Energy & Environment

The Big Story

Energy eyes nuclear waste deal with five states

The Trump administration is eyeing five states that could accept nuclear waste, disposal of which has been a longtime issue with nuclear power.

AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

The Energy Department said Tuesday that it signed memorandums of agreement with Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Idaho to explore possible nuclear waste storage in these states.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration indicated that it hopes to move forward quickly with new nuclear waste storage sites, saying it hopes to get “initial facilities online in the 2027 timeframe.”

“I’m pleased to announce that after reviewing 28 applications from 26 states, the Energy Department has selected five initial contenders to further explore building Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a written statement.

Read more at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, I’m Rachel Frazin — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.

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Essential Reads

How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future:

A 7.1 magnitude quake hits Japan’s southern Kyushu island and dozens are injured or missing

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook Japan ’s southern main island of Kyushu on Tuesday, leaving dozens of people injured or missing after part of a shopping center and a huge chimney at a paper factory collapsed, officials said. A tsunami advisory was issued but quickly lifted.

Full Story

Saudi Arabia stares down Trump whiplash on nuclear deal

Saudi Arabia is sending no signals it will accept President Trump’s after-the-fact condition that Riyadh establish ties with Israel as part of a nuclear energy deal with the United States. In fact, its leaders haven’t even conceded that the deal signed last week is off.

Full Story

What We’re Reading

News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:

U.S. military bases delay cleanup of toxic "forever chemicals" (USA Today)
U.S. crude oil falls below $80 as Iran discusses Strait of Hormuz with Saudi Arabia and Oman (CNBC)

What Others are Reading

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

Cornyn says there’s no deal on Blanche attorney general nomination: ‘They know what they have to do’

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Tuesday there is still not a deal with the Trump administration that would pave the way for him to vote for Todd Blanche’s nomination to serve as attorney general, which could result in Blanche getting stuck in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Read more

Talarico expands lead over Paxton in new Texas Senate poll

Texas state Rep. James Talarico, the Democratic Senate nominee in Texas, has widened his lead over his Republican opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, in a new poll. Read more

You’re all caught up. See you tomorrow!

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