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Eleven states are leading a new effort to deliver affordable nuclear power quickly and safely (Power magazine).

What’s going on: The governors of the states, “working through the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), have launched the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative to propel a more standardized, scalable approach to deliver advanced nuclear power capacity … to ensure consumers and businesses across the U.S. have reliable and affordable electricity.”

• The states leading the effort are co-chairs New York, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Wyoming as well as participating states Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.
• The initiative’s announcement follows a request for information issued last month by NASEO “for an advanced nuclear project ‘order book’ strategy, including the status and use cases for different nuclear technologies, and investment and coordination models.”

How it’s different: Rather than promote one-off projects, the “order book” approach aims for widespread adoption of the most feasible nuclear technology capable of deployment in multiple states.

• A large part of the First Mover initiative depends on the forming of public–private partnerships.

The NAM says: “Nuclear is a critical component of a winning, all-of-the-above solution to U.S. energy needs ,” NAM Director of Energy and Resources Policy Michael Davin said.

• “Manufacturers applaud states for recognizing the importance of nuclear energy. We urge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other federal permitting agencies to work directly with them to streamline nuclear project permitting and licensing.”