Tools & Resources

Good Energy Collective's PFE Compliance Model examines how Prohibited Foreign Entity supply chain rules on the §45Y and §48E tax credits affect new nuclear financeability. Because allied manufacturing is globally shared, US reactors may be unable to meet the limits, forfeiting the credits that make projects viable. Available as an executive summary, full white paper, and technical appendices.

The ARC Act offers a smart way to get nuclear power built while protecting ratepayers

Grant supports research to establish an evidence base for community engagement practices that strengthen community agency and build durable social license for clean energy projects

Good Energy Collective's statement on Meta's agreements with TerraPower, Vistra, and Oklo

Good Energy Collective is pleased to announce that Lisa Marshall will be joining its Senior Fellows Program.

David Wright and Ho Nieh are excellent choices for bringing stability, expertise to the agency

Good Energy Collective (GEC) is honored to have supported Dr. Andrew Kamau’s participation in the Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEIS Africa) in Kigali, Rwanda, last month. Dr. Kamau—former Co-Director for the Energy Opportunity Lab-International Projects at Columbia University, and former Principal Secretary at Kenya's Ministry of Petroleum and Mining—led the Ministerial Panel, which featured officials from Rwanda, Kenya, Mali, and Togo. The panel discussion, “Contextualizing Africa Energy Needs and Securing Political Commitment,” explored the political leadership and national strategies needed for meeting the unique energy needs of African countries, where more 600 million people lack access to electricity.

Good Energy Collective (GEC) has joined a coalition of scholars, researchers, and policy organizations urging the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to lift its longstanding prohibition on financing nuclear power projects.

Good Energy Collective is proud to welcome Dr. Matt Bowen as a Senior Fellow in its newly launched Senior Fellows Program

Congress is deliberating significant changes to key federal tax credits for clean energy deployment, including nuclear power, within the ongoing budget reconciliation process. While our analysis of H.R.1 found the House version would generate $11 billion to $19 billion in economic losses, the Senate’s modifications substantially mitigate but do not eliminate these risks.

David Wright Is a Great Choice to Lead at the NRC

Good Energy Collective is deeply concerned about the Trump Administration’s decision to remove Commissioner Christopher Hanson from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), a precedent-breaking action that undermines the Commission’s political independence and credibility.

In this detailed analysis, we evaluate H.R.1's impact on nuclear project economics using data from 15 real-world projects across 10 states. Our analysis shows the restrictions eliminate far more economic value than they save while preventing achievement of the United States’ nuclear deployment and energy security goals.

"Most nuclear experts agree: a single-purpose, independent federal agency is the best solution for managing spent fuel in America in a way that centers equity and justice."

"His unique ability to bridge technical and policy perspectives, a rare combination in the nuclear industry, would be invaluable as the Commission oversees the rollout of advanced nuclear."

"Today, Congress sent to President Biden's desk a bill that will help more communities access nuclear energy..."

“The Senate has reconfirmed a committed public servant to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission today."

"The bill contains useful provisions to bolster nuclear’s ability to contribute to our climate response."

"We share President Biden’s confidence in Chairman Hanson’s ability to lead the agency through its busiest period in recent memory."

What is advanced nuclear? What makes it different from traditional nuclear technologies, and what does it mean for communities?

Reflecting and reporting on Good Energy's 2023 Milestones

"More efficient use of uranium fuel, which HALEU enables, is just one component of a healthy nuclear ecosystem."

Khalil delves into the profound impact and lasting legacy of the Megatons to Megawatts program, a pivotal disarmament agreement between the U.S. and Russia.

Cleo explains the mechanics of recycling and weighs the benefits against the challenges.

Jessica was a featured panelist for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's "Environmental Justice Braintrust," moderated by Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn (SC-06).

We're thrilled to introduce the Justice Champions Fellowship Program's 2023-2024 cohort: Destinie James '24, Helena Stewart '26, and Jasmine Winston '26.

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Historically, the term ‚atomic diplomacy, invoked the implied or explicit threat of nuclear weapon attacks to pressure geopolitical rivals and maintain global order and security. The U.S. had hoped its monopoly on nuclear weaponry would prevent Russia from moving into Japan and allow for a US-led occupation rather than a US/USSR-led occupation. Thus began America, early attempts to use its nuclear weapons status as a coercive tool in its diplomatic toolbox. The leading global powers in the post-WWII world established the UN Security Council and later the UN Atomic Energy Commission (UNAEC) to manage the spread of nuclear technology for peaceful uses and the creation of safeguards for nuclear states. The United States put forth a proposal to create an International Atomic Development Authority. This proposal would have created a governing body over the nuclear fuel cycle but was ultimately quashed by the USSR due to the desire to maintain a traditional Soviet approach to the fuel cycle and prohibition of nuclear weapons.

"We’re confident that Commissioner Baran would continue to be an effective regulator of our nation’s nuclear materials..."

"A just future for nuclear mandates a just fuel cycle, and that means understanding communities’ preferences on whether and how to advance spent fuel storage in their backyards."

Jessica explores the potential of new (tiny) nuclear technologies as a cost-competitive, carbon-free option for off-grid communities that are often fully dependent on fossil fuels.

"The ADVANCE Act achieves what nuclear legislation always should: It balances environmental justice to address legacy harms of nuclear activities..."

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While the history of commercial nuclear energy and atomic weapons differ greatly, governments‚Äô lack of atonement for the impacts of testing nuclear weapons has understandably shifted public perceptions of nuclear as a whole. The horrors of using atomic weapons as an act of war are well-known, but the tragedy of atomic weapons testing often receives less attention. Domestically and globally, these tests negatively impacted local populations and environments. Affected populations received neither warnings nor accurate information on the tests‚Äô impacts. That most of these tests affected indigenous people, low-income communities, and communities of color offered the military a sense of impunity for their actions. 

Environmental Groups Call for Ambitious Deployment of IRA Funds for Industrial Decarbonization

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As demand for nuclear energy grows due to concerns over climate change and energy security, so will the demand for its primary fuel: uranium. On the positive side, uranium is exceptionally energy-dense, with nuclear power plants requiring refueling every few years. But unlike fossil fuels, uranium cannot simply be dug out of the ground and burned but must go through several processing steps, including milling, conversion, enrichment, and fuel fabrication. While the U.S. has the largest fleet of nuclear power reactors, it imports most of its nuclear fuel due to a long history of depressed global prices discouraging domestic production. Recent disruptions to the international markets for nuclear fuels have exacerbated concern over relying on nuclear power for energy independence.

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From 1950 to 1980, the U.S. was one of the largest producers of uranium globally, and the majority of that uranium was sourced in the western U.S, on or near tribal lands. According to studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management, 96% of all U.S. defense-related uranium mines on tribal lands were located in the Navajo Nation. The remainder of U.S. defense-related uranium mines were located on lands of the Pueblo of Laguna, the Pueblo of Zuni, the Hualapai Tribe, the Tohono O'odham Nation, the Spokane Tribe of Indians, and the Ute Indian Tribe. Uranium was also mined from deposits in a few eastern states.

"We appreciate Rep. Mike Levin’s commitment to making sure our country’s nuclear regulators can be a supportive community partner going forward.”

UMichigan specifically recognized Good Energy’s role in bolstering support for advanced nuclear as part of the broader climate agenda

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With the enactment of recent congressional legislation investing in clean energy, we expect to see a significant build-out of new clean energy infrastructure, including advanced nuclear power. While these energy projects have the potential to empower communities with clean electricity, they also have the potential to harm if project developers fail to have fair and just processes. Local opposition movements have been growing in response to almost all energy projects, including wind, nuclear, and solar. Nuclear energy has a particularly troubled history of siting decisions for power plants. These procedural injustices pose challenges for achieving successful, community-supported new infrastructure projects. Understanding these dynamics is important for communities and critical for project developers.

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Support is growing for nuclear energy as a critical tool in the fight against climate that change, but a roadblock for many environmentalists is the unresolved issue of nuclear waste. Specifically, what should be done in the U.S. with the radioactive spent fuel that comes out of nuclear power plants every few years?

"We thank Rep. Luria for her continued leadership in championing smart nuclear innovation policy..."

"Today’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act is unquestionably a monumental action on climate change."

“Fundamentally, the executive branch should work to protect the health of the public..."

"[O]ur results find several options that are both low-carbon and low land-use, including nuclear, geothermal, and integrated solar,” said Lovering.

Cleo's analysis finds an inequitable spread in the benefits and risks of historical nuclear power projects in the United States.

“Done right, the export of U.S. advanced nuclear energy will be able to increase equitable access to clean energy for communities around the world."

A policy report exploring where small modular reactor (SMR) technology could support environmental justice communities that relied on coal

"[W]e’re excited about legislation like this that would support and center struggling communities in the deployment of advanced nuclear energy.”

"[E]SIC represents these lawmakers’ commitment to powering American communities with new, clean energy technologies as quickly as these innovations can hit the market.”

David Wright and Ho Nieh are excellent choices for bringing stability, expertise to the agency

Responsible deployment, from policy to practice.