Virginia to Invest $1.2M in Nuclear Power Technology Hub
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Monday that his state is investing $1.2 million to advance efforts to make the state a “leader in next-generation nuclear technologies.”
The lion’s share of the money — about $750,000 — will be spent on assessing the feasibility of developing a micro-scale research reactor within the state.
According to Youngkin’s office, the facility would serve as a “flexible testbed” for advanced materials research, reactor simulation and hands-on nuclear workforce training.
The remaining $462,000 is earmarked for the development of a research center — the Virginia Center for Nuclear Materials and Reliability — that would focus on examining how materials degrade in liquid environments other than water — a key challenge when it comes to the development and deployment of the latest generation of reactors.
Work at the proposed research center would address gaps in materials science, help shape national standards, and support industry efforts to deploy safer, longer-lasting nuclear technologies, the governor’s office said.
“From our world-class universities and research institutions to our skilled workforce and innovative companies, every aspect of Virginia’s ecosystem is aligned to advance nuclear innovation,” Youngkin said in a written statement.
“These strategic investments will accelerate our momentum, creating high-quality jobs, strengthening our energy security, and cementing the Commonwealth’s position as America’s nuclear innovation leader for decades to come,” he added.
This initiative is being funded through the Virginia Department of Energy’s Virginia Power Innovation Program.
Glenn Davis, director of Virginia Energy, said the new initiatives will bolster the state’s efforts to “create an ecosystem” that will attract future federal investment, support private sector innovation and build a “pipeline” for local talent to deploy advanced nuclear technologies within the state.
Jeff Whitt, a former executive with Framatome, a French nuclear reactor business, has been tapped to oversee the initiative, which received an initial seed grant of $350,000 from the Virginia Department of Energy in 2024.
The projects will be implemented through a consortium of universities, including the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University and Liberty University.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to promote Virginia’s leadership at such a critical time for Virginia and for the global energy transition,” Whitt said in a written statement.
“Virginia has unmatched capabilities in every aspect of the nuclear energy cycle for both commercial and defense reactors. The opportunity to connect world-class partners, drive new research, and elevate the state’s role on the international stage is both exciting and deeply meaningful. I look forward to building on the great work already underway,” he said.
Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue
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