2023 GOALS AND ACTIVITIES

The Authority identified several specific goals as priorities for their 2023 activities:

1) Continue to enhance strategic priorities to serve as a roadmap for future activity that has culminated in the drafting of the ‘Virginia is Nuclear’ 2020-2024 Strategic Plan as directed in § 67-1700 of the Virginia Code

2) Continue to stress the importance to the Commonwealth of nuclear energy as a major source of zero carbon generation

3) Continue to expand existing coordination and identify new opportunities for collaboration and support between VNECA and VNEC

4) Support efforts to retain existing nuclear assets and investments in Virginia

a) Support positive regulatory climate to preserve existing assets

b) Support public policy initiatives to enable investments needed to preserve existing and new nuclear assets

5) Provide technical expertise and promote greater awareness amongst policymakers of the role nuclear energy can play in the Commonwealth’s environmental and energy initiatives

a) Utilize the Authority platform to bring increased information sharing opportunities about the state of the nuclear industry

6) Provide advice and guidance to pursue specific aspects of the Virginia is Nuclear Strategic Plan

KEY ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED IN 2023

Asset Inventory

To better understand and communicate the significant impact of the nuclear industry on Virginia’s economy and workforce, the Authority maintains an inventory of nuclear assets in Virginia including private industry, utilities, educational institutions and federal research laboratories. The Authority reviews the inventory quarterly.

The key findings from the asset survey are highlighted by the following summary. The full database of nuclear energy assets, including company employment and annual revenue figures, can be found in Appendix A.

2023 Authority Meeting Activities

The Authority held four meetings in the past calendar year (January 30, April 21, July 27 and September 18). Over the course of the year, the group considered several activities on which to focus their work efforts, including:

• Completion of the Virginia Innovation Nuclear Hub proposal

•  Completion/submission of the 2023 Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority Annual Report to the Governor and members of the General Assembly

•  Working closely with the new Administration to champion Virginia as a nuclear innovation leader

•  Continued promotion of nuclear energy as a vital component in zero emissions electricity generation in the combat against global climate change

•  Communicating the importance of having a diverse energy portfolio that is flexible and resilient is key to sustainable energy and a strong economy

•  Expanding the coordination and information exchange with other key Virginia stakeholder groups, including regular briefing opportunities with the Energy DELTA Lab leadership

•  Continued efforts on educating members via technical and informational presentations, or engaging in advocacy work to focus on nuclear as a vital component of Virginia’s energy mix; and

•  Provide updates on nuclear energy policy in other States that may serve as an example for or have an impact on nuclear energy activity in Virginia

o The Authority in coordination with the Consortium has also served as an example for other States looking to build nuclear energy advisory activities including Kentucky, West Virginia and Idaho.

Presentations

On January 2023, Braden Croy, Program Director at Dominion Energy Innovation Center (DEIC), provided a summary of the DEIC and its increasing research in new hydrogen and nuclear power opportunities. Mr. Croy also briefed the Authority specifically on the SPARK Virginia events being held around the Commonwealth with invitations for organizations to participate and support.

On April 21, Christine King, Director for Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN), provided the board an overview of the programs’ current activities related to nuclear, such as awards and ongoing projects. The Authority learned more about GAIN’s current activities and committed to continued dialogue about potential collaboration on Virginia’s nuclear energy activities.

On July 27, Simon Glynn, Chief Strategy Officer of Lippincott and co-lead for Potential Energy Coalition, provided the board with a review of recent findings on nuclear public acceptance across eight countries (USA, France, Germany, Poland, Sweden, UK, Japan and South Korea), known as “The World Wants Nuclear." The study was a partnership between Potential Energy, REPLANET, Third Way and ClearPath.