South Carolina Nuclear Summit draws nuclear experts, state, and federal leaders
October 1, 2026
The event celebrates South Carolina’s role in strengthening America’s energy security
South Carolina’s growing role in America’s nuclear energy future took center stage Tuesday at Colonial Life Arena as more than 600 state and federal leaders, industry executives, and policy makers gathered for the 3rd Annual South Carolina Nuclear Summit.
The event, hosted by the Palmetto Nuclear Coalition and presented by the University of South Carolina Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, and Santee Cooper featured Alex Fitzsimmons, Associate Deputy Secretary of Energy and Senior Advisor to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy. Fitzsimmons joined summit participants to discuss the federal government’s role in supporting the people, skills and capabilities needed to support the next generation of nuclear projects.
From left to right: Darla Moore (Investor, Philanthropist & Former Wall Street Executive), Alex Molinaroli (Former Chairman & CEO, Johnson Controls), Murrell Smith Jr. (Speaker, South Carolina House of Representatives), Todd Abrajano (President & CEO, United States Nuclear Industry Council). Panel moderated by Ethel Bunch.
“We’re grateful for the leaders who continue to champion South Carolina’s role at the forefront of America’s nuclear future,” said Ethel Bunch, founder of the Palmetto Nuclear Coalition. “South Carolina has the assets, expertise and leadership to help define the next era of nuclear energy in this country. Each year, this summit brings together the people who can turn that opportunity into action—building the workforce, attracting investment, strengthening our nuclear supply chain and creating lasting economic opportunities for communities across our state.”
The Summit highlighted South Carolina’s strong nuclear industry with the recent announcement of USC’s Nuclear Innovation Program, the resurgence of the Fairfield Nuclear project, and major energy assets including the Savannah River National Laboratory in Aiken and the Westinghouse Fuel Fabrication facility near Columbia. U.S. Rep. Russell Fry, Governor Henry McMaster, State Rep. Murrell Smith Jr., Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, and other state and federal leaders and nuclear executives spoke about the state’s future in nuclear energy.
The Summit also focused on the importance of developing and maintaining a highly skilled nuclear workforce and a strong domestic supply chain capable of supporting the industry’s continued growth.
“South Carolina has a unique opportunity to set the stage for the future of nuclear energy,” said Dr. Hossein Haj-Hariri, Dean of the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing. “Establishing a Nuclear Innovation Center will be key in not only meeting growing energy needs, but building the workforce pipeline to attract new investments and bring competitive jobs to our state.”
“South Carolina’s continued, dynamic growth is an incredible strength, and powering that demand requires us to be bold and forward-thinking in how we generate and deliver reliable, clean electricity,” said Jimmy Staton, Santee Cooper President and CEO. “The Fairfield Nuclear Project is an unrivaled opportunity to leverage proven, clean-energy assets to expand our resource portfolio. Nuclear power offers the 24-7 reliability we need to support sustained economic and community growth, and to fortify our grid for generations to come.”
About Palmetto Nuclear Coalition
The Palmetto Nuclear Coalition is a public-private partnership formed to advance nuclear energy innovation, deployment, and policy in South Carolina. With leadership from the private sector and strong alignment with policymakers, PNC aims to establish South Carolina as a global leader in nuclear energy production, innovation, and commercialization.
