Please stay safe and healthy, wherever you’re reading this week.
ClearPath Welcomes Two New Team Members
ClearPath has welcomed two new additions in our Washington DC office.
Maggie Carroll joins as the Chief of Staff to ClearPath Executive Director Rich Powell. Maggie comes from Aspen Institute Energy & Environment Program where she facilitated convenings across the country focused on energy issues, including clean energy technology and innovation, the US electricity sector, and global oil and gas markets. Previously, Maggie also served as a Program Manager at OurEnergyPolicy.org and as an environmental consultant for Geo-Technology Associates, Inc.
Shelly Jackson joins as Office Manager at our DC townhouse. Shelly comes from the World Wildlife Fund where she managed their grant programs and supported individuals and organizations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Shelly is a Certified Nonprofit Professional from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.
U.S. Nuclear Industry Council Names ClearPath’s Harrell as Chairman
ClearPath’s Managing Director of Policy, Jeremy Harrell, has been nominated to serve as Chairman of the Executive Board to the U.S. Nuclear Industry Council, a leading U.S. business consortium advocate for nuclear energy and promotion of the American supply chain globally. The U.S. Nuclear Industry Council’s (USNIC) appointed the Honorable Clarence “Bud” Albright as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Council. Bud was previously serving as the Chairman of the USNIC Board since 2018.
“USNIC remains the preeminent organization representing the development, deployment and commercial viability of advanced nuclear technology. The future of nuclear development is fast changing, and we are all grateful to the talented scientists, engineers and business leaders engaged in the important work that is producing innovative and promising technology for a cleaner, safer future for the world,” said Albright upon his appointment.
“With the recent passing of our good friend and able leader, David Blee, we at USNIC are committed to enhancing the rich legacy that David left us. For him, our members, and indeed for the world, we are pressing on and redoubling our commitment to excellence in representing our members.”
World’s First Net-Zero Emissions LNG Export Project Announced
This week, Louisiana-based G2 Net-Zero LNG announced plans to build the world’s first net-zero natural gas liquefaction export complex. The project includes clean energy partners like Siemens Energy, Inc., NET Power LLC, EJM Associates LLC, and 8 Rivers Capital LLC.
By using the NET Power LLC technology the project can generate over 1,000 MW of electricity, capture nearly 4 million tons of CO2 every year and demonstrate how the LNG industry could transform into a net-zero emission energy project, according to the announcement.
The facility will transport, process, and liquefy natural gas and have the capacity to export LNG with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by as early as 2026. Read more.
Oklo Submits Landmark License Application For Microreactor
This week, Oklo Inc. announced their submission of a combined license application (COLA) to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), a first for a non-light water reactor. Oklo has designed and developed a microreactor called Aurora, which produces 1.5 megawatts of zero-carbon power.
“This totally changes the paradigm for advanced nuclear power. Oklo is paving a way for how small modular reactors and microreactors get built and begin producing clean energy,” said Rich Powell, ClearPath Executive Director.“ Read more
Lamb Newhouse Nuclear Bill Approved by House Subcommittee
The bipartisan Nuclear Energy Research & Development Act, also called the NERD Act, passed through the House Science, Space & Technology Subcommittee on Energy last week. Reps. Conor Lamb (D-PA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) are the lead sponsors of this important bill focused on accelerating new nuclear technology innovation. Read more on the NERD Act here.
The Subcommittee also approved the Water Power Research and Development Act introduced by Rep. Suzane Bonamici (D-OR), and co-sponsored by Reps. Don Young (R-AK) and David McKinley (R-W.V.), Theodore Deutch (D-FL) and Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), which reauthorizes and supports the innovation for advanced water power research and development. A recent DOE report, HydroVision illustrated the opportunities associated with a vibrant RD&D and commercial application program. This includes the potential growth of the hydropower industry as a whole expanding from 101 GW to 150 GW with significant growth in existing hydropower upgrades close to 13GW alongside powering non-powered dams and pumped storage hydropower.
RICH’s TAKE
“The U.S. must lead the world in developing and commercializing advanced nuclear reactors that are smaller, safer, cleaner, cheaper, more efficient and scalable than conventional power technologies. R&D, and partnering with our amazing national labs, are the foundation to ensuring our leadership.”
“Water power is a clean and diverse resource with flexible capabilities. The Water Power Research and Development Act is a bipartisan bill with the potential to play a crucial role in a clean energy economy. The existing hydropower industry as well as the future of pumped storage hydropower and marine energy resources will greatly benefit.”
Scaling Energy Storage Is a Climate Action Enabler
This week ClearPath’s Rich Powell and Rocky Mountain Institute’s James Newcomb published an op-ed in Morning Consult encouraging the federal government’s continued investments in grid scale energy storage. For example, The Department of Energy’s Energy Storage Grand Challenge, included in the White House’s 2021 budget request, is meant to turbocharge the development of energy storage from basic R&D through commercialization. Read their op-ed
ClearPath Joins 50 Organizations asking Congress to
Make Investments in Clean Energy Innovation
ClearPath joined more than 50 organizations, including ThirdWay, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, calling on Congress to prioritize clean energy innovation that will help with deep decarbonization in their fiscal year 2021 appropriations.
Beaver Valley nuclear plant will remain open past 2021
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports that “The Beaver Valley nuclear power plant in Shippingport was scheduled to shut down next year. But Energy Harbor Corp., the new name for the formerly bankrupt FirstEnergy Solutions, announced Friday that it will keep the plant open after all.” Full story here
Energy storage merger to drive vanadium flow battery market
US-based Avalon Battery Corporation announced this week they will merge with UK-based redT energy, to become a global leader in vanadium flow batteries. The merger should add much needed competition to the existing lithium-ion battery market currently dominated by China and South Korea. Read more about the merger and the rapidly growing global energy storage market here.
CSIS Report: Geopolitics of Nuclear Energy, Russia and China
New Poll: “Clean Energy Innovation” Very Popular With Voters
Wondering what constituents in your state think of clean energy innovation? ClearPath launched a new nationwide poll this week, with data for every state and every Congressional District.
A 3,000 person nationwide survey conducted by Kristen Soltis Anderson’s firm Echelon Insights shows respondents across the country, including in some of the most conservative parts, believe clean energy innovation is a better path than government regulation.
Clean Energy Poll Highlights:
89% Believe it is possible for the U.S. to develop cleaner energy sources that can also provide more affordable energy.
87% Believe clean energy is an issue that Republicans in Congress SHOULD care about, only 50% believe they do.
58% Say that instead of regulation, they believe more innovation and better technology that lets us reduce carbon emissions is the best way to fight climate change.
THE PATH AHEAD
POSTPONED: The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis has delayed releasing their report to an unknown date.
ClearPath Welcomes Two New Team Members
U.S. Nuclear Industry Council Names ClearPath’s Harrell as Chairman
Oklo Submits Landmark License Application For Microreactor 
Lamb Newhouse Nuclear Bill Approved by House Subcommittee
New Poll: “Clean Energy Innovation” Very Popular With Voters
