The Atlantic Council—in partnership with the Breakthrough Energy Foundation—is pleased to host the Atoms for Appalachia Meeting in Lynchburg, Virginia. This private event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at The Virginian Hotel, 712 Church Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504.
The Atoms for Appalachia Meeting will examine Virginia’s leadership in nuclear energy and its potential as a first-mover state into advanced nuclear technologies. The existing fleet already contributes to the state-based economy, and the development of advanced nuclear energy technologies could provide a range of future economic opportunities for the Commonwealth. The event aims to explore this potential, as well as discuss possible challenges to deploying advanced reactors.
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 Jasper Gilardi at jgilardi@atlanticcouncil.org.
Agenda
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 – 9:10 a.m. Welcome Remarks
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
9:10 – 9:15 a.m. Opening Remarks
Megan Lucas, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Economic Development Officer, Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance
9:15 – 9:45 a.m. Workshop I: The Future of Virginia’s Industrial and Economic Development
Jason El Koubi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Megan Lucas, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Economic Development Officer, Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance
Julianne Szyper, Deputy Director, Department of Energy, Commonwealth of Virginia
Moderated by: Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
9:45 – 10:30 a.m. Workshop Discussion
Moderated by: Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
10:30 – 10:50 a.m. Coffee Break
10:50 – 11:00 a.m. Keynote Remarks
The Hon. Mark Peake, Senator, Virginia General Assembly
11:00 – 11:20 a.m. Fireside Chat: Virginia’s Nuclear Innovation Strategy
April Wade, Executive Director, Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium
Moderated by: Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
11:20 – 11:50 p.m. Workshop II: Charting a Path for Advanced Nuclear Deployment
Emil Avram, Vice President, Business Development, Dominion Energy Virginia
David Long, Vice President of Operations, Nuclear and Environmental Group, Huntington Ingalls Industries
Shane Lies, Executive Vice President, Projects and Services, American Electric Power
Moderated by: April Wade, Executive Director, Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium
11:50 – 12:30 p.m. Workshop Discussion
Moderated by: April Wade, Executive Director, Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Workshop III: Strengthening the Supply Chain
Lukas Brun, Director of Research, E4 Carolinas
Erik Cothron, Senior Nuclear Analyst, Nuclear Innovation Alliance
Zach McDaniel, Vice President, North America Fuel, Contracts and Services, Framatome
Erik Nygaard, Director of Product Development and Research, BWX Technologies
Moderated by: Julianne Szyper, Deputy Director, Department of Energy, Commonwealth of Virginia
2:00 – 2:45 p.m. Workshop Discussion
Moderated by: Julianne Szyper, Deputy Director, Department of Energy, Commonwealth of Virginia
2:45 – 3:15 p.m. Workshop IV: Developing the Workforce of the Future
Tracy Boatner, President and Chief Executive Officer, East Tennessee Economic Council
Jeff Whitt, Executive Director, Virginia Innovative Nuclear Hub
Moderated by: Lori Brady, Senior Director, Human Resources and Workforce Development, Nuclear Energy Institute
3:15 – 4:00 p.m. Workshop Discussion
Moderated by: Lori Brady, Senior Director, Human Resources and Workforce Development, Nuclear Energy Institute
4:00 – 4:30 p.m. Feedback Session
Moderated by: Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
4:30 – 4:35 p.m. Closing Remarks
4:35 – 6:00 p.m. Reception
Related content
Related events
Explore the program
The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.