1. ClearPath to testify at EPW on advanced nuclear reactors
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will examine legislation that will modernize the Nuclear Regulatory Commission process. This comes at a critical time as the NRC is expected to review several advanced reactor applications in the next few years.
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2. Alaska removes barriers for advanced nuclear reactors
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy and the state legislature have new legislation paving a path for more nuclear power from microreactors.
Plug in: The Alaska bill removes the needless burden of state legislature approval, allowing municipalities the ultimate say. There are already two proposed sites for microreactors in the state, including:
- A pilot project at Air Force base Eielson; and
- A reactor for combined heat and power in Valdez.
On the federal level, the AK delegation, led by Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s efforts while leading the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, have invested significant time and effort into researching and demonstrating new fuels and operations enabling advanced nuclear reactors.
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3. U.S. regions ripe for CCUS, hydrogen hubs
The Great Plains Institute issued an “atlas” that identified 14 regions – ranging from the Bakken shale play and Permian Basin to the Pacific Northwest – well-suited to the development of hydrogen and carbon storage hubs.
- The atlas also includes fact sheets for each region that break down both the CCUS development potential and the local carbon management infrastructure in that region.
Plug in: Carbon capture and hydrogen technologies will both play an important role in reducing emissions in difficult-to-decarbonize sectors like heavy industry.
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4. Clear Path to a Clean Energy Future
A recent addition to the Annual Energy Outlook 2021 shows the role of utility emissions targets in the energy system. Key findings include…
- Carbon-neutral generation resources are contributing a greater share of U.S. generation.
- More nuclear generation is leading the way.
- Extending the life of existing nuclear plants is important.
Plug in: In August 2021, ClearPath released its signature report, ClearPath to a Clean Energy Future which also examined the role of corporate climate commitments. The report has similar findings to the Energy Information Administration including…
- Carbon emissions in the power sector could flatline after 2025.
- Maintaining existing nuclear reactors is one of the cheapest ways to help meet utility commitments and reduce carbon emissions.
- Under current market dynamics, natural gas, solar, and wind technologies will be the vast majority of new generation under construction in the U.S.
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5. Sen. Cramer (R-ND) tackles climate
NPR recently interviewed Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) who articulated plans to reduce carbon emissions using clean energy innovation.
Tune in: In addition to challenging the false narrative that Republicans don’t care, he discusses a vision for…
- Investing in key supply chains for critical minerals and battery manufacturing;
- The role fossil energy with carbon capture technology will play in global reductions; and
- Nuclear energy’s role.
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6. CCS in the Gulf: Climate solution
Energy companies are eyeing the Gulf of Mexico to deploy carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. Plug in: Unlocking a New Wave of Carbon Capture and Storage Projects, a column by ClearPath’s Jena Lococo, goes deeper on this exciting trend, talking:
- Offshore carbon capture in the bipartisan infrastructure law;
- The growing project development pipeline; and
- The need to formalize a comprehensive regulatory framework.
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7. ICYMI
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8. Coming down the pipeline
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