1. New storage tech replaces coal with clean energy

  

Energy supplier Holtec has announced the successful development of its Green Boiler technology which, when deployed, will be able to repurpose existing coal-fired plants into clean energy generators.

The Green Boiler is a large-capacity energy storage system that produces steam using cleaner energy sources, such as SMR-160 nuclear reactors, instead of coal.

• Holtec is currently discussing its first deployment of the Green Boiler with prospective coal-fired plant owners.
• The Green Boiler will employ over 60% of the chosen coal plant’s current workforce.

What’s clear: Through innovation across a range of technologies, we can reduce emissions in the U.S. while valuing the existing workforce.
 

2. Class VI storage growing for California CCS projects

  

Independent oil and gas provider California Resources Corporation (CRC) applied for Class VI storage permits for two new Carbon TerraVault carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in the Sacramento basin.

• CRC plans to add 80 million metric tons of permanent storage, bringing the projects’ total combined storage capacity to 120 million metric tons — over halfway to its goal of 200 million metric tons by the end of 2022.

Plug in: CRC also plans to partner with NEXT Carbon Solutions, a subsidiary of natural gas and carbon capture startup NextDecade, on a FEED study to explore decarbonizing their Elk Hills combined-cycle natural gas power plant.

What’s clear: Permitting must keep pace with ambitious private sector decarbonization goals. Historically, Class VI injection permits have taken six years to be issued by EPA. Removing obstacles for the deployment of carbon capture is crucial for the success of this technology.
 

3. ClearPath expands operations team

 

Last week, ClearPath announced the addition of Melanie Lozano, who was formerly with the Georgetown University Center for the Study of Learning, as Executive Assistant. Welcome Melanie!

“We are thrilled to welcome Melanie to our growing operations team,” said Andrea Steiner, ClearPath COO. “Her experience in research and coordination at Georgetown University coupled with her administration and financial management expertise will be an immense contribution as ClearPath continues to grow.”
 

4. America needs a modernized permitting process

 

Slow and burdensome federal permitting processes are a major barrier to getting clean energy projects built in America.

• Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) explains in the Washington Examiner how recent rollbacks of Trump-era permitting reforms will keep the Biden Administration from achieving its own clean energy goals.

In her op-ed, Senator Capito expresses readiness to work across the aisle on this issue, and offers a solution:

• Codifying the Trump Administration’s One Federal Decision policy, allowing developers can work with one lead federal agency to develop their projects.
• This policy can be codified for mining, pipeline, and other energy projects in order to support an all-of-the-above energy strategy.

What’s clear: The importance of American energy independence is abundantly clear amid conflicts that disrupt the global energy market. We need a modernized permitting process in order to build the necessary energy infrastructure.

Plug in: The White House released its Permitting Action Plan aiming to accelerate the federal permitting process for energy and infrastructure projects, coming ahead of more detailed guidance coming from OMB and CEQ in the next 90 days.
 

5. Conservative climate solutions at Aspen Ideas

 

Our CEO Rich Powell (right) attended the Aspen Ideas: Climate event in Miami this week. He participated in a panel discussion with former Congressmen Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) (left) and Greg Walden (R-OR) (middle) on conservative solutions to climate change.

Plug in: Check out the details of the panel here.
 

6. ICYMI

• Carbon America announced two CCUS projects at ethanol production facilities in Yuma and Sterling, Colorado. These will be CO’s first CCUS facilities.
• Traditional energy giants like ExxonMobil and Koch are partnering with clean energy innovators as Texas emerges as a clean energy leader, wrote Matt Welch in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
• Energy Subcommittee leader Fred Upton highlighted hydropower success and why we need to improve licensing and regulations.