Webinar | U.S. Nuclear Cooperation in an Era of Strategic Competition July 31, 2026
NENSC and the Center for the National Interest hosted a follow-on webinar on July 31, U.S. Nuclear Cooperation in an Era of Strategic Competition, examining the agreement, the congressional review process, and the broader strategic choices facing the United States. The discussion builds on a February 2026 panel the two organizations convened featuring NENSC Co-Chair Hon. Daniel B. Poneman, Expert Council member Hon. Stephen Rademaker, and Hon. Robert Einhorn.
U.S. Nuclear Cooperation in an Era of Strategic Competition - July 31, 2026 at 11:00 am EST
Opportunities, Risks, and the Future of 123 Agreements
Presented by the Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition (NENSC) and the Center for the National Interest (CFTNI)
Full Transcript Here
As geopolitical competition reshapes global energy, security, and economic relationships, international nuclear cooperation is taking on renewed strategic importance.
Several U.S. civil nuclear cooperation agreements under Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act are currently pending or are expected to come before Congress. On July 22, 2026, the United States and Saudi Arabia announced a 123 agreement that would support the Kingdom's nuclear energy program, pending congressional review and implementation. These agreements offer an opportunity to examine how U.S. nuclear cooperation can advance national security, strengthen alliances, support economic competitiveness, and reinforce global nonproliferation objectives in an increasingly complex international environment.
In partnership with CFTNI, NENSC hosted a topical webinar on July 31, 2026. The conversation explored the opportunities, risks, and broader foreign policy considerations surrounding future 123 agreements, underscoring the strategic significance and urgency of this discussion. Panelists also considered what principles should guide U.S. nuclear cooperation policy as global strategic competition continues to evolve.
PROGRAM
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Hon. Daniel B. Poneman, NENSC Co-Chair and former Deputy Secretary of Energy
Expert Panel: Opportunities, Risks, and the Future of 123 Agreements
Moderator: Jay Tilden, Executive Director, NENSC
Corey Hinderstein, Vice President for Studies, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Paul Saunders, President and CEO, Center for the National Interest
Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
Paul Saunders, President and CEO, Center for the National Interest
About NENSC
The Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition (NENSC) is an independent organization of leading national security experts dedicated to leveraging U.S. nuclear energy to advance U.S. national security interests. For more information, visit nensc.org.
About CFTNI
The non-partisan Center for the National Interest (CFTNI) works to define and prioritize U.S. national interests and to assess how best to advance American interests in a complex and competitive world; it also publishes the highly regarded online magazine The National Interest. For more information, visit cftni.org.
Event | Nuclear Energy and National Security Forum - June 2, 2026
On June 2, 2026, the Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition (NENSC) is hosting the Nuclear Energy and National Security Forum, bringing together experts to explore how a strong U.S. nuclear energy enterprise supports energy security, U.S. global leadership, and long-term economic strength.
Click HERE to register. Detailed agenda available HERE.
AGENDA
8:30 – 9:00 AM | Registration and Networking
9:00 – 9:15 AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Hon. Daniel Poneman, NENSC Co-Chair and Former Deputy Secretary of Energy
9:15 – 9:45 AM | Opening Keynote
- Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL)
9:45 – 10:30 AM | Building at Home to Win Abroad
- Moderator: Jay Tilden, Executive Director, NENSC
- Margaret Cosentino, Executive Vice President-External Affairs, Westinghouse
- Jess Gehin, Associate Laboratory Director for Nuclear Science & Technology, Idaho National Laboratory
- Hon. Daniel Poneman, NENSC Co-Chair and Former Deputy Secretary of Energy
- Andrew Richards, Vice President of Government Affairs, TerraPower
10:30 – 10:45AM | Networking Coffee Break
10:45 – 11:15 AM | Keynote Address
- Hon. Brandon Williams, Administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration
11:15 – 12:00 PM | Defense and National Security to Further Drive Deployment
- Moderator: Hon. Lucian Niemeyer, UCAN Power
- JT Craft, Director, Nuclear Energy Office / Janus, U.S. Department of the Army
- Dylan Enright, Senior Director Government & Revenue, Radiant
- Adrienne Schweer, Head of Government Affairs, Oklo
- Jonathan Whitham, Executive Director, Indiana Department of Homeland Security
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Keynote Conversation and Networking Lunch
- Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)
1:00 – 1:45 PM | Securing the Supply Chain – Building the U.S. Nuclear Industrial Base
- Moderator: Alan Ahn, Deputy Director for Nuclear, Third Way
- Carol Berrigan, Executive Director, International Government Affairs and Supply Chain, Nuclear Energy Institute
- Tom Deponty, Director of Government Affairs & Advocacy, Framatome
- Scott Kopple, Vice President of Government Relations, BWXT
- Sean Oehlbert, Vice President of Corporate Business Strategy, Centrus Energy Corp.
1:45 – 2:00 PM | Networking Coffee Break
2:00 – 2:45 PM | Competing Globally – Financing, Exports, & Upcoming 123 Agreements
- Moderator: Jennifer Gordon, Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative, Atlantic Council
- Kirsten Cutler, Senior Strategist for Nuclear Innovation, U.S. Department of State
- Hon. Steve Rademaker, Former Assistant Secretary of State and NENSC Expert Council Member
- Paul Saunders, President and CEO, Center for the National Interest
- Will Schirano, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multilateral Engagement & Market Development, U.S. Department of Energy
2:45 – 3:25 PM | Regulatory Alignment & Deployment at Speed
- Moderator: Budd Haemer, Senior Fellow, Nuclear Innovation Alliance
- Janelle Eddins, Director, Office of Advanced Reactors, U.S. Department of Energy
- Hon. Chris Hanson, Former NRC Chairman; Founder and Principal, White Flint Partners
- Kevin Kong, CEO & Founder, Everstar AI
- Amy Roma, Partner, Orrick
3:25 – 3:30 PM | Closing Remarks
- Jay Tilden, Executive Director, NENSC
*Agenda Subject to change
The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center
1st St SE, Congressional Auditorium (CVC200), Washington, DC 20515
Webinar | Perspectives on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Role in Addressing the Growing Demand for Nuclear Energy - January 14, 2025
On January 14, 2025, the Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition (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.
Click HERE to watch a replay.
Webinar | The Role of Nuclear Energy in the Evolving National Security Landscape - November 20, 2024
On November 20, 2024, the Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition (NENSC) hosted a webinar on "The Role of Nuclear Energy in the Evolving National Security Landscape,” during which a panel of experts explored the critical intersection of nuclear energy and national security.
Click HERE to watch a replay.