We attended the North American Young Generation in Nuclear 2025 National Conference in Denver, CO in June.

Cofounder Heather Hoff was invited to run a panel discussion on collaborative siting for used nuclear fuel storage. There was an amazing and exceptional knowledge-level showcased by participants.

Michael Borrelli is a union steward with The Society (a sister union to Heather’s Engineers and Scientists of California, all under IFPTE), and has extensive knowledge of the community-based waste siting process in Canada, including surveying, outreach, tribal engagement, and media relations. Canada has different structure than the US, and their Nuclear Waste Management Organization, or NWMO is a nonprofit tasked with a plan for Adaptive Phased Management of their used nuclear fuel.

Vincent Ialenti is a cultural anthropologist and author of Deep Time Reckoning. He has experience living and working in Finland, and also with the US Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy.

Scott Lathrop is a member of yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini (ytt) tribe based in the San Luis Obispo, CA area, where his tribe is in the unique position of being only one of two in the US where a nuclear power plant is siting on their ancestral homeland. He’s also founder of the nonprofit Native Nuclear which provides opportunities for young native people to connect with nuclear industry jobs and professionals, and helps smooth communication pathways between native groups and the nuclear industry.

Jessica Luternauer is chair of the Spent Fuel Solutions Coalition.

Heather with IFPTE leaders Rebecca, Gay and Mike.

Lots of companies were exhibiting at the conference. Heather was on the Nuclearn podcast with Phil in 2024.

Members of Colorado Nuclear Alliance, with Senator Liston

Megan and Jeanne are both extremely active in the Western Regional chapter of NAYGN, and have helped organize many other conferences and events, including partnering to host a nuclear table at Los Angeles Climate Week and RE+, the “largest clean energy event in the country”.

Mothers for Nuclear was also able to sponsor Maya, from Cal Poly NiCE to attend the NAYGN conference and learn a ton more about nuclear energy.