For Immediate Release:
Contact: Kelsey Jones, kjones@naseo.org
WASHINGTON (February 5, 2025) – The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) launched the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative (Initiative) today. The Initiative, directed by State Energy Offices, is led by the state co-chairs New York, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Wyoming, and the participating states Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. These states have committed to accelerating advanced nuclear projects by exploring opportunities to reduce financial and technology risks, devising supportive market adoption policies, defining supply chain needs, streamlining federal permitting, developing coordinated procurement options, exploring state-federal-private financing structures, and creating public-private partnerships. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York’s participation in the Initiative during her State of the State Address in January.
“New York is proud to co-lead the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative, which demonstrates our commitment to the exploration of innovative technologies to achieve a reliable and affordable electric system for New York families,” New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said. “New York looks forward to partnering with other states that want to find ways to meet growing energy demand, pursue economic development opportunities, and who share the same vision for a sustainable energy future.”
“The State of Indiana is committed to identifying the strongest pathways for advancing new nuclear projects,” said Indiana Governor Mike Braun. “By co-leading the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative, Indiana will be able to facilitate innovative new partnerships across states and industry, identify supportive policy mechanisms, and develop new tools for decreasing project risk.”
The Initiative aims to reduce the cost of advanced nuclear projects and ultimately deliver more power to the electric grid. The Initiative aims to meet rapidly growing power needs with firm, clean power to ensure reliability, affordability, economic growth, and sustainability.
State and private sector participants will join forces under the Initiative, informed by the nation’s leading nuclear experts and NASEO. NASEO will collaborate closely with key partners and technical experts. This strategic collaboration, information sharing, and formalized partnership will be critical to advancing new projects across a diverse group of states.
“NYSERDA is pleased to represent New York and participate in a forum to explore key aspects critical to facilitating advanced nuclear technologies with supportive policies, permitting, procurements and partnerships,” Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) said. “This effort will allow for broader national coordination, exploration and advancement of advanced nuclear energy and complements New York’s Master Plan process that is now underway.”
“The ten State Energy Offices that are a part of our new Advanced Nuclear First Movers Initiative are critical to moving new nuclear projects forward across the country,” said David Terry, NASEO President. “The State Energy Office-led initiative brings together interested states, industry, utilities, end-users, and investors to develop innovative public-private partnership models, procurement strategies, and supportive policies.”
Today’s announcement builds on existing work the states and NASEO are doing to support new nuclear projects. For more information, visit the Initiative webpage here.
About the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)
NASEO is the only national non-profit association for the governor-designated State Energy 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 officials, serves as a resource for and about State Energy Offices, and advocates the interests of the State Energy Offices to Congress and federal agencies.