The Atlantic Council—in partnership with the Idaho National Laboratory and the University of Utah’s Energy Futures Research Engine—is pleased to host the Frontiers Project Meeting on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 9:00 AM MT at the Pendry Park City, Utah. 

This discussion will build on the 2022 and 2023 Frontiers Project Meetings in Jackson, Wyoming, and Anchorage, Alaska, which addressed the economic and energy security imperatives of establishing US leadership in meeting global demand for low-emissions production and manufacturing. The 2024 Frontiers Project Meeting will address Utah’s potential as a first-mover state into advanced nuclear energy technologies, especially for off-grid applications such as data centers, military installations, and mining. 

As global markets increasingly demand low-emissions products, advanced nuclear energy first-mover states have a tremendous opportunity to expand their economic production and help secure United States leadership in the new frontier of global economic competition. The Frontiers Project efforts are dedicated to helping catalyze the industry, academic, and government partnerships that can make this a reality.

Agenda*

* All times in local MT time.


8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Breakfast 


9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Keynote remarks

The Hon. John Curtis (R-UT-03), Member of Congress, US House of Representatives

The Hon. J. Stuart Adams, President, Utah State Senate

Jon Carmack, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Office of Nuclear Energy, US Department of Energy


 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. Fireside Chat: The Role of Research and Policy Leaders in Forging a New Frontier

Erin Rothwell, Vice President of Research, University of Utah

John Wagner, Director, Idaho National Laboratory

MODERATED BY

Jennifer Gordon, Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center


10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Break


10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Panel I: Economic Development and Policy in Frontiers States

Sean Schaub, Nuclear Industry Coordinator, Wyoming Energy Authority

Rich Garman, Director, Economic Development and Finance, North Dakota Department of Commerce

Laura Hanson, Senior Advisor for Long-Range Planning, Utah Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget

MODERATED BY

John Kotek, Senior Vice President, Policy and Public Affairs, Nuclear Energy Institute


11:15 – 12:00 p.m. Panel II: Emerging Opportunities in Utah for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Applications

Graham Cable, Vice President, Strategic Marketing, X-energy

Christopher Damour, Garrison Manager, USAG Dugway Proving Ground

Richard Garlish, President and Chief Executive Officer, Rocky Mountain Power

Tori Shivanandan, Chief Operating Officer, Radiant

MODERATED BY

Marian Lynn Rice, Associate Director, Energy Futures Research Engine and Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Utah


12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch


1:00 – 1:30 p.m. Fireside Chat: Industrial Innovators

Joseph Miller, President, BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC

Michael Wandler, President, L&H Industrial Inc.

MODERATED BY

Christi Bell, Associate Vice Chancellor, Business Enterprise Institute, University of Alaska Anchorage


1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Panel III: A New Global Competitive Landscape: Risks and Opportunities

Jon Conrad, Environmental and Governmental Affairs Manager, Tata Chemicals

Christine Harbin, Climate and Energy Policy Advisor, Office of US Senator William Cassidy (R-LA)

DJ Nordquist, Board of Advisors, ClearPath

Marcio Paes Barreto, Managing Director, Evercore Energy

MODERATED BY

George David Banks, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council Global Energy Center


2:15 – 2:45 p.m. Break


2:45 – 3:45 p.m. Panel IV: National Security and the Military Use Case

Keynote Remarks: The Hon. Rachel Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, United States Department of Defense

Corey Chance, Resilience Integration Program Manager, US Air Force

Lee Robinson, Senior Advisor and Program Manager, Defense Innovation Unit, US Department of Defense

Paul Roege, Senior Energy Advisor, United States Army Materiel Command

MODERATED BY

Gary Dylewski, Major General (Retired), United States Air Force


3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Panel V: State and National Regulatory Landscapes

Amy Roma, Partner and Global Energy Practice Leader, Hogan Lovells

Eric Skrmetta, Public Service Commissioner, Louisiana Public Service Commission

Rich Walje, Chief Executive Officer, RAW-Energy, Inc.

MODERATED BY

Paul Kjellander, Former Member, Idaho Public Utilities Commission


4:30 – 6:00 p.m. Closing Reception 

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