For Immediate Release:
Contact: Kirsten Verclas (kverclas@naseo.org) and Cassie Powers (cpowers@naseo.org)
The National Association of State Energy Officials, in Coordination with 11 States and Key Partners, Issues Request for Information to Support Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative
WASHINGTON (September 16, 2025) – Today, the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) issued a Request for Information (RFI) in support of the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative, which is led by state co-chairs New York, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Wyoming, and participating states Louisiana, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia. The governors of these states are committed to delivering advanced nuclear power rapidly, safely, and cost-effectively to ensure consumers and businesses have reliable and affordable electricity for years to come.
NASEO is working with the states to advance this important national initiative. The RFI will inform the 11 First Mover states, and other observer states, on how best to create a coordinated orderbook strategy for advanced nuclear projects —a mechanism that will speed project development and lower costs.
Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) said, “New York is proud to co-lead this initiative to collectively help advance the U.S. nuclear industry – which complements the diligent work underway on our Master Plan for Responsible Advanced Nuclear Development in New York and efforts to develop at least one new nuclear energy facility with a combined capacity of no less than one gigawatt. The First Movers RFI is a critical first step to identifying a scalable, standardized approach to deploying advanced nuclear projects across member states while sending clear signals that national supply chain growth is also needed.”
“Utah is proud to be part of the First Mover Initiative. This RFI, released with NASEO and our First Mover partner states, is an important step in our nuclear explorations,” said Emy Lesofski, Director of the Utah Office of Energy Development and Energy Advisor to the Governor. “This effort will increase our coordination and efficiencies, informing our state nuclear strategy as we build energy security, resilience and healthy economies across the state.”
The RFI will provide the First Mover states and NASEO with information on a potential structure for an advanced nuclear project orderbook strategy, status and use cases for different nuclear technologies, and investment and coordination models. The orderbook approach moves away from one-off demonstrations to propel widespread market adoption by building a robust demand signal for the most viable advanced nuclear technologies.
A cornerstone of the Initiative is forming public-private partnerships through engagement with interested utilities; nuclear technology developers; project developers; energy end users (e.g., consumers, data centers, manufacturers); investors; and others. NASEO and the First Mover states are working with the U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Congress to accelerate advanced nuclear projects.
“Pennsylvania, under the leadership of Governor Shapiro, is committed to an ‘All of the Above’ energy strategy, and advanced nuclear projects are a part of that vision. Pennsylvania will maintain its role as a national energy leader in the push for cheaper, more deployable advanced nuclear power that will provide carbon-free electricity to meet growing demand,” said Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Jessica Shirley.
"As the first state to provide nuclear-generated power to the commercial grid for a sustained period back in 1957, Virginia is proud to continue our decades-long legacy of leadership as part of the First Movers Initiative,” said Glenn Davis, Director of the Virginia Department of Energy. “With energy demand surging faster than at any time since WWII, advanced nuclear is fundamental to ensuring a reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy future. This collaborative effort represents a critical step toward that end, creating economic opportunity for Virginians while contributing to a stronger national supply chain and supporting advanced nuclear deployment across our partner states."
“Indiana is focused on innovative energy solutions that lead to greater reliability and affordability,” said Jon Ford, Executive Director of the Indiana Office of Energy Development. “This effort offers an opportunity to identify creative ways to strengthen the electric grid, a collaborative initiative that benefits all 92 Hoosier counties.”
David Terry, President of NASEO said, “The Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative is among the most important actions taken collectively by states to date to catalyze investment in historic levels of firm, clean electric power development that will serve states, consumers, businesses, and the nation as a whole for decades to come. This RFI will inform the 11 First Mover states, and many other states, on the potential structure of a coordinated orderbook and the readiness of different advanced reactor designs to meet different power sector needs identified by the states.”
For more information, visit the NASEO Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative webpage here.
About the National Association of State Energy Officials
NASEO is the only national nonprofit association for the governor-designated State Energy Offices from each of the 56 states, territories, and District of Columbia. Formed by the states in 1986, NASEO facilitates peer learning among the states, serves as a resource for and about State Energy Offices, engages private sector energy providers, and advocates the interests of the State Energy Offices to Congress and federal agencies.