For Immediate Release
Contact:
Regina Davis (NARUC) 202-898-9382, rdavis@naruc.org;
Kirsten Verclas (NASEO) 571-290-5210, kverclas@naseo.org
WASHINGTON (April 10, 2023) — The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the National Association of State Energy Officials have initiated the Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative, a new effort supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. This collaborative will gather state utility regulators and State Energy Officials across the United States to enhance collective understanding of the unique regulatory and policy questions surrounding the consideration and deployment of new nuclear generation.
NARUC and NASEO invited states that are considering or actively working toward the deployment of advanced reactors to join ANSC, as it offers a unique opportunity to receive direct support from nuclear experts while participating in real-time peer learning.
“As State Energy Offices explore different avenues for incorporating advanced nuclear into their programming, policy, and planning efforts, the Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative offers a valuable platform for peer-learning and information exchange on opportunities and barriers to deployment,” said Richard Stover, the administrator for the Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources.
“Texas has valuable extensive nuclear engineering research, experience and programs through existing resilient nuclear power plants and our universities and research entities,” added Commissioner Jimmy Glotfelty, of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. “We are looking forward to collaborating and learning from other states and national labs about using advanced nuclear technologies to provide resilient and reliable dispatchable megawatts, as our state’s leadership has directed the PUC to do.”
More than 30 utility commissions and State Energy Offices representing 23 states have signed on to join the ANSC, with members representing these organizations:
- Alaska Regulatory Commission
- Arizona Corporation Commission
- Colorado Public Utility Commission
- Georgia Public Service Commission
- Idaho Governor’s Office of Energy and Mineral Resources
- Idaho Public Utility Commission
- Illinois Commerce Commission
- Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
- Indiana Office of Energy Development
- Iowa Economic Development Authority/Energy Office
- Kentucky Office of Energy Policy
- Louisiana Department of Natural Resources – State Energy Office
- Maryland Energy Administration
- Maryland Public Service Commission
- Michigan Public Service Commission
- Montana Public Service Commission
- Montana Department of Environmental Quality
- New York State Energy Research & Development Authority
- North Carolina Utilities Commission
- New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
- Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation - Office of Energy Programs
- Texas Public Utility Commission
- Utah Office of Energy Development
- Utah Public Service Commission
- Virginia State Corporation Commission
- Virginia Department of Energy
- Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
- Wisconsin Public Service Commission
- Wyoming Public Service Commission
“Along with providing a space for states to discuss their experiences with new nuclear generation, the ANSC initiative will also help states to understand how nuclear technologies fit into their communities,” said NARUC Executive Director Greg White. “This additional level of knowledge is important, as many states are working on energy transitions to meet new clean energy requirements.”
“State Energy Directors and their offices across the nation have decades of experience in using policy and planning to open markets for new, beneficial energy technologies and services in partnership with the private sector,” said NASEO President David Terry. “The Advanced Nuclear State Collaborative is an exceptional opportunity to support interested State Energy Directors in exploring policy and planning options to move nuclear options forward in addressing their state’s energy reliability, affordability, economic and environmental goals. NASEO is excited about the continued expansion of our partnership activities with NARUC and Public Utility Commissions.”
ANSC activities began in March with introductory calls from NARUC and NASEO to members. A site visit to Richland, Washington, is scheduled for late April for an in-person ANSC launch workshop. Other events and resources will be offered to state members throughout the year, such as webinars, peer-sharing calls and toolkit resources prepared by NARUC and NASEO.
The ANSC is an initiative of the Nuclear Energy Partnership, a multi-year cooperative agreement established in January 2021 between DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy and NARUC. With the support of DOE, NARUC has provided opportunities for state public service commissioners and commission staff to better understand critical issues and possibilities related to nuclear energy.
Learn more about ANSC by contacting NARUC Center for Partnerships and Innovation Technical Manager Kiera Zitelman (kzitelman@naruc.org) and NASEO Senior Program Manager Kelsey Jones (kjones@naseo.org) or visit the CPI website at https://www.naruc.org/cpi-1/energy-infrastructure-modernization/nuclear-energy/.
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About NARUC
NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC’s member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of state public utility commissions before the three branches of the federal government.
About NASEO
NASEO is the only national non-profit association for the governor-designated energy Directors and their offices from each of the 56 states, territories, and District of Columbia. Formed by the states in 1986, NASEO facilitates peer learning among state energy offices, serves as a resource for and about State Energy Offices, and advocates the interests of the State Energy Offices to Congress and federal agencies on all energy issues.