Hundreds of gigawatts of energy projects spend years in the interconnection queue. The list of projects under evaluation is escalating, and current policies can’t keep up.
In a new report, ClearPath examined the state of interconnection queues, implications of current delays and withdrawals for achieving net-zero, and potential policy solutions.
Leading modeling studies project grid capacity to more than double by 2035 to stay on track for net-zero by 2050. Building this new capacity under current delays requires a seven-fold increase in projects entering the queue in the next 12 years.
Major takeaways from the report:
Escalated queue delays make it harder to deploy all forms of electricity generation and storage;
Net-zero models project resource deployment levels that are unrealistic under the current state of the interconnection queue. Ultimately, transformational and flexible reforms are needed; and
Retirement of existing energy capacity is anticipated to outpace new additions due to interconnection inefficiencies.
2. Bipartisan support to put states in charge of Class VI
Reps. David Joyce (R-OH) and Troy Carter (D-LA) introduced the State Efforts to Create Underground Regulatory Efficiency (SECURE) Act, a bipartisan bill supporting state efforts to obtain primacy for Class VI carbon sequestration wells.
The SECURE Act would increase the Environmental Protection Agency’s authorized state grant funding for Class VI wells from $50 million to $100 million.
Two states – North Dakota and Wyoming – have already received Class VI primacy.
Federal permitting for these wells historically takes years, but North Dakota was able to permit a Class VI well in less than five months after being granted primacy.
“As the U.S sees a rapid growth of carbon capture and other important technologies, this common-sense policy from Reps. Joyce and Carter will lead to more jobs and more emissions reduction,” said ClearPath Action CEO Rich Powell. “Their bill will help more states apply and ensure the review process is completed in a timely manner.”
What’s clear: Carbon capture and sequestration must be a tool in the proverbial technology toolbox. Streamlining the permitting process and removing obstacles for the deployment of carbon capture is crucial for the success of this technology in large-scale CO2 emission reductions.
3. Advanced nuclear fuel facility to be built in NC
Nuclear developer TerraPower and Global Nuclear Fuel – Americas, led by GE, are teaming up to build the Natrium advanced nuclear fuel facility outside Wilmington, North Carolina.
The facility, which will expand GE’s existing fuel fabrication facility, will produce fuel needed for advanced nuclear reactors like TerraPower’s Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming.
The Natrium fuel facility will be funded by both TerraPower and the Department of Energy through the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.
Construction is expected to begin in 2023. When complete, the fuel facility will support up to 100 permanent jobs.
What’s clear: Nuclear is making a roaring comeback in the U.S. – American companies are fueling up brand new plants and working on next-generation designs.
4. Support for American LNG exports in AK
A $39 billion project, long supported by Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski (R) and Dan Sullivan (R), that would export up to 20 million metric tons per year of American liquified natural gas (LNG) to Japan and other ally nations in Asia, is getting more support.
After a summit held between American and Japanese officials to discuss the Alaska Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) project, the Biden administration has signaled its support.
The Administration has been pushing to increase exports of American LNG as conflict in Russia and Ukraine strains the global energy market.
The Alaska LNG project is being developed by a state corporation, the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., and was approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2020.
What’s clear: As countries around the globe drastically rethink their energy mix, American LNG has become a critical lifeline to the European Union – and could do the same for other parts of the world – as it prepares to wean itself off of Russian gas.
5. ClearPath’s Colleen Moss nominated VP of WERC
Our Senior Director of Government Affairs Colleen Moss was nominated by the board of the Women’s Energy Resource Council (WERC) to be Vice President of the organization.
WERC is a nonprofit organization fostering the exchange of ideas between women energy professionals in the public and private sectors.
Colleen was nominated to her new position after most recently serving as the organization’s Treasurer. Congratulations, Colleen!
6. Coming down the pipeline
Tuesday 11/1: ClearPath Chief Strategy Officer Jeremy Harrell is speaking at Dynamo Energy Hub’s discussion on “The Roarin’ 20s: A Clear Path for Clean Energy Innovation.” Jeremy will discuss bipartisan policies advancing clean energy in the U.S. Register for the event here.
7. ICYMI
TerraPower and PacifiCorp announced a joint study to evaluate the feasibility of deploying up to five additional reactors in the PacifiCorp service territory by 2035.
ClearPath is tracking the implementation of the Energy Act of 2020 and the energy programs of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Check out the real-time visual tracker here.
Third Way and Energy for Growth Hub’s map tracker shows significant growth in the global advanced nuclear market in 2022.
That’s all from us. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
