Nuclear Innovation Alliance Plans Leadership Transition

October 3rd, 2019

WASHINGTON – The Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) will be launching a search for new leadership as founding executive director Ashley Finan takes on a new role. Finan will depart NIA to become the director of the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL).

“It has been a privilege, a thrill and a labor of love to lead the NIA in its establishment and initial growth,” Finan stated. “NIA facilitated the creation of programs like NRIC; but advanced reactor deployment will still require the organization’s important efforts to attract investment, improve regulatory processes and grow access to international markets.”

Report Calls for New Approach to U.S. Advanced Reactor Demonstration

May 20th, 2019
WASHINGTON – The Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) today released a report Enabling Nuclear Innovation: In Search of a SpaceX for Nuclear Energy. Russia currently dominates the export market for new reactor builds (see figure), just as it did for commercial global launch services in 2010. To return the United States to a leadership role, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) should learn from the legacy of the NASA commercial orbital transportation services (COTS) program. This report reviews key features of that program, presents results of a survey of advanced nuclear energy companies, and recommends policy priorities that can support the demonstration of transformative nuclear energy technologies.

Congress Passes Nuclear Regulatory Modernization Bill

December 23rd, 2018
WASHINGTON – On December 21, Congress passed S.512, the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA). The bill includes fee reforms and modernization requirements that will enhance the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s capability to efficiently and thoroughly review advanced designs.

Passage of Landmark Advanced Nuclear Legislation

September 14th, 2018
WASHINGTON – The Nuclear Innovation Alliance applauds the House passage of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA) this afternoon.  This is a landmark moment for nuclear energy: The House and Senate have recognized the importance of bringing advanced nuclear technology to bear against the challenges of energy security, climate change, and affordability, as part of a diverse and resilient energy system. Here are a few of the key benefits of this bipartisan legislation:

Nuclear Innovation Alliance Announces Executive Director

May 16th, 2018
WASHINGTON – The Board of Directors of the Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ashley Finan as the organization’s Executive Director, effective immediately. The Nuclear Innovation Alliance supports entrepreneurialism and the accelerated innovation and commercialization of advanced nuclear energy systems with the goal of providing more economically competitive, carbon-free energy to the world.