Biden administration plans to triple nuclear power capacity

NUCLEAR: The Biden administration today plans to release a blueprint for an additional 200 GW of nuclear power by 2050, a proposal that has bipartisan support and is likely to survive the incoming Trump administration. (Bloomberg)

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OVERSIGHT:

• President-elect Trump selects former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin, a vocal defender of Trump during his impeachment trial, to lead the EPA; Zeldin derided what he called his state’s “far-left climate agenda” in an unsuccessful 2022 run for governor. (E&E News)
• A top congressional Democrat notes Zeldin has “no profile at all on environmental issues,” signaling his main focus will be slashing regulations, which Republican backers suggest he will be effective at doing. (E&E News)

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CLIMATE: White House climate advisor John Podesta tells attendees at the COP 29 summit that “the work to contain climate change is going to continue in the United States” and calls on the private sector and state and local governments to lead the way. (The Hill)

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CLEAN ENERGY:

• Three northeastern Ohio foundations collaborate to help cities, counties, utilities and communities coordinate clean energy projects to maximize benefits and secure funding. (Energy News Network)
• A new report says repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act will create an $80 billion windfall for other countries competing with the U.S. in the clean energy space. (Energy Mix)

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GRID: A company working to cut roughly a year off the grid interconnection process receives a $49.5 million federal grant to roll out its software in eight states. (Canary Media)

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‍OIL & GAS: The EPA finalizes a Biden administration rule to charge fees for venting or flaring natural gas, which, because it is linked to the Inflation Reduction Act, will require congressional approval to overturn. (CNN)

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HYDROGEN: Advocates say developers are not listening to their environmental justice concerns as the process of building federally supported hydrogen hubs ramps up in Pennsylvania and other targeted areas. (The Daily Climate)

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OFFSHORE WIND: A coalition of East Coast states moves ahead with plans for a compensation fund to mitigate the financial impact offshore wind could have on commercial fishermen. (SeafoodSource)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: While some analysts predict  a “U.S. battery boom” as Trump removes restrictions on mining, others note that policy support across the entire supply chain will be necessary to grow the electric vehicle industry. (E&E News)

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POLITICS: As Tesla CEO Elon Musk continues to enjoy outsized influence over the Trump transition, a source reveals he spent nearly $200 million supporting the former president’s reelection. (Al Jazeera, Associated Press)

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COMMENTARY: The executive director of the Sierra Club says “we will not go backward” on clean energy, predicting market forces and state opposition will thwart some of Trump’s efforts to roll back climate policy. (Chicago Sun-Times)

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