“These bills passed today are excellent examples of smart bipartisan solutions that tackle climate change, unlike the unrealistic Green New Deal. Moving these to the full Senate is a critical step toward developing the federal goals and public-private partnerships necessary to cross a valley of death that often stops groundbreaking innovation from winning in the marketplace. It’s also another great example of the bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for reducing carbon emissions and forging ahead with the next-generation of clean and reliable nuclear and carbon capture technologies that China, Russia and others are trying to corner the global market on.”
The LEADING Act was also introduced in the House this week by Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) with the following cosponsors; Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Frank Lucas (R-OK), Bill Flores (R-TX), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) and Conor Lamb (D-PA). Read more here.
ClearPath and DOE Office of Nuclear Energy Collaborate on Hill Event to Discuss Civilian Nuclear Fleet As Global Strategic Asset
On Tuesday, June 16 ClearPath along with the U.S. Dept. of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy hosted an Atomic Wings Lunch and Learn in the Rayburn House Office Building on the Civilian Nuclear – A Global Strategic Asset.
Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, Dr. Rita Baranwal as well as as well as U.S. Reps. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Chuck Fleishman (R-TN), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) gave remarks about the importance of our civilian nuclear energy fleet.
ClearPath Managing Director of Policy Jeremy Harrell moderated a panel of experts on the issue:
Jennifer Gordon, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Global Energy Center, Atlantic Council
Ron Faibish, Ph.D., Senior Director of Business Development Nuclear Technologies and Materials, General Atomics
Tommy Joyce, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Global Energy Security and Multilateral Engagement, U.S. Department of Energy Office of International Affairs
Loong Yong, Ph.D., President, SpectraTech, Inc.
Major Milestone: Carbon Free Power Project
Earlier this week the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS) on their Carbon Free Power Project announced a major milestone. UAMPS and members have subscribed to 150 megawatts of power from NuScale Power Small Modular Reactors. This means the NuScale project can move into the licensing application preparation phase. Read more here.
RICH’S TAKE
“Baseload clean energy technologies are a prudent, low-cost means of reducing carbon emissions. The includes nuclear energy, by far the largest and safest source of clean energy in the United States – generating 20% of total U.S. electricity and 60% of low emission electricity. Nuclear energy is a proven resource that ultimately bolsters air quality, and energy security. The UAMPS CFPP to provide electricity from a NuScale Power Small Modular Reactor (SMR) represents the most advanced and safest nuclear design in the history of water-cooled nuclear energy, and will ultimately reap dividends for UAMPS ratepayers.”
Ms. Kelly Speakes-Backman, Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Storage Association mentioned several energy storage bills, even highlighting H.R. 2986, The BEST Act. She emphasized how it 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. H.R. 2986 is sponsored by Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL), Sean Casten (D-IL), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH).
THE PATH AHEAD
July 22 – ClearPath Managing Director of Government Affairs Zak Baig will be joining the Roosevelt Conservation Foundation (RCF) at a lunch briefing on “Conservative Approaches to Address Global Climate Change” for GOP Congressional staff on innovative, market-oriented measures to reduce carbon emissions.
July 24 – At 10 am The House Committee on Science, Space & Technology will mark up several bills including H.R. 3607, the “Fossil Energy Research and Development Act of 2019”. Click here for the mark up notice.
July 24 – National Lab Day on Capitol Hill. Paul Dabbar, Assistant Secretary for Science, U.S. Department of Energy will hold a fireside chat from 4 – 5 pm in 2253 Rayburn House Office Building. The event is focused on modernizing the grid for American security, innovation and economic growth. From 5-7 pm there be an exhibit and reception in the Gold Room 2168 Rayburn House Office Building.
July 25: The Environmental and Economic Benefits of Carbon Capture briefing will take place from 11:45 am – 1 pm in the Capitol Visitor Center Room SVC 212-10. ClearPath’s Executive Director Rich Power will join, Carbon Utilization Research Council (CURC), the Global CCS Institute, and the Carbon Capture Coalition as part of “Carbon Lunches – A Carbon Capture 101 Briefings Series” to discuss carbon capture, use, and storage, and how this suite of technologies can deliver steep emissions reductions in the transition to a zero-carbon economy, while supporting clean energy production and creating high-wage energy, industrial, and manufacturing jobs. U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) will be attending. RSVP Here
July 31 – ClearPath Founder Jay Faison will speak at the U.S. Chamber’s Global Energy Institute event EnergyInnovates: All In. The event will showcase innovators, projects, and technologies that have shaped today’s energy landscape — and are laying the groundwork for the future. More information here
August 21 – The George Washington University is hosting a One-Day Professional Development Certificate Course for Mid-Career Professionals: The 21st Century Geopolitics of Energy: Risks, Vulnerabilities and Opportunities. For more information or to register click here
September 23 – 27: National Clean Energy Week (NCEW).National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) described by POLITICO as “a veritable who’s who of the Clean Energy World,” has announced key dates and speaker information ahead of its third annual celebration. Join ClearPath in celebrating and raising awareness for reducing emissions through clean energy technologies. As September quickly approaches, here are ways you can get involved now:
