TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS & WHAT TO KNOW THIS WEEK

DOE-EM 2025 YEAR END HIGHLIGHTS

At the end of last week, the Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) released a report of their year end highlights, read a few of the 2025 highlights provided by DOE-EM below. 

"Throughout 2025, EM has been there every step of the way addressing the legacy of the past and playing a critical role in the Department's three-pillared vision for American security, science and energy. The first, is to ensure nuclear deterrence for prosperity at home and peace abroad. Second, is to be the global leader for science and innovation. Third, is to drive the golden era of American energy dominance to keep consumer prices low and enable American industry to thrive. 

• Leveraging our assets to accelerate infrastructure and energy generation to support the Genesis Mission, lower energy costs, increase grid reliability and power AI data centers.
• Decommission and demolition of buildings to create space for labs, AI infrastructure, national security priorities and nuclear energy.
• Leveraging 2025 Executive Orders to enhance beneficial reuse and recycle options for metals and materials.
• Changing the course of the future for our local partner communities by re-developing sites to become hubs for nuclear energy, advanced manufacturing and data centers that create generational jobs and build long-term economic vitality at sites that served our great nation for decades.
• Renewing the mission to accelerate cleanup, reduce costs and tum our liabilities into assets for the American people.
• Harnessing land, facilities, capabilities and our expert workforce as we rebuild a domestic supply chain and lead the world towards a future fueled by American nuclear energy.

Over the course of 2025, our team has laid a strong foundation for what will be a new chapter of remediation, revitalization and redevelopment. Whether it's leveraging our skilled workforce, driving innovation, delivering on cleanup or revitalizing land to add advanced nuclear energy to fuel the AI race - there is so much potential to build generational American jobs and make energy more affordable.

We are heading into what will be a breakout year as we act with a renewed sense of urgency and purpose to implement a plan called EM Vision 2040. We're going to have some big wins in the near future and tremendous progress in the coming year as we evolve into a future-focused organization and enable a transition from nuclear remediation to nuclear renaissance."

Read the full report from DOE-EM here.

FEDERAL REGISTER ROUNDUP

DOE Office of Environmental Management

Environmental Management Site Specific Advisory Board, Northern New Mexico

The Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB), Northern New Mexico will host a virtual meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm MST. To attend the virtual meeting contact Bridget Maestas

Read the full announcement here.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Applications for Amendments to Facility Operating Licenses Involving Proposed No Significant Hazards Consideration Determination and Containing Sensitive Unclassified NonSafeguards Information and Order Imposing Procedures for Access to Sensitive Unclassified Non-Safeguards Information

received and is considering approval of three amendment requests. The amendment requests are for Braidwood Station, Units 1 and 2, and Byron Station, Units 1 and 2; Catawba Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2, and McGuire Nuclear Station, Units 1 and 2; and Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 and 2. For each amendment request, the NRC proposes to determine that it involves no significant hazards consideration (NSHC). Because each amendment request contains sensitive unclassified non-safeguards information (SUNSI), the NRC is issuing an order imposing procedures to obtain access to SUNSI for contention preparation by persons who file a hearing request or petition for leave to intervene. Comments must be received by January 29, 2026 and can be submitted here.

Read the full announcement here.

JOIN ECA FOR OUR NEXT WEBINAR "CO-LOCATION OPTIONS WITH NUCLEAR STORAGE"

The next installment of ECA's Winter Webinar Series continues January 8 at 2:00pm ET with "Co-location Options with Nuclear Storage". 

As data centers and advanced fuel cycle facilities seek reliable, carbon-free power, new opportunities are emerging to co-locate these energy-intensive operations with nuclear generation and spent fuel storage sites. Such integration could strengthen grid resilience, reduce transmission losses, align high-demand digital infrastructure with established nuclear security and safety protocols and diversify economic opportunities for host communities and regions. Yet it also raises complex questions about regulatory frameworks, community acceptance, and long-term stewardship of nuclear materials. This webinar will bring together experts from the energy, technology, and policy sectors to explore how thoughtful colocation strategies can balance innovation, safety, and public trust in the next generation of nuclear infrastructure. 

Speakers will include:

Randy Hemann - City Manager, City of Oak Ridge

David Pointer - Director, Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division, ORNL

Michele Sampson - Director, Division of New and Renewed Licenses, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, NRC

Dr. Jenifer Shafer - Associate Director for Technology and Program Director, ARPA-E

Please contact AJ Ridge, ECA Director of Programs, with any questions at ajr@energyca.org.

Click here for more information about upcoming events!

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 takes a comprehensive look at what new nuclear projects require - from the front-end to the back-end of the fuel cycle to aligning support at local, state and federal levels. The Forum will explore emerging options for enabling legislation, public-private partnerships and regulatory oversight.

WHAT YOU'VE MISSED:

Governor awards $100 million in matching funds to BWXT nuclear fuel facility

Gov. Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Energy Authority announced Friday afternoon the award of $100 million in Large Project Energy Matching Funds to BWXT to help construct a TRISO fuel fabrication facility in Wyoming. BWXT will match this grant award with $473 million.

Read the full story

Creekstone Energy studying nuclear power to support world's largest data center campus in Utah
Creekstone Energy on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with Utah-based EnergySolutions to evaluate potential nuclear power options to support energy needs at Creekstone's planned data center campus.

Read the full story

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Co-location Options with Nuclear Storage - ECA Winter Webinar Series

Virtual | January 8, 2026

Learn More Here

Siting Options for High Level Waste and Used Nuclear Fuel - ECA Winter Webinar Series

Virtual | February 12, 2026

Learn More Here

Spent Fuel Storage and Advanced Fuel Cycle Facilities: Co-location for Safety and Sustainability - ECA Winter Webinar Series

Virtual | March 5, 2026

Learn More Here

ECA New Nuclear Forum 2026

Augusta, GA | April 21 - 23

Learn More Here

National Cleanup Workshop 2026

Arlington, VA | September 14-16

Learn More Here

 ECA Winter Series: Advancing New Nuclear with Datacenter Development

December 8, 2025

As artificial intelligence and cloud computing drive exponential growth in electricity demand, data center developers are turning to nuclear energy for reliable, carbon-free power needed to operate continuously. This session explores the concerns local officials must address when co-locating data centers with existing or new nuclear generation. Speakers will discuss regulatory considerations, what makes an “ideal” site, community engagement, and partnership models that align digital infrastructure expansion with public safety and sustainability goals.

Moderator: AJ Ridge - Director of Programs, ECA

Iain Macdonald - Principal and Future Energy Systems Development Lead, HKS

Ilissa Miller - Editor-in-Chief, DataCenter Post

David Reeploeg - Executive Director, Hanford Communities

Peter Rodrik - Associate Administrator for Partnership and Acquisition Services, NNSA

Aditi Verma - Assistant Professor, University of Michigan

View the full webinar recording here! 

ECA Winter Series: Creating Emergency Response Planning for Nuclear Storage Projects

November 6, 2025

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 include:

Moderator: Laura Hermann - Deputy Executive Director, Energy Communities Alliance

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

Brian Scroggins - Administrator of the Division of Planning, Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects

View the full webinar recording here! 

ECA Summer Series: Investing in Innovation: Financing Advanced Nuclear Projects

September 12, 2025

Wall Street has arrived to Main Street. Understanding financing pathways is no longer optional—it’s a prerequisite for informed local leadership and successful project development. Join ECA in its upcoming webinar featuring panelists shaping financing solutions for new generation of nuclear projects. Learn about the new business models emerging and how the financing will occur. Nuclear projects will only move forward if they are financeable. While government funding has played a vital role, the new generation of projects are looking at how to structure the “capital stack” and use a mix of private financing (debt and equity), tax credits, and DOE loan program. In addition, the announced Power Purchase Agreements between utilities and large off-taker such as Google, Meta and Amazon are providing the credit needed to attract financing – once the projects are ready for market. Join a conversation that will bring together government and the private sector to discuss these items and make recommendations on how these projects can move forward to facilitate these exciting business opportunities. This means real opportunities to attract capital, create jobs, and leverage nuclear projects for broader economic development.

Speakers include experts shaping the future of nuclear finance:

Facilitator: Seth Kirshenberg - Executive Director | Energy Communities Alliance and Partner, Kutak Rock LLP

Andy Roehr - Managing Director | Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP

Anthony Huston - Managing Partner | Quadrant Nuclear Industries

Chris Lohse - Innovation and Technology Manager | Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear

View the full webinar recording here!