Earth Day: Reflections on the Future of Clean Energy

Mikal leads the work to integrate advanced nuclear technologies with the maritime industries, to provide floating power solutions and nuclear electric propulsion to decarbonize ocean transportation.

Nuclear is a true-zero emission technology in need of a mass-market, and maritime is a market in need of a true-zero emission technology to take us into the future. The combination of maritime and advanced nuclear is inevitable.

Mikal has 30 years’ experience from international deep-sea shipping and started CORE POWER in 2018 to bridge that gap and create an organization that would pave the way for development and successful deployment of advanced reactor technologies for the maritime industries.

Shannon is an internationally recognized pioneer in the innovative application of nuclear energy alongside other clean energy generators, seeking to maximize energy utilization, generator profitability, and grid reliability and resilience through systems integration. Shannon is the Director for the Integrated Energy & Storage Systems Division in the Energy & Environment Science & Technology Directorate at Idaho National Laboratory, which includes Power and Energy Systems, Energy Storage and Electric Transportation, and Hydrogen and Electrochemistry departments. She also serves as the National Technical Director for the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy Integrated Energy Systems (IES) program ( https://ies.inl.gov/ ), which has developed novel modeling and simulation tools for technical and economic assessment of multi-input, multi-output IES and supporting experimental capabilities. Shannon is also the Chair of the recently established Gen-IV International Forum (GIF) interim Task Force (iTF) on Non-electric Applications of Nuclear Heat (NEaNH).

Prior to her current position, Shannon has held multiple leadership roles in DOE Office of Nuclear Energy programs since joining INL in 2010, including program leadership for space nuclear power and propulsion systems, advanced nuclear fuels, and microreactor development.

Education:

PhD, Nuclear Engineering - University of Michigan

MS, Nuclear Engineering - University of Michigan

MS, Medical Physics - University of Texas at Houston

BS, Nuclear Engineering - Texas A&M University

Lindsey is the Deputy Director of Third Way’s Climate and Energy Program. She manages their power, transportation, and international portfolios, including developing and advocating for sector-specific standards, incentives, and investments in innovation and infrastructure to reach net-zero emissions. Lindsey is on the leadership team of the Decarb America Research Initiative, an effort to analyze policy and technology pathways for the U.S. to decarbonize while highlighting the state-level economic and jobs opportunities of the clean energy transition. She is also a co-founder of the Carbon-Free Europe initiative, which provides research and advocacy for technology-inclusive climate polices across Europe.

Prior to Third Way, Lindsey worked at the Center on Global Energy Policy researching the geopolitics of clean energy. She also led a project for the New York City Mayor’s Office analyzing the impact of NYC’s climate policies on the energy cost burden for different demographics. Lindsey began her career in climate science and policy working at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory writing grants and contributing to scientific write-ups for Lamont’s Polar Explorer App. Lindsey earned her MPA in Environmental Science and Policy and her BA in Sustainable Development from Columbia University. She was a Fulbright Research Scholar at the Heidelberg Center for the Environment in Germany.

Craig was named the ANS Executive Director / CEO in November of 2019. He previously served as the ANS Washington Representative since 2005. For more than 14 years, he helped devise and execute ANS federal outreach activities to Capitol Hill and the Executive Branch on behalf of the Society’s more than 10,000 members. Craig played a central role in several high-profile nuclear issues, including the creation of the Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) and Integrated University Program (IUP), and defeating legislation that would have banned the commercial use of 14 radioisotopes.

Prior to entering private practice, Craig worked on Capitol Hill for eight years, serving as Chief of Staff for Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Associate Staff of the House Appropriations Committee. During his time on Capitol Hill, Piercy worked on important nuclear issues, including the preservation of federal nuclear R&D funding and the accelerated cleanup of DOE nuclear sites. He also served as Assistant Vice President of Federal Affairs for Wayne State University where he coordinated several successful, high-profile political efforts to secure funding for WSU’s R&D activities.