1. ClearPath Energy Tour stops in Houston

  

The ClearPath team traveled to Houston, Texas — the energy capital of the world — with a delegation of House Republicans to learn about Houston’s incredible potential as a carbon capture and hydrogen hub. Tour locations included:

• NET Power’s La Porte, TX carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration plant — the world’s first large-scale, supercritical plant of its kind.
• The Houston Ship Channel, home to refineries, petrochemical, and other industrial plants and the proposed location for a carbon capture and storage hub.

The delegation included Reps. Babin (TX), Burgess (TX), Curtis (UT), Gosar (AZ), Johnson (OH), Lesko (AZ), Miller (WV), Pence (IN), and Weber (TX) and Morgan Luttrell.

What’s clear: We look forward to continuing to work with the House GOP Members who joined us on the first stop of the ClearPath Energy Tour to continue working toward American energy independence and making energy reliable and affordable.

Plug in: Check out the full recap here.

2. Nuclear microreactors coming to AK

  

Governor Dunleavy of Alaska signed a bill introduced and passed earlier this year that could bring low-cost electricity to Alaskan villages in the form of nuclear microreactors.

The new law eliminates the requirement for legislative approval of the reactor’s location, making them a streamlined, viable energy option for some remote communities.

While the Governor’s office has stated deployment of these reactors won’t happen for several years, some projects are already being planned:

• The U.S. Air Force plans to install a microreactor at Eielson Air Force Base by 2027;
• Copper Valley Electric Association hopes to install one in Valdez, AK.

What’s clear: A flurry of new American nuclear energy technologies that are smaller, pair flexibly with renewable energy, and are walk-away safe are near commercialization. Effective permitting and legislation will help get them up and running faster.
 

3. Investments soaring for carbon dioxide removal

 

Though plants have been absorbing CO2 for millions of years, the carbon dioxide removal (CDR) space has evolved beyond simple tree planting. Solutions now range from completely natural pathways to solutions including varying degrees of technological intervention.

It’s safe to say CDR has caught the attention of both the public and private sectors — a few recent advancements include:

• A $925 million Frontier Fund to purchase carbon removals over eight years;
• $3.5 billion appropriated in the bipartisan infrastructure law for direct air capture hubs;
• Climeworks raising $650 million from investors; and
• The announcement of DOE’s Carbon Negative Shot.

What’s clear: Researching, developing, and deploying new CDR tech is going to take time. These types of federal and private sector investments will bridge the gap from R&D to commercialization.

Plug in: Our new CDR policy page dives into these recent technological and legislative advances and the future of American CDR.
 

4. Hydrogen production in Vegas won’t just stay in Vegas

 

Air Liquide opened its largest liquid hydrogen facility, powered entirely by clean energy, in North Las Vegas, Nevada — a $250 million investment.

• The facility is anticipated to produce 30 tons of liquid hydrogen per day..

Hydrogen fuel produced at the North Las Vegas facility will power a variety of industries in Nevada and California. Excess hydrogen produced will be sold to customers in other sectors as a low-carbon fuel source.

What’s clear: America’s hydrogen production potential is growing as it becomes one of the most important technologies in our clean energy portfolio.
 

5. ICYMI

• ClearPath Policy Analyst Matt Mailloux participated in a webinar discussion on meeting America’s energy needs hosted by C3 Solutions.
• ClearPath H2 Policy Analyst Natalie Houghtalen spoke at a panel on hydrogen program development under the bipartisan IIJA.

6. Coming down the pipeline

• June 22 – The Bipartisan Policy Center’s DAC Day event will discuss regional DAC hub implementation, featuring Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA). Register here.