right path to take us through a clean energy transition. At the same time, we also need to continue advocating for sound public policy at the federal and state levels that advances technology and innovation. This includes longer-lasting battery storage, new nuclear technologies and effective ways to capture carbon emissions.”
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ClearPath, DOE Host Atomic Wings Lunch Briefing on Capitol Hill
On September 24, ClearPath and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy hosted an Atomic Wings Lunch and Learn briefing entitled “Nuclear: The Clean Energy Titan,” featuring The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global Energy Institute, C2ES, The Energy Impact Center, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, staff from the House Science and Technology and House Appropriations Committees, and audience Q & A.
The lunch and learn briefing is also part of National Clean Energy Week.
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NuScale Signs Small Modular Reactor Agreement with Czech Republic
This week, NuScale Powers signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with ČEZ Group, a Czech Republican utility conglomerate, to explore applications for NuScale’s small modular reactor (SMR). The agreement marks the latest display of international interest in NuScale’s technology to help meet a growing demand for carbon-free energy. Read more here
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National Clean Energy Week
Jeremy Harrell discussing recent clean energy policy momentum, the 45Q tax credit’s role in facilitating new carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, and cutting edge advanced nuclear technologies at the National Clean Energy Week 2019 Policy Symposium
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In the hearing room this week:
On Thursday, September 26 The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change approved a number of bills including the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019 which addresses nuclear waste management policy to ensure the federal government’s legal obligations to dispose of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste are fulfilled. Read more here
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
 Is Nuclear Energy Good? Is the Pope Catholic?
A representative of the Vatican spoke at the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) about the importance of “safe, secure, and peaceful, development and operation of nuclear technologies,” particularly to help in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Read more here
 ClearPath Executive Director Highlights Macroeconomics of Clean Energy Solutions at House Financial Services Subcommittee
ClearPath executive Director Rich Powell testified at the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship and Capital Markets in a hearing called Examining the Macroeconomic Impacts of a Changing Climate. Rich highlighted clean energy solutions with these five themes.
- The reality of climate change and its pressure on our economy
- Climate solutions in innovation investments
- Our global realities and challenges
- The role America can play internationally
- How to build on last Congress’ bipartisan clean energy record
WATCH RICH’S TESTIMONY
READ RICH’S TESTIMONY
See Rich’s recent testimony before the House Budget and before the House Ways and Means committees.
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JOIN OUR TEAM
ClearPath is hiring!
We are hiring a Government Relations Associate. This member of the team will support the entire GR team as well has cultivate and maintain relationships on Capitol Hill. We are looking for someone with 2-4 years of Hill experience and a passion for our mission. Click here to read more about the job
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THE PATH AHEAD
October 4: At 9am Atlantic Council is hosting a public panel discussion on the threat of cyber attacks targeting energy infrastructure and the utility industry’s ability to address the threat. Register here
October 8: At 1pm the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) Energy & National Security Program will host an event to release a new report Oil and Gas Industry Engagement on Climate Change: Drivers, Actions, and Path Forward. Register here
October 14-18: Nuclear Science Weekis coming to Washington, D.C. this year. On Wednesday, October 16 from 12-5:30pm in the Rayburn Foyer becomes a dynamic, interactive space where people can learn about and discuss the benefits of nuclear science. Food and beverages available. Reception 4-5:30pm. More details here
October 22: ClearPath and the Department of Energy will host an Atomic Wings lunch and learn on Capitol Hill. This event continues the series of educational lunches on nuclear energy. More details to come soon.
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| CLEAN ENERGY. THE CONSERVATIVE WAY. |
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