Championing Progress for Nuclear Energy 


Celebrating Our Nuclear State Champions!

Across the country, leaders are stepping up to advance nuclear energy — sponsoring pro-nuclear legislation, leading coalitions, elevating policy discussions, ensuring nuclear’s place in our clean energy mix and advocating publicly for a more resilient energy future. The Nuclear State Champions program was created to honor and celebrate these extraordinary efforts.  

In partnership with the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), Nuclear Matters is proud to recognize over 150 state leaders across 40+ states who have made significant contributions to support and advance nuclear energy in their communities. 


About the Program 

The Nuclear State Champions program acknowledges policymakers, regulators, advocates and energy officials at the state level who are driving meaningful progress for nuclear energy in their communities. 

Champions are nominated and selected using clear, impact-based criteria — from influencing nuclear policy outcomes to engaging with constituents and the nuclear community. They are true advocates. 

Through this program, Nuclear Matters aims to amplify Champions’ achievements and nuclear-related success – inspiring others to join the cause along the way. 

That's not all. Out of the 150+ state leaders powering progress across the nation, two of our Nuclear State Champions stood out this year for their outstanding work to advance nuclear energy. Congratulate our first-ever Super Nuclear State Champions, our inaugural Nuclear State Champions and follow the conversation online using the hashtag #NuclearStateChampions.

The nuclear energy movement is growing — and every voice matters. Join Nuclear Matters' grassroots network to stay informed, make your voice heard and help champion nuclear energy in your state. 

Meet the 2026 Nuclear State Champions

Alaska (AK)

  • Sen. Cathy Giessel 

Arizona (AZ)

  • Gov. Katie Hobbs 
  • Rep. Michael Carbone 
  • Commr. Nick Myers, AZ Corporation Commission 
  • Commr. Lea Márquez Peterson, AZ Corporation Commission 
  • Commr. Rene Lopez, AZ Corporation Commission 

Arkansas (AR)

  • Sen. Matt McKee 
  • Rep. Rick Beck 
  • Rep. Jack Ladyman 

Colorado (CO)

  • Sen. Larry Liston 
  • Sen. Kyle Mullica
  • Rep. Alex Valdez
  • Rep. Ty Winter 

Connecticut (CT)

  • Gov. Ned Lamont 

Delaware (DE)

  • Gov. Matt Meyer 
  • Sen. Stephanie Hansen 
  • Rep. Frank Burns 

Georgia (GA)

  • Gov. Brian Kemp 
  • Rep. Don Parsons 
  • Commr. Tricia Pridemore, GA Public Service Commission 
  • Commr. Lauren "Bubba" McDonald, GA Public Service Commission 
  • Commr. Jason Shaw, GA Public Service Commission
  • Former Commr. Tim Echols, GA Public Service Commission 
  • Former Commr. Fitz Johnson, GA Public Service Commission

Hawaii (HI)

  • Sen. Glenn Wakai 

Idaho (ID)

  • Gov. Brad Little 
  • Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke 
  • Commr. Edward Lodge, ID Public Utilities Commission
  • Cally Younger, ID Office of Energy and Mineral Resources 

Illinois (IL)

  • Gov. JB Pritzker 
  • Sen. Bill Cunningham 
  • Sen. Sue Rezin 
  • Sen. Mark Walker 
  • Rep. Dave Vella 
  • Commr. Stacey Paradis, IL Commerce Commission 

Indiana (IN)

  • Gov. Mike Braun 
  • Sen. Eric Koch 
  • Rep. Ed Soliday 
  • Suzie Jaworowski, IN Department of Energy 
  • Jon Ford, IN Office of Energy Development 

Iowa (IA)

  • Gov. Kim Reynolds 

Kentucky (KY)

  • Sen. Danny Carroll 
  • Rep. Randy Bridges 
  • Commr. Angie Hatton, KY Public Service Commission 
  • Kenya Stump, KY Office of Energy Policy 

Louisiana (LA)

  • Commr. Eric Skrmetta, LA Public Service Commission 
  • Paige Carter, LA Economic Development 
  • Stephen Swiber, LA Department of Conservation and Energy 
  • Amanda McClinton, LA Department of Conservation and Energy 

Maine (ME)

  • Rep. Reagan Paul 

Maryland (MD)

  • Gov. Wes Moore 
  • Sen. Benjamin Brooks 
  • Sen. Brian J. Feldman 
  • Del. C.T. Wilson 
  • Del. Todd Morgan 
  • Commr. Kumar Barve, MD Public Service Commission 

Massachusetts (MA)

  • Gov. Maura Healey 
  • Weezie Nuara, MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

Michigan (MI)

  • Gov. Gretchen Whitmer 
  • Rep. Joey Andrews 
  • Rep. Pauline Wendzel 
  • Commr. Katherine Peretick, MI Public Service Commission 

Minnesota (MN)

  • Sen. Nick Frentz 
  • Sen. Andrew Mathews 
  • Rep. Spencer Igo 
  • Commr. Katie Sieben, MN Public Utilities Commission 

Mississippi (MS)

  • Commr. Chris Brown, MS Public Service Commission

Missouri (MO)

  • Gov. Mike Kehoe 
  • Sen. Travis Fitzwater 
  • Rep. John Black 
  • Rep. Bob Bromley 
  • Kurt U. Schaefer, Department of Natural Resources 
  • Emily Wilbur, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Energy 

Montana (MT)

  • Rep. Gary Parry 

Nebraska (NE)

  • Gov. Jim Pillen 

New Hampshire (NH)

  • Gov. Kelly Ayotte 
  • Rep. Keith Ammon 
  • Rep. Jeanine Notter 

New Jersey (NJ)

  • Gov. Mikie Sherrill 
  • Sen. Nicholas Scutari 
  • Sen. Paul Sarlo 
  • Sen. John Burzichelli 
  • Sen. Bob Smith 
  • Sen. Michael Testa 
  • Sen. Latham Tiver 
  • Sen. Andrew Zwicker 
  • Asm. Dave Bailey Jr. 
  • Asm. Wayne DeAngelo 
  • Commr. Zenon Christodoulou, NJ Board of Public Utilities 

New York (NY)

  • Gov. Kathy Hochul 
  • Justin Driscoll, NYPA 
  • Doreen Harris, NYSERDA 
  • Alyse Peterson, NYSERDA

North Carolina (NC)

  • Sen. Dan Blue 
  • Rep. Dean Arp 
  • Commr. Floyd B. McKissick Jr., NC Utilities Commission 

North Dakota (ND)

  • Sen. David Hogue 
  • Sen. Dale Patten 
  • Rep. Dick Anderson 

Ohio (OH)

  • Sen. Brian Chavez 
  • Sen. Bill Reineke 
  • Rep. Adam Holmes 
  • Rep. Roy Klopfenstein 

Oklahoma (OK)

  • Sen. George Burns 
  • Rep. Nick Archer 

Pennsylvania (PA)

  • Gov. Josh Shapiro 
  • Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver 
  • Sen. John Kane 
  • Rep. Robert Matzie
  • Rep. Tom Mehaffie 
  • Elizabeth Barnes, PA Public Utility Commission 

Rhode Island (RI)

  • Rep. Brian Patrick Kennedy
  • Rep. Joseph Solomon Jr. 

South Carolina (SC)

  • Gov. Henry McMaster 
  • Sen. Thomas Alexander
  • Sen. Tom Davis 
  • Sen. Luke Rankin 
  • Rep. Murrell Smith 
  • Rep. Bill Herbkersman 

South Dakota (SD)

  • Sen. Jim Mehlhaff
  • Sen. Tim Reed 
  • Rep. Dave Kull 
  • Rep. Drew Peterson 

Tennessee (TN)

  • Gov. Bill Lee 
  • Sen. Ken Yager 
  • Rep. Chris Todd 
  • Commr. David Salyers, TN Department of Environment and Conservation 
  • Brandon Gibson, TN Governor's Office 
  • Braden Stover, TN Department of Economic and Community Development 
  • Molly Cripps, TN Office of Energy Programs 

Texas (TX)

  • Gov. Greg Abbott 
  • Sen. Charles Schwertner 
  • Sen. Judith Zaffirini
  • Rep. Greg Bonnen 
  • Rep. Cody Harris 
  • Rep. Ryan Guillen 
  • Jarred Shaffer, TX Advanced Nuclear Energy Office 

Utah (UT)

  • Gov. Spencer Cox 
  • Sen. Ann Millner 
  • Rep. Carl Albrecht 
  • Emy Lesofski, UT Office of Energy Development 

Virginia (VA)

  • Hon. Glenn Youngkin, Former Gov. of VA 
  • Sen. David Marsden 
  • Del. Israel O'Quinn 
  • Judge Jehmal Hudson, VA State Corporation Commission 
  • April Wade, VA Nuclear Energy Consortium

Washington (WA)

  • Sen. Matt Boehnke 
  • Rep. Stephanie Barnard 
  • Rep. Chris Stearns 

Wisconsin (WI)

  • Gov. Tony Evers 
  • Sen. Julian Bradley 
  • Rep. David Steffen 
  • Commr. Summer Strand, WI Public Service Commission 
  • Commr. Marcus Hawkins, WI Public Service Commission 

Wyoming (WY)

  • Gov. Mark Gordon 
  • Sen. Bo Biteman 
  • Rep. Lloyd Larsen