A little talked about hurdle for next-generation nuclear to deploy is the cost associated with mandatory hearings required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). A prime example is Kairos, which aims to build a small test reactor in Oak Ridge, TN.
The NRC requires a hearing for every license that it will issue, including when it is not “contested” or challenged by an external party.
This “uncontested mandatory hearing” will cost Kairos about $500,000 in NRC fees and delay permitting efforts for at least six more months.
Meanwhile, NuScale will be charged over $15 million in fees by the NRC to review its updated reactor design.
What’s clear: As America increases its nuclear energy efforts, expensive, time-consuming hearings and prohibitive fees may slow or halt deployment of new nuclear energy projects in the United States.
Plug in: The Bipartisan ADVANCE Act, which was included in the Senate NDAA, calls for improvements in NRC organization and efficiency. Furthermore, addressing duplicative and expensive processes that do not increase safety — like uncontested mandatory hearings — can help spur the deployment of new nuclear technologies.
2. Advanced geothermal to power military base in San Antonio
Eavor, a global leader in scalable geothermal closed-loop technology, was awarded a contract with the U.S. Air Force to provide geothermal energy to the Joint Base San Antonio facility in Texas.
Once operational, this cutting-edge project has the potential to provide a constant supply of clean energy directly for use on the base, supporting the Air Force’s commitment to energy resiliency.
What’s clear: There are obvious benefits of bases utilizing technology, like geothermal. For one, it’s a 24/7 reliable clean energy source. And, from a macro economics lens, working with a military base can help the company scale up, becoming more commercially viable.
3. Fusion & fission in Seattle
Pictured (L to R): Rich Powell, Jake Kincer, Nicholas McMurray, Jeremy Harrell, and Natalie Houghtalen pictured at TerraPower’s Integrated Effects Test facility.
ClearPath’s nuclear policy team traveled to Seattle, WA this week to visit several breakthrough clean energy companies. First, the team toured Avalanche Energy to see their prototype micro-fusion reactor, called an Orbitron. Next, the team toured Helion’s recent fusion prototype — Trenta — that reached temperatures over 100 million ℃, as well as the site of their future prototype, Polaris. Last but not least, the team visited TerraPower and was able to see their Integrated Effects Test facility which will help to commercialize their Molten Chloride Fast Reactor technology.
What’s clear: Innovators are tackling the engineering and materials challenges that are necessary to build these clean energy machines at scale.
4. Tata, BWXT looking to deploy nuclear in WY
Tata Chemicals North America Inc. subsidiary, Tata Chemicals Soda Ash Partners LLC (TCSAP), signed a cooperation agreement with BWXT to assess deploying a microreactor in southwest Wyoming to provide heat and electricity to TCSAP’s facility.
TCSAP has mined and processed trona ore, a mineral that contains soda ash, at Green River, Wyoming since 1968.
Soda ash is used to make glass, paper, laundry detergents, and many other chemicals.
What’s clear: More industrial leaders are turning to nuclear power as a clean, reliable source for heat and power. Last year, Dow announced it will deploy an X-energy reactor at the chemical manufacturing facility in Seadrift, Calhoun County, Texas.
5. Direct air capture in UAE
Occidental subsidiary, 1PointFive, and Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC) are partnering on an engineering study for a direct air capture (DAC) project in the United Arab Emirates.
The potential facility would aim to capture 1 million metric tons of CO2 annually.
The largest operating DAC plant in the world today is Climeworks’ facility in Iceland, capable of capturing 4,000 metric tons of CO2 per year.
What’s clear: There’s already a lot of extra CO2 in the atmosphere. DAC, sort of like a massive vacuum cleaner, literally sucks carbon dioxide molecules out of the open air. Watch ClearPath’s whiteboard video on the technology.
6. ICYMI
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) published an op-ed in the Washington Times citing bipartisanship as the catalyst for success in making American energy affordable and achieving U.S. climate goals.
The DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management announced $35 million for technologies that reduce aviation emissions.
Many leading Republican policymakers, and GOP presidential candidates, often point to clean energy solutions as part of their agenda. Check out our latest video!
The Wall Street Journal reported on the NIMBYism regarding CO2 pipeline projects in the Midwest. However, CO2 has been safely and successfully transported in the U.S. for 50 years, with roughly 5000 miles of carbon-carrying pipelines operating daily.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration released a report highlighting the record-high growth of natural gas development in the U.S.
That’s all from us. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
Tata Chemicals North America Inc. subsidiary, Tata Chemicals Soda Ash Partners LLC (TCSAP), 
