The Atlantic Council—in partnership with Breakthrough Energy—is pleased to host the Atoms for Appalachia Meeting in Knoxville, Tennessee. This event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at The Tennessean Hotel, 531 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37902.
The Atoms for Appalachia Meeting will examine Tennessee’s leadership in nuclear energy and its potential as a first-mover state into advanced nuclear technologies. The existing fleet already contributes to a robust Tennessean economy, and the development of advanced nuclear energy technologies could contribute to a wide suite of future economic opportunities. The event aims to explore this potential, as well as discuss possible challenges to deploying advanced nuclear technologies.
The private workshop will provide an opportunity for local and state voices to strengthen existing nuclear energy initiatives and lay the groundwork for future collaboration throughout the region.
If you have any questions about this event, please don’t hesitate to contact Amy Drake at adrake@atlanticcouncil.org.
Agenda
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 – 8:35 a.m. Welcome Remarks
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council
8:35 – 9:00 a.m. Morning Keynotes
Brandon Gibson, Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Governor, State of Tennessee
Mickey Wade, Associate Lab Director, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Workshop I: The Future of Tennessee Industrial and Economic Development
Tracy Boatner, President, East Tennessee Economic Council
Molly Cripps, Director, TDEC Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
Braden Stover, Director of Legislation, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
MODERATED BY
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Workshop Discussion
MODERATED BY
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:00 p.m. Panel: Leveraging National Capabilities
Steven Aumeier, Senior Advisor, Nuclear Energy Programs, Idaho National Laboratory
Cheryl Moss Herman, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Nuclear Energy, US Department of Energy
David Pointer, Interim Division Director, Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
MODERATED BY
Farah Benahmed, Manager, US Policy and Advocacy, Breakthrough Energy
12:00– 1:00 p.m. Networking Lunch
1:00– 1:30 p.m. Workshop II: Developing the Workforce of the Future
Greg Boerschig, Vice President, Clinch River Project, Tennessee Valley Authority
Ken Tobin, Chief Research and University Partnerships Officer, Oak Ridge Associated Universities
Kathryn Worrell, Graduate Research Assistant, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
MODERATED BY
Andrew Worrall, Director, Nuclear Energy Programs, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Workshop Discussion
MODERATED BY
Andrew Worrall, Director, Nuclear Energy Programs, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
2:30– 2:45 p.m. Coffee Break
2:45– 3:15 p.m. Workshop III: Fostering Interstate Collaboration
Scott Hunnewell, Vice President, New Nuclear Program, Tennessee Valley Authority
Sola Talabi, President, Pittsburgh Technical – Advanced Reactor Consulting Firm
April Wade, Executive Director, Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium
MODERATED BY
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council
3:15 – 4:15 p.m. Workshop Discussion
MODERATED BY
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council
4:15– 4:30 p.m. Coffee Break
4:30– 5:00 p.m. Feedback Session
MODERATED BY
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Reception
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