NOW 2026 Agenda

The Nuclear Opportunities Workshop (NOW) is an annual event focused on all aspects of the nuclear ecosystem, bringing together stakeholders from across industry, government, research, academia, and the next generation of the workforce to connect, collaborate, and advance what’s next.

BUILDING MOMENTUM, SHAPING THE FUTURE OF NUCLEAR

All sessions will take place in the Ballroom A-B-C, off the Henley Concourse at the Knoxville Convention Center.

August 4, 2026 - From Strategy to Deployment

7:00AM - CHECK IN & BREAKFAST

8:00AM - WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS

8:15AM - TENNESSEE'S NUCLEAR LEADERSHIP

8:30AM - FEDERAL BLUEPRINT FOR AMERICA'S NUCLEAR COMEBACK

8:45AM - TENNESSEE'S CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP: NUCLEAR PRIORITIES

9:05AM - SECURING AMERICA'S NUCLEAR FUTURE: WHAT'S AT STAKE

10:05AM - NETWORKING BREAK

10:20 AM - POWERING THE DEPLOYMENT DECADE

10:35AM- FROM FIRST POUR TO FIRST POWER: WHAT IT TAKES TO DELIVER

11:30AM - ADVANCED REACTORS IN ACTION

12:15AM - LUNCH & FEATURED SPEAKER

1:15PM - FEATURED INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

1:25PM - FUELING THE FUTURE: ENRICHMENT AND FABRICATION

2:15 – 2:45 PM | FUEL CYCLE SPOTLIGHT: REPROCESSING USED NUCLEAR FUEL

2:45 PM | NETWORKING BREAK

3:00PM | TENNESSEE'S ADVANTAGE: RESOURCES FOR NUCLEAR GROWTH

Moderator: Bill Tindal, Director, Tennessee Nuclear Network [TN²]

David Salyers, Commissioner, Tennessee Dept. of Environment & Conservation
Gale Houck, Gale Hauck, Technical Area Lead, DOE Microreactor Program, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Braden Stover, Senior Advisor for Nuclear and Quantum Strategy, Tennessee Dept. of Economic & Community Development
Meryl Harris, Target Market Specialist, Tennessee Valley Authority

3:45PM | OAK RIDGE IN ACTION: THREE MISSIONS, ONE FUTURE