Vision and Strategic Goals (by 2050)

Advance coordinated action across state agencies, policymakers, industry, communities, and neighboring states to position Pennsylvania as a leading hub and accelerate nuclear deployment and investment, and support financial approaches that help de-risk first-of-a-kind projects

Pennsylvania already plays a central role in the national nuclear energy landscape, supported by one of the largest operating fleets in the country and decades of institutional experience. As nuclear deployment increasingly occurs through regional grids and multi-state supply chains, leadership is shifting from individual projects to coordination across jurisdictions. Without deliberate action, Pennsylvania risks underusing its existing influence at a moment when regional alignment is becoming more important.

Pennsylvania can position itself as a regional convener for nuclear deployment by aligning state agencies, neighboring states, and federal partners around shared priorities. Acting as a coordinator rather than a sole project sponsor would allow the commonwealth to shape outcomes that extend beyond its borders while reinforcing in-state economic benefits.

Key Metric: The number of regional or multi-state nuclear initiatives in which Pennsylvania plays a leadership role, paired with the level of nuclear-related investment enabled through those efforts.

Extend operation of current reactors, improve performance, and ensure continued reliability for the electricity grid, industrial heat, and emerging applications, while anchoring new momentum in a fully supported existing fleet and capitalizing on momentum from reactor restarts

The existing nuclear fleet supplies a significant share of Pennsylvania’s electricity and provides the backbone of the state’s carbon-free power. These plants also anchor grid reliability across PJM and support long-term employment in host communities. Decisions around life extensions, major capital upgrades, and potential restarts represent some of the most immediate opportunities to preserve value, yet those decisions depend on sustained clarity and support. This goal focuses on ensuring the existing fleet remains fully supported as the foundation of Pennsylvania’s nuclear strategy, rather than serving as a source of resources for future projects.

Making fleet modernization the foundation of the nuclear energy strategy ensures that new technologies new capacity development is additive to, not substitutive of, the existing fleet. Clear alignment around life-extension pathways and restart opportunities would preserve reliability while creating momentum for future deployment. This approach ensures that investments in new nuclear capacity do not come at the expense of operating plants that already deliver reliability and economic value.

Key Metric: The amount of existing nuclear capacity operating under extended licenses or returned to service, along with documented capital investment in plant modernization.

Prepare priority sites, including brownfield candidates, match technology options to industrial and community needs, and align with federal programs accelerating commercial deployment

Nuclear deployment opportunities in Pennsylvania span both proven reactor technologies and newer designs approaching commercialization. While Goal 2 addresses the sustainment of operating plants, this goal focuses on opportunities to add new nuclear capacity at legacy energy and industrial sites. Readiness for deployment depends less on technology novelty and more on site preparation, grid integration, permitting clarity, and community alignment.

By focusing on preparing places rather than prioritizing specific technologies, Pennsylvania can support deployment of both established reactor designs and emerging options as market needs evolve. This approach allows new nuclear projects to complement the existing fleet by adding capacity, flexibility, or new use cases without drawing resources away from operating plants. Advancing siting readiness, grid coordination, and permitting pathways at priority locations would allow Pennsylvania to attract a range of nuclear projects while sharing replicable lessons with other states.

Key Metric: The number of priority nuclear sites in Pennsylvania that are prepared to support new nuclear capacity, measured through completed siting, permitting, and grid-readiness assessments aligned with federal deployment programs.

Mobilize manufacturers, materials producers, technology firms, and service providers to meet rising national and global demand for SMRs, microreactors, and large-reactor components, building on existing corporate strengths

Pennsylvania’s manufacturing base already supports nuclear operations through specialized fabrication and engineering services. National demand for nuclear components is expected to increase as deployment expands across the country. Without clear visibility into future demand, suppliers may delay investment or pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Pennsylvania can strengthen its industrial leadership by helping manufacturers connect to credible project pipelines beyond the state. Supporting qualification pathways and participation in multi-state order books would allow in-state firms to scale alongside national deployment, even when reactors are built elsewhere.

Key Metric: The value of nuclear-related manufacturing and services contracts awarded to Pennsylvania-based firms, including participation in national or regional deployment efforts.

Expand pathways in trades, technical fields, and engineering to support both existing and new facilities, address cross-sector competition, and create long-term talent opportunity across communities

Pennsylvania’s nuclear workforce is highly experienced, but many workers are approaching retirement as demand for new skills continues to grow. Modernization and deployment will increase the need for trained talent well before construction activity becomes visible. Without early alignment, talent shortages could slow progress and raise costs.

Treating talent readiness as enabling infrastructure allows training capacity to expand in advance of need. Using the Penn State Nuclear Workforce and Education Roadmap as a shared reference can help align education systems with projected demand and support transitions from legacy industries.

Key Metric: The number of Pennsylvanians trained for nuclear-related roles each year, paired with the share of nuclear positions filled by in-state workers.