center for partnerships & innovation

Energy Generation

Nuclear Energy

Given technological advances in nuclear generation and increasing state interest in retaining and encouraging zero-emission nuclear power, NARUC’s Center for Partnerships & Innovation (CPI) manages a Nuclear Energy Partnership with support from the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy. Through this Partnership, NARUC provides opportunities for state public service commissioners and commission staff to better understand barriers and opportunities related to the U.S. nuclear fleet. NARUC educates and informs state commissioners and staff on important issues surrounding the use of nuclear energy technologies. This partnership includes analysis on policy and regulatory issues related to existing and new nuclear generation, leading to educational briefs, workshops, and informational forums aimed at NARUC's state membership.

Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative

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The NARUC-NASEO Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative (ANSC) convenes state utility regulators, State Energy Officials, and invited experts to exchange questions, needs, and challenges relating to the planning and deployment of new advanced nuclear generation. ANSC members will participate in peersharing platforms as well as access and inform relevant technical assistance resources.

As a partnership between the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), the ANSC will bring together state utility regulators and State Energy Officials from around the country to share information and develop a greater understanding about regulatory and policy steps that will be needed to facilitate the deployment of new nuclear generation. NARUC and NASEO staff support the collaborative. The DOE Office of Nuclear Energy sponsors this effort with dedicated funding through the DOE-NARUC Nuclear Energy Partnership.

View press release

Publications

  • Nuclear Energy as a Keystone Clean Energy Resource

    Authored by Energy Ventures Analysis, Inc. under subcontract to NARUC, this report explores nuclear energy’s role in providing carbon-free electricity and highlights key considerations for regulators to keep in mind as decarbonization efforts continue across many states and utilities.

    The paper includes a discussion of the reliability and cost attributes of nuclear energy. EVA finds that retaining and expanding the nuclear energy resource base will be of critical importance to achieve ambitious state and national decarbonization goals. However, barriers to a faster and more significant deployment of new nuclear energy resources persist, and many existing nuclear plants face economic pressure and competition from other resources. Reducing or removing these hurdles is within the purview of many stakeholders on the federal, state and local levels, including state public utility commissions. The paper reviews the state of the nuclear industry and the impacts of planned retirements and identifies opportunities for decision makers to support future nuclear expansion efforts aligned with the public interest.

    Download the report
    View press release

Upcoming Events

  • Subcommittee on Nuclear Issues - Waste Disposal Panel: Utilizing Advanced Nuclear Energy for Energy Security and Resilience on Military Bases in the United States
    Moderator: Hon. Tim Echols, Georgia
    NARUC Summer Policy Summit, Austin, TX
    Sunday, July 16, 2023, 4:00 - 5:00 pm ET
    Register

Recent Events

  • Webinar: Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative Introduction and Advanced Nuclear 101
    April 20, 2023
    Panelists:
    • Paul Kjellander, consultant to INL, former Idaho PUC president and OER director, and 2020-21 NARUC president
    • Dr. Monica Regalbuto, Director, Nuclear Fuel Cycle Strategy, Idaho National Laboratory
    Contact NARUC staff for materials (available to NARUC and NASEO members only)
     
  • Webinar: Nuclear Energy - What Does the Public Think?
    Dec. 16, 2022
    Moderator: Hon. Anthony O'Donnell, Maryland
    Panelists:
    • Jackie Toth, Deputy Director, Good Energy Collective
    • John Marshall, Chairman and CEO, Potential Energy Coalition
    • Dr. Kuhika Gupta, Associate Director, OU Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis
    View presentation
    View recording

  • Quarterly NEP Meeting: Investigating Benefits and Challenges of Converting Coal Power Plants to Nuclear Power Plants
    Oct. 21, 2022
    View recording
    Download report

  • Webinar: Nuclear Energy Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act
    Sept. 16, 2022
    Moderator: Hon. Tim Echols, Georgia
    Panelists:
    • Benton Arnett, Director, Markets and Policy, Nuclear Energy Institute
    • Jackie Toth, Deputy Director, Good Energy Collective
    • Jon-Michael Murray, Nuclear Policy Manager, Clean Air Task Force
    View recording

  • Webinar: Nuclear as a Keystone Clean Energy Resource
    Aug. 26, 2022
    Moderator: Hon. Anthony O'Donnell, Maryland
    Panelists:
    • Phillip Graeter, Manager, Energy Ventures Analysis
    • Deeksha Anand, Senior Integrated Energy Analyst, Energy Ventures Analysis
    View presentation
    View recording
  • Webinar: Assessing and Mitigating Financial Risks of New Nuclear
    June 17, 2022
    Moderator: Hon. Eric Skrmetta, Louisiana
    Panelists:
    • Jeffrey Brown, Managing Director, Energy Futures Financing Forum and Adjunct Professor, Stanford School of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences
    • Judi Greenwald, Executive Director, Nuclear Innovation Alliance
    • Kirsty Gogan, Co-Founder, TerraPraxis and Managing Partner, LUCIDCATALYST
    View presentation
    View recording

  • NEP Virtual Briefing: Implications of Disruptions in Russian Fuel Supply on Nuclear Energy
    May 13, 2022
    Moderator: Commissioner Katherine Peretick, Michigan
    Speakers:
    • Nima Ashkeboussi, Senior Director, Fuel and Radiation Safety, NEI
    • John Kotek, Senior Vice President, Policy Development and Public Affairs, NEI

  • Webinar: Paving New Trails for Advanced Fission with Oklo
    March 11, 2022
    Moderators:
    • Hon. Kim Duffley, North Carolina
    • Hon. Anthony O'Donnell, Maryland
    Speakers:
    • Dr. Jacob DeWitte, CEO and Co-Founder, Oklo Inc.
    • Jackie Kempfer Siebens, Director, Government Affairs, Oklo Inc.
    View presentation
    View recording
  • NRC-NARUC Federal State Information Session on Nuclear Regulation
    February 16, 2022
    The Nuclear Energy Partnership hosted an information exchange with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) providing members with an overview of the NRC, and discussions on topics such as NRC approaches to optimizing the licensing process, the role of the NRC in safely regulating advanced reactors, and opportunities for engagement between NARUC, state public utility commissions and the NRC.

    View presentation

  • Webinar: Understanding and Solving HALEU Fuel Supply Chain Challenges
    January 7, 2022
    Speakers:
    • Dr. Monica C. Regalbuto, Director, Nuclear Fuel Cycle Strategy, Idaho National Laboratory
    • Andy Griffith, Deputy Assistant Secretary, DOE Office of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Supply Chain
    • Dan Poneman, CEO of Centrus Energy Corp.
    • Kirk Schnoebelen, President, URENCO, Inc.

    View presentation
    View recording

  • Webinar: Compensating Nuclear Power
    October 8, 2021
    Speakers:
    • Dr. David Gattie, Associate Professor of Engineering, University of Georgia
    • Lori Bird, Director, US Energy Program and Polsky Chair for Renewable Energy, World Resources Institute
    • Steven Swilley, Senior Director and Deputy Chief Nuclear Officer, Electric Power Research Institute

    View presentation
    View recording

  • Webinar: Prospects for Nuclear in Puerto Rico and the Pacific Northwest
    August 6, 2021
    Speakers:
    • Jesus M. Nunez, PE, Director of the Board and CEO, Nuclear Alternative Project
    • Arne Olson, Senior Partner, E3

    View presentation
    View recording

  • NARUC Members-Only Advanced Nuclear Technology Workshop

    July 1, 2021

    This workshop featured advanced nuclear technology researchers and experts from public and private sectors to give NARUC members a clear picture of where these technologies are in the commercialization process. In addition, the workshop highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in advanced nuclear research, development, demonstration, and deployment, and identify information gaps and state needs and challenges in advanced nuclear development. Attendees heard from speakers representing the U.S. DOE/Idaho National Laboratory, Nuclear Innovation Alliance, X-energy, TerraPower, GE Hitachi, Kairos Power, and NuScale.

    View summary

  • Webinar: Introduction to Advanced Nuclear
    June 4, 2021
    Speakers:
    • Dr. Shannon Bragg-Sitton, Lead, Integrated Energy Systems, Idaho National Laboratory
    • Christine King, Director, Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear, Idaho National Laboratory
    • Nicholas McMurray, Nuclear Program Director, ClearPath
    • Jeffrey Merrifield, Partner, Pillsbury Law

    View presentation
    View recording

  • Inaugural NEP Webinar: The State of Nuclear - Challenges and Opportunities
    May 7, 2021
    Speakers:
    • Matt Crozat, Senior Director, Business Policy, Nuclear Energy Institute
    • Heather Feldman, Director, Nuclear Innovation, Electric Power Research Institute
    • Jessica Lovering, Founder, Good Energy Collective

    View presentation
    View recording

    • 2023 NEP Site Visit: Richland, WA
      April 25 - 28, 2023
      Commissioners, commission staff, and State Energy Office staff joined a NARUC-NASEO delegation to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Framatome's nuclear fuel manufacturing facility on April 25 - 28, 2023 to tour nuclear research and development facilities and surrounding nuclear sites. Click here for more information.
    • 2022 NEP Site Visit: Idaho Falls, ID
      June 27 - 30, 2022
      NARUC members toured nuclear research and development facilities at Idaho National Laboratory's campus in Idaho Falls, ID. Click here for more information.

    Nuclear Energy Partnership Members

    Partnership Co-Chairs:
    • Hon. Anthony O'Donnell, Maryland
    • Hon. Tim Echols, Georgia
    Partnership Members:
    • Hon. Brent Bailey, Mississippi Public Service Commission
    • Hon. Patrice Bubar, Maryland Public Service Commission
    • Hon. Michael Carrigan, Illinois Commerce Commission
    • Hon. John Chatburn, Idaho Public Utilities Commission
    • Hon. David Clark, Utah Public Service Commission
    • Hon. Kim Duffley, North Carolina Utilities Commission
    • Hon. John Gavan, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
    • Hon. Gary Hanson, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
    • Hon. Mary-Anna Holden, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
    • Hon. David Hughes, U.S. Virgin Islands Public Services Commission
    • Hon. Judy Jagdmann, Virginia State Corporation Commission
    • Hon. Brad Johnson, Montana Public Service Commission
    • Hon. Stefanie Krevda, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
    • Hon. Keith Kurber, Regulatory Commission of Alaska
    • Hon. Katherine Peretick, Michigan Public Service Commission
    • Hon. Chris Petrie, Wyoming Public Service Commission
    • Hon. Bob Pickett, Regulatory Commission of Alaska
    • Hon. Ann Rendahl, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
    • Hon. Michael Richard, Maryland Public Service Commission
    • Hon. Katie Sieben, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
    • Hon. Eric Skrmetta, Louisiana Public Service Commission
    • Hon. Ted Thomas, Arkansas Public Service Commission
    • Hon. Becky Valcq, Wisconsin Public Service Commission
    • Hon. David Ziegner, Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
    • Elijah Abinah, Arizona Corporation Commission
    • Zachary Branum, Arizona Corporation Commission
    • Patrick LeMere, Arizona Corporation Commission
    • Justin LéVeque, Colorado Public Utilities Commission
    • Rob Trokey, Georgia Public Service Commission
    • Amanda Best, Maryland Public Service Commission
    • Kevin Krause, Michigan Public Service Commission
    • Mike Kaluzniak, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
    • Christopher Garbacz, Mississippi Public Utilities Staff
    • Davis Gates, Mississippi Public Service Commission
    • Bridget Frymire, New York State Public Service Commission
    • Alex Holtschneider, Maryland Public Utility Commission
    • Tom Kaczmarek, New York State Public Service Commission
    • Megan Good, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
    • Renae Carter, Virginia State Corporation Commission
    • David Burns, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (observer)
    • Keith Masill, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (observer)
    • Dr. Todd Allen, University of Michigan Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences (associate member)
    • Dr. Caleb Brooks, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering (associate member)
    • Hon. Jeffrey Merrifield, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (associate member)

    If you are interested in getting involved with the Nuclear Energy Partnership, please contact NARUC staff to learn about associate membership options.

    NARUC Staff Contacts