Another nudge for small nuclear

NUCLEAR: The U.S. Energy Department announces $900 million for small nuclear reactor development, with most of the funding going to teams planning to build a small reactor plant and multi-reactor project. (E&E News)

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ALSO:

• A bipartisan federal bill seeks to reduce fees and speed permitting for companies looking to build nuclear reactors, though critics worry the quicker process would jeopardize safety. (The Hill)
• The U.S. Army seeks proposals to build a prototype microreactor power plant at a domestic military installation. (Utility Dive)
• Federal regulators seek public input on a Bill Gates-backed plan to build an advanced nuclear reactor in a Wyoming coal community. (WyoFile)

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PIPELINES:

• The oil and gas industry lobbies for stiffer penalties against pipeline protesters and looser regulation of carbon capture and storage pipeline projects as part of new federal safety rules. (The Lever)
• Opposition to carbon pipelines from farmers, environmentalists and property rights groups is among the hurdles corn farmers face as they seek to access new markets, such as aviation, for biofuels. (Associated Press)

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RENEWABLES:

• Supply chain and interconnection delays are stalling large renewable energy projects across the Midwest, despite new efforts in Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan to speed up permitting. (Inside Climate News)
• Vermont’s legislature overrides the governor’s veto to establish a 100% renewable energy by 2035 mandate for utilities, although some will have to meet that by 2030. (Associated Press)

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STORAGE: Stanford University researchers say they’ve found a novel way to store electric energy in liquid fuels, a potential way to retain intermittent renewable energy for when it’s needed. (The Independent)

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GRID: Federal energy regulators want four grid operators to prove their rules for transmission owners to pay for and profit from network upgrade rules are fair. (Utility Dive)

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EMISSIONS:

• A new analysis says Vermont is not on track to meet its 2025 target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with declines in thermal fossil fuel use driven mostly — though not entirely — by warming winters. (Energy News Network)
• An investigation finds Texas oil companies are emitting high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas into nearby communities while regulators have largely ignored hundreds of violations of state air pollution rules. (Houston Chronicle)

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ELECTRIFICATION: A California startup develops software aimed at helping people cost-effectively pair home electrification and rooftop solar. (Canary Media)

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COAL: A federal rule takes effect requiring stricter limits for silica dust that’s contributed to a spike in black lung disease. (WLKY)

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