PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
AJ Ridge, Program Manager
ajr@energyca.org; 202-828-2321
ENERGY COMMUNITIES STEP UP TO ENABLE NEXT PHASE OF AMERICAN NUCLEAR DEPLOYMENTS
WASHINGTON --- In a new report expanding on the original publication of “From the Atomic
Age to New Nuclear: Energy Communities Ready to Help Unleash Nuclear Power”, ECA captures a snapshot of the nuclear projects underway in the United States and lays out the attributes that make energy communities optimal for this new era of American nuclear leadership.
The report highlights companies and organizations updating reactor operations, restarting nuclear operations, or deploying new and advanced
technologies in communities across the country. It characterizes how ambitious projects reuse land and assets from former government nuclear weapons and nuclear research sites, as well as sites once home to former coal and industrial facilities.
Local communities with nuclear experience offer a variety of advantages to foster the growth of nuclear energy. For example, some sites have significant amounts of land
available for use; others boast existing utilities and connections to the electrical grid that can be reassigned. Significantly, local residents in energy communities constitute experienced workforces that are well-versed in nuclear issues with strong support for science and technology. By tapping into the legacies of these energy communities, project developers gain unmatched capabilities to advance the nuclear prosperity of the United States.
Rebecca Casper, Mayor of Idaho Falls, ID; and ECA Vice-Chair said “We stood up the New Nuclear Initiative more than five years ago knowing that we - DOE energy communities from all across the country - have much to offer. We are informed, motivated and uniquely prepared to be effective partners in this new age of nuclear power applications. We are proud contributors in this era of significant investment in American
prosperity.”
ECA calls on the U.S. Department of Energy to continue to work with local energy communities to foster what new Secretary of Energy Chris Wright has dubbed “a golden era of American energy dominance.” The report recommends several actions, including securing domestic supply chains; identifying ways to expedite land transfers; working to finalize disposal paths for various types of
radioactive waste; and considering paths forward for interim and permanent disposal facilities, among other initiatives, to build up momentum and tear down roadblocks for energy communities to freely pursue new nuclear opportunities.
Brent Gerry, Mayor of West Richland, WA, and ECA Chair said “Hosting nuclear facilities has been the source for stability for our communities for decades, and we are excited
to expand our peer-to-peer network and share the benefits nuclear offers in terms of economic growth, reliability and well-being.”
Energy communities continue to proudly serve their nation, as they have for decades. “From the Atomic Age to New Nuclear” can be found on ECA’s website at www.energyca.org.
ECA will be discussing how energy communities can work with DOE to reuse former site land and accelerate economic development, among other issues pertaining to cleanup and new nuclear development, at the National Cleanup Workshop, in Arlington VA from September 23 – 25. Additional information can be found
on the National Cleanup Workshop Website.
Please reach out to ajr@energyca.org with any questions.
