TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS & WHAT TO KNOW THIS WEEK
- Congress remains at an impasse over passage of a continuing resolution (CR).
- On October 23, Tim Walsh was sworn in as DOE Assistant Secretary for the Office of Environmental Management! Read more
below.
- GMF recently marked its 25th anniversary with a special gathering in Paks, Hungary - read more below.
- Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson represented ECA and Paducah Chamber of Commerce in First Movers Advanced Nuclear Roundtable at NASEO annual conference - read more below.
- ECA announces Winter Webinar Series beginning November 5 - register here.
- ECA New Nuclear Forum to be hosted in Augusta, GA from April 21-23,
2026.
- ECA's latest report "From the Atomic Age to New Nuclear" highlights new nuclear projects across the country - see more below.
- Visit ECA on LinkedIn for regular updates.
TIM WALSH SWORN IN AS EM-1
On Thursday, October 23, Timothy J. Walsh was sworn in as Assistant Secretary (EM-1)for the Office of Environmental Management at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE-EM). This is the first time in over 6 years since we have had a Senate confirmed Assistant Secretary in the position. Below is a message from the Assistant Secretary, Dear EM Team: I’m thrilled to be sworn in as the EM Assistant Secretary and privileged to lead this exceptional organization. My career has been defined by a steadfast commitment to serving the American people- a principle forged during my time at West Point and carried forward through every role since. I am deeply honored to begin this next chapter alongside each of you, united in
purpose and driven by excellence. Leading the world’s largest environmental cleanup program is a responsibility I don’t take lightly. Together, as a cohesive team, we will deliver on our duty to remediate the environmental legacies of our nation’s past defense programs while boldly transforming these liabilities into opportunities. We are in a golden era of unleashing American energy dominance through a nuclear renaissance,
positioning the United States as a global leader in AI and innovation, ensuring a strong national security for future generations. Our immediate focus remains steadfast on the critical tasks of remediation and restoration at our cleanup sites. In partnership with local communities, industry partners, and all our stakeholders, we will adopt a forward-looking vision on revitalizing EM sites through reindustrialization to
bolster energy production, AI advancement, and manufacturing dominance. This mandate – not only cleaning up the past but building a prosperous future – demands our collective dedication and ingenuity. Though I am new to EM, the challenges associated with safely delivering complex projects on time and on budget are part of my professional DNA. I draw inspiration from my experiences commanding combat engineers for the
U.S. Army, constructing cutting-edge advanced technology facilities for the semiconductor and biotech industries, and directing large-scale developments that push the boundaries of what’s possible. These chapters have taught me that true leadership emerges from strategic foresight, collaborative synergy, and ironclad discipline in project management principles that breed accountability and deliver transformative results. Decisiveness, I have learned, is the cornerstone of success in any
endeavor. I’m counting on each of you to be an integral part of our shared vision. I value the expertise you bring to the table and will draw upon your perspectives and experience as we move into a new chapter of EM success, innovation, and transformation. In the weeks ahead, I look forward to seeing the tremendous progress you are making, learning more about the challenges we need to address, and working with all of you as
we deliver on our duty to clean up the legacy of the past and build a strong future for America. Let’s keep moving forward with a renewed sense of purpose. Sincerely, Tim Walsh Assistant Secretary for
Environmental Management
WINTER WEBINAR SERIES BEGINNING NOVEMBER 5!
ECA kicks off a forthcoming Winter Webinar Series with our first webinar titled "Creating Emergency Response Planning for Nuclear Storage Projects" Advanced nuclear projects are moving toward construction, and local governments play a frontline role in ensuring that emergency preparedness and management systems keep pace with development. City and county officials oversee first responders, coordinate public safety communications, and maintain the trust of residents who live
and work near project sites. This webinar will highlight how mayors, emergency managers, and developers collaborate to build readiness from day one—through joint planning, drills, and transparent communication. Participants will gain insight into best practices for integrating project-specific safety requirements into local emergency operations and for sustaining preparedness over the full lifecycle of a nuclear
facility. Speakers will include: Moderator: Laura Hermann - Deputy Executive Director, Energy Communities Alliance Dr. Erica Bickford - Director for the Office of Storage & Transportation, DOE-NE (Invited) Chief Mike Cochran - Police Chief, City of Craig, Colorado Lea Perlas - Fusion Program Director, Virginia Department of Health Randall Ryti - Councilor, Los Alamos County, New Mexico Register for the upcoming webinar here!
GMF CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY IN PAKSThe Group of European Municipalities with Nuclear Facilities (GMF) marked its 25th anniversary with a special gathering in Paks, Hungary, bringing together local leaders, experts and international partners as part of the annual general assembly and seminar. Participants had the opportunity to visit Paks
NPP, the town hall of Kalocsa, and the Bátaapáti repository. Founded in 2000, GMF has grown into a vital platform for municipalities hosting or interested in hosting nuclear facilities, providing a strong voice in European and international discussions on energy, safety, and community development. Over the years, GMF has worked to ensure that local perspectives are heard in policy debates and that municipalities benefit
from knowledge exchange and cooperation. The anniversary event in Paks highlighted GMF’s achievements and looked ahead to future challenges and opportunities. Discussions focused on the evolving role of nuclear energy in Europe’s energy transition, the importance of transparency and dialogue with citizens, and the need to strengthen cooperation across borders. GMF’s role in founding the Global Partnership of Nuclear
Communities alongside partners from the United States and Canada demonstrates the international relevance of GMF’s mission. Participants expressed their gratitude to the four Hungarian associations, TEIT, ITET, TETT and NyMTIT, for hosting this milestone celebration. As GMF enters its next quarter-century, it remains dedicated to fostering dialogue, supporting local communities, and ensuring that the voices of
municipalities continue to shape the future of nuclear energy in Europe and beyond. Read the full article here.
ECA PARTICIPATES IN NASEO 2025 ANNUAL MEETINGThis week, the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) hosts their annual conference in Nashville, TN. Yesterday, Mayor Pro Tem Sandra Wilson represented ECA and the Paducah Chamber of Commerce in the First Movers Advanced Nuclear Roundtable where first mover states from around the country provided updates from initiative priorities and accomplishments, discussed key advanced nuclear deployment issues, and reviewed initial findings from the NASEO Request for Information on advanced nuclear orderbook strategies that NASEO released earlier this
month. ECA responded to this Request for Information which highlighted the need to ensure local interests are integrated into orderbook planning for new nuclear build-outs. Writing, "Host communities are the front line for quality of life, public health, land use, and emergency preparedness. Too often, mayors and local leaders are asked to react to plans after they are fully formed, leaving little room to shape
outcomes or address local priorities. We urge advanced nuclear projects to consider governance frameworks for orderbooks include mechanisms for local consultations along state and federal stakeholders." To read the full letter on our website, click here.
DAY 28 OF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNThis week, the federal government enters its fourth week of shutdown, with the Senate still unable to reach the 60-vote threshold to pass a CR.
NEW NUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHT: IOWA
In ECA’s latest paper, “From the Atomic Age to New Nuclear,” ECA captures a snapshot of the nuclear projects underway in the United States by state including both federal and private
sites, and lays out the attributes that make energy communities optimal for this new era of American nuclear leadership. Keep reading what new nuclear projects are already underway in the great state of Iowa in the excerpt below: Duane Arnold Nuclear Plant Restart - NextEra Energy’s Duane Arnold Nuclear Plant, located in Palo Iowa, shuttered in 2020 when it became unprofitable to operate. However, NextEra
filed a notice with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to request a licensing change. This could be the first step to restoring the facility's operating license and restarting plant operations as early as late 2028. Read more about the project here. To learn more about New Nuclear projects in Iowa and across the country, as well as how energy communities will be instrumental to their success, click here to read From the Atomic Age to New Nuclear.
ECA NEW NUCLEAR FORUM TO BE HOSTED IN AUGUSTA, GA FROM APRIL 21-23, 2026
Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) is pleased to host the fifth annual ECA Forum in Augusta, GA from April 21 - April 23, 2026. The meeting is part of ECA’s ongoing New Nuclear Initiative to define the role of local governments in supporting the development of the new nuclear technologies. April 21 | Registration Opens & Nuclear 101 April 22 | Full Day General Session April 23 | Half-Day General Session The ECA Forum is the only meeting designed to bring together DOE, federal, state, local and tribal governments and policymakers with developers, utilities, regulators, industry, and academia to identify opportunities, challenges and to build the partnerships necessary to support nuclear development. Stay tuned for further details on registration, agenda, and
more! WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The ECA Forum is open to communities, State, Tribal and local policymakers, industry, utilities, developers, experts, financiers, state legislators, community groups, and economic development organizations working to build capacity and support for new nuclear development in the U.S. AGENDA:
Agenda coming soon! ECA is working with private and community partners to develop an agenda that continues to look holistically at the what a nuclear project entails: from the front-end of the fuel-cycle to the back-end of the fuel cycle, from building local support, to state support and enabling legislation, from identifying the right public-private partnerships, to understanding
regulatory oversight. Don't miss out - click here to register!
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