Duke Energy aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050

This week, Charlotte, NC-based Duke Energy made a major announcement of an updated climate strategy with a goal of net-zero carbon emissions from electric generation by midcentury and a near-term goal by cutting its carbon dioxide emissions by half or more from 2005 levels by 2030.

RICH’S TAKE

“With their bold commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, Duke Energy continues to lead in American power. Market signals like these demonstrate that transitioning to clean energy can be as positive for affordability and reliability as it is for addressing climate change. ClearPath applauds Duke Energy’s plan to lean in on energy innovation to create the new technologies needed to achieve their goal. We look forward to working alongside Duke Energy to encourage federal investments in clean technology. Innovations in advanced nuclear, carbon capture for coal and gas and battery storage will ensure this clean path is affordable for consumers.”

E&E News: Duke unveils net-zero carbon goal for 2050

MORE DUKE NEWS

Duke also announced this week they will seek to renew the operating licenses of 11 reactors in operation operate at six nuclear stations in the Carolinas for an additional 20 years. Read more here

Join ClearPath and DOE for Atomic Wings

On September 24, ClearPath and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy are hosting an Atomic Wings Lunch and Learn briefing on NUCLEAR: THE CLEAN ENERGY TITAN with Members of Congress, special speakers and audience Q & A.

Register for the event here

The lunch and learn briefing is also part of National Clean Energy Week.

Marine and Hydrokinetic Innovators Get Boost from DOE

Marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) device developers received some welcome news this week with a new opportunity to conduct laboratory and tank testing thanks to a U.S. Department of Energy program. Far too often MHK developers face roadblocks raising the needed capital for research and testing. This week, DOE announced that Pacific Ocean Energy Trust (POET) has been selected as Network Director for the U.S. Testing Expertise and Access for Marine Energy Research (TEAMER) Program. According to DOE, the three-year program supports testing and research for marine energy technologies and will provide access to test facilities and technical expertise to assist with numerical modeling and data collection in operational and extreme conditions. By partnering with universities and the U.S. National Laboratories private sector innovators will have access to world-class research and testing expertise to facilitate technology development progress, which will ultimately be transferred to the private sector.

Read more from DOE

Energy Storage ITC Would be Economic and Job Engine

Led by the Energy Storage Association (ESA), many different industry and other organizations launched a national effort supporting the storage Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which would make energy storage eligible for a 30 percent stand-alone investment tax incentive. ClearPath supports the Storage ITC to help modernize infrastructure, grow the economy, create new jobs in communities across the U.S. Read more here

Get up to speed with this Intro to Energy Storage piece by ClearPath Policy Analyst Faith Smith

Rich Highlights Macroeconomics of Clean Energy Solutions at House Financial Services Subcommittee

Last week, ClearPath executive Director Rich Powell testified at the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship and Capital Markets in a hearing called Examining the Macroeconomic Impacts of a Changing Climate. Rich highlighted clean energy solutions with these five themes.

The reality of climate change and its pressure on our economy
Climate solutions in innovation investments
Our global realities and challenges
The role America can play internationally
How to build on last Congress’ bipartisan clean energy record

WATCH RICH’S TESTIMONY
READ RICH’S TESTIMONY

See Rich’s recent testimony before the House Budget and before the House Ways and Means committees.

Heritage Foundation Op-ed on CNN.com:
“Nuclear could be the clean energy source the world needs”

Heritage Foundation senior policy analyst for energy and environmental issues, Katie Tubb, wrote a column for CNN highlighting how important nuclear power is to meeting the growing electricity demands of the world, expanding energy access and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Read the column here

DOE announces $110 Million for Carbon Capture R&D

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Fossil Energy (FE) is providing $110 million for cost-shared carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) research and development (R&D). The program will deploy various large-scale CCUS pilot and demonstration projects, that will ultimate lead to clean energy technologies at the commercial scale. Read more about the announcement and see the project descriptions here

If you would like to dig deeper on carbon capture, ClearPath recently published a 101 piece: The Many Exciting Types of Carbon Capture

Rich featured on Foxnews.com: What Democrats are missing on climate change

Rich Powell, ClearPath Action executive director, highlighted five critical factors the Democratic presidential candidates have been ignoring or down playing on climate change, which Republicans haven’t missed. Rich says that Republicans want to work with Democrats on stronger innovation-driving policies that will commercialize the broad suite of cutting-edge clean energy technologies needed to reduce global emissions as quickly and cheaply as possible, and the need to focus on solutions--not argue.

Rich Powell for FoxNews: Dems want to fight climate change in all the wrong ways – Here’s what they should support

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ClearPath is hiring!

We are hiring a Government Relations Associate. This member of the team will support the entire GR team as well has cultivate and maintain relationships on Capitol Hill. We are looking for someone with 2-4 years of Hill experience and a passion for our mission. Click here to read more about the job

THE PATH AHEAD

September 23 - 27: National Clean Energy Week (NCEW). National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) described by POLITICO as “a veritable who’s who of the Clean Energy World,” has announced key dates and speaker information ahead of its third annual celebration. Join ClearPath in celebrating and raising awareness for reducing emissions through clean energy technologies. As September quickly approaches, here are ways you can get involved now:

September 24 - 1130am: Join ClearPath and the Department of Energy for an Atomic Wings lunch and learn. This event continues the series with an educational lunch on Nuclear: The Clean Energy Titan. Lunch will be served. Click here to RSVP.

September 25 - During Climate Week NYC 2019, ClearPath is co-hosting an event called Capturing Carbon & Your Attention, a cocktail reception and short film on Carbon Capture & Storage. Event will be co-hosted by: Clearpath, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, and the International CCS Knowledge Centre. Click here for details and to register

September 26 - Third Way, Carbon180, and XPRIZE will host the second annual “Carbontech on the Hill” event, which brings together carbontech innovators from across the country to share their work and progress toward building a new carbon economy. Click here for details to register.