BREAKING: Constellation Energy and Microsoft signed a deal that would reopen the Three Mile Island Nuclear plant to power AI. Read more. 

1. Hearing happenings: House SST talks mCDR
 

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held a hearing this week on evaluating the potential of marine carbon dioxide removal approaches. The hearing featured:

• Technology innovator Ebb Carbon, and government experts.
• How mCDR supports economic development and ecosystem protection by supporting fisheries, recreation and tourism.
• mCDR investments are in coastal states, and the freshwater of the Great Lakes.
• Modernizing permitting and regulatory frameworks are needed for commercialization as small-scale laboratory research moves to in-water pilot studies.

Plug in: ClearPath lays out recommendations in our mCDR report from earlier this year by Senior Policy Advisor Jasmine Yu and Senior Program Manager of Carbon Management Savita Bowman.
 

2. Opinion: Nuclear investments for U.S. energy dominance (Washington Examiner)

ClearPath CEO Jeremy Harrell co-authored an op-ed with Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) on investing and advancing nuclear energy to ensure Americans’ growing demands are met with reliable, affordable, and clean energy.

What’s clear: “As leaders working toward energy solutions, we strongly believe that America must lead the world in nuclear energy development. We refuse to sit back and cede energy leadership to other nations, which is why we will continue working together to invest in nuclear energy to establish U.S. energy dominance.”

Plug-in: Read the full op-ed piece in the Washington Examiner here.
 

3. Holcim and Sublime Systems cement low-carbon partnership

Holcim, the world’s largest cement producer, has invested in Sublime Systems, a U.S. innovator focused on producing zero-emissions cement. Holcim’s investment:

• Helps fund Sublime’s first commercial manufacturing facility;
• Consists of a binding offtake agreement; and
• Potential to co-develop future large-scale facilities.

What’s clear: The combination of Holcim’s scale and global operations with Sublime’s breakthrough technology is an example of how to accelerate emissions reduction across the U.S. manufacturing sector.

Plug in: Check out this blog on DOE’s industrial demonstrations program that funded industrial innovation, including Sublime’s facility.
 

4. NRC issues construction permit for Texas research reactor

The NRC issued a Construction Permit for Abilene Christian University (ACU) to build a molten salt research reactor, the Natura MSR-1, on its campus. ACU is working with Natura Resources, which is developing a commercial molten salt reactor.

• This is the first NRC construction permit for a liquid-fueled molten salt reactor; and
• The first university research reactor approved by the NRC in over 30 years.
• When operational, the research reactor will provide testing and training capabilities which will also help to efficiently license Natura commercial reactors.

Plug in: Multiple universities are interested in new nuclear technologies.
 

5. Form Factory 1 finished a year after breaking ground

Form Energy announced the construction of “Form Factory 1,” their flagship factory at a former steel mill site in Weirton, WV, is completed and ready for trial production.

• It is the company’s first high-volume battery manufacturing facility with…
• Annual production capacity of 500 megawatts of batteries.

Plug in: Learn more about America’s innovation apparatus for research and development in energy storage in this blog by Senior Program Manager of Clean Energy and Permitting, Matt Mailloux.
 

6. Accelerating America’s global energy leadership

The U.S. needs the right policies in place to compete globally. That’s why ClearPath launched our global energy leadership team and policy agenda.

What’s clear: As the world’s energy needs grow, America’s leadership and innovative solutions are a beacon. Alongside allies and partner nations, the U.S. will ensure that energy and environmental priorities are addressed in a clean, affordable and reliable manner.

Plug in: Read more about how America can lead in global energy and the technologies that are in the works now on our policy page here.
 

7. ClearPath announces Senior Fellow

We are excited to announce that Dr. Karen Obenshain, previously Program Manager for Natural Gas, has been promoted to ClearPath’s first Senior Fellow of Energy Infrastructure and Supply Chains. Karen has:

• 40 years of experience as an exploration geologist in the oil and gas industry and in shaping electricity generation policy at the Edison Electric Institute;
• Worked on the most recent National Petroleum Council study on U.S. natural gas supply chain emissions; and
• Had various roles in academia.

Congrats, Karen!
 

8. ICYMI

• DOE awarded $6.5 million to the coal-fired Four Corners Power Plant in New Mexico to study the feasibility of adding carbon capture equipment.
• DOE Loan Program Office (LPO) announced a $1.56B commitment for Wabash Valley Resource’s proposed low-carbon ammonia facility.
• The U.S. approved a major transmission line project in Nevada.
• DOE launched a $3 million initiative to advance workforce development on industrial innovation in the manufacturing sector.