Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols will lead a panel discussion on nuclear issues at the Summer Policy Summit of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) meeting in Austin, Texas on Sunday July 16, 2023 at 4 p.m. Central Daylight Time. The featured topic for the panel is: "Utilizing Advanced Nuclear Energy for Energy Security and Resilience on Military Bases in the United States."

This panel will feature stakeholders interested in the deployment of advanced nuclear energy to meet high reliability, resiliency, and energy security needs of U.S. military bases. As one of the largest consumers of energy in the world, the Department of Defense (DOD) is exploring the role that advanced nuclear energy and nuclear microreactors can play in reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and meeting clean energy targets, enhancing energy resilience, and improving energy security.

"I would like to see military bases deploy SMRs (small modular reactors) for their electricity and hydrogen needs--with the federal government taking the financial risk, and not our utilities," said Echols. "Nuclear plus solar plus batteries will be the way forward in the future."

Microreactors are particularly well suited to support the operational missions of U.S. military installations. Microreactor designs are compact and can be transported easily, making them ideal for use in remote areas where traditional power sources may be unavailable or where routine fuel deliveries are difficult or impossible logistically. Their power output can be scaled to meet the needs of different sized military installations while providing the electricity and heat critical for installation operations. Microreactors can be designed to operate independently of larger electrical grids, allowing for greater energy security and resilience during emergencies or natural disasters.

The NARUC Summer Policy Summit brings together key players across the utility spectrum including state and federal policymakers, consumer advocates, industry officials, and other important stakeholders. The Summer Policy Summit is meeting at the J.W. Marriott in Austin, Texas July 16-19, 2023. For more information go to www.naruc.org.