The Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, has played a significant role in shaping US energy policy and international cooperation over the past week. On Tuesday, the US Department of Energy officially added Singapore and the Philippines to the list of countries eligible for general authorization under US export regulations for civil nuclear technology. This decision, published in the Federal Register, was described by the JD Supra legal news service as a move that will open the door for expanded US civil nuclear exports to key Southeast Asian partners. The Secretary of Energy has the authority, under the Atomic Energy Act, to determine which countries may receive certain nuclear technologies with streamlined approval. Organizations with export control protocols are being instructed to update their compliance documents to reflect these changes.

During a recent meeting with the United Nations’ nuclear oversight agency, Energy Secretary Wright also confirmed that the United States is elevating the importance of nuclear energy in international trade agreements. As reported by Semafor, Wright outlined plans for US companies to play a bigger role in building nuclear power stations abroad, beginning with a new US-UK agreement and extending to ongoing negotiations with other nations such as Saudi Arabia. This development positions US nuclear technology as both an energy and geopolitical tool, aligning with administration priorities to counter rival influences like Russia and China.

Meanwhile, in Washington, several legislative efforts are underway that directly impact the Department of Energy’s regulatory capacity. House Republicans have introduced the Promoting Cross-border Energy Infrastructure Act, which would streamline DOE’s permitting process for projects that import and export oil, natural gas, and electricity across US borders. According to the office of the House Majority Leader, this bill aims to eliminate regulatory uncertainty and assign DOE clear authority over electric transmission applications, while establishing new deadlines for DOE decisions. Discussions are also ongoing regarding energy reliability and grid stability, as Congress considers bills to expedite approval of essential energy projects and reestablish federal advisory councils on coal.

Lastly, the Secretary’s office is also affected by major shifts in broader federal policy. The Department of the Interior’s new policy on renewable energy on federal lands, effective since August, will make it much harder for solar and wind developers to gain permits, as the administration elevates energy sources with higher generation density such as nuclear and gas. This aligns with Energy Secretary Wright’s support for advanced nuclear development, a position he has publicly championed as both a climate and security measure.

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