Nuclear Energy Law

How can nuclear power shape national energy grids internationally?  The International Nuclear Law Association (INLA) Congress in #Warsaw last week included a forward-looking discussion on the future of nuclear energy. The International Nuclear Law Association WG 3 (Nuclear New Build) panel included some great presentations: The Role of Nuclear Power in the New EU Electricity Market Design, Presented by Wojciech Wrochna LL.M. & Bartosz Brzyski ·  EU Electricity Market Dynamics: Explained merit order and marginal pricing as central to the EU’s electricity market design, impacting how nuclear competes with renewables. ·  Dispatching & Redispatching: Discussed strategies like dispatching to ensure grid security and redispatching to alleviate congestion. Accessing Finance to Build Nuclear Power Facilities, Presented by Graham Alty, Pinsent Masons ·  Funding Sources: Emphasized the roles of government, export credit agencies (ECAs), multi-laterals, and private debt providers in financing nuclear projects. ·  Financing Models: Reviewed limited/non-recourse financing, Power Purchase Agreements, and Contracts for Difference as key strategies to attract investment. Review of Existing and Emerging Nuclear New Build Financing Models Presented by Ana Stanic, E&A Law ·    Three Financing Models: Outlined buyer-led, hybrid, and government-to-government models, each with distinct approaches to financing nuclear projects. ·   Examples of Hybrid Models: Noted Hinkley Point C, Vogtle, and Barakah as examples where private and public funding combined to support project feasibility. Contracting for Nuclear Power Plants - Central Europe Perspective Presented by Tomasz Darowski & Kamil Pociecha, DZP ·    Central Europe Contracting Challenges: Discussed public procurement laws, and reliance on lump sum contracts as unique regional challenges. ·   Alternative Contracting Models: Noted EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management) and cost-plus contracts as alternatives to standard EPC contracts. Key Challenges for NPP Projects, Presented by ravy pich, Westinghouse ·  Licensing Risks: Addressed challenges in countries with immature regulatory frameworks, suggesting gap-filling with foreign standards where necessary. ·   Ambiguities in FIDIC Silver Book: Highlighted how informal regulatory changes and laws introduce uncertainties . Effective Dispute Resolution: Mediation, Presented by Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, 39 Essex Chambers ·    Advantages of Mediation: Emphasized mediation as a flexible, non-adversarial approach, especially suitable for complex commercial nuclear disputes. ·   Dispute Resolution Clauses: Advised on crafting balanced clauses that offer flexibility and expertise, highlighting recent case law. Special congratulations to dr Łukasz Młynarkiewicz, Marc BEYENS, Patrick Reyners, and so many others who made it a success. And early congratulations to Ian Salter who has accepted to host the next Congress in Wales.

Honored to have Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP listed as a finalist for the 2025 Financial Times Award for Leading Law Firm in the Energy Transition. I led the team that won the award last year, and am pleased that our efforts to assist The Aspen Institute Energy & Environment Program (EEP) and the Cargo Owners for Zero Emissions Vessels (co-ZEV) in developing ZEMBA, the Zero-Maritime Buyers Alliance, which is focused on accelerating the decarbonization of the maritime shipping sector, were recognized this year. Thanks to Ingrid Irigoyen and her team for selecting us to assist in this game changing initiative. While I am the team lead, huge kudos to my partners Michael Sibarium Jeffrey Grill and Aaron Oser for all the heavy lifting in this initiative. https://lnkd.in/eY4DAAPR

Honored to attend the “Financing the Tripling of Nuclear” Leadership Event this morning which has rolled out pledge by some of the world’s biggest financial institutions to support nuclear. Some of the key remarks: 🎤 John Podesta - at COP29 U.S. will set concrete deployment targets to meet the pledge 🎤 Robert Golob (President of Slovenia) - in the last two years, Slovenia faced natural disasters (fires and flooding) of unseen proportions. We need nuclear but need to solve the economics - investing in nuclear is like investing in long term bonds. 🎤 Ebba Busch (Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden) - Sweden will double its electricity production with fossil-free energy by 2045. This corresponds to capacity of 10 large new nuclear units (but could consist of SMRs). Will back with cheap state loans, CfD + risk-sharing mechanism that gives investors a minimum return on equity. 🎙️A panel featuring Jason Rekate (Citi), Marie Freier (Barclays), Kara Succoso Mangone (Goldman Sachs), James Schaefer (Guggenheim), Séverine Mateo (BNP Paribas) and Gayle Miller (Brookfield) moderated by Atul Arya (S&P): 🟢 We need to develop the right debt and equity structures for nuclear to lower the cost of capital 🟢 Government backing has to be part of the equation but can take many forms - such as CfD and RAB (domestic) + ECA support (exports). Nuclear scaling needs to be government-enabled, but corporation led 🟢 Long-term offtake contracts are essential 🟢 Completion risk for nuclear is much higher than other renewables. Need to manage and allocate the downside risk 🟢 Permitting reform is a huge hurdle that needs to be overcome 🟢 Continued emphasis on an allocated risk model with government taking more risk on the FOAK. For SMRs especially need to demonstrate this new asset class. #nuclearenergy #financingnuclear #energyfinance Net Zero Nuclear

Great to take part in the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency Ministerial on Roadmaps to New Nuclear in Paris. l participated with Todd Abrajano, the President of United States Nuclear Industry Council. I moderated a terrific panel on unlocking private financing for Small Modular Reactor deployment. Great to see things moving forward in this important area. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP #advancednuclear #nuclearsafety #nuclear

Really appreciated the opportunity today to speak to attendees at the Fusion for Energy Roundtable, in conjunction with the International Nuclear Law Association (INLA) held in Barcelona #Spain earlier today. Well-rounded presentations on many topics. Today's presentation related to legal approaches to #nonproliferation for #fusion technologies. Bottom line: existing legal authorities provide significant flexibility to ensure pure fusion power programs remain peaceful. Superb nonproliferation panel with Jeremy Whitlock, PhD, FCNS, Robert Jennings, Sachin Desai, and A. Acevedo-Zapata. Thanks to Karoly Tamas Olajos, JD, MBA, LL.M, PMP who put it all together!

Pillsbury 's nuclear team—a trailblazing practice with a 60-year track record full of firsts—has again been recognized by Chambers and Partners as one of the top-ranked practices in the United States. https://lnkd.in/eqhEdkFR

I am a former Commissioner of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and live within the emergency planning zone of McGuire Station Nuclear Power plant, owned by Duke Energy, which is a great energy production facility surrounded by million dollar homes. Global warming is too important to resort to memes attacking one of the largest, safest and most reliable forms of diapatchable carbon free energy. In the U.S., Canada and the UK nuclear is overwhelmingly bi-partisan. I hope that Australia can find its way to the same place. Attached is a video I shot of McGuire Nuclear Station several years ago which shows how well nuclear fits in a lakefront community. #nuclearsafety #nuclear #nuclearpower dukeenergy Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Cristina Talacko United States Nuclear Industry Council United States Nuclear Industry Council #australia University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Elina Teplinsky will appear alongside fellow industry experts at the upcoming New Nuclear for Maritime Summit at the Royal College of Surgeons in London. The event provides attendees the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, share insights and gain a profound understanding of the future of #nuclearenergy in maritime applications. 

Tune into our conversation with Vincent Zabielski of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. We talked about work within Salem and Hope Creek, international attitudes toward nuclear, and uplifting humanity through the power of nuclear energy. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/dc375j5i #nuclear #energytransition #nuclearenergy