TheNuclear Energy and National Security Coalition (NENSC)is pleased to provide its annual overview of the organization’s activities during 2025. Comprised of leading experts who recognize the essential benefits of a strong national nuclear energy enterprise to the continued national security of the U.S., NENSC is dedicated to achieving policies that ensure robust U.S. engagement on these critical matters.
From global nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation standards, to broader geopolitical influence, to energy security of the nation and its allies, nuclear energy plays an instrumental role in promoting U.S. national security interests.
PRIORITIES AND ENGAGEMENT
During the first session of the 119th Congress and the first year of the second Trump Administration, NENSC actively focused on matters involving the nexus of U.S. national security and U.S. civil nuclear technology. NENSC endeavors to expand the awareness of nuclear energy’s role in supporting:
Energy security and resilience of the U.S. and its partners and allies
U.S. leadership on global nuclear nonproliferation, safety, and security matters
Wider geopolitical influence in the 30+ nations now planning or considering the development of nuclear energy for the first time
Robust infrastructure for U.S. defense nuclear needs
U.S. policy efforts to accelerate innovation in the domestic industry and other related issues such as relicensing, regulatory reform, and technology development
During 2025, NENSC built on its efforts to promote the policies necessary to advance these imperatives. Restoring U.S. global nuclear leadership requires leadership in Washington, DC. NENSC is committed to connecting trusted authorities on U.S. national security with policymakers, the media, and others critical to its mission.
In 2025, NENSC policy engagement included:
Participating in discussions with industry leaders following the release of a blueprint by the Commission on Nuclear Energy and American Leadership that focused on Nuclear Energy & American Leadership
Submitting a statement to the House Foreign Affairs’ East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee on reauthorization of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
Joining a podcast to discuss the role of nuclear energy in meeting increasing demands for electricity
Encouraging lawmakers to support deployment of advanced nuclear technologies
Engaging in critical conversations on U.S. energy dominance and national security
KEEPING YOU INFORMED
Over the past year, NENSC expanded its efforts to update stakeholders interested in the evolving nuclear energy and national security landscape. NENSC’s suite of educational and engagement offerings include webinars, podcasts, thought leadership articles, newsletters, and interactive forums designed to foster meaningful conversations among policymakers, subject matter experts, industry leaders, and others invested in the future of nuclear energy and national security.
Webinars
NENSC hosted a webinar exploring the role of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in addressing the increasing need for domestic and global nuclear energy. The event highlighted key areas of consideration for the NRC, including its licensing review processes and its role in fostering international cooperation.
Podcasts
This summer, NENSC launched Atomically Speaking, a new and innovative podcast dedicated to exploring the intersection of nuclear energy and U.S. national security. Atomically Speaking is designed as a unique space for some of the nation’s foremost security experts and thought leaders to engage in insightful, solution-oriented dialogue on the vital importance of maintaining a robust national nuclear energy enterprise. Theinaugural episode, recorded in August, featured a compelling conversation between NENSC Co-Chair Dan Poneman and Dr. Jeff Waksman, the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment. In November, NENSC hosted experts regarding ongoing negotiations between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on a “123 agreement,” a civil nuclear cooperation agreement that provides a framework for peaceful nuclear energy cooperation. Participants included Robert Einhorn, a senior fellow in the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative and the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at the Brookings Institution, and Pranay Vaddi, a senior nuclear fellow in the Center for Nuclear Security Policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Thought Leadership
NENSC leadership continues to engage on matters relevant to the organization’s mission. In March, Co-Chair Admiral Richard Mies (ret.) coauthored an op-ed on preserving nuclear energy tax incentives to bolster national security.
Newsletter
Throughout the year, NENSC News offers updates on important and timely issues related to the industry. To subscribe, please click here.
Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, Former Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration
John Deutch, Former Deputy Secretary of Defense and CIA Director
Stephen Rademaker, Former Assistant Secretary of State
Richard Meserve, Former Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and President of Carnegie Institution for Science
William Ostendorff,Former Commissioner of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Sherri Goodman, Former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environmental Security
Susan Eisenhower, International Security and Energy Expert
Kenneth Luongo,President of the Partnership for Global Security
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, National Security Expert, Grammy winner, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee
Biographies and background Information on each of NENSC’s Expert Council members is available on the organization’s website. Additional members will be announced in the near future.
LOOKING AHEAD
As the Trump Administration and the 119th Congress continue their work in 2026, NENSC will implement a robust strategy to build on its efforts, including increased advocacy with policymakers, organizing events to convene industry and stakeholder experts, and amplified engagement with media. Please contact NENSC by clicking on the appropriate link below if you are interested in receiving updates or providing feedback on proposed topics of focus.
