SUNRISE

Supporting the Nuclear Renaissance in the United States

SUNRISE (Southeast Universities Nuclear Reactors Institute for Science and Education) - not for profit organization (Section 501(c)(3)) to support the advancement of nuclear education in the southeastern U.S. Specifically, SUNRISE is organized and will be operated to enhance the quality of nuclear education and research and other services in the region for the purpose of supporting the development of the next-generation nuclear workforce, nuclear technology, and advanced nuclear research. Specifically, SUNRISE is organized and will be operated to enhance the quality of nuclear education and research and other services in the region for the purpose of supporting the development of the next-generation nuclear workforce, nuclear technology, and advanced nuclear research.

University Members		Potential University Members
Georgia Institute of Technology Mississippi State University North Carolina State University South Carolina State University University of Florida University of South Carolina University of Tennessee Virginia Tech		Clark Atlanta University Clemson University Francis Marion University Florida State University Louisiana State University Louisiana Tech Medical College of Georgia Medical University of South Carolina Tulane University Tuskegee University University of Georgia University of Maryland Vanderbilt University
Industry Members		Partners (MOU In Progress)
Economic Development Partnership of Aiken and Edgefield Counties General Atomics AREVA Fluor South Carolina University Research & Education Foundation (SCUREF)		Oak Ridge National Laboratory Savannah River National Laboratory

Why SUNRISE in Southeast U.S.?

Regional concept to support the rebuilding of the nuclear industry in the U.S. Southeast US has the potential to be the center of a reinvigorated nuclear enterprise in the US. Utilities in the region are clearly committed to growing their nuclear generation component. Nuclear industry is well-represented in the region. Two DOE National Laboratories. Numerous nuclear contractors with presence in the region.

Dr. M.R. (Mel) Buckner - Interim Executive Director, responsible for planning and managing the activities under the direction of the BOD. Initial activities include building the academic and industrial membership, and pursuit of opportunities with the Savannah River National Laboratory/Oak Ridge National Laboratory (with regard to PACE (Protecting America's Competitive Edge)educational and research initiatives, GNEP(Global Nuclear Energy Partnership), and others) and other activities in line with SUNRISE objectives of advancing nuclear education and research in the southeastern region, which is the center of the emerging nuclear renaissance in the US.

The demands of the southeastern region's expanding population for increased electric power are projected to continue (an additional 28,000 MW of new generation capacity will be needed by 2020), and will be greater than those of other regions (e.g., only 5,000 MW will be needed for the Northwest). The utilities in the region are clearly committed to growing their nuclear generation component ? to-date, more than half of the announced plans for new reactors would be located in the Southeast. GE Nuclear's move to North Carolina and the Westinghouse commitment to its Columbia, SC location along with AREVA in Lynchburg, VA mean that our nation's premier fuel fabricators and two of the three NSSS vendors are located in the region.

The financial incentives needed for this expansion of the nuclear enterprise have been incorporated into the Energy Policy Act of 2005, but the lack of human capital may limit its growth. In addition to the manpower needs this expansion will impose, half of the current nuclear workforce is eligible to retire within the next five years. Thus, not only must the current nuclear workforce be expanded, but much of it must be replaced in the near-term. SUNRISE will work with industry and government facilities in the region to develop a modern university research, training and education center to support the development of the next-generation nuclear workforce.