FIFTH ANNUAL ECA FORUM RECAP

The ECA forum kicked off with introductory remarks from ECA Executive Director Seth Kirshenberg and ECA Board Chair Chuck Hope who emphasized that energy communities are ready and they are open for business! 

Following those remarks, attendees heard from a lineup of federal officals leading new nuclear across the government, including:

  • DOE-EM Assistant Secretary Tim Walsh

  • DOE-NE Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Marla Morales

  • NNSA Associate Principal Deputy Administrator James McConnell

  • DOE Associate Principal Deputy Under Secretary Kristen Ellis

They discussed a range of topics from the expansion of new nuclear energy projects, the development and evolution of computing and AI, and initiatives addressing the back end of the fuel cycle and storage. 

Here are the Major Takeaways from Day 1:

  1. Communities need to understand what resources they bring to the table: transmission, demand for electrons, land, water, and interconnection.

  2. Five factors to consider when determining how well a project is planned: fuel, financing, supply chain, workforce, and size.

  3. Community initiatives build momentum for deployment in ways that reflect unique relationships in each location. 

The second and final day of the ECA forum saw a variety of exciting panel discussions, exploring topics such as a regional focus on nuclear projects in the southeast, how to create the right business environment for nuclear facilities, licensing, supply chain development, high-level waste and used fuel, financing nuclear projects, addressing workforce needs, and more! 

Here are the Major Takeaways from Day 2:

  1. The nuclear industry needs to work together to produce a secure and uniform supply chain that allows for order books to be filled reliably and predictably.

  2. Successful project developers will identify who the community leaders are, and will cooperate with them to address local needs and provide project updates.

  3. Progress moves at the pace of trust.

Finally, ECA wants to thank all attendees for your energy, partnership, and collaboration this week as we close the final day of the 2026 ECA Forum. 

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