Nuclear Energy 101: A Workshop for Virginia Policymakers and Stakeholders

Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium (VNEC) and the Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) invite you to Nuclear Energy 101: A Workshop for Policymakers and Stakeholders.

Date: October 10

Time: 8 am – 8 pm (Dinner at 6 pm)

Location:

Virginia Commonwealth University
College of Engineering
Room – ERB1313
70 S Madison St
Richmond, VA 23284-3068

Objective: This event will provide a deep background on nuclear energy policy perspectives for elected officials, community leaders, and interested policy stakeholders.

Agenda

Thursday, October 10th

  • 8:00 am Introduction
    • Opening remarks by VNEC and VCU
    • Speakers:
      • April Wade, Executive Director, Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium (VNEC)
      • Supathorn Phongikaroon, Engineering Foundation Professor, Nuclear Engineering Programs Director, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • 8:30 am The Case for Nuclear Energy
    • Presentation and panel discussion on the case for nuclear energy and why it is needed in Virginia. Invited panelists from NGOs and academia.
    • Speakers:
  • 9:30 am Open discussion with participants
  • 10:00 am Break
  • 10:30 am Nuclear Energy 101
    • Presentation by NIA on basics of nuclear energy, reactor technology, and fuel cycles.
    • Speakers:
  • 11:30 pm Nuclear Energy Project Lifecycle
    • Presentation on the different phases of a new nuclear energy project including site selection, licensing, construction, operation, decommissioning. Invited presenter from GAIN and DOE.
    • Speakers:
  • 12:00 am Working Lunch: Virginia and Nuclear Technology Lunch
    • Presentation and panel discussion on nuclear energy in Virginia focusing on what makes the state unique and important to nuclear technology. Invited panelists from industry and academia.
    • Speakers:
      • Todd Flowers, Director of Business Development, Dominion Energy
      • Supathorn Phongikaroon, Engineering Foundation Professor, Nuclear Engineering Programs Director, Virginia Commonwealth University
      • Tom Deponty, Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy, Framatome
      • Bob Bailey, Interim Executive Director, Virginia Innovative Nuclear Hub
  • 1:00 pm Break
  • 1:30 pm Challenges for New Nuclear Energy
    • Presentation by NIA on the challenges facing deployment of new nuclear energy including project schedule and costs, used nuclear fuel, questions on safety and non-proliferation.
    • Speakers:
  • 2:00 pm Open discussion with participants
  • 2:30 pm Government and Policymaker Role in Nuclear Energy
    • Presentation and panel discussion on the role of government and policymakers (at the state and federal level) in deploying new nuclear energy. Invited panelists from NGOs and industry groups.
    • Speakers:
      • Kelly Bielen, Senior Manager for Public Affairs, Nuclear Energy Institute
      • Michelle Zietlow-Miller, Public Engagement Manager, Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN)
  • 3:30 pm Break
  • 4:00 pm Opportunities for New Nuclear Energy
    • Presentation and panel discussion on opportunities in Virginia related to new nuclear energy projects including economic benefits, grid reliability, and workforce and supply chain impacts. Invited panelists from industry and academia.
    • Speakers:
      • Aristidis Loumis-Demetrakopoulos, Graduate Research Assistant, Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University
      • Nick Ducich, Customer Relations Manager, Brigadier General, USA (Ret.),   BWX Technologies, Inc.
      • Patrick White, Research Director, Nuclear Innovation Alliance
  • 5:00 pm Open discussion with participants
  • 5:30 pm Break for Dinner
  • 6:00 pm Closing Dinner: Talking about Nuclear Energy and Public Perception