Baker Donelson's Nuclear Energy Group delivers strategic counsel to clients navigating the complex regulatory, operational, and policy landscape of the nuclear sector. Our attorneys advise utilities, developers, and stakeholders on matters spanning compliance, licensing, investigations, governance, and policy – ensuring safe and efficient operations in a highly regulated environment.
Our nuclear attorneys have experience with major licensing actions under 10 CFR Parts 50 and 52, including license renewal, transfers, extended power uprates, and new reactor licensing. Our team has successfully defended regulatory enforcement actions, securing withdrawal of proposed violations and significant civil penalties. We also guide clients through Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) investigations, enforcement proceedings, nuclear safety culture assessments, and employee protection issues arising under the Energy Reorganization Act, as well as internal investigations. With experience rooted in both private practice and federal regulatory service, our attorneys bring unique insight into the nuclear industry. Prior to joining Baker Donelson, members of our team served as in-house counsel for major utilities and as attorneys at the NRC, advising on nearly every aspect of new and operating nuclear programs. Baker Donelson was also recently represented on Governor Bill Lee's Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council. Our depth of experience and strong local roots enable us to help clients manage risk, maintain regulatory alignment, and achieve operational excellence.
In addition, Baker Donelson's attorneys and advisors in Washington, D.C. have long represented clients on energy issues related to nuclear, fossil, and renewable energy programs, power transmission, energy conservation, and energy efficiency – with clients including major corporations, leading conservation organizations, the U.S. government, and national laboratories. In particular, The Howard Baker Forum – a public and international affairs affiliate of Baker Donelson founded in D.C. by former Senator Howard Baker – established the U.S.-Japan Roundtable on Nuclear Energy Cooperation, an ongoing program intended to enhance the cooperation between the two countries, focus on current developments affecting the nuclear sector, and improve the public understanding of nuclear energy. The Roundtable, led by Baker Donelson Senior Advisor Scott Campbell, has produced many important nuclear initiatives over the years, including the Forum on Energy, a nuclear news and analysis website; the Santa Fe Energy Seminar, a series of U.S.-Japan workshops focusing on the nuclear energy future and advanced nuclear technologies; the 2010 Clean Energy Summit in D.C., a national symposium co-sponsored with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for the 21st Century, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Science Foundation, and the National Venture Capital Association; the Japanese Nuclear Fleet Report on the geopolitical implications of Japan accelerating the decommissioning of part of its nuclear fleet; the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center Working Group on Small Modular Reactors, focused on the status of civil nuclear cooperation between the U.S. and Japan and nuclear innovation; and HPC4Energy, a one-stop-shop for businesses developing energy technologies and interested in leveraging the expertise of the national laboratories to advance the commercialization of innovative energy products; among other initiatives.
As a full-service law firm, our nuclear attorneys and advisors provide clients with multi-disciplinary teams and regularly collaborate with colleagues across the Firm in adjacent practices, including environmental, labor and employment, export controls, construction, real estate, commercial litigation, energy finance, economic development, and government enforcement and investigations, among others.