The Atlantic Council—in partnership with Breakthrough Energy—is pleased to host the Atoms for Appalachia Meeting in Morgantown, West Virginia. This event will take place from 8:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at Hotel Morgan, 127 High Street, Morgantown, WV 26505.
The Atoms for Appalachia Meeting will examine West Virginia’s potential as a first-mover state into advanced nuclear energy technologies and how their development 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 discuss nuclear energy initiatives and lay the groundwork for future collaboration throughout the state and region.
If you have any questions about this event, please don’t hesitate to contact Amy Drake at adrake@atlanticcouncil.org.
Agenda
7:30 – 8:40 a.m. Breakfast
8:40 – 8:45 a.m. Welcome Remarks
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
8:45 – 9:00 a.m. Morning Keynotes
Pre-Recorded Remarks from The Hon. Joe Manchin, Senator (I-WV), United States Senate
The Hon. Roger Hanshaw, Speaker of the House, West Virginia House of Delegates, West Virginia Legislature
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Workshop I: The Future of West Virginia Industrial and Economic Development
Brian Anderson, Executive Director, Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Community and Economic Revitalization
Wendy Madden, Outreach Representative for North Central West Virginia, Office of Senator Joe Manchin
Nick Preservati, Director, Office of Energy, West Virginia Department of Economic Development
MODERATED BY
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
9:30 – 10:15 a.m. Workshop Discussion
MODERATED BY
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
10:15 – 10:45 a.m. Coffee Break
10:45 – 11:15 a.m. Workshop II: Exploring a Path for Advanced Nuclear Deployment
Kati Austgen, Senior Project Manager, New Reactors, Nuclear Energy Institute
Jasper Gilardi, Community Engagement Lead, Good Energy Collective
Christine King, Director, Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear, US Department of Energy
MODERATED BY
Jennifer Gordon, Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council
11:15 – 12:00 p.m. Workshop Discussion
MODERATED BY
Jennifer Gordon, Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council
12:00– 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 p.m. Workshop III: Developing the Workforce of the Future
Raymond Cao, Director, OSU Nuclear Reactor Laboratory, The Ohio State University
Justin Williams, Director, Affiliated Construction Trades West Virginia
MODERATED BY
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Workshop Discussion
MODERATED BY
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
2:15 – 2:45 p.m. Feedback Session
MODERATED BY
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
2:45 – 2:50 p.m. Closing Remarks
3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Reception
Learn more about the Global Energy Center
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.
