Welcome to your Friday Rundown for the week ending Oct. 26. Feedback is always welcome at info@clearpathaction.org. 
 

 SIGNIFICANT HYDROPOWER REFORM SIGNED INTO LAW

Significant hydropower reform became law upon the signing this week of the Water Resources Development Act, including a bipartisan bill from Reps. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) and Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) that would trim federal reviews of small conduit (or energy-recovery) hydropower projects. Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) pushed similar language in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The Promoting Conduit Hydropower Facilities Act (H.R. 2786) aims to aid projects that are typically low environmental impact because they are constructed as part of existing water infrastructure, such as irrigation canals and pipes that deliver water to cities and for industrial and agricultural use, which is one of the most promising untapped sources for new hydropower.

Also included in the WRDA package:

Important measures previously proposed by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) that reduce the burdensome licensing and relicensing for non-federal hydropower facilities.
 
The Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act (H.R. 2872) from Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), which would establish a streamlined environmental review process for qualifying non-powered dam projects. The Department of Energy estimates the U.S. non-powered dam power generation potential is equivalent to roughly two dozen large coal power plants.

The Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act (H.R. 2880) led by Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) would streamline the federal licensing process stymying the development of pumped storage hydropower facilities that make up the vast majority of U.S. electricity storage technologies.
 

COLORADO IS A MICROCOSM OF CLEAN ENERGY INNOVATION

While Colorado remains a leader in traditional energy production, what is striking is the leadership role the state plays in emerging advanced energy solutions, ClearPath Executive Director Rich Powell and Jon Anderson, director of the The Western Way, note in a new op-ed in the Denver Post.

Colorado’s position as an advanced energy leader is without question driven by strong, innovative companies that have tapped into the state’s remarkable workforce. But the fountain and foundation of this success in emerging energy markets can be traced to one important place: the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Its research has gone far beyond just renewable power to include hybrid energy systems, nuclear deterrence, technologies that can capture carbon emissions from fossil fuel production, airport security and lead-free solder used in welding.

To accomplish this NREL must stay two steps ahead.  While we are absorbing the incredible energy advancements in wind and solar over the prior decade, NREL should be studying next generation technologies, like emission-free nuclear technologies, grid-scale energy storage, and energy production programs that you and I cannot even imagine right now.

CHATTERJEE NAMED NEW FERC CHAIR

The White House has designated FERC Commissioner Neil Chatterjee to chair the commission and succeed Kevin McIntyre, who is stepping down amid health concerns. McIntyre will remain on the commission.

Chatterjee last week talked up the need for regional grid operators to design new market rules that boost batteries and energy storage.  He said improving price points for batteries will allow storage, particularly paired with renewable power, to grow quickly, although regulatory challenges remain.
 

WHY WE NEED MOONSHOT CLEAN ENERGY GOALS

Rich Powell and ClearPath graphics guru Mitch Kersey produced a short and snappy video explaining why these moonshot goals for grid-scale storage, advanced nuclear and other clean energy technologies will help prioritize efforts at DOE that can be a mile wide and an inch deep.
 

 
WHAT’S NEXT FOR ENERGY INNOVATION?

Rich joined former Obama administration chief economist Michael Greenstone and former Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee GOP Staff Director McKie Campbell in a live podcast moderated by Axios energy reporter Amy Harder to discuss some exciting developments in clean energy innovation.

The three debated at an event hosted by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute (EPIC) on whether the U.S. is truly winning or losing with China increasingly dominating the global clean energy race. Stay tuned to the end to find out what Michael, McKie and Rich would each do in the clean energy space with $10 billion in hand to spend.

Rich also moderated a panel at the EPIC-hosted event on rethinking energy innovation. Bill Brown, CEO of 8 Rivers Capital and the landmark NET Power zero-emission natural gas plant, University of Chicago business professor Thomas Covert and MIT Sloan School of Management professor Danielle Li discussed what lessons clean energy innovators could draw from modernization efforts undertaken in the pharmaceutical, biomedical and other sectors.
 

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