13 - Dan Poneman: Nuclear Energy Policies: Supporting Energy Dominance and National Security

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear podcast, host Jim Howe is joined by Dan Poneman, an internationally-recognized expert on nuclear energy policy and America's longest-serving Deputy Secretary of Energy. They explore the evolution of nuclear policy in the U.S, the importance of bipartisan support, and the relationship between government and the nuclear industry. Poneman shares his insights on the priorities of the nonprofit Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition, his initial views on the Trump administration's recent nuclear-related executive orders, the significance of U.S. nuclear exports in reducing proliferation risks, and the steps needed to resurrect the domestic nuclear fuel industry. The conversation also addresses the future of nuclear technology, including the development of advanced reactors, and the steps necessary to support a nuclear resurgence in the U.S.

Daniel Poneman served as President and CEO of Centrus Energy Corp. from 2015 through 2023, restoring the company to profitability and deploying the first U.S.-technology uranium enrichment facility to begin production since 1954. Mr. Poneman served as Deputy Secretary of Energy from 2009 through 2014. As Chief Operating Officer of the Department, Mr. Poneman’s responsibilities spanned all energy technology and nuclear security issues. He led 2009 negotiations to address Iran’s nuclear program, chaired the Credit Review Board approval of $30 billion in projects accelerating the widespread deployment of electric vehicles and renewable power, played an instrumental role in the Department’s response to crises from Fukushima to the Libyan civil war to Superstorm Sandy, and led efforts to strengthen emergency response and cybersecurity across the energy sector.

He served six years at the National Security Council under Presidents Bush and Clinton, including three as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Nonproliferation and Export Controls.

In the private sector, Mr. Poneman has advised on corporate transactions as a principal of The Scowcroft Group and as a partner in the law firm of Hogan & Hartson, and currently serves in a number of board and consulting roles. Mr. Poneman received A.B. and J.D. degrees with honors from Harvard and an M.Litt. from Oxford.

He is the author of Double Jeopardy: Combating Nuclear Terror and Climate Change, Argentina: Democracy on Trial, and Nuclear Power in the Developing World. His third book, Going Critical: The First North Korean Nuclear Crisis (co-authored with Joel Wit and Robert Gallucci), received the 2005 Douglas Dillon Award for Distinguished Writing on American Diplomacy. He has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government and the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit from the Republic of Korea.

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