<p><strong>WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY:</strong> Good afternoon. The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of actor <strong>Tim Curry</strong>, known for <em>The Rocky Horror Picture Show</em> and <em>Muppet Treasure Island</em>, who passed away earlier today.</p>
<ul> <li>Energy Secretary <strong>Chris Wright</strong> spoke at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s ATLAS initiative launch, promoting nuclear energy as a potential fuel for the commercial shipping industry.</li> <li>The Environmental Protection Agency is considering a rule to repeal federal requirements for public input on air permits for industrial projects.</li> </ul>
<h2>COULD NUCLEAR ENERGY FUEL COMMERCIAL SHIPPING?</h2>
<p>Energy Secretary <strong>Chris Wright</strong> stated that nuclear energy could not only power artificial intelligence but also commercial shipping. He noted that the shipping industry is transitioning to natural gas and suggested that nuclear power could be the next step.</p>
<p>“We’re seeing shipping move to natural gas, and just like our energy evolution, what’s the next step? Nuclear,” Wright said during his remarks. He emphasized that nuclear power could enable ships to refuel every few years instead of after every voyage.</p>
<p>Wright mentioned that nuclear energy could enhance shipping efficiency by reducing the need for refueling stops and decreasing reliance on oil or gas. “We can lower the cost of trade and transport between nations,” he added.</p>
<p>His comments were made during the launch of the IAEA’s Atomic Technologies Licensed for Applications at Sea initiative in Washington, D.C., which is investigating the use of small modular reactors for commercial ships and offshore energy supply.</p>
<p>Regarding the timeline for deploying nuclear reactors on commercial ships, Wright noted that it is uncertain when this could happen. He mentioned that international regulators and governments would need to collaborate on this issue.</p>
<p>IAEA Director General <strong>Rafael Grossi</strong> indicated that the use of nuclear energy for commercial shipping is not a distant prospect, stating, “This is coming.”</p>
<p><strong>Incentives for the industry:</strong> There is consensus that installing nuclear reactors on commercial vessels will require significant financial investment. Nuclear energy is already recognized as one of the highest-cost energy generation methods.</p>
<p>The Trump administration has previously aimed to alleviate financial burdens by extending federal subsidies for nuclear power plants and offering loans from the Department of Energy for reactor construction. However, when asked about similar support for maritime nuclear energy, Wright stated, “not yet.”</p>
<p>“No plans for that right now about having tax or federal policies to incentivize nuclear shipping,” he said, emphasizing that the focus is on establishing a commercial framework to foster innovation and competition.</p>
<h2>EPA SEEKS TO SHIFT POWER TO THE STATES OVER INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES AIR POLLUTION</h2>
<p>The Environmental Protection Agency is considering a rule that would limit public input on proposed industrial projects, such as data centers. The <em>New York Times</em> reported that the EPA plans to finalize a proposed rule that would eliminate the federal requirement for “minor” polluters to provide public notice and seek input for air permits.</p>
<p>The Clean Air Act mandates that minor air polluters disclose their emissions. The EPA's proposed rule would give states and local agencies the authority to determine public participation in reviewing permits for minor sources, which are defined as facilities emitting less than 100 tons of pollutants per year.</p>
<p>The EPA has stated that the proposed rule is not solely focused on data centers, countering claims made in media reports. An EPA spokesperson described the proposal as a means to streamline the permitting process.</p>
<p><strong>Reaction:</strong> Former EPA air chief <strong>Joseph Goffman</strong> expressed concern that the proposed rule could undermine safeguards necessary for ensuring compliance with emission standards.</p>
<p>“It takes away one of the safeguards needed to ensure that the industrial sources are operating to meet emission standards,” Goffman said.</p>
<hr />
<h2>All the rest</h2>
<p><strong>WRIGHT TALKS SAUDI ARABIA NUCLEAR DEAL:</strong> Wright confirmed that President <strong>Donald Trump</strong> has sent the civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress, which aims to provide American companies access to Saudi Arabia’s nuclear energy program.</p>
<p>The agreement is designed to expand U.S. industry exports and create jobs but does not permit the enrichment of nuclear materials. Wright noted that the signing of the Abraham Accords is linked to the nuclear deal.</p>
<p><strong>TRUMP ADMINISTRATION LOOKS TO RUBBER-STAMP DRILLING IN THE ARCTIC:</strong> The Interior Department is reportedly planning to ease regulations for oil and gas drilling activities in Northern Alaska, potentially exempting them from National Environmental Policy Act reviews.</p>
<p><strong>Quick reminder:</strong> This categorical exclusion would facilitate oil and gas development in the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska.</p>
<p><strong>CANDIDATES SIGN AI PACT AHEAD OF MIDTERMS:</strong> More than 15 candidates have signed a pact pledging to support restrictions on AI data centers, including promises on accountability and worker protection.</p>
<p><strong>WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE DEADLY FLASH FLOOD IN NEPAL:</strong> Flash flooding in China and Nepal has resulted in over 150 deaths, with many more reported missing. The flooding appears to have been triggered by a glacier collapse near the Nepal-China border.</p>
<p>Scientists are investigating the causes of the glacier collapse, which coincided with a detected earthquake in the region.</p>
<p><strong>RUNDOWN</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/wind/maine-make-wind-power-happen">Canary Media</a> reports on Maine's efforts to advance wind power.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-26/trump-administration-s-geothermal-energy-push-gets-test-in-utah?srnd=phx-green">Bloomberg</a> discusses the Trump administration's geothermal energy initiatives.</p>
<p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/heat-wave-emergency-room-climate-change-sick-hurt-77bd2c850ce9faf642cac38a96530af0">The Associated Press</a> reports on the impact of heat waves on emergency room visits.</p>