U.S. Department of Energy Workshops at LSU Accelerate Future of Nuclear Energy

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Utility Power Reactor Incremental Scaling Effort (UPRISE), managed by LSU’s national lab partner Idaho National Laboratory (INL), aims to accelerate domestic nuclear energy production by maximizing existing infrastructure.

More than 150 government and industry leaders, along with researchers, are gathering on LSU’s flagship campus in Baton Rouge on May 27-29 to address the nation’s growing energy demands.

“As a long-standing industry partner in research and workforce development, LSU is proud to welcome the leaders who will drive the future of energy in America,” LSU Chancellor Jim Dalton said.

The inaugural UPRISE meeting is intended to catalyze collaboration among industry, electrical utilities, universities, national laboratories, regulators, and federal agencies. Its main goal is to identify actionable pathways to increase nuclear power capacity, advanced fuel deployment, thermal energy delivery, and new nuclear energy expansion. Attendees meet at the Estuary on the Water Campus in Baton Rouge with tours planned to LSU’s core research facilities and Cornerstone Energy Park in Waggaman.

UPRISE aims to add 2.5 GW of nuclear capacity by 2027 and 5 GW by 2029—equivalent to five new nuclear reactors. To support the program, the Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) can provide eligible projects with up ⁠to 80% financing and, alongside the U.S. Department of Energy, continue to facilitate agreements and investments in nuclear deployment.

“With multiple operating nuclear power plants in the Gulf Coast region, there is a great opportunity to pair expanding nuclear energy production with the energy needs of the growing local industries and communities,” Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy Rian Bahran said.

“We extend our thanks to Louisiana State University for hosting UPRISE’s first event where government and industry stakeholders are coming together to solve today’s energy challenges by expanding nuclear energy capacity.”

Rian Bahran, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy

The UPRISE initiative has already seen the planned increases in power output, or uprates, of six existing reactors at plants Hatch, Vogtle, and Farley, which now produce a combined 345 MW of additional baseload capacity. These uprates are being pursued in addition to license renewals as part of EDF’s $26.5 billion loans to Southern Company across Alabama and Georgia.

“Uprates to our existing fleet are some of the fastest and most affordable new nuclear megawatts we can deploy and must be prioritized and accelerated,” EDF Co-Chief Investment Officer Julie Kozeracki said. “EDF is an essential tool deploying the high-impact capital the American nuclear renaissance needs.”

Immediate objectives of UPRISE are to increase the power output and lifespans of existing reactors and increase operational efficiency.

“LSU and the Gulf Coast region are an ideal location for this kickoff meeting because they bring together major industrial energy users, world-class research capabilities, manufacturing infrastructure, and strategic energy leadership,” said Bruce Hallbert, director of INL’s Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program, which conducts collaborative research with nuclear power companies. “The region represents both the scale of future power demand and the opportunity for nuclear energy to support economic growth, industrial competitiveness, and energy security.”

This week’s meeting at LSU follows Louisiana’s inaugural Nuclear Strategy and Supply Chain Summit in New Orleans in April 2026 to discuss the state’s newly announced Nuclear Strategic Framework. It is also supported by a research partnership agreement between LSU and INL, signed in March 2025, which includes collaborative work on advanced nuclear technologies. It further follows Integrated Nuclear Energy Day in October 2025, which welcomed utilities, advanced nuclear suppliers, and AI data center suppliers to LSU.

“As Louisiana further positions itself as a leading voice in a global initiative to expand nuclear power generation and fuel fabrication, not only are we blessed with existing infrastructure and a skilled workforce, but we are also developing new relationships with manufacturers who will help us meet our growing demand for power,” Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy Secretary Dustin Davidson said.

“Louisiana is uniquely positioned to help lead the next chapter of America’s energy future,” Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “Through Louisiana’s Whole-of-Louisiana Energy Strategy and Nuclear Strategic Framework, our state is aligning industry, research and government around long-term growth. Hosting this milestone event recognizes Louisiana on the national stage for its role in advanced energy innovation and next-generation nuclear technologies.”

UPRISE is part of a larger, federal effort to support nuclear energy in the U.S. to increase current capacity by 300% by 2050. There are parallel efforts underway to deploy portable reactors for the military and AI, lower electric bills and the cost of nuclear power, increase domestic production of nuclear fuel, and bolster the American workforce.

 

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