Governors from 11 states have united under the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) to launch the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative, a collaborative effort to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear power capacity across the U.S. The initiative, announced on October 10, aims to deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to consumers and businesses by promoting a standardized, scalable approach to advanced nuclear projects.
The initiative is co-chaired by New York, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Wyoming, with Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia as participating states. David Terry, NASEO President, emphasized the significance of this collective action, stating, “The new Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative is critical to moving new nuclear projects forward across the country. The initiative is among the most important actions taken collectively by states to date to catalyze investment in historic levels of firm, clean electric power development to serve consumers, businesses and the nation as a whole for decades to come.”
A key aspect of the initiative is the “order book” strategy, which shifts away from isolated projects to foster widespread market adoption of viable nuclear technologies. NASEO issued a Request for Information (RFI) last month to gather insights on structuring this approach, including the status and use cases for different nuclear technologies, and investment and coordination models. This strategy aims to assess the readiness of advanced reactor designs to meet diverse power needs, thereby speeding up project development and reducing costs.
The initiative also focuses on forming public-private partnerships with utilities, nuclear technology developers, project developers, energy end-users, investors, and other stakeholders. NASEO and the First Mover states are collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Congress to expedite advanced nuclear projects.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted the state’s commitment to 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,” 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.”
Indiana Governor Mike Braun echoed this sentiment, stating, “The state of Indiana is committed to identifying the strongest pathways for advancing new nuclear projects. 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 is directed by state energy offices and aims to reduce financial and technology risks, devise supportive market adoption policies, define supply chain needs, streamline federal permitting, develop coordinated procurement options, explore state-federal-private financing structures, and create public-private partnerships.
This collaborative effort by states could significantly shape the future of the U.S. energy sector. By promoting a standardized, scalable approach to advanced nuclear power, the initiative may accelerate the deployment of clean, reliable, and affordable electricity, thereby meeting growing energy demands and supporting economic development. The focus on public-private partnerships and coordinated procurement options could also drive innovation and reduce costs, making advanced nuclear power a more viable option for states across the country.