Happy Friday, and Happy Independence Day!

The Rundown won’t publish next week, but we’ll be back in your inbox Friday, July 15th.
 

1. Energy independence is American independence

  

American independence is important every day, but especially on the 4th of July! It’s more important than ever that the U.S. assert energy independence, security, and dominance.

Members of the House Republican Energy, Climate, and Conservation Task Force are working on this, having released two parts of their six-pillar strategy on energy and climate:

• We need to Unlock American Resources in order to reduce reliance on foreign adversaries for energy resources and drive down energy costs; and
• Beating China and Russia is an important step in securing America’s place as a global energy leader.

What’s clear: America is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, from fossil fuels to critical minerals, but more importantly with an American spirit and passion to innovate. Not only do these things keep us independent, but secure our place as a global leader.

Plug in: ClearPath CEO Rich Powell explains how America can restore independence and lead the world in clean energy innovation in the Washington Times.
 

2. New nuclear projects in Canada…

  

Canadian electric utility Saskpower selected American-made GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 small modular reactor (SMR) for potential deployment in Saskatchewan.

• The new SMR is expected to be deployed in the mid-2030s.

Interest in GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR is growing in Canada and around the world.

• The company has agreements to explore the technology’s potential with companies in America, Poland, Sweden, and more countries; and
• Is currently working with public Canadian utility Ontario Power Generation to deploy a similar SMR at the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Ontario.

What’s clear: A new generation of advanced reactors that cost less, have further reaching applications, and have passive safety features could drastically change the global energy landscape.
 

3. … and in the Netherlands

 

In response to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine straining the European fossil fuel market, the Dutch Cabinet has announced plans to build two new nuclear reactors in the city of Borselle, where their only operating nuclear plant is located.

• While there have been no technology selections, U.S. companies could bid.
• The Netherlands’ plan allocates 5 billion euros for the plants’ initial development.

Before construction begins, the Cabinet needs to find developers for the plants – a potential opportunity for American nuclear developers.

What’s clear: By law, the U.S. can only export nuclear technologies to countries with explicit bilateral agreements – one of which is the Netherlands. These new projects present an opportunity to bring American nuclear technology abroad.

Going forward: It is important for the U.S. to ensure that its technologies are ready for export, by building and demonstrating them here.
 

4. Climeworks breaks ground on its largest DAC plant ever

 

Swiss direct air capture (DAC) company has broken ground on Mammoth, their newest and largest plant, in Iceland. Mammoth is the company’s 18th project, following Orca in September 2021, previously the world’s largest DAC plant.

• Storage company CarbFix will permanently sequester captured CO2 at the plant.
• The plant is expected to begin operation 18-24 months after construction begins.

Mammoth is part of Climeworks’ ambitious scale-up plan, and is on track to reach gigaton capacity by 2050.

What’s clear: DAC is an exciting new technology being added to the toolkit to lower global emissions by removing CO2 from the atmosphere.

Plug in: While Climeworks is a Swiss company, they are looking to lend their technological expertise on development as part of the $3.5 billion for four regional DAC hubs.

Our carbon dioxide removal (CDR) policy page discusses DAC and other exciting CDR technologies in depth.
 

5. ICYMI

• ClearPath CEO Rich Powell moderated a panel discussion on the future of clean energy technology and policy in at the Aspen Ideas festival, featuring Dr. Melissa Lott of Columbia University, Rohan Patel of Tesla, and Steph Speirs of Solstice.
• Our Managing Director Spencer Nelson and Policy Analyst Savita Bowman attended Climeworks’ DAC Summit in Zurich, Switzerland.