ECA Update 03/28: *NEW LINK* HEAR FROM NWMO ABOUT CANADA'S PLAN FOR USED FUEL; and more

ECA Update 03/28: NEW LINK HEAR FROM NWMO ABOUT CANADA'S PLAN FOR USED FUEL; and more

Published: Fri, 03/28/25

REGISTER NOW:

CREATING THE FUTURE TOGETHER: CANADA'S PLAN FOR USED NUCLEAR FUEL

On April 3, 2025, a webinar hosted jointly by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Department of Nuclear Energy, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy, and the Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) will provide information on the implementation of Canada’s Plan for the long-term management of radioactive waste.

This webinar will be delivered by senior staff of Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), the organization responsible for radioactive waste and spent fuel management in Canada. It is the third in a series of webinars informing on the Global Progress Towards Sustainable Endpoint Solutions for High-level Waste and Spent Nuclear Fuel.

The webinar will last 1.5 hours, is open to the public, and provides opportunities for audience engagement and Q&A through a webinar chat.

Speakers:

Isaac Werner, Senior Advisor, Government Relations, NWMO, Canada
Mark Gobien, Manager, Safety Assessment Integration, NWMO, Canada
Jessica Perritt, Director, Indigenous and Municipal Relations, NWMO, Canada
Joanne Jacyk, Director, Site Selection, Intermediate Level Waste, NWMO, Canada

Agenda:
1. Who we are - NWMO's governance, structure and funding
2. Canada's deep geological repository - Confidence in Safety
3. Creating the future together - Progress on Canada’s Plan for Used Fuel Management
4. Integrated Strategy for Radioactive Waste - NWMO's new mandate

Moderators:

Marla Morales – Director, Office of Consent-Based Siting at US DOE/NE, USA
Seth Kirshenberg – Executive Director at ECA, USA
Stefan Mayer – Team Lead Radioactive Waste Disposal, IAEA

(https://iaea.webex.com/weblink/register/rf313a7ae9fd0c8bfa7f9b1f9c45998dd)

REGISTER FOR ECA WEBINAR

OPEN FOR BUSINESS - NEW NUCLEAR OPPORTUNITIES

Join ECA to hear from Dr. Michael Goff, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy provide opening remarks to the "Open for Business - New Nuclear Opportunities" webinar on Wednesday, April 2, from 2:00pm ET to 3:30pm ET.

Dr. Goff will kick-off this webinar that will continue into a discussion with:

Moderator: Laura Hermann, Deputy Executive Director, Energy Communities Alliance
Chuck Hope, City Councilor, City of Oak Ridge, TN
Diahann Howard, Executive Director, Port of Benton, WA
John Kotek, Senior Vice President, Policy & Public Affairs, Nuclear Energy Institute

Local leaders, Department of Energy officials, and nuclear energy industry experts will share their perspectives on the state of new nuclear projects, the latest on nuclear from the Administration and how energy communities work with developers and innovators on projects along all stages of the fuel cycle.

This webinar will cover topics pertinent to new nuclear development at the state and local level, such as:

Current, Planned, and Operating New Nuclear Projects
Timelines for Technology Deployment
The Latest from the Administration on Nuclear
Opportunities to Attract and Host New Nuclear Projects
Benefits of Locating Nuclear Projects in Communities with Nuclear Experience and Existing Energy Infrastructure
…and more!

This webinar will set the groundwork for discussions that ECA will continue at the fourth annual ECA Forum: Moving New Nuclear Projects Forward, to be held from April 22-24 in Idaho Falls, ID with support from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy and the Idaho National Laboratory.

Join us for insights, industry networking, and expert speakers from the people advancing new nuclear reactors across the United States. Whether you’re looking to begin learning about nuclear energy or to deploy advanced reactors in your region, this is the place to be.

🔗 Don't miss out - secure your seat now!

NEW ECA REPORT - FROM THE ATOMIC AGE TO NEW NUCLEAR: ENERGY COMMUNITIES READY TO HELP UNLEASH NUCLEAR POWER

Communities across the country that were once home to government nuclear sites and/or former commercial energy plants are ready to help the United States today unleash the next wave of nuclear technologies, according to a new white paper from the Energy Communities Alliance (ECA). In its paper, “From the Atomic Age to New Nuclear,” ECA outlines a host of projects either underway or currently planned at sites across the county to support new nuclear development across the fuel cycle.

READ THE REPORT HERE

WHAT YOU'VE MISSED:

$900 Million Available to Unlock Commercial Deployment of American-Made Small Modular Reactors

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently reissued a $900 million funding opportunity for the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs), notably removing the requirement for Community Benefit Plans that were emphasized in the initial solicitation. This change shifts the selection criteria to focus solely on technical merit. It eliminates considerations related to community engagement, workforce development, and environmental justice that were required by the previous administration.

Read the full story

State legislation: Illinois bill aims to lift state's remaining nuclear moratorium

A bill that would fully repeal the state’s entire moratorium on new nuclear projects survived a key deadline in the Illinois General Assembly last week.

To stay afloat in the spring legislative session, bills needed to be assigned to committee by March 21, and state Sen. Sue Rezin’s Senate Bill 1527 now sits with the Senate’s Energy and Public Utilities committee for review.

Read the full story

State legislation: Nuclear financing bill awaits Ind. governor's signature

The final passage of Senate Bill 424 from Indiana’s House of Representatives last week sent a key piece of pronuclear legislation to Gov. Mike Braun for final approval.

The legislation offers public utilities that want to develop small modular reactors in the Hoosier State to recover preconstruction costs from their customers before the project even begins. The company would have to petition the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and, if approved, would have the opportunity to establish a new rate that reflects the cost of the project.

Read the full story

Texas Senate passes bill to upend energy market, spur gas over renewables

The legislation would require half of new power plant capacity come from dispatchable sources other than batteries. Solar and wind developers would pay fees to comply.

Read the full story

NEW MEDIA:

NucleCast - Robert Kittinger, Ph.D. - Tritium, Reactors and Nuclear Deterrence

Mar. 18, 2025 | S02 E210

In this episode of NUCLECAST, host Adam Lowther engages with Dr. Robert Kittinger to discuss various aspects of nuclear policy, including the importance of tritium production, the role of small modular reactors in military applications, and the interconnectedness of nuclear energy and weapons. They explore the implications of denuclearization and the need for a dedicated supply chain for nuclear components, while also addressing the historical context of nuclear deterrence and its significance in maintaining global peace.

https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/