The Atlantic Council—in partnership with Breakthrough Energy—is pleased to host the Atoms for Appalachia Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at The Omni William Penn Hotel, 530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.
The Atoms for Appalachia Meeting will examine Pennsylvania’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 Pennsylvanian 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 – 8:40 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 Keynote
The Hon. William D. Magwood IV, Director General, OECD – Nuclear Energy Agency
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Workshop I: The Future of Pennsylvania Industrial and Economic Development
Max Drickey, Energy Policy Director, Team Pennsylvania Foundation
Vera Krekanova, Chief Strategy and Research Officer, Allegheny Conference on Community Development
Brian Regli, Executive Director, Office of Critical Investments, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Adam Walters, Senior Energy Advisor, Pennsylvania Department of Community and 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: Forging a Path for Nuclear Deployment
Benton Arnett, Senior Director, Markets and Policy, Nuclear Energy Institute
Sola Talabi, President, Pittsburgh Technical
Christina Walrond, Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, US Department of Energy
MODERATED BY
Cheryl Moss Herman, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Nuclear Energy, US Department of Energy
11:15 – 12:00 p.m. Workshop Discussion
MODERATED BY
Cheryl Moss Herman, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of Nuclear Energy, US Department of Energy
12:00– 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 p.m. Workshop III: Developing the Workforce of the Future
Elia Merzari, Professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University
Grace Stanke, Nuclear Fuels Engineer & Clean Energy Advocate, Constellation
MODERATED BY
Sola Talabi, President, Pittsburgh Technical
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Workshop Discussion
MODERATED BY
Sola Talabi, President, Pittsburgh Technical
2:15 – 2:45 p.m. Coffee Break
2:45 – 3:15 p.m. Feedback Session
MODERATED BY
Lauren Hughes, Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
3:15 – 3:20 p.m. Closing Remarks
3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Reception
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