ECA Nuclear Development Forum: Building Capacity and Opportunity
Paducah, KY
May 17-19, 2023
Communities across the country are considering nuclear projects for many reasons — from diversifying regional economies, creating clean energy jobs or meeting carbon reduction goals, to increasing energy security and rebuilding the U.S. supply chain. Some communities have a familiarity with nuclear energy projects, while others are just beginning to evaluate potential interest. The ECA Forum is designed to bring communities, SMR and advanced nuclear project developers, federal and state governments together to enable shared learning and to build the partnerships necessary to address opportunities for new nuclear development.
ECA is excited to host this Forum in coordination with the U.S. Department of Energy, the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy, the City of Paducah, McCracken County, the Paducah Area Community Reuse Organization, the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce, and the American Nuclear Society. As the host of an existing federal nuclear facility in a state considering adding nuclear to the energy mix, Paducah, Kentucky, is an ideal location to explore future nuclear development and opportunities to leverage and transition an energy workforce and existing infrastructure.
Who Should Attend?
The ECA Forum is open to communities, states, Tribes, local governments, industry, utilities, developers, experts, financiers, lawyers, state legislators, community groups, and economic development organizations working to build capacity and support for new nuclear development in the U.S.
Meeting Goals
This meeting is the second in a series ECA is hosting as part of our New Nuclear Initiative to define the role of local governments and the partnerships necessary to develop priorities, policies, educational resources and outreach on new nuclear development.
The goals for this Forum include:
- Providing a clearer timeline, economic outlook and educational resources for communities considering whether and how to support advanced nuclear energy projects.
- Engaging communities on key issues such as siting, regulation, investment, workforce development, safety, and potential environmental and equity impacts of nuclear energy projects.
- Sharing lessons learned from nuclear energy activities in the U.S. and abroad.
- Matching potential host communities with nuclear energy developers, utilities and the right project.