3 Takeaways from Day 1 of the ECA New Nuclear Development Forum ECA Staff | 5/18/23 |
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Today ECA kicked off the New Nuclear Development Forum: Building Capacity and
Opportunity in Paducah, KY. Over 200 stakeholders, including federal, local, and tribal officials; new nuclear developers and contractors; international nuclear host communities; union leaders; and think tanks, gathered to exchange ideas and lessons learned about the next generation of nuclear energy.
Day 1 of the Forum included a keynote address from Dr. Kathryn Huff, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy. Discussions throughout the day
addressed case studies from communities developing new nuclear, in addition to panels on how to leverage existing infrastructure, adding nuclear to the mix in an all-of-the-above energy strategy, collaborating with utilities and developers, and lessons we can learn from advanced nuclear development abroad. |
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#1: Communities remain the key to success for new nuclear development. In every aspect of the new nuclear development process, local governments and communities are the key pieces to the puzzle. As panelists noted, local governments are leading the charge to bring new nuclear to their communities by establishing partnerships with developers and building relationships with utilities and federal offices. Community groups such as reuse organizations and chambers of commerce play a role, too, in building
community buy-in.
Case studies from Idaho and Paducah today underscored the range of local stakeholders involved, from Mayors and councils to state regulators and utilities. Communities from Canada and Europe also shared successes and challenges in their experiences with nuclear energy, noting several common focuses as their American counterparts, including regulatory issues and communicating with constituents about the benefits of new
technologies.
#2: DOE is making tangible progress on new nuclear development. In her keynote address, Assistant Secretary Kathryn Huff outlined some of the progress DOE has made in recent years, including the Office of Nuclear Energy's (NE) and Office of Clean Energy Demonstration's (OCED) collaboration on the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. Additionally, Dr. Huff highlighted that NE is making progress on the back-end of the fuel cycle as well, as the office is developing its consent-based siting plan
focused on communities and environmental justice.
NE is also taking action to continue exploring new technologies supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. "We're ready with this technology, and it's important we act on it," said, Dr. Huff.
#3: There is no one-size-fits-all approach for nuclear energy. A through-line recognized in each panel today was the unique situation each community will face when considering deployment of new nuclear technology. What type of reactor technology is most suitable for the community? Can land be reused to make way for a nuclear projects or a coal-to-nuclear transition? What are the unique regulatory and utility situations do communities need to consider? Can nuclear energy help a community reach
decarbonization goals?
These distinct paths to new nuclear highlight the importance of bringing together all of the relevant stakeholders at the Forum to learn about each others' successes and challenges.
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REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
September 11-13, 2023
Arlington, VA
Join
us for the 9th annual National Cleanup Workshop at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. Register today to hear from senior DOE leaders, local government officials, and industry leaders about the future of DOE’s Environmental Management program. *Rates increase on July 1, 2023. If you have questions or are interested in sponsorship, please contact Autumn Bogus at abogus@la-inc.com. For more information, please visit cleanupworkshop.com. |
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Oklo Announces Sites for Two Power Plants in Southern Ohio Oklo Inc. | 5/18/23 - Oklo and the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative signed an agreement for land to host second and third commercial powerhouse sites.
- The agreement also details collaboration on jobs, community engagement, facility repurposing, and the potential for additional power plants.
Oklo Inc. and the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI) have signed an agreement to deploy two commercial Oklo power plants in Southern Ohio.
Oklo’s commercial power plants will provide up to 30 MW of clean electric power, and over 50 MW of clean heating, with opportunities to expand. The plants will also support job
creation in the area, furthering SODI’s mission to improve the quality of life for the southern Ohio community through both economic diversification and the advancement of clean energy solutions. SODI is one of the leading partners for the Site Reuse Deployment Guidance for Advanced Reactors project, along with team members from Orano Federal Services LLC, Southern Nuclear Company, Electrical Power Research Institute Inc, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho National Laboratory
(INL). The project was funded through a grant from the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy to support the deployment of advanced reactor technology and the use of former nuclear sites.
“Oklo is accelerating our commercialization plans with sites for two more plants confirmed, building on our commercial deployment in Idaho,” said Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo. Oklo obtained a site use permit from the DOE for the Idaho site at INL in 2019.
Oklo was awarded fuel for its first reactor and is a leader in advanced reactor licensing and deployment. These plants will also help scale up the supply chain for Oklo’s plants. “Our business model, and use of mature, demonstrated reactor technologies allow us to provide power to customers who want the reliable, clean, and affordable energy we can provide,” added DeWitte. Oklo’s unique business model centers around owning and operating its power plants, making it easier
for customers to procure energy through power purchase agreements or similar structures.
The development of Oklo’s commercial power plants will help reinvigorate the local communities surrounding the site, paving the way for a cleaner and more resilient energy infrastructure and long-term and high-tech economic benefits to the region. “SODI is proud to partner with Oklo and see the land developed in a way that will provide benefits to the
community and the entire region,” said Kevin Shoemaker, Legal Counsel of SODI. As Oklo and SODI forge ahead for the deployment of the power plants, the site is also being evaluated for potential future manufacturing or industrial facilities, demonstrating Oklo’s dedication to fostering a long-term relationship with the community for a clean and prosperous future for communities across Southern Ohio and beyond. |
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Check out ECA's latest report!
DISPOSAL DRIVES CLEANUP: RE-ENERGIZING MOMENTUM FOR DISPOSAL SOLUTIONS FOR RADIOACTIVE WASTE
This report calls on the Department of Energy to launch the
initiative to develop the actual waste disposition approaches. The Department could potentially save hundreds of billions of dollars in cleanup costs by using its available tools and implementing the report’s recommendations.
Interactive guide for communities and governments to help navigate nuclear waste cleanup The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) recently released the Guide to Successful Environmental Cleanup, an interactive online resource that provides frequently asked questions, case studies, and recommendations regarding nuclear waste cleanup. To assist local government officials, their communities, and federal agencies in deciphering the
complexities of the environmental cleanup process, ECA developed this guide to facilitate future successful cleanups. |
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Stay Current on Activities in the DOE World
Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@energyca.org.
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Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories,
highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local governments. |
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