1. ClearPath testifies at House Financial Services

This week, ClearPath’s Niko McMurray testified before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions.

His testimony covered:

• The U.S. remaining competitive against China and Russia,
• Overcoming financial obstacles for U.S. projects, and
• Reforming burdensome regulatory requirements.

What’s clear: The U.S. and over 20 allies pledged to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050. Achieving this means rapidly deploying nuclear power plants domestically and building American reactors abroad.

Plug in: Watch the "International Financing of Nuclear Energy" hearing recording here.
 

2. Permitting geothermal on federal lands

This week, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources advanced H.R. 6474, co-sponsored by U.S. Reps. Steel (R-CA) and Lee (D-NV) out of Committee.

This legislation will accelerate the permitting process for geothermal energy projects on federal lands.

What’s clear: “This bill will help unleash American energy independence by ensuring geothermal energy can be developed more easily in the United States, creating jobs and boosting the economies of cities and small towns,” said Congresswoman Michelle Steel (R-CA).

Plug in: Learn more about the implications of this bill here.
 

3. Carbon storage permitting sees success at state level

Carbon storage saw big developments in 2023, as Louisiana obtained regulatory primacy and Wyoming permitted its first set of Class VI wells. In addition to putting states in the driver’s seat for permitting, ClearPath outlined four federal policy recommendations to increase CO2 storage:

• Clarifying CO2 storage on federal lands;
• Clarifying storage in basalt formations;
• CO2 pipeline R&D; and
• Unlocking CO2 transportation

What’s clear: After years of delays and bottlenecks at the federal level, states are taking the lead. It will be critical for the EPA to expeditiously review state primacy applications to unlock projects and start safely sequestering C02 deep underground.

Plug in: To learn more about Class VI policy, check out ClearPath’s latest blog from Savita Bowman and Matthew Mailloux.
 

4. Conservative Climate Caucus adds leadership

The Conservative Climate Caucus announced new leadership positions for the 118th Congress by adding five Vice Chairs: Reps. Carter (GA-01) … Kiggans (VA-02) … Murphy (NC-03) … Walberg (MI-05) ... and Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05).

Congratulations!
 

5. Rep. Carter appointed E&C Subcomm Chair

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) announced Rep. Carter (R-GA) will serve as Chair of the Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee, replacing Rep. Johnson (R-OH), who is retiring from Congress later this month.

Congratulations, Rep. Carter!
 

6. ICYMI

• Gov. Gordon (R-WY) approved six projects for a funding program designed to leverage federal and private funds for clean energy technologies.
• U.S. Sens. Capito (R-WV) & Barrasso (R-WY), and U.S. Reps. Curtis (R-UT), and Westerman (R-AR) were featured in Orrin G. Hatch Foundation’s 2023 Policy Review titled “Conservative Solutions to Climate Change.”
• DOE’s OCED announced the selection of a consortium to aid in the commercial liftoff of the clean hydrogen economy, supporting the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs).
• Looking to learn more about advancing permitting policies? Check out our TED Talk, featuring ClearPath CEO Rich Powell.