The Rundown: Senate advanced nuclear bill — CO2 pipeline & well reg. delays – PA asking for carbon storage primacy
ClearPath Action Rundown April 14, 2023
Welcome back!
1. Senate bill to streamline advanced reactor deployment
Legislation to support the next generation of reactor technologies needed for the U.S. to maintain global energy leadership was introduced recently by Senate EPW Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). Key provisions of the ADVANCE Act include:
Improvements to the licensing process for advanced reactors;
Assistance for allied countries to streamline our trading opportunities;
Modernization of the regulatory framework for manufacturing and construction;
Addresses the NRC’s readiness to license reactors for non-electric applications.
Capito was joined by Senators Carper (D-DE)…..Whitehouse (D-RI)…..Barrasso (R-WY)…..Booker (D-NJ)…..Crapo (R-ID)…..Graham (R-SC)…..Heinrich (D-NM)…..Kelly (D-AZ)…..and Risch (R-ID).
Plug in: “Ensuring the United States has a robust nuclear energy infrastructure is a win-win for energy security and lowering global carbon dioxide emissions,” said Rich Powell, CEO of ClearPath Action.
2. CO2 pipelines and well regulations aren’t keeping up
In the absence of a streamlined regulatory system, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology adoption could hit roadblocks. ClearPath Policy Fellow Jonika Rathi and Managing Director of Research Spencer Nelson highlight the two-fold challenge:
The EPA isn’t keeping up with the current demand for carbon storage; and
The total amount of projects under development is only a tenth of what we might need to meet clean energy targets
What’s clear: Regulation for both transportation and storage needs to get on pace with development ambition to effectively and efficiently implement carbon capture and storage. Our latest blog, Need for Speed: CO2 Pipelines and Well Regulations Aren’t Keeping Up, examines how many miles we need, the current regulatory barriers, and some policies that would help.
Carbon Capture and Storage Projects In Development
3. PA is the latest state asking for carbon storage primacy
As momentum for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects pick up, the backlog at the EPA to approve storage sites, known as Class VI well, could slow it down. Pennsylvania is beginning the application process to gain primacy for permitting these projects.
More than 70 applications are currently stuck in the approval queue at the EPA.
Applications date back to 2020, but no CO2 injection sites have received approval.
Wyoming & North Dakota have primacy, and Louisiana’s application is pending.
ClearPath estimates projects in the queue could capture up to 6 million tonnes per year of carbon dioxide in Louisiana alone.
What’s clear: The International Energy Agency has said CCS is “necessary to meet national, regional and even corporate net zero goals.” Moving primacy of regulations for Class VI well to the states makes sense. States have shown decades of success in regulating multiple forms of injection wells within their borders, and the EPA itself has encouraged states to apply.
Plug in: ClearPath CEO Rich Powell recently wrote for RealClearEnergy how, “Often these state-specific regulatory environments are more stringent than EPA and allow for more efficient permitting, which is a win-win.”
4. Clean, reliable nuclear energy in GA for 60 to 80 years
Nuclear energy in the U.S. has seen a number of big milestones in recent months, culminated by Georgia Power’s Vogtle Units 3 & 4 nearing commercialization, which will be the largest generator of clean power in the US.
Unit 3 successfully generated electricity, connecting to the grid for the first time.
Unit 4 began Hot Functional Testing, a last step before loading fuel.
What’s clear: America invented nuclear power, but the existing fleet of reactors started to shrink from 104 reactors as of 2012 to 92 today. With Plant Vogtle and a flurry of advanced nuclear reactors moving towards commercialization, the U.S. is putting the pieces in place to lead the world.
Plug in: Kim Greene, Chairman, President and CEO of Georgia Power shared how inspiring it is to see the company “generating clean, reliable power at this new nuclear unit, which will serve our customers over the next 60 to 80 years.”
