COLUMBIA, S.C.— Federal and statewide elected officials, along with key industry leaders, joined more than 400 attendees at the Colonial Life Arena for The University of South Carolina Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing’s 2nd annual SC Nuclear Summit. Presented by Santee Cooper and The Palmetto Nuclear Coalition, the event featured a host of key panelists and special guests, including Governor Henry McMaster, U.S. Representative Russell Fry, S.C. House of Representatives Speaker Murrell Smith and US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chair David Wright.
This year’s summit included conversations on national energy trends, AI’s role in next-generation technology and how public–private partnerships are driving the nuclear resurgence. These conversations build on the momentum of South Carolina’s emergence as a proving ground for America’s next nuclear era, which can be seen through world-class energy assets, including the Savannah River National Laboratory in Aiken, Richland County’s Westinghouse Fuel Fabrication Facility, and Santee Cooper’s revitalization of the AP 1000 nuclear units in Jenkinsville.
“This year’s summit takes place during a critical time in our state, as energy demands are rapidly rising to meet the needs of our growing population,” said Jimmy Staton, president and CEO of Santee Cooper. “Santee Cooper has a unique opportunity to facilitate completion of the AP1000 nuclear reactors in Jenkinsville while establishing South Carolina as a leader in this national nuclear resurgence, delivering much-needed capacity for our state and providing additional benefits for our customers.”
“Our state’s premier nuclear assets, paired with our college’s academic leadership in research and education, marks an exciting time for our state,” said Dr. Hossein Haj-Hariri, Dean of the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing. “As we commit to educating the next generation of energy leaders, this annual gathering showcases how the power of partnership energizes our state’s nuclear future.”
The gathering of key energy leaders, elected officials and academic and business leaders for conversations on nuclear advancement underscores South Carolina’s unified commitment to advancing nuclear energy for global competitiveness and long-term economic growth.
“We are grateful for all of the key leaders and stakeholders who champion our state as a leader in both large-scale and next-generation nuclear technologies,” said Ethel Bunch, Founder of Palmetto Nuclear Coalition. “Each year, we look forward to this summit serving as a convening hub to celebrate the progress South Carolina has made and how our transformative energy advancements expand global competitiveness of the U.S. industrial base, strengthen national security, and power the resources in our local community that we rely on every day.”