1. Into the numbers… ClearPath Action shares new polling data

ClearPath Action’s annual clean energy issues poll tracking shows that voters still want Congress to support clean energy innovation. Here are a few topline findings:

• 79% of respondents believe that Republicans should be supporting clean energy
• 82% say they believe that we can both develop cleaner AND more affordable energy
• 60% believe innovation rather than regulation is the best way to reduce emissions
• Affordable, reliable and clean are the top three attributes of energy to voters.

View the full breakdown of results here.

Plug in: To schedule a messaging briefing, contact ClearPath Action’s Chief External Affairs Officer Luke Bolar at bolar@clearpathaction.org.
 

2. IMPACT-ing pipeline R&D at SST

The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held a markup on eight bills this week, including the IMPACT Act and the Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act. Both bills passed the Committee by a bipartisan vote of 38-0.

• The IMPACT Act will strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and supply chains by creating the first dedicated RD&D Program at DOE for low-emission cement, concrete, and asphalt. Watch more from bill sponsor Rep. Max Miller (R-OH),
• The Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act will drive pipeline innovation at DOE to pioneer cutting-edge pipeline technologies and infrastructure solutions.

What’s clear: These bills invest in the research and development needed to strengthen today’s pipelines and industrial sector, which are critical to our infrastructure, energy security and economy.
 

3. Seeing solutions at CERAWeek

 
This week, ClearPath joined over 8,000 delegates from 85 countries in Houston, TX, to advance new ideas, insight and solutions to the biggest challenges facing the future of energy, the environment, and climate.

This year’s highlights include:

• The role nuclear can play in oil and gas and chemicals sectors by providing clean power and heat;
• A focus on next-generation geothermal power; and
• The need for more CCUS.

Senior Program Director for Carbon Management and Science Hillary O’Brien and Chief Strategy Officers, Jeremy Harrell at CERAWeek

While in Houston, the ClearPath team also toured Greentown Labs, a clean energy incubator offering a prototyping lab, office, and community and event space for startup companies.
 

(L-R) External Affairs Director Emily Johnson, Senior Program Director for Carbon Management Hillary O’Brien, External Affairs Associate Frances Wetherbee, CEO Rich Powell

4. Private industries demand clean technologies

This week, Google, Microsoft and steel producer Nucor announced they are partnering to procure reliable, clean electricity from new technologies, including advanced nuclear, next-gen geothermal, clean H2, and long-duration storage.

What’s clear: Private companies across various sectors recognize the importance of 24/7 clean energy amid rapid load growth. By combining their demand, they can send a strong market signal to spur the deployment of new technologies.

Plug in: Nuclear Program Manager Jake Kincer and Policy Intern Joey Labrie co-authored a blog on the trend of private industry beginning to drive nuclear energy development.
 

5. Celebrating energy week!

This week marked Energy Week in the House, where Republicans considered six energy bills that streamline permitting and improve American energy security.

What’s clear: House Republicans are committed to ensuring the U.S. remains the global leader in energy production, innovation and emissions reductions and continuing to advocate for market-based solutions over mandates.
 

6. Geothermal bill puts heat on the Admin

Building off of their recently introduced bill, Reps. Michelle Steel (R-CA) and Suzie Lee (D-NV) wrote a letter to Interior Secretary Haaland urging the Administration to:

• Increase the frequency of geothermal lease sales;
• Establish categorical exclusions for geothermal activities; and
• Direct more staff resources to accelerate geothermal permitting.

What’s clear: As the DOE pointed out in their recently released Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Next-Generation Geothermal Power report, the government should pursue the policies outlined by Reps. Steel & Lee to boost local economies, create more jobs, and reduce energy costs for Americans with clean, firm geothermal energy.
 

7. ICYMI

• ClearPath’s Chief External Affairs Officer Luke Bolar presented new messaging and polling at the annual marketing and communications conference sponsored by the American Gas Association.
• America is poised to reclaim its edge over Russia in nuclear fuel production as Eastern European partners like Bulgaria seek to shift away from their Soviet-era dependence.
• ClearPath CEO Rich Powell penned an opinion piece for the World Economic Forum on the need for permitting reform.
• Check out ClearPath Advisory Board member Jeff Merrifield’s newest piece in the Financial Times, Climate change is warming public opinion to nuclear power.