TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS & WHAT TO KNOW THIS WEEK
- House Energy and Water Appropriations Markup this week (DOE/NNSA funding)
- Full Committee Markup - On Wednesday, May 20 at 10:00am ET, the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee of Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies will host a Full
Committee Markup of Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill
- DOE awards $94 million to American companies to expedite the deployment of SMRs - read more below.
- Oak Ridge hails demolition of two enrichment buildings in one year - read more below.
- National
Cleanup Workshop registration is open!
- 📅 Date: September 14-16
📍 Location: Arlington, VA 🔗 Don't miss out - Register Here!
- Visit ECA on
LinkedIn for regular updates.
DOE AWARDS $94 MILLION TO AMERICAN COMPANIES TO EXPEDITE DEPLOYMENT OF SMRs
On Thursday, DOE announced the selection of eight companies to support the near-term deployment of advanced light-water small modular reactors (SMRs) in the United States. The awardees will collectively receive more than $94 million in Federal cost-shared funding to spur additional Gen III+ SMR deployments by addressing key gaps that have hindered the domestic nuclear industry in
licensing, supply chain, and site preparation. Projects will bolster the supply chain needed to deliver new nuclear generation in the 2030s, strengthen the development of Gen III+ SMR orderbooks to usher in a nuclear renaissance and expand America’s Energy Dominance agenda. “America is going to build more energy, not less, and nuclear is central to
that mission,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “Advanced light-water SMRs will give our nation the reliable, round-the-clock power we need to fuel the manufacturing boom, support data centers and AI growth, and reinforce a stronger, more secure electric grid. These awards ensure we can deploy these reactors as soon as possible.” DOE selected the following companies for awards under the
Generation III+ SMR Pathway to Deployment Program: SMR Site Selection and Preparation - Constellation SMR Development, LLC, $17,264,292, to pursue a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved Early Site Permit for a location in New York to support the future deployment of Gen III+ SMRs.
- Nebraska Public Power District, $27,864,860, to obtain a
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved Early Site Permit for a location in Nebraska to support the future deployment of Gen III+ SMRs.
SMR Supply Chain Development - BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc., $21,423,305, to procure equipment for an existing facility in Mount Vernon, Ind., that is required for final assembly of reactor pressure vessels and the manufacture
of other large nuclear reactor components.
- Container Technologies Industries, LLC, $547,900, to expand the company’s nuclear quality assurance certifications for their facility in Helenwood, Tenn., to enable them to produce steel for Gen III+ SMR deployments.
- Framatome U.S. Government Solutions, LLC, $8,800,000, to expand a fuel fabrication facility in Richland, Wash., by increasing the number of ceramic pellet production lines,
adding approximately 200 metric tons of uranium of annual capacity.
- Global Nuclear Fuel Americas, LLC, $3,000,000, to establish a second production line for fuel rod fabrication for boiling water reactors, acquire capital equipment to automate the pellet inspection process, and implement automated storage and handling for pellets, for their facility in Wilmington, N.C.
- American Forgemasters Company, $2,900,000, to procure a new
furnace for their facility in New Castle, Pa., to facilitate the domestic production of large component forgings for Gen III+ SMRs.
- Scot Forge Company, $12,267,000, to procure and install a large vertical turning lathe and gantry style milling machine for a facility in Spring Grove, Ill., to facilitate the domestic production and manufacturing of large components for Gen III+ SMRs.
As the United States prepares for continued growth in electricity demand, President Trump has charged DOE with adding new, affordable, and reliable energy to keep American energy secure. Light-water SMRs offer flexible deployment, proven technology, and the ability to leverage existing supply chains, making them the fastest and most scalable path to new nuclear capacity. For more information, visit the Generation
III+ Small Modular Reactor Pathway to Deployment Program webpage here. To watch the full announcement, click here.
OAK RIDGE HAILS DEMOLITION OF TWO ENRICHMENT BUILDINGS IN A SINGLE YEARThe Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) announced that its Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) is setting a new benchmark in cleanup progress
at the Tennessee nuclear site—conducting demolition of two former Manhattan Project–era uranium enrichment facilities in a single year. Crews with OREM and cleanup contractor United Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR) have successfully prepared the 210,000-square-foot Beta-1 facility for teardown to begin this summer at Oak Ridge’s Y-12 National Security Complex. That demolition comes after workers finished knocking down Alpha-2 six months ahead of schedule. “Achieving demolition readiness so promptly highlights the caliber of our workforce,”
said Morgan Carden, Y-12 portfolio federal project director. “The precision of this sequencing avoids lag times and allows our crews to move immediately to the next project to continue Y-12’s transformation in a major way.” Beta-1: Categorized as a high-risk, excess contaminated facility due to its contents and condition, Y-12’s Beta-1 building was constructed in 1944 to enrich uranium during World War II.
It was later converted to laboratory space for fusion energy technology. Demolition of the massive structure will eliminate old, unused infrastructure and open land to support future DOE missions. After deactivating Beta-1’s aboveground floors, UCOR began addressing the basement in the fall of 2024. According to DOE-EM, the work was a complex, multidisciplinary effort, including collecting more than 900 samples, pumping 17
million gallons of water, testing and removing 3,000 feet of drainpipes, and pouring more than 2,500 truckloads of controlled low-strength material—a concrete mixture—to stabilize the foundation for demolition equipment. DOE-EM said the use of LiDAR technology helped quicken the pace of Beta-1’s deactivation while strengthening worker safety, providing engineers with a detailed 3D map of building spaces without requiring
workers to enter contaminated or confined spaces. Beta-1’s demolition is set to conclude in 2028. Following that project, crews will pivot immediately to remove Y-12’s Old Steam Plant. Also known as Building 9401-1, the 13,454-square-foot plant was constructed in 1943 and supported multiple missions over the decades, including uranium enrichment support activities, fuels testing, and maintenance and storage
operations. Alpha-2: DOE-EM completed the demolition of the 325,000-square-foot Alpha-2 building in January. Also known as Building 9201-2, Alpha-2 was one of eight original Calutron buildings at Oak Ridge that enriched uranium for the first atomic bombs. Like Beta-1, the Alpha-2 building was categorized as a high-risk, excess
contaminated facility by the DOE. Preparations for demolishing Alpha-2 began in 2020 and involved the meticulous removal of radiological and chemical hazards from inside the facility and rerouting active utility lines—including steam, air, gas, and water—outside the facility that are essential to Y-12’s operations. Read the full story from NuclearNewswire here.
BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS HEARING SCHEDULEOn
Capitol Hill, FY 2027 appropriations hearings are in full swing as both House and Senate committees hear testimony regarding the President's Budget Request. Below is a list of upcoming hearings of interest: - New! - On Wednesday, May 20 at 9:45am ET, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will host a hearing to examine the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act, The RECHARGE Act, and a
discussion draft of the Enrichment Licensing Modernization Act - click here to tune in to the hearing.
- On Wednesday, May 20 at 10:00am ET, the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee of
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies will host a Full Committee Markup of Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill - click here to tune in to the markup.
- New! - On Wednesday, May 20 at 2:30pm ET, the Senate Committee on Armed Services will hold a hearing on Department of Defense Personnel Policies and Programs in Review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2027 and the Future Years Program - click here to tune in to the hearing.
- New! - On Wednesday, June 24 at 11:00am ET, the House
Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense will host a Full Committee Markup of Fiscal Year 2027 Defense Bill- click here to tune in to the hearing.
Incase
you missed it! Here are recordings of recently passed hearings: - House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee of Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee Markup of Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill - click here to watch the recording.
- Senate Committee on Armed Services held a hearing on Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration atomic energy defense activities in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2027 and the Future Years Nuclear Security Program - click here to watch the recording.
- Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing to Examine
the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget - click here to watch the
recording.
- House Armed Services Committee held a hearing on FY27 Budget Request for Nuclear Forces and Atomic Energy Defense Activities - click here to watch the recording.
- Senate
Committee on Appropriations held a hearing on the President’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request for the National Nuclear Security Administration - click here to watch the
recording.
As the FY27 appropriations and authorization process continues, stay up to date by visiting the recently updated ECA Federal Budget Tracker!
New! - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission published a proposed rule on Modernizing NRC Regulations for Byproduct Material Use. The NRC is proposing to amend its regulations for the licensing of byproduct material, some source material, and some special nuclear material. The proposed rule will be open to public comment until midnight on July 2, 2026. Comments can be submitted here. Read the entire proposed rule here. New! - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission published a meeting notice
of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards scheduled from June 3-5, 2026. Interested members of the public are encouraged to participate remotely in any open sessions via Microsoft Teams or via phone at 301–576–2978, passcode 767 509 196#. A more detailed agenda, including the Microsoft Teams link, may be found at the ACRS public website using the link here. If you would like the Microsoft Teams link forwarded to you, please contact: [email protected] or [email protected]. Read the entire meeting announcement here. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission published a final rule on Generic
Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors. The NRC is amending its regulations that govern the NRC’s environmental reviews of new nuclear reactor applications under the National Environmental Policy Act. The final rule will become effective on May 26, 2026. Read the entire final rule here. The Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management has published a meeting notice for the
Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board, Oak Ridge. The meeting will be a hybrid meeting and will take place on June 10, 2026 from 6:00pm ET - 8:00pm ET at the Department of Energy Information Center, Office of Science and Technical Information, 1 Science.gov Way, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831. To access the meeting virtually, please send an email to [email protected] at least two days prior to the meeting. Read the entire meeting notice
here. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission published a proposed rule on Licensing Requirements for Microreactors and Other Reactors With Comparable Risk Profiles. The NRC is proposing to amend its regulations to establish a risk-informed and performance-based regulatory framework for rapid licensing of new microreactors and other reactors with comparable risk
profiles and for high-volume deployment of these reactors. The proposed rule would provide a flexible set of licensing pathways, reduce regulatory burden, and ensure that safety and security requirements remain commensurate with the potential hazards posed by these facilities. The proposed rule and new Part 57 will be open to public comment until midnight on June 16, 2026. Comments can be submitted here. Read the entire proposed rule here. The Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management has published a meeting notice for the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board, Nevada. The meeting will be an in-person meeting and will take place on June 17, 2026 from 4:00pm ET -
6:00pm ET at the Molasky Corporate Center, 15th Floor Conference Room, 100 North City Parkway, Las Vegas, Nevada 89106. Read the entire meeting notice here. The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and Department of Transportation (DOT) published a request for comment on the Development of a Commercially Viable System-Centric Small Modular Reactor Concept for Deployment in the Marine Transportation System to support the development of a U.S.-built scalable, repeatable,
commercially viable, system-centric, small modular reactor (SMR) and their deployment within the marine transportation system. This Request for Information (RFI) for a single vessel or technology demonstration seeks public feedback on proficient system architecture, including liability frameworks, insurance pathways, port acceptance, workforce development, and standards integration for vessel deployment. The request for comment will be open to public comment until midnight on August 5,
2026. Comments can be submitted here. Read the entire request for comment here.
READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE ECA BULLETIN
At the ECA Forum, the latest issue of the ECA Bulletin was released in print, and now a digital copy can be accessed on the ECA website, and by clicking the button below. Reread important updates from ECA like: - South Carolina's nuclear energy growth
- Resources for communities - ECA's Reprocessing Guide & Nuclear Handbook
- How energy communities are open for business
- Current FY 2027 federal budget and appropriations breakdown
- Featured ECA webinars
- ...and more!
REGISTER TODAY FOR THE NATIONAL CLEANUP WORKSHOPEnergy Communities Alliance (ECA) is pleased to host the 12th annual National Cleanup Workshop from September 14th - 16th, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. Hear from senior DOE leaders, local government officials, and industry leaders about DOE's cleanup priorities, the future of the workforce, and more.
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:
National Cleanup Workshop 2026 Arlington, VA | September 14-16 Learn More Here
CATCH UP ON PAST WEBINARS Click the button below to visit ECA's YouTube Channel to rewatch past webinars, and
find the recordings from our most recent webinars below!
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!
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