Palmetto Nuclear Coalition S.C. State House Day: Advancing South Carolina’s Nuclear Future
The Palmetto Nuclear Coalition (PNC) convened a State House Day in Columbia, South Carolina, bringing together industry leaders, utilities, policymakers, and agency officials for a day of alignment, engagement, and forward momentum for nuclear energy in the state.
Hosted at the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina State House the day showcased South Carolina’s growing role as a national leader in nuclear innovation, workforce development, and deployment.
Setting the Stage: A Unified Vision
The day began at the University of South Carolina’s Pastides Alumni Center with the launch of the Nuclear Workforce and Economic Impact Initiative, led by USC’s Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing. The initiative sets the foundation for a coordinated, statewide approach to workforce development, research, and industry alignment.
“As the state’s flagship research institution, the University of South Carolina is committed to preparing the workforce and advancing the innovation needed to support both our state and the nation’s nuclear future,” said USC President Michael Amiridis.
Leaders across government and academia emphasized the urgency and opportunity of aligning education, workforce training, and industry needs to meet growing demand from new nuclear deployment and advanced manufacturing.
“The General Assembly is aligned in continuing to advance policies and resources that position South Carolina as a national leader in nuclear energy,” said Speaker of the House Murrell Smith.
“I recognized at the University of South Carolina’s inaugural Nuclear Summit in August 2024 that we have a fiduciary responsibility as a state to explore VC Summer as a potential asset. This led to the joint resolution I authored, which was unanimously adopted by the General Assembly and signed by Governor McMaster,” said Senator Tom Davis.
“Through this initiative, USC is building a national model that integrates education, research, and industry collaboration to meet the demands of a rapidly growing nuclear sector,” said Dean Hossein Haj-Hariri of USC’s Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing.
With the potential revitalization of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station in focus, the initiative represents a critical step toward delivering reliable energy while driving long-term economic growth across the state.
Building the Workforce of the Future
A central theme of the day was workforce readiness ensuring South Carolina can meet the demands of a rapidly expanding nuclear sector.
Through its partnership with the South Carolina Technical College System, USC is creating clear, scalable pathways from education to employment across nuclear engineering, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing.
“By aligning our training pathways and credential programs, we are building a workforce system that is responsive to the needs of nuclear energy, specialized construction skills, advanced manufacturing, and emerging technologies,” said Tim Hardee, President of the South Carolina Technical College System.
Industry partnerships are accelerating this effort.
USC’s collaboration with Antares Nuclear to explore a microreactor at Fort Jackson will provide hands-on training and research opportunities while advancing energy resilience.
"Antares is excited to donate an electrically heated demonstration unit of our microreactor to the University of South Carolina's Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing. Microreactors will provide our country with energy resilience, and Antares will use this system to train our country's advanced nuclear energy workforce right here in Columbia. We look forward to executing this important partnership in the months ahead,” said Tom Mancinelli, head of federal strategy and policy at Antares.
In parallel, partnerships with The Nuclear Company are advancing innovation in areas such as advanced manufacturing and digital technologies.
“Our investment in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing’s Nuclear Workforce and Economic Impact Initiative reflects strong confidence in South Carolina’s ability to lead in nuclear innovation, from advanced manufacturing to next-generation technologies,” said Joe Klecha, Chief Nuclear Officer of The Nuclear Company.
The broader opportunity and urgency was echoed by industry leaders:
“South Carolina has an opportunity to lead by building a strong, homegrown workforce and scaling reliable energy infrastructure. Through investing in the Nuclear Workforce and Economic Impact Initiative, we can strengthen the state’s talent pipeline while deploying advanced technologies like artificial intelligence to make nuclear energy more efficient and cost-effective,” said Rachel Wilson, Energy and Market Development with Google.
Direct Engagement at the State House
Following the morning session, PNC members traveled to the South Carolina State House to meet directly with elected officials and legislative leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette.
These conversations reinforced nuclear energy’s critical role in strengthening the state’s competitiveness, accelerating deployment, and supporting long-term economic growth.
A highlight of the visit was the formal recognition of PNC members in the House Chamber Gallery, an acknowledgment of the coalition’s growing impact across the state.
Strategic Insights and Industry Momentum
The afternoon at Maynard Nexsen provided a comprehensive look at the evolving nuclear landscape at both the state and federal levels.
Sessions included updates on:
The Fairfield Nuclear Project (V.C. Summer) update presented by Santee Cooper and Westinghouse
Federal policy and advocacy priorities from the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Innovation Campus RFI from the Governor’s Office
Developments from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services and the Savannah River Site
Insights from a member of the Governor’s Nuclear Advisory Council
Together, these discussions highlighted the scale of activity underway across South Carolina’s nuclear ecosystem—from project development and regulatory engagement to workforce and supply chain expansion.
Looking Ahead
The day concluded with a member roundtable and a reception hosted by Santee Cooper Legislative—bringing together partners to reflect on progress and reinforce shared momentum behind the V.C. Summer project and the broader AP1000 resurgence.
The PNC State House Day made one thing clear: South Carolina is not just participating in the future of nuclear energy, it is helping lead it.
With strong alignment across industry, government, and academia, and continued focus on deployment, investment, and workforce development, the state is well-positioned to serve as a national model for nuclear innovation.
The Palmetto Nuclear Coalition looks forward to building on this momentum, continuing to work alongside partners across the state to turn vision into action.
-Written by Ethel Bunch, PNC Founder
