ClearPath reposted this
Is nuclear the solution to US clean energy? During #CERAWeek at the "Next-Gen Nuclear: Scaling Clean Energy" event, hosted by Axios and Constellation, industry leaders emphasized the critical role of nuclear power in providing clean, reliable, and affordable energy, despite existing permitting challenges. Dynamo member, Jeremy Harrell, CEO of ClearPath joined others from Constellation, CRES, and Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy. In his remarks, Harrell highlighted the significance of the Accelerating Reliable Capacity (ARC) Act in facilitating first-of-a-kind (#FOAK) nuclear projects. This legislation aims to break the project finance gridlock that often impedes innovative and capital-intensive nuclear ventures. Harrell recently testified before Congress on the urgent need for permitting reform to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies and lessen project cost burdens. He emphasized that regulatory unpredictability is the biggest barrier to meeting US energy, climate, and economic goals and stressed that while the technology is ready, delays in securing permits threaten large-scale nuclear expansion. Harrell also noted the rising electricity demand and called for predictable, efficient regulatory pathways to ensure the US can more rapidly deploy next-generation reactors to support clean energy growth. “The need for new sources of reliable and affordable energy is urgent. The technologies are ready, but they will not be built if they cannot secure permits on a predictable, expeditious timeline.”–congressional testimony of Jeremy Harrell, CEO at ClearPath. The US relies heavily on imported uranium to fuel its nuclear reactors including Russia. As a result, the nation is actively seeking to diversify its uranium sources and enhance domestic production to mitigate risks associated with foreign dependence. Yet, this is not a simple process, especially with today’s permitting constraints. Panelists emphasized the need for public-private collaboration to fast-track clean, safe US energy projects, including nuclear, within a sustainable energy portfolio. What are your thoughts on nuclear expansion in the US? #CERAWeek2025 #nuclear #renewables #energytransition #climatetech #energy
Thanks to this crew for your support of fast-tracking innovative energy technologies! If you haven't already, check out Jeremy Harrell's recent testimony to the US Senate on the critical need to improve our permitting processes.
Principal at Environmental Business International, and Strategy & Market Intelligence for Allied Nuclear Partners..................................... Masters in Public Policy, 2015. Stanford HumBio & Econ '79
3wRight -- the debate is now over how we fund them. We need to move the budget scoring debate into a zone of how fleets of SMRs actually deliver a positive budget score on Public-Private Partnership funding by Govt with Private industry on negotiated terms (and I believe that scoring is possible, with some debate). The DOE Loan Program is such a negotiation -- but only for debt, not equity. That equity funding is critical for FOAK. SMRs are not Medicaid spending, or food stamps... they are productive assets that deliver cash flows over 40 years of operations. They are Net Positive Cash Flow, so that needs to be argued for in the budget scoring -- not just Govt Outlays, but cash flow coming back to Govt Preferred Equity investment.