The Utilities Service Alliance (USA) fleet members hosted representatives from more than 96 companies deep in the heart of Texas last month for the 25^th Annual Nuclear Generator & Supplier Executive Summit.

Several key meetings took place along with the conference general session attended by executives from across the world. USA board members received updates on several key projects and took actions on future USA focus activities.  At the USA board meeting Ken Peters, Luminant Sr. VP and Chief Nuclear Officer, was re-elected to a two-year term as USA board Vice Chair.  The USA Supply Chain team, USA/STARS personnel share team, and the newly created Advanced Remote Monitoring team also had meetings in conjunction with this year’s Summit.

The 2019 Supplier Solutions Showcase opened June 18 providing opportunities to network, and interact with suppliers concerning the latest products, services and solutions in the nuclear industry market today to support safe and efficient operations.

During Wednesday and Thursday’s business meeting, members focused on “Ensuring Nuclear’s Clean Energy Future.” Business leaders enjoyed learning of new and unique ways that several of our members and industry experts are taking action to ensure the longevity of our critical clean energy source. Some of the more notable presentations during the two-day business meeting included:

• Keynote Speaker Mark Nelson informed the group how Environmental Progress is taking action to save nuclear around the world, and emphasized how radically changing the story we tell about nuclear is the key to its survival
• Xcel President Chris Clark described Xcel Energy’s 100% Clean Energy Vision by 2050
• Bruce Power’s Richard Horrobin talked about how the world’s largest operating nuclear facility plays a crucial role as an affordable, carbon-free baseload generator of electricity in Ontario
• Energy Northwest’s Greg Cullen discussed how recent legislation in Washington and Oregon along with state sponsored programs that encourage transition from carbon emissions are creating new opportunities to serve their customers but are requiring them to think differently about how we identify those opportunities
• Susquehanna CNO Brad Berryman discussed the Legislative efforts ongoing in the State of Pennsylvania including recent results of house/senate bills as well as additional proposed efforts moving forward such as zero emissions credits
• Idaho National Lab’s Bruce Hallbert updated the group on activities currently on-going at the nation’s nuclear labs, including exciting new opportunities that may exist for our U.S. nuclear fleet
• John Christensen updated the group on USA Advanced Remote Monitoring activities as a result of the recent DOE funding announcement
• INPO and NEI gave updates on current industry performance and the political state of the industry
• NPPDs Dave Kimball updated the attendees on the devastating flooding NE has had and its impact on Cooper Nuclear Station
• Bill Malone once again kept the crown entertained throughout the week with his magic and comedy routines

Guests once again participated in Casino Night June 19 benefitting the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation (CFP), which helps to raise funds to provide college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.  This is the second year in a row of selecting CFP as our beneficiary, and $25,000 was once again raised to support the organization.  Turnout and individual donations were the best ever in 2019.  This year we were lucky to have three CFP employees, Tyler Overcash, Jacob Rangel, and Dee Muñiz.  Jacob and Dee are not only employees of CFP but are both recipients of funds from the CFP organization.

“The opportunity for several days of face to face interaction in a variety of settings between dozens of suppliers, utility leaders and industry innovators provides tremendous value for attendees and adds to the uniqueness of the Summit” said USA’s Director, Economic Strategies Jim Kitchens. “82 individual supplier companies and roughly 350  attendees and guests sponsored, exhibited and otherwise participated in educational, networking and leisure activities throughout the week making our Silver Anniversary Summit a big success!. The support of our supplier community, in particular, makes the Executive Summit possible and we are tremendously grateful for it. We’re planning another great event for 2020 and looking forward to seeing everyone in Huntington Beach, CA June 23-26.