More than 20 organizations from industry and environmental groups, labor unions, and nuclear energy innovators sent a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to promptly consider and pass the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act (S. 903 and H.R. 3306). Read the letter here.
“As the United States faces critical environmental and national security challenges, including climate change and the rapid development of new nuclear energy capabilities in Russia and China, NELA would help reestablish the United States as a global leader in the next generation of emissions-free nuclear energy,” the letter stated.
In June, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed NELA (S. 903), which has 20 bipartisan cosponsors, out of committee. NELA (H.R. 3306) was introduced in the House by U.S. Reps. Elaine Luria (VA-02) and Denver Riggleman (VA-05) and has 12 bipartisan cosponsors.
Secretary of Energy Rick Perry will be greatly missed by all of those who support clean American energy innovation. His legacy will be in reinvigorating nuclear research and development, retaking American global energy leadership, and refocusing DOE on rapidly commercializing clean technologies. See his goodbye video to the Department here. We wish him well and look forward to continuing to work with DOE’s extraordinary leadership team on clean energy breakthroughs.
Atlantic Council Issue Brief:
The Value of the US Nuclear Power Complex to US National Security
The Atlantic Council released an issue brief on Monday, Oct. 14th that ClearPath supported, titled “The Value of the US Nuclear Power Complex to US National Security.” The brief focuses on how the civilian nuclear industry significantly supports national security needs and how the civilian and military nuclear sectors are intertwined. They hosted an accompanying roundtable this week on this civilian-military nexus and the role of innovation in nuclear energy.
A few key highlights from the issue brief and round table include:
The nuclear power complex contributes an equivalent of $42.4 billion to U.S. national security, comprised of $26.1 billion in human capital, $2.9 billion in baseload and supply chain values, and $13.4 billion in avoided emissions.
This $42.4 billion figure excludes the contribution of the nuclear industry to federal and state taxes ($10 billion and $2.2 billion respectively) and the trade balance from export of nuclear fuel ($916 million) and technology ($949 million).
Nuclear innovation offers a path for American global leadership, and the existing civilian-military nexus can play a valuable role in the commercialization of such innovation.
Bipartisan Deal on ARPA-E Reauthorization
House Science & Technology Committee Chair Eddie Bernice Johnson and Ranking Member Frank Lucas reached a deal on H.R. 4091, the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Reauthorization Act of 2019, bipartisan legislation aimed at bolstering public-private energy innovation efforts.
The bill was passed out of Committee on October 17th. As amended, the bill would still authorize an increase in ARPA-E’s authorization level, starting with the FY 2020 House-passed and Senate Appropriations Committee mark of $428 million, and then rising to $750 million in FY 2024. (The FY19 appropriated level for ARPA-E was $366M.) The legislation includes an important provision from Ranking Member Lucas to ensure that ARPA-E projects avoid unintended duplication with other programs supported by DOE.
RICH’S TAKE
“Since APRA-E was first authorized in 2007, the agency has demonstrated immense success in advancing high-risk, high-reward technology solutions to complicated energy and environmental challenges facing our nation. It is one of the Department of Energy’s most successful R&D initiatives, making impactful investments in technologies deemed too risky for the private sector to pursue unilaterally. ARPA-E successes include breakthrough advancements in energy storage, alternative fuels and energy efficiency technologies in recent years. As a result, promising projects have subsequently attracted over $1.25 billion in private sector funding, making once nascent technologies a reality. It serves as a model for government-facilitated research and development, continuously re-evaluating ongoing efforts in order to allocate scant resources to promising work streams and
discontinuing underperforming projects.”
ClearPath, DOE Office of Nuclear Energy Lunch & Learn Next Week
ClearPath and the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy will host an Atomic Wings lunch and learn on Capitol Hill “Versatile Test Reactor: The Importance of Accelerating Nuclear Advanced Fuels & Materials in the United States.” This event, featuring Members of Congress and industry experts continues the series of educational lunches on nuclear energy. ClearPath will moderate a panel with Timothy Frazier from GE Hitachi, Jeff Navin from TerraPower, and Thomas J. O’Connor, Versatile Test Reactor Program Director, DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy. Register here
In the Hearing Room This Week
October 17th, The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis held a hearing: “Solving the Climate Crisis: Cleaner, Stronger Buildings.”
October 17th, The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a Hearing: “The Case for Climate Optimism: Realistic Pathways to Achieving Net-Zero Emissions.”
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission Hosted a Meeting on Micro-Reactors
On Thursday, Oct. 17th, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission hosted a Category 2 meeting to work through issues surrounding the potential regulatory process for nuclear micro-reactors – a vital step towards successful micro-reactor deployment.
The NEI and other stakeholders presented ideas for deviation from the traditional design licensing standards, including exemptions from or alternate compliance for sections of the NRC Part 50 regulation. These discussions focused on the fundamental differences – and different regulatory needs – of nuclear micro-reactor technology.
NRC representatives expressed an openness to flexibility so long as safety standards are upheld.
Both parties agreed to further discussions about specific regulatory needs.
Duke’s Bold Step for Clean Energy Transition
Jay and Rich wrote a column highlighting North Carolina utility, Duke Energy’s transition to cost-effective carbon-free power after they announced a bold plan to decrease carbon emissions 50 percent by 2030 and ultimately be net-zero by 2050. This means the company would be among the first major investor-owned U.S. utilities to set forth an ambitious plan to transition to clean energy.
After demonstrating that clean resources are market-competitive energy solutions for customers, the path to achieve emissions reductions is more clear and a long-term commitment to clean generation was needed. The company’s 24 million customers across six states have already seen a 31% percent reduction in emissions since 2005 by receiving more of their energy from cost-effective carbon-free power — primarily nuclear, hydro, natural gas, wind and solar.
WRI Explores Secure Geologic Storage for Captured Carbon
This week the World Resources Institute published a new article detailing the responses to the IRS request for comments on the implementation of the 45Q credit for carbon capture projects. The piece focuses on the need for a clear framework to demonstrate secure geologic storage of carbon. In particular, they explore the potential to utilize the international ISO standard for carbon monitoring. Read more here.
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THE PATH AHEAD
October 22: ClearPath and the Department of Energy will host an Atomic Wings lunch and learn on Capitol Hill. This event continues the series of educational lunches on nuclear energy. Register here
October 28: Save the Date – A Conversation With Senator Lisa Murkowski. EPIC and the Becker Friedman Institute will host Sen. Lisa Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, for a special conversation with Michael Greenstone. More details and RSVP information to come.
Atlantic Council Issue Brief:
Bipartisan Deal on ARPA-E Reauthorization
