TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS & WHAT TO KNOW THIS WEEK

JOIN ECA FOR OUR NEXT WEBINAR "SITING OPTIONS FOR HIGH LEVEL WASTE AND USED NUCLEAR FUEL"

The next installment of ECA's Winter Webinar Series continues February 12 at 2:00pm EST with "Siting Options for High Level Waste and Used Nuclear Fuel". 

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 will 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 

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

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

Click here for more information about upcoming events!

DOE-EM ANNOUNCED ITS RESTART OF URANIUM RECOVERY OPERATIONS AT SAVANNAH RIVER SITE H CANYON

DOE-EM announced last week that it is restarting uranium recovery operations at the H Canyon facility, located at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. The decision to restart uranium recovery will produce high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) needed for advanced reactors, as well as recovering valuable isotopes currently available in limited domestic quantities, supporting critical needs in scientific research, medical applications and commercial uses. In addition, the facility will continue to safely process used nuclear fuel as part of SRS's cleanup mission.

HALEU - uranium enriched to contain between 5% and 20% uranium-235 - will be used to fuel many advanced reactors. The current inventory of used nuclear fuel at SRS contains enough highly enriched uranium to produce as many as 19 metric tons of HALEU, enough to fuel several proposed small modular reactors.

"Thanks to President Trump's leadership, we're maximising the value of existing assets, supporting national security objectives and advancing our cleanup mission - all while supplying America's next generation of advanced nuclear reactors," EM Assistant Secretary Tim Walsh said.

Meanwhile, DOE EM has signed a lease with General Matter, unlocking the potential of the Fuels and Materials Examination Facility (FMEF) at the Hanford site to be used for advanced nuclear fuel cycle technologies and materials.

"This partnership holds great promise for rebuilding the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain and unlocking nuclear energy critical for meeting growing demand for affordable, reliable baseload power needed to fuel the artificial intelligence (AI) race," DOE EM said.

Hanford was the site of US military plutonium production activities from 1943 until 1987, with nine nuclear reactors and associated processing facilities. The DOE's Richland Operations Office now manages the site and is responsible for the clean-up of all its remaining waste streams.

The FMEF was constructed in the Cold War to support the Liquid Fast Breeder Reactor Program. Spanning 190,000 square feet, the FMEF was never used in any nuclear capacity. Although fully constructed and equipped, the facility never supported an operational nuclear mission and has remained dormant for three decades.

Alongside the DOE, General Matter will undertake the evaluations necessary to assess returning the facility to service, including site characterisation, potential facility upgrades and engagement with community leaders and stakeholders.

"Activating FMEF for a modern mission reflects responsible stewardship and forward momentum for the site," said Ray Geimer, manager for Hanford Field Office. "This lease puts an asset back to work for the American people and reinforces the Department's commitment to safe revitalisation across the Hanford footprint."

"Rebuilding America's nuclear fuel capabilities is critical to strengthening our nuclear industrial base, reducing our reliance on foreign providers and lowering energy costs for utilities and consumers," added General Matter CEO Scott Nolan. "We thank our partners in Hanford and the Department of Energy for supporting us in the development of a stronger, more secure nuclear fuel supply chain built here in the United States."

General Matter said the FMEF lease builds on its ongoing development of a new enrichment facility at the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Kentucky.

General Matter was one of four companies selected in October 2024 by the DOE to provide enrichment services to help establish a US supply of HALEU. The company did not emerge from stealth until April 2025, and in August signed a lease with the DOE for the reuse of federal land at the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Kentucky for a new commercial uranium enrichment facility.

Read the full article here.

BIPARTISAN DUO TO INTRODUCE FEDERAL BACKSTOP FOR NUCLEAR REACTORS

Sen. Jim Risch is seeking to revive legislation that would provide billions of dollars in federal backing for over-budget nuclear reactors, and this time, he has a prominent Democrat as a partner, POLITICO reports.

The Idaho Republican, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, plans to introduce the “Accelerating Reliable Capacity (ARC) Act of 2026” on Tuesday alongside Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), a leading nuclear energy advocate.

The bill, which resembles and shares the name of legislation Risch introduced in 2024, would authorize up to $3.6 billion to help offset cost overruns at three or more next-generation nuclear reactor projects.

“The U.S. must remain the undisputed global leader when it comes to nuclear energy,” Risch said. “To do so, we need advanced reactors that can meet growing energy demand here at home and that we can deliver to customers around the world.”

He added: “The ARC Act will ensure continued U.S. leadership in nuclear energy by incentivizing best practices and mitigating the financial risks needed to get new reactors online."

Nuclear power has increasingly become an area of bipartisan agreement on Capitol Hill, as Democrats have embraced the energy source for its emissions benefits.

The most recent major legislation on nuclear that made into law was the ADVANCE Act, a bill that sought to jump-start a new generation of nuclear reactors by streamlining federal regulations.

The idea of a federal backstop, however, scratches a different legislative itch long asked for by nuclear developers and industry advocates.

Traditional and next-generation nuclear designs —including smaller, factory-built reactors meant to reduce construction costs — have faced significant budget overruns and schedule delays. Those challenges have spooked utilities, analysts say, stalling widespread commercial deployment.

To address that, the bill would create a new Accelerating Reliable Capacity Program Account inside the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, now publicly rebranded as the Office of Energy Dominance Financing.

Under the program, developers would remain responsible for the first 20 percent of any cost overruns beyond a vetted construction estimate. After that threshold is exceeded, the federal government would split additional overruns evenly with the developer, up to a maximum federal contribution of $1.2 billion per project.

“With essential financing solutions and consumer protections, this legislation can accelerate the commercialization of advanced nuclear technology, enhance U.S. energy independence, and strengthen our global leadership in clean and reliable energy innovation,” said Maria Korsnick, president and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute.

Federal funding would only be disbursed after a project is completed and placed into service, a design meant to prevent developers from collecting subsidies without finishing construction.

The bill also mandates robust project oversight, including executive-level progress reviews, quarterly project team meetings involving DOE and congressional staff and rigorous verification of construction schedules, labor forecasts and cost estimates.

Those safeguards may prove particularly important this time. The 2026 version of the bill authorizes $3.6 billion in direct congressional appropriations, whereas the 2024 iteration relied on existing funding streams from the Inflation Reduction Act and bipartisan infrastructure law.

“Getting new nuclear projects off the ground is a financial risk many companies simply can’t take,” Gallego said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Senator Risch to reduce that risk and accelerate investment in advanced nuclear.”

Gallego has positioned himself as one of Congress’s most vocal nuclear proponents. In December, he released an energy framework that placed advanced nuclear at the center of his strategy to lower power prices over the next decade.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright may also be inclined to back the bill. He has used the Office of Energy Dominance Financing primarily to support the reopening of shuttered reactors such as Three Mile Island, and has signaled openness to broader nuclear support.

“We’ll arrange creative incentives to build nuclear reactors in our space,” Wright said at a Senate hearing last year. “We do need to make sure funding is available in the Loan Programs Office, because — used judiciously — it’s a way to leverage private capital and make things happen fast.”

Read the full article here.

UPCOMING IAEA WEBINAR: UPDATE ON CIGÉO, THE FRENCH DEEP GEOLOGICAL REPOSITORY PROGRAMME

REGULATORY ROUNDUP

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.

REGISTRATION RATES
General Attendees - register on or before Feb. 13 at a rate of $850.00.  After Feb. 13, registration rates will increase to $950.00.
Non-Profit & Government attendees - register on or before Feb. 13 at a rate of $695.00. After Feb. 13, registration rates will increase to $795.00.

SCHEDULE:

April 21 | Registration Opens & Nuclear 101
April 22 | Full-Day General Session
April 23 | Half-Day General Session
April 24 | All-Day Tour

AGENDA:
To see the full Agenda, Click here!
Speakers to be announced 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.

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.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Atkins

DOE-NE

GAIN

WHAT YOU'VE MISSED:

IEA report describes nuclear growth and need for grid flexibility

The Paris-based International Energy Agency released its annual report on global electricity systems and markets on February 6, showing the output of nuclear energy at record levels in 2025. According to Electricity 2026, nuclear energy together with renewable energy sources (mainly solar) will generate about half of all global electricity by 2030, up from 42 percent today.

Read the full story

GOP lawmaker leads bipartisan push to supercharge nuclear power in Wisconsin
A bill he and a handful of other Republicans authored seeks to tackle what Sortwell calls the “Achilles heel” of the nuclear power industry: the upfront costs. The bill passed the state Assembly by an 86-11 vote in January and provides strong support to Wisconsin’s burgeoning nuclear power industry. Now it’s sitting in a committee in the state Senate. The bill would institute tax credits for nuclear energy companies that last up to 20 years and essentially work by lowering their tax burdens. The tax bill would be reduced proportionally to how much energy the nuclear power plant produces.

Read the full story

GOP lawmaker leads bipartisan push to supercharge nuclear power in Wisconsin
The American Nuclear Society’s Risk-informed, Performance-based Principles and Policy Committee (RP3C) has held another presentation in its monthly Community of Practice (CoP) series. Former RP3C chair N. Prasad Kadambi opened the meeting with brief introductory remarks about the RP3C and the need for new approaches to nuclear design that go beyond conventional and deterministic methods.

Read the full story

UPCOMING EVENTS:

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: 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 will 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! 

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!