Welcome to your weekly Rundown, for the week ending September 11, a day to pay tribute to the individuals lost and injured in the attacks, first responders, and those who have answered the call to service to defend our freedom.
Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) Kicks Off Next Week
In 2010, a global forum, the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), was created to bring top energy officials of major economies together to share best practices and promote policies and programs that encourage and facilitate the transition to a global clean energy economy. As an online event this year, everyone will be able to participate! Register here
In addition to general participation, ClearPath helped produce a report for Nuclear Innovation: Clean Energy (NICE) Future, an initiative of the CEM’s flexible nuclear campaign. Check out our promotional video, which discusses the report. Watch the video
During CEM, the Clean Energy, Education and Empowerment initiative, which brings more women into clean energy fields, will host an event. The event will feature U.S. DOE Secretary Dan Brouillette and Miss USA 2017 Kara McCullough – who will share her story of becoming a radio chemist and Miss USA. McCullough is an advocate for scholarships for women in STEM fields.
Rich Named to EXIM Advisory Committee
Rich Powell, Executive Director of ClearPath, was named to the The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) 2020-21 Advisory Committee for a second term. The EXIM Advisory Committee advises EXIM on its programs and financing to support American jobs through exports. Read more from EXIM
During Rich’s first term on the Advisory Committee, he advocated for exporting proven technology and creating new clean energy markets. American innovations and demonstrations must work in our own energy sector, but also apply to the developing world who will need to be willing and able to buy from us. Rich says that U.S. clean global development should focus on three imperatives: (1) developing clean electricity globally; (2) tapping vast export markets for U.S. technology champions – more than $100 billion annually for nuclear, more than $600 billion total through 2040 for energy storage, and more than 300 large-scale projects that capture carbon dioxide at power plants by 2030; and (3) pushing back against the Chinese soft power growth globally.
EPA’s Carbon Capture Rule in Wyoming Could Unlock CCS Project Development
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule to grant the state of Wyoming “primacy” to issue permits for carbon sequestration wells, known as Class VI wells. Some project developers believe that giving states primary authority, a successful model for traditional oil and gas wells, could decrease the time it takes to issue sequestration permits. Sequestration permits have been bottlenecked by lengthy permitting times and red tape in the past, but giving states the ability to provide regulatory certainty would facilitate more investments in capturing more carbon. North Dakota, the only other state to receive Class VI primacy, is home to many recently proposed carbon
sequestration projects.
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY) said, “This final rule will give Wyoming the authority to permit many more carbon capture projects. Wyoming is blessed with an abundance of resources like coal, natural gas, and oil that power America’s homes and businesses. Under the EPA’s final rule, Washington will recognize Wyoming’s expertise in capturing excess carbon and sequestering it underground.” Read more
Dominion Energy Applies to Extend Nuclear Reactor, North Anna, License
On Friday, Dominion Energy announced it filed with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a 20-year extension, from 60 to 80 years, of the operating licenses for the two units at its North Anna nuclear power plant in Virginia. If renewed, the combined 1.9 GW units would generate carbon-free power until 2058 and 2060 and are key to meeting the state’s clean energy goals, Dominion said. Read more
In the Hearing Room
The House Energy & Commerce Committee passed a number of bills out of Committee this week including the Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act to support the deployment of energy storage and microgrid projects for rural electric co-ops and the Department of Energy Organization and Management Improvement Act to strengthen the management of DOE, including with respect to the National Nuclear Security Administration. Read more
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
PowerTechnology: US announces funding for fusion technologies
Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $29 million for fusion research projects. DOE awarded funding to 14 projects that are making advancements to technologies outside of the “fusion core.” Read more
Washington Examiner: US must counteract China’s
rapidly increasing carbon emissions
Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) and ClearPath Executive Director Rich Powell penned a joint op-ed in the Washington Examiner, highlighting the need to counter China’s environmental record and its growing global energy influence. Rep. Curtis and Rich wrote, “The U.S. should strengthen our competitive position in global energy markets and promote the development of more U.S. clean energy technologies (including nuclear and carbon capture) to reduce global emissions and develop economic opportunities.” Read the full op-ed
Integrated Energy Systems: Getting More From Our Nuclear Workhorses
Our power grid is changing. As renewable energy generation increases, our baseload electricity sources — like nuclear, coal and natural gas — are often being asked to operate in ways they weren’t designed. Take nuclear reactors for example, they were not originally designed in the United States to ramp up or down quickly due to the financial benefits of operating at maximum output. They were designed to run like a car cruising down the highway on cruise control. But with the changing demands and more solar and wind entering the grid, the reactors are now having to navigate stop and go traffic. Read our latest Energy 101: Integrated Energy Systems: Getting More From Our Nuclear
Workhorses.
An integrated energy system can increase the flexibility of nuclear reactors while making such flexibility not only cost neutral, but revenue-generating. When nuclear reactors are producing more electricity than the grid needs, they can divert some of their thermal heat and/or electricity to produce materials for clean electricity, clean transportation, clean industry, and clean water. Doing so can provide additional revenue, allow for operational flexibility, and contribute to the growth of clean markets for deeper decarbonization – it’s a win-win. Read more
September 14-18:The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) will be an online public forum this year. Programming and registration information here.
September 15: The Global America Business Institute (GABI) is hosting a virtual workshop from 10:00am – 11:00am ET on, “Modernization of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation’s (DFC’s) Nuclear Energy Policy.” Register here
September 16: The Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing at 10:00am ET to consider the nominations of Allison Clements and Mark Christie to be Members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Read more
September 17: Mark your calendar! During CEM, the Clean Energy, Education and Empowerment initiative will host an event from 2:00pm – 3:15pm ET and will feature Secretary Brouillette and Miss USA 2017 Kara McCullough. Learn more
September 18: The Industrial Innovation Initiative is hosting a webinar from 10:30am – 11:30am ET on, “Industrial Sector Emissions and Eight Priority Recommendations for Economic Recovery.” Register here
September 21-25: Don’t miss the week-long celebration of clean energy innovation at National Clean Energy Week. Registration, sponsorship and schedule information can be found here.
October 6: The Department of Energy (DOE), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the Fusion Industry Association (FIA) will host a Virtual Public Forum on a regulatory framework for Fusion. More details and registration information here.
Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) Kicks Off Next Week
Rich Named to EXIM Advisory Committee 
Dominion Energy Applies to Extend Nuclear Reactor, North Anna, License
