TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS & WHAT TO KNOW THIS WEEK

SECRETARY WRIGHT, ADMINISTRATOR WILLIAMS, AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY WALSH TESTIFY BEFORE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE

Today, May 13 at 9:30am ET, the Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing on the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Atomic Energy Defense Activities in Review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2027 and the Future Years Nuclear Security Program. Testifying before the committee were: 

• Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright
• Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Brandon Williams
• Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management (EM) for Department of Energy, Tim Walsh

The hearing focused on deterrence, urgency, and production while emphasizing safety and fiscal prudence. Secretary Wright stated in his opening remarks, “[NNSA is] focused on deterrence, urgency, and production, while working hand-in-hand with the Office of Environmental Management to make substantial progress in advancing the critical cleanup of nuclear waste. The surest way to prevent nuclear war is to ensure America's strength is never in doubt…NNSA is delivering more new nuclear weapons and plutonium pits than at any time since the Cold War”. 

Secretary Wright also underscored their priority to invest in new nuclear development, emphasizing the four Executive Orders issued in May 2025, how the U.S. has restarted uranium enrichment, and the goal of having multiple small modular reactors (SMRs) reach criticality by July 4 of this year. He highlighted achievements in high-assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) procurement as well, citing a 325 kg handoff of HALEU from NNSA to DOE-NE and a landmark deal with Japan to transfer 1.7 metric tons of HALEU to the United States. He went on to say, “we will be the leader in nuclear power and innovation in the world”, citing the Ohio Portsmouth site’s Gaseous Diffusion Plant transformation into a new nuclear and industrial hub as an example. 

Administrator Williams began by noting how the Savannah River site has been turned over to NNSA from EM, signaling a transition to a growth agenda, and noting a reevaluation of the timeline and budget to come over the summer. Further, Administrator Williams expressed optimism regarding meeting plutonium pit production numbers at both Los Alamos and the Savannah River Site.

Assistant Secretary Walsh discussed vitrification at the Hanford and Savannah River sites and noted the success of transitioning to a glass-plus-grout approach to the treatment of low-activity waste. Mr. Walsh also stated support for Senator Gillibrand’s (D-NY) bill to reauthorize remediation efforts of the West Valley Demonstration Project. 

ECA will continue to provide updates as hearings continue regarding the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2027. Stay up to date using ECA’s recently updated Federal Budget Tracker.

To watch a recording of the hearing, click here. 

Key Topics of Discussion Include:

• EM’s new vision for utilizing legacy cleanup to advance American Energy dominance, innovation and affordability.
• The opportunities for EM to contribute to, and benefit from, DOE’s Genesis Mission to more effectively utilize AI to tackle national challenges.
• The intersection of legacy cleanup and advancing DOE’s modernization of the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
• EM’s role in the new nuclear renaissance underway across America.
• Industry leadership perspectives on DOE’s cleanup and energy missions.
• The potential for local communities to capitalize on advances in new nuclear.

Schedule:

Tuesday, September 15: Full-Day Programming, Evening Networking Reception

Wednesday, September 16: Full-Day Programming

Full agenda coming soon!

CATCH UP ON RECENT HEADLINES: 

Reports look into the economics of keeping Diablo Canyon open

Originally scheduled for shutdown in 2025, Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant was given at least a few more years of life when in 2022, California lawmakers approved an extension of operations into 2030. The Avila Beach, Calif., plant already has the OK from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to operate into 2044 and 2045 after the two reactors’ operating licenses were renewed and extended for another 20 years, but state lawmakers still must approve any further extension beyond 2030 if the plant is to remain in operation.

Read the full article here.

Clean Core’s fuel test complete at INL’s ATR

Clean Core Thorium Energy has announced the completion of its nearly two-year ANEEL fuel irradiation testing and qualification campaign at Idaho National Laboratory. The idea behind ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) fuel is to provide existing pressurized heavy water reactors with a fuel option that has increased high-burnup performance without requiring any modification to the reactors.

Read the full article here.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

National Cleanup Workshop 2026

Arlington, VA | September 14-16

Learn More Here

How Collaboration Among Companies and Community Hosts Will Strengthen Nuclear Fuel Cycle Innovation

March 5, 2026

DOE’s recent Request for Information on Nuclear Fuel Cycle Innovation Campuses signals federal interest in accelerating advanced fuel capabilities — potentially including HALEU production, fuel fabrication, recycling, testing infrastructure, and integrated research hubs. Today’s discussion focuses on the central question: How will collaboration among private companies and community leaders strengthen the delivery of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Innovation Campuses? Join the discussion to explore different models and how public-private collaboration can strengthen proposals, reduce risk, and build durable local support. 

Speakers will include: 

John Pfeffer - Supervisor, Town of Ashford 

Bill Goodwin - Chief Legal & Strategy Officer, Oklo 

Rod Baltzer - CEO, Deep Isolation 

Curtis Roberts II - VP of Communications and Press Officer, Orano USA

View the full webinar recording here! 

Options for High Level Waste and Used Nuclear Fuel

February 12, 2026

The siting of new nuclear facilities requires integrated nuclear waste solutions that balance technical, regulatory, and social readiness. This goes beyond just regulatory compliance - it demands trust, transparency, and shared problem-solving among local governments, state agencies, developers, and residents. This webinar will explore how siting efforts can deliver on these environmental management goals while accelerating project timelines, developing local economies, and strengthening community confidence in long-term energy infrastructure decisions. 

Speakers include: 

Facilitator: Laura Hermann - Deputy Executive Director, ECA 

Matt Bowen - Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy 

Kara Colton - Director of Nuclear Policy, ECA 

David Reeploeg - Vice President of Federal Programs, TRIDEC 

Jack Volpato - Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance 

View the full webinar recording here! 

Co-location Options with Nuclear Storage

January 8, 2026

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 include:
Moderator - Jennifer Chandler - Council Member, Village of Piketon 
Randall 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

View the full webinar recording here! 

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.

Speakers include:

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! 

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!