THINKING STRATEGICALLY ABOUT NUCLEAR

“Virginia is Nuclear” Strategic Plan

As a result of SB 529 in the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium (VNEC) developed the “Virginia is Nuclear” strategic plan in 2021 to advance Virginia’s nuclear energy industry.  The resulting Virginia is Nuclear 2020-2024 Strategic Plan provided a blueprint for leveraging the power of the atom for the benefit of all residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The plan’s vision is to establish the Commonwealth of Virginia as the “Leader for All Things Nuclear” in the U.S. The mission is to preserve and advance Virginia’s global advantage in research, education, electrical generation, advanced manufacturing, and expertise while providing carbon-free power, innovations in nuclear technology, and defense applications to ensure national security.  The plan positions Virginia to advance its unparalleled strategic advantage in nuclear energy and related technologies.

Virginia’s Energy Plan

In October 2022, the Governor of Virginia released a new energy plan with a proposal for funding for innovative energy technologies including hydrogen, carbon capture, battery storage, and advanced nuclear energy. Out of this funding, a portion would fund the establishment of a Nuclear Innovative Hub in the Commonwealth. According to this plan, the Virginia Innovative Nuclear Hub (VIN Hub) would leverage the existing “nuclear ecosystem” in Virginia and catalyze advanced nuclear innovation across the United States by deploying new nuclear technologies.