Inflation Reduction Act: What's in it for nuclear?

Benton is the Director of Markets and Policy at the Nuclear Energy Institute. In this role he covers issues relating to federal and state energy policy, nuclear energy capital formation, and industrial nuclear applications. Benton earned his Bachelor's in Political Science and Master's in Public Service and Administration from Texas A&M University. He was a Presidential Management Fellow, serving at the White House Office of Management and Budget and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Prior to joining NEI, Benton advised senior management at ExxonMobil on issue management strategies.

Josh covers the frenzy of activity around energy policy and climate change on Capitol Hill and beyond.

Previously, he was a reporter at the Washington Examiner, where he covered everything under the sun related to energy and the environment for the past four years. He’s been the lead author of Daily on Energy, a morning newsletter with scoops and analysis from the halls of Congress and across the executive branch. He also wrote long-form stories for the Examiner’s magazine and launched a podcast, Plugged In, featuring conversations with energy news makers.

In prior roles in D.C. and Florida, Josh covered a wide variety of beats including immigration, criminal justice, foreign policy, county government, education and sports. He graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University, where he studied business and journalism and was sports editor of the Eagle News.

Josh grew up in Chicago and still subscribes to the print edition of the Chicago Tribune. He enjoys listening to ’90s hip-hop and R&B, drinking plenty of water and playing tennis.

Rory works for the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on nuclear, oil and gas, and research and development issues. In this role, Rory has worked on legislation involving advanced nuclear technology, nuclear waste as well as the Energy Policy Modernization Act while also engaging with a number of policy stakeholders ranging from national laboratories to foreign governments. Prior to working on the Hill, Rory worked at the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control and the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. He holds a BA in International Relations and Political Science from the University of Washington and a MA in International Policy from the Middlebury Institute for International Studies.

Elina, a leading member of Pillsbury’s International Nuclear Projects and Hydrogen teams and Energy Industry Group deputy leader, focuses on international nuclear energy matters, including advice to U.S. and global clients on transactional and regulatory issues.

Elina is a trusted advisor to nuclear owner-operators, reactor and equipment suppliers, investors, architect-engineering companies and technical consulting firms on complex nuclear transactional and regulatory matters. She frequently serves as lead outside counsel on new build projects, equipment and fuel procurements, M&A transactions and joint ventures in the nuclear sector. She has worked on transactions for more than 30 countries in North and South America, Europe, Turkey and the Middle East, Russia and the former CIS, Asia and Africa.

Elina advises clients on all aspects of the transactions, including: project strategy, structuring and risk allocation; drafting and negotiation of EPC, equipment and fuel supply agreements; mitigation of nuclear liability risk; adherence to multilateral and bilateral treaty requirements; and addressing nuclear trade and investments restrictions. She has advised several governments and government-owned organizations on the drafting and implementation of nuclear legislation and regulations.

Elina has vast experience in nuclear export control matters and is currently advising dozens of U.S. and global companies on all aspects of compliance with U.S. DOE regulations at 10 CFR Part 810, U.S. NRC regulations at 10 CFR Part 110 and the Department of Commerce Export Administration Regulations, including structuring and implementation of export compliance programs and addressing potential violations and securing licenses and advisory opinions.

Elina also advises a number of small modular reactor and advance reactor companies on commercialization of their designs, including securing investment and entry into strategic partnerships.

Elina is a co-chair of the World Nuclear Association’s Law Working Group and is a frequent lecturer at the World Nuclear University. She has been recognized as an expert nuclear advisor by the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA), International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation (IFNEC) and Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). Elina is also a consultant to the Clean Air Task Force, a leading NGO focused on deep decarbonization, on nuclear energy strategy and global nuclear deployment. In addition, she serves as a member of the MIT-based Advanced Nuclear & Production Experts Group (ANPEG), a global consortium dedicated to developing low-carbon energy systems based on a “plug-and-play” nuclear micro reactor.

Jamie is well-known by clients and policymakers as one of Washington's leading advocates for corporations, nonprofits, coalitions, and trade associations seeking government policy change – or seeking to prevent change. His practice focuses on federal tax policy as well as energy, environmental, financial services, pension, and technology issues, in both legislative and regulatory matters.

With more than 25 years of experience, on Capitol Hill at a major business trade association and in private practice, Jamie is well-practiced in drafting technical legislative or regulatory proposals. He combines this skill with the ability to develop and implement advocacy strategies to achieve client objectives in the political arena. One particular area of focus for Jamie has been the advocacy of legislative and regulatory solutions in areas where government policy has failed to keep up with advancing technologies, such as alternative energy technologies, advanced vehicles, or financial practices.

Jamie is also a founding member of the firm's Political Law Compliance Practice Group, where he helps clients comply with federal election laws, the Lobbying Disclosure Act, and congressional ethics rules.