1. Conservatives celebrate clean energy innovation
L-R: ClearPath CEO Jeremy Harrell, CRES President Heather Reams, Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), ACC President Chris Barnard
ClearPath partnered with Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES), the American Conservation Coalition (ACC) and the Conservative Climate Foundation (CCF) to co-host an event on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee this week.
Here’s what some of ClearPath Action’s clean energy champions had to say:
“We support a cleaner, healthier planet for our children, our grandchildren, and future generations. But we need to have the ability to compete economically around the world, and to do that, we need abundant, affordable, reliable, and secure energy.” –Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA)
“You’re going to see warp speed from here on out as Republicans take the helm and right this ship. We’re going to have energy dominance [in] the U.S. It’s going to be affordable, it’s going to be reliable, and it’s going to be clean.” –Rep. John Curtis (R-UT)
“We can have all of the above energy – we can have everybody involved.” –Reince Priebus, chairman of the RNC’s host committee
ClearPath at the RNC
L-R: Chief External Affairs Officer Luke Bolar, Senior Director of External Affairs Emily Johnson, Managing Director – Industrial Policy and Advocacy Colleen Moss, Head of Government Affairs Chris Tomassi, Harrell, Events Manager Dillyn Carpenter, Advisory Board Member Paul Dabbar
2. Talks on taking tech to the next level
Breakthrough Energy released a report, “the Fast Track program,” with proposals for the Department of Energy (DOE) to accelerate technologies in the energy space, including to:
Help promising technologies unlock access to DOE support;
Bridge the gaps where no support currently exists; and
Move innovation more quickly from one stage to the next.
Plug in: ClearPath included a similar program in our recent DOE Modernization report, calling for DOE to implement “early-success, early advancement” or “rapid prototyping” initiatives to accelerate promising, high-impact technologies.
3. NEW Podcast: Exploring the elements of energy policy
Catch ClearPath’s Niko McMurray as a guest on this week’s Elemental Energy: Simplifying Decarbonization podcast episode, “Energy policy to support the energy transition?” Niko and host Marcia Leonard break down:
Effective, bipartisan policy;
Addressing regulatory barriers; and
How energy policy supports U.S. national security.
What’s clear: At ClearPath, we are really trying to look globally on how America can lead on deploying these technologies not just here but also abroad,” said McMurray.
On Tuesday, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) announced $40 million in funding for its Nuclear Energy Waste Transmutation Optimized Now (NEWTON) program. NEWTON will support technologies that can transform used nuclear fuel (UNF) into less radioactive substances. The program aims to:
Scale up technologies that can initiate transmutation reactions and;
Reduce the impact of storing UNF in permanent disposal facilities.
What’s clear: This development could revolutionize the nuclear power industry, increasing the ability to generate clean, abundant nuclear power.
The California Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, known as ARCHES, just became the first in the U.S. to receive its initial funding for phase 1 of the project plan. ARCHES is receiving $30 million of a $12.6 billion agreement with DOE, including up to $1.2 billion of funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
What’s clear: In February, all of the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs sent a letter to the Treasury urging the administration to implement a more flexible final rule for the Section 45V Clean Hydrogen production tax credit. As award negotiations move forward, less restrictive 45V regulations are needed for success of the hubs, and for commercialization clean hydrogen.
Plug in: Learn more about the Hydrogen Hub awardees in ClearPath’s blog.
6. Fusion investments ramping up
The Fusion Industry Association (FIA) announced its 2024 Global Fusion Industry Report, which includes insights into the growth of the U.S. fusion industry. The report found:
The fusion industry has attracted over $7.1 billion in mostly private investment, including $900 million in new funds over this past year.
The U.S. is home to at least 25 fusion companies.
89% of the surveyed fusion companies anticipate fusion deployment to the grid by the end of the 2030s.
What’s clear: The fusion industry is attracting significant private investment and growing public interest, but U.S. adversaries like China are also placing bets on developing fusion energy.
7. Coming down the pipeline
Tuesday, July 23 at 9 a.m. – ClearPath’s Conservative Climate Leadership Program (CCLP) is excited to host an event, “Powering Your Energy Career: Connections and Conversations for Emerging Energy Professionals in Washington,” featuring remarks from Congresswoman Stephanie Bice (R-OK).
Tuesday, July 23 at 10 a.m. – House E&C Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcomm Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) announced a hearing on the FY25 Nuclear Regulatory Commission budget.
Wednesday, July 24 at 10 a.m. – House E&C Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC) announced a hearing titled “The FY25 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Budget.”
8. ICYMI
The Wyoming Energy Authority and BWXT signed an agreement to examine potential options for siting a TRISO advanced nuclear fuel fabrication facility in the state.
That’s all from us. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!
