More, Not Less Pipelines Needed For Clean Energy

The pipeline hack this week illustrates a need to find a bipartisan approach on building and maintaining pipelines in America. Solving cybersecurity issues is an immediate priority, however, we will need to build more, not less pipelines in order to meet our clean energy goals.

All analyses on transitions to a clean energy economy show that we’ll need literally tens of thousands of miles of new pipelines carrying hydrogen and other clean fuels, along with captured carbon dioxide away from power plants and industrial facilities. We’ll also need immense new transmission infrastructure to carry electricity around an increasingly electrified country, and a lot of new power plants sited everywhere.

Learn more in our video, Build Cleaner Faster

The Carbon Capture and Storage 101 Webinars: CCS Policy for a Net-Zero Future

The Global CCS Institute is hosting its final installment of a three-part series of webinars about Carbon Capture and Storage. This webinar will focus on the policy needed to deploy more carbon capture projects around the world. ClearPath Policy Analyst Jena Lococo is participating in the panel discussion and will discuss the policy and technology development that can help accelerate the deployment of carbon capture technology.

The webinar will take place on May 21, 2021 at 10:00am ET. Register here

Bloom Energy and Baker Hughes to Collaborate on Efficient Power
and Hydrogen Solutions

Bloom Energy, a California-based energy company, and Baker Hughes, a Texas-based energy technology company, announced their intent to collaborate on the potential commercialization and deployment of integrated, low-carbon power generation and hydrogen solutions to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions.

The two companies will begin their collaboration immediately, with the objective of launching pilot projects over the next 2-3 years and fully commercializing and scaling applications, products and solutions shortly thereafter. The companies will focus efforts in three areas: integrated power solutions, integrated hydrogen solutions, and mutual technical collaborations. Read more

Deep Decarbonization of the U.S. Industrial Sector

ClearPath Senior Research Director Spencer Nelson is joining Niskanen’s upcoming virtual event, Deep Decarbonization of the U.S. Industrial Sector, on May 20 at 11:00am. Spencer will discuss the impact of recently enacted clean industrial policies as well as future technology needs. Register here

We’re Hiring!

Our policy team is hiring a Program Director – Carbon Capture and a Policy Analyst – Economics, Finance, and Power Markets. We are also hiring a Research Intern. Please send resume and writing samples to Andrea Steiner at steiner@clearpath.org.

Texas must lead the future of carbon capture development

Matt Welch, the state director of Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation, a statewide organization that promotes free enterprise, increased competition, and less government regulation in the energy economy, penned an op-ed in The Texas Tribune on the opportunities carbon capture technology can bring to Texas. Welch notes that currently, companies are required to seek approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to store carbon dioxide, in what are known as Class VI injection wells. However, the Texas state Legislature is considering House Bill 1284 and Senate Bill 450, which would allow the state to authorize this storage without federal oversight.
Read the op-ed

ClearPath, ANWA Host Event on Microreactors

Last week, ClearPath co-hosted a virtual event with the Advanced Nuclear Weapons Alliance (ANWA) entitled, Microreactors Powering the U.S. Strategic Nuclear Deterrent, Modernizing our Defense Nuclear Infrastructure through Energy Resiliency. The event included remarks from Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA), Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Member of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee.

The event also featured experts including Jeff Waksman, Program Manager, Special Capabilities Office, Office of the Secretary of Defense; Lucian Niemeyer, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense; Robert Smith, BWXT; Daniel Poneman, Centrus Energy; Jacob DeWitte, Oklo; Ryan Blinn, Westinghouse; and Harlan Bowers, X-energy.

Watch the recording

Clean Hydrogen: A Trend Built for the Long Haul

What’s old is new isn’t just true for fashion (and advanced nuclear reactors, for that matter). Hydrogen is making a ferocious comeback with a twist after going out of style nearly a decade ago. Instead of hydrogen-powered passenger cars, the hydrogen hype of today promises a holistic path for power, industrial, and transportation decarbonization.

Read more in our latest blog, Clean Hydrogen: A Trend Built for the Long Haul, by ClearPath Policy Analyst Natalie Houghtalen.

Fossil Industry is Finding Its Climate Footing

2020 was a record year for carbon capture policy – and markets. After several years of dormancy – America’s largest utilities, industrial manufacturers, agriculture companies, financial institutions and even tech leaders are increasingly making carbon capture a fundamental pillar of their long-term business strategies. Energy companies have invested in and developed this technology for decades, and so far this year, we’ve seen a big wave of private sector investments. Read more in our latest blog, Fossil Industry is Finding Its Climate Footing by ClearPath Policy Analyst Jena Lococo.

THE PATH AHEAD

May 19: The Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) is hosting a webinar at 12pm ET on Wednesday, May 19th about the release of a new report, “Unlocking Advanced Nuclear Innovation: The Role of Fee Reform and Public Investment."

May 20: The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is hosting a virtual event at 11:00am ET, EPRI Fusion Forum: Focus on Collaboration / Introduction to EPRI / Discussion on General Technology Gaps.

May 20: Niskanen is hosting a virtual event at 11am, Deep Decarbonization of the U.S. Industrial Sector.

May 21: The Global CCS Institute is hosting its final installment of a three-part series of webinars about Carbon Capture and Storage: CCS Policy for a Net-Zero Future at 10am.

May 31-June 6: 12th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM)