Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative

The National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative is led by the state co-chairs New York, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Wyoming, and the participating states Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia – committed to working with the private sector, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and Nuclear Regulatory Commission to accelerate advanced nuclear projects and bring more power to the electric grid for reliability, sustainability, and economic growth. A cornerstone of the Initiative is forming public-private partnerships through the engagement of utilities; nuclear technology companies; hyperscalers; manufacturers and other major end-users; developers; investors; and educational institutions. Interested private-sector organizations should contact NASEO for more information.

NASEO and the participating states are also developing robust local stakeholder engagement and education activities to ensure safe and rapid development of advanced nuclear implementation.

The 11 participating states and NASEO are committed to accelerating advanced nuclear projects by working with private-sector partners, DOE, and Congress to reduce financial and technology risks, promote market adoption policies, improve the domestic supply chain, streamline federal permitting, create coordinated procurement options, develop state-federal-private financing structures, and ensure the continued safety and reliability of nuclear power.

Following is high-level information about some of the nuclear-related actions underway in each of the 11 states, as well as the initial actions of NASEO’s Advanced Nuclear First Movers Initiative.

For more information, please reach out to Kelsey Jones at kjones@naseo.org.

Advanced Nuclear First Movers Initiative Initial Actions
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- NASEO Comments to the NRC on Fee Schedules (March 2025)
- Advanced Nuclear First Movers Initiative Roundtable (July 2025)
Indiana
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In April 2025, Governor Braun issued Executive Order 25-48, creating the Nuclear Indiana Coalition, an avenue for state agencies, including the Indiana Office of Energy Development, to explore deployment of advanced nuclear technologies in the state. The Indiana Office of Energy Development supported a Purdue University Study on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Technology and Its Impact for Indiana in November 2024, emphasizing the need for education resources, exploring state requirements and incentives, and utilizing existing supply chain resources.

Relevant Recent Legislation and Governor’s Actions
Kentucky
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In 2023, the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy led the state’s Nuclear Energy Development Work Group and finalized a Report to the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission Pursuant to 2023RS SJR 79, assessing the value of nuclear in the state and potential barriers to future nuclear development. The Kentucky Nuclear Development Authority was established through SB 198, the first meeting was held in November 2024. The Office of Energy Policy in partnership with Shaping our Appalachian Region (SOAR) was awarded and received technical assistance from the national laboratories to explore nuclear supply chain and workforce development opportunities in eastern Kentucky. This project is also supported by the State Energy Program funding for advanced energy economic development in EKY. During the 2024 Regular session, Senate Joint Resolution 140 was adopted, directing the Public Service Commission to make “all staffing, organizational, and administrative preparations necessary to be ready to discharge its regulatory duties relating to applications for the siting and construction of nuclear energy facilities in the Commonwealth.” As a result Case Number 2025-00186 is accepting comments https://psc.ky.gov/Case/ViewCaseFilings/2025-00186.

Relevant Recent Legislation and Governor’s Actions
Louisiana
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In November 2024, Executive Order 166 was enacted requiring the Secretary of Environmental Quality to modernize and streamline the granting of energy permits, licenses, accreditations, and other instruments. Additionally, the Order requires that the Secretary develop and adopt procedures that support and advance innovative measures to resolve environmental hazards and prepare for nuclear energy expansion. In support of these goals, the Louisiana Advanced Nuclear Competitive Edge (LANCE) Strategic Framework was established in 2024. Authorized by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC), LANCE is a proactive initiative designed to position the state as a leader in advanced nuclear technologies, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs).

Relevant Recent Legislation and Governor’s Actions
Maryland
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Early in 2025 the Maryland General Assembly passed the Next Generation Energy Act. This legislation, later signed into law by the Governor, provides a procurement process through the Maryland Public Service Commission for the procurement of new advanced nuclear generation in the state. Regulations and procurement structure will be determined through a PSC working group and the first RFP would be released in 2027. In addition, the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is tasked with studying potential cost-sharing agreements with states in the PJM Region to mitigate the risks of developing new nuclear as well as with evaluating opportunities for multistate procurement. Previously, in November 2022, MEA worked with X-Energy to release the Feasibility Assessment and Economic Evaluation: Repurposing a Coal Power Plant Site to Deploy an Advanced Small Modular Reactor Power Plant, which a feasibility study presenting a valid early business case supporting the siting of an advanced small modular reactors on a retiring coal site.

Relevant Recent Legislation and Governor’s Actions
- MD SB 0937: Electricity and Gas Emissions Reductions, Rate Regulation, Cost Recovery, Infrastructure, Planning, Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, and Energy Assistance Programs (Next Generation Energy Act) (May 2025)
New York
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In January 2025, Governor Hochul directed the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), together with the Department of Public Service (DPS), to conduct a range of nuclear studies that will together form New York’s Master Plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development in New York, to be published before the end of 2026. The January announcement follows publication of NYSERDA’s Blueprint for Consideration of Advanced Nuclear Energy Technologies, which sets out the scope of the Master Plan process. This was followed in June 2025 by the Governor’s instruction to the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to develop one or more advanced nuclear power plants totaling at least one gigawatt of generation, in coordination with the studies from the Master Plan.

Relevant Recent Legislation and Governor’s Actions
- Governor Hochul Directs New York Power Authority to Develop a Zero-Emission Advanced Nuclear Energy Technology Power Plant (June 2025)
- Master Plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development in New York and Advanced Nuclear Blueprint publication.
- NYSERDA support for Constellation Energy and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute applications for DOE funding, as part of efforts to spur planning for early power plant development as well as the supporting supply chains.
Pennsylvania
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Coming soon
Tennessee
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Coming soon
Utah
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As Utah’s lead agency for energy and critical mineral development, the Utah Office of Energy Development (OED) is driving Operation Gigawatt, Gov. Cox’s bold initiative to create a holistic energy ecosystem and double the state’s electrical generating capacity in the next decade. Since April, OED has signed several memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with nuclear industry leaders focused on advancing nuclear research, accelerating the adoption of new technologies in the marketplace, supporting the deployment of small modular reactors and building the skilled workforce necessary for this next-generation energy resource. OED has also researched and published the series, Utah’s Strategic Nuclear Energy Pathway, a collection of publications designed to guide state efforts in maximizing the benefits of nuclear energy and avoid unforeseen delays. Through Operation Gigawatt, Utah is positioning itself as a national leader in the country’s nuclear renaissance—expanding transmission, boosting generation and investing in innovation to secure a lasting legacy of energy abundance for future generations.

Relevant Recent Legislation and Governor’s Actions
- UT HB 0249: creates the Nuclear Energy Consortium and the Utah Energy Council, establishes a process for designating energy development zones, and creates the Energy Development Investment Fund (March 2025)
- Governors of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming sign tri-state agreement to strengthen regional energy collaboration (April 2025)
Virginia
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Virginia is advancing a coordinated strategy to support the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, pairing state funding, federal alignment, and stakeholder collaboration across public and private sectors.

In April 2023, the Virginia Department of Energy and GO Virginia Region One supported a small modular reactor (SMR) site feasibility study in the LENOWISCO region, identifying potential siting options in Southwest Virginia.

That year, the General Assembly also passed a bill creating the Virginia Power Innovation Fund (VPIF) and Virginia Power Innovation Program (VPIP) to support energy innovation, including advanced nuclear. The fund provides up to $3 million in grants for research, workforce development, and future SMR site planning.

In May 2025, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced $1.2 million in support for nuclear innovation and workforce readiness through these programs—reinforcing Virginia’s commitment to expanding its nuclear energy ecosystem through targeted investment and coordination. This funding will support:
- The development of a Virginia Research & Education Reactor Facility (VA-RERF)—a proposed micro-scale research reactor for materials testing, workforce training, and simulation; and
- The establishment of the Virginia Center for Nuclear Materials and Reliability (VA-CNMR) to study material degradation in environments relevant to Gen-IV reactors.
The Virginia Innovative Nuclear (VIN) Hub manages these efforts, coordinating applied research, academic partnerships, and federal engagement. The VIN Hub is led by Jeff Whitt, former president of Framatome U.S. Government Solutions, who brings technical and federal program expertise to the initiative.

In 2024, Virginia launched the Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank (VCEIB) in the Virginia Energy’s State Energy Office with $10 million in funding to mobilize public and private capital for clean energy projects, including SMRs and fusion. Since its establishment, the Bank has:
- Funded a full-scale SMR control room simulator at George Mason University to support workforce training;
- Provided support for the world’s first planned commercial fusion power plant, to be developed by Commonwealth Fusion Systems in Chesterfield County, which led to the world’s first fusion power deal as Google committed to buying 200 MW from CFS’s forthcoming plant.
- Partnered with GO Virginia, Wise County, UVA Wise, and the Virginia Innovative Nuclear Hub (VIN Hub), and the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission and provided $100k in support for an initiative to prepare Southwest Virginia to apply for private investment and federal funding to bring advance nuclear to the region.
The Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium (VNEC) and the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium Authority (VENCA) continue to convene stakeholders across industry, academia, and government to shape public policy and promote nuclear as a strategic energy asset.

Additionally, multiple SMR and microreactor deployment opportunities are being actively explored:
- Dominion Energy and Amazon are evaluating SMR deployment at the North Anna site to support data center load;
- Appalachian Power has announced plans for a small reactor in Campbell County;
- Dominion Energy and the U.S. Navy are assessing the feasibility of a microreactor-powered microgrid at Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and North Cheatham Annex. The project would serve both the base and surrounding communities, utilizing roughly 20 square miles of federally owned land.
Virginia’s initiatives mirror recent federal executive orders focused on small reactors, microreactors, HALEU fuel, and clean energy for AI and defense applications. Ongoing partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy, Department of Defense, and the Navy position the state to compete for early federal siting and demonstration opportunities.

Relevant Recent Legislation and Governor’s Actions
- VA SB1464 – Creates Virginia Power Innovation Fund and Program (March 2023)
- Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces $1.2 Million Investment to Advance Virginia’s Leadership in Nuclear Innovation (May 2025)
West Virginia
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Coming soon
Wyoming
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The Wyoming Energy Authority produced the Nuclear Energy – Industrial Development Strategic Framework and Roadmap in 2023, intended to enable key stakeholders to accelerate nuclear projects and strategize the development of the nuclear energy industry in the state. Additionally, the Wyoming Energy Authority runs the Energy Matching Funds Program, intended to provide matching funds for private or federal funding for research, demonstration, pilot projects, or commercial deployment projects related to the state’s energy needs. In September of 2023, the Wyoming Energy Authority began a two-year contract with BWX Technologies (BWXT) to determine the feasibility of deploying small-scale reactors in the state.

Relevant Recent Legislation and Governor’s Actions
- Governors of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming sign tristate agreement to strengthen regional energy collaboration (April 2025)
Additional Resources
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Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative Press Releases:
- NASEO: NASEO Initiative Aims to Propel Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects Across Multiple States
- Indiana Office of Energy Development: Indiana Serves as CoChair of Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative
- Wyoming Energy Authority: New Initiative Aims to Propel Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects Across Multiple States

Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative

Advanced Nuclear First Movers Initiative Initial Actions

Indiana

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

New York

Pennsylvania

Tennessee

Utah

Virginia

West Virginia

Wyoming

Additional Resources