REGISTER NOW: NATIONAL ACADEMIES WORKSHOP - PATHWAYS FOR NEW NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT
The recent completion of Plant Vogtle, the largest nuclear energy plant in the United States, has sparked new opportunities for building next-generation light water reactors to produce reliable, clean energy. However, significant barriers remain to nuclear deployment, including technical challenges, regulatory hurdles, and investment risks that complicate decision-making
timelines. Join the National Academies online or in person in Washington, D.C. for a workshop on January 29-30, 2025 to explore pathways for
new nuclear development in the United States. The workshop will facilitate in-depth discussions among policymakers, regulators, community leaders, and technical experts regarding the challenges of deploying more nuclear power, including ways to improve construction, financing, decision-making, public engagement, education and training, and regulatory efficiency.
Register to attend, download the latest agenda, and watch the webcast on the workshop event page.
WORKSHOP PANELS - Laying the Foundation for New and Advanced Nuclear in the United States: Richard Meserve and Michael Corradini, committee members from our recent study, and Jonathan Barr from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will discuss challenges for nuclear deployment, including technology research gaps, new
business use cases, and regulatory needs.
- Improving Construction Timelines: This panel will discuss construction timeline risk for new nuclear facilities and ways to minimize construction cost, schedule overruns, and supply chain issues.
- Understanding End User Timelines and Decision-Making: This panel will discuss the needs of end users for nuclear projects in the United States—from process heat for chemical manufacturing to small modular reactors for providing energy in remote locations—and explore how these end users assess risk and make decisions.
- Accelerating Financing Timelines: This panel will discuss financing mechanisms for nuclear projects, including ways
to minimize financial risk for potential investors and develop competitive financing options.
- Considering Host Community Perspectives: Hear from community leaders and activists about their experiences hosting nuclear projects, including how to ensure communities benefit from hosting nuclear projects and best practices for community engagement.
- Supporting the Workforce: This panel will discuss education and training needs—both in nuclear
engineering and trades—and ways to cultivating a robust workforce that can build, maintain, and operate nuclear facilities.
- Improving Regulatory Efficiency: This panel will discuss how the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is implementing the ADVANCE Act and how they are preparing for the early non-LWR license application.
REGISTER NOW: UNLOCKING CAPITAL FOR NUCLEAR ENERGY: INVESTING IN SMR STARTUPS
Following the publication of the IAEA’s Climate Change and Nuclear Power 2024: Financing Nuclear Energy in
Low Carbon Transitions, this webinar will delve into the complexities of financing nuclear energy projects, including the unique challenges and opportunities for banks and private sector financiers. The webinar will discuss the SMR startup landscape, technical innovation and market viability, and the role of collaboration and partnerships for investment in the companies developing SMRs. It will provide a platform for dialogue between financial institutions, nuclear industry experts, and
policymakers. This webinar is organized by the IAEA’s Planning and Economic Studies Section. Monday 13 January, 2025 10:00 am- 11:30 am (EST)
FEATURING: - Ximena Vásquez-Maignan, Counsel at White & Case LLP
- Julie Kozeracki, Director of Strategy at the US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office
- Giuseppe Sangiovanni, Managing Partner at Exergon - Energy Transition Ventures
- André Pienaar, Founder
and Managing Director at C5 Capital
Moderated by Brianna Lazerwitz, Energy Economist, IAEA Monday 13 January, 2025 10:00 am- 11:30 am (EST)
ENSURING LONG TERM SUCCESS: ECA TRANSITION PAPER FOR EM
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) must continuously examine its work and evolve. The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) is calling on the next Administration to launch a comprehensive review of all aspects of the EM program. To meet the challenges and better ensure the continued success of the DOE-EM program, the ECA’s Transition paper
offers the following recommendations: - Establishment of disposal paths for every type of radioactive and hazardous waste, including ensuring that both private and public sites are available and utilized.
- The reevaluation of DOE-EM’s use of the end-state contracting model so that more funds are available for actual work.
- Ensuring that regulatory agreements are reasonably achievable and balance short- and long-term needs.
- Improvement of workforce planning to
address “brain drain” and long-term needs for skilled talent of all kinds.
- Continuing focus on economic and energy development benefits.
- The maintaining of robust local, state, tribal government, and stakeholder engagement at each site.
- Clarification on DOE policy regarding how the discovery of hazardous and radioactive materials at “completed sites” will be addressed to ensure that cleanup is protective of human health and the environment, and that the local community is
not responsible for the DOE’s legacy waste cleanup.
- The reconstituting of a dedicated nuclear waste organization within the DOE to address high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel issues.
Read the paper by clicking its cover above or the button below!
WHAT YOU'VE MISSED: DOE’s environmental liability grows 2%, report says The Department of Energy’s environmental and disposal liabilities grew by $11 billion to $545 billion at the end of fiscal 2024, according to a December financial report. That is up about 2% from $534 billion at the end of fiscal 2023, according to
DOE’s annual financial report released Dec. 12. Read
the full story Fort Smith city leaders discuss resolution to oppose potential nuclear waste site FORT SMITH, Ark. — City leaders in Fort Smith are voicing their concerns following a community forum Monday, during
which the potential of a nuclear waste facility coming to the city was discussed. Arkansas Nuclear Voice, according to their website, is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded group. They added that they are one of 12 groups selected by DOE to “conduct research on siting an interim spent nuclear fuel storage facility.” Grant aimed at building energy transition collaboration A northwest Colorado entity has received a $75,000 grant that will help it focus on creating a regional coalition and fostering multi-state collaboration in helping energy-based communities making energy transitions. The Northwest Colorado Energy Initiative, a program under
Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, received the grant from the Energy Communities Alliance, a nonprofit organization of local governments and nuclear communities adjacent to or affected by U.S. Department of Energy activities. Read the full story Carlsbad Department of Development Awarded Grant from Energy Communities Alliance CARLSBAD, NM, December 20, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) has awarded grants to five local community entities – the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC); Butte County, Idaho; the Carlsbad Department
of Development (CDOD); the City of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; and Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) – to develop avenues for inclusive public engagement, education, and discussions of consent-based siting approaches. Read the full story
Gone Fission Nuclear Report - New ORANO Plant Boosts Nuclear Growth December 09, 2024 | S4 E20 It’s being called the largest investment in the history of the State of Tennessee. Orano USA has announced plans to build a new multi-billion dollar, state-of-the-art centrifuge uranium enrichment plant in Oak Ridge. The facility will provide fuel for America’s nuclear power plants and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources. In this
week’s episode of the Gone Fission Nuclear Report, host Michael Butler discusses this exciting project with Orano USA President Jean-Luc Palayer. www.gonefissionpodcast.com NucleCast - Jill Hruby: NNSA's Journey: Achievements & Future Challenges January 7, 2025 | S02 E200 In this special 200th episode of NucleCast, Jill Hruby, the Administrator of NNSA and Undersecretary of the Department of Energy for Nuclear Security, discusses the achievements and challenges faced by NNSA during her tenure, including the modernization of nuclear weapons, strengthening international partnerships, and
the importance of infrastructure projects. Jill shares insights on the Strategic Posture Commission's recommendations, the plans for pit production, and the significance of the National Ignition Facility (NIF). She emphasizes the need for a renewed focus on nuclear IQ and offers advice for future leadership in the nuclear enterprise. https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/1828710/
National Academies Workshop: Pathways for Nuclear Development Washington D.C. | January 29-30 Register Here ECA New Nuclear Forum
2025 Idaho Falls, ID | April 22 - 24 Learn More
Here Reuters Events: SMR & Advanced Reactor 2025 Nashville, TN | May 12 - 13 Learn More Here
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