The Nuclear Company Appoints Former NRC Executive Laura Dudes as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, Signaling a New Era for U.S. Nuclear Expansion
The Nuclear Company, a cutting-edge force in the transformation of America’s nuclear energy landscape, has announced a pivotal addition to its leadership team. Laura Dudes, a distinguished veteran of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) with over 30 years of experience in nuclear oversight and regulation, has been appointed as the company’s new Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. This strategic hire underscores The Nuclear Company’s commitment to regulatory excellence, project execution, and timely delivery of clean, reliable nuclear power to the U.S. energy grid.
A Career Steeped in Regulatory Excellence
Laura Dudes brings an exceptional depth of knowledge and leadership in nuclear regulation. Her career at the NRC has been marked by increasingly high-profile roles, culminating in her leadership of the Commission’s largest field office. There, she was responsible for more than 200 staff members and oversaw the inspection and regulatory compliance of 35 operating nuclear reactors across the United States.
Perhaps most significantly, Dudes played a central role in the regulatory journey of the only two nuclear reactors to begin and complete construction in the U.S. over the past three decades—Units 3 and 4 at Plant Vogtle in Georgia. Her work not only included overseeing day-to-day regulatory functions but also contributing to the development and implementation of the NRC’s inaugural construction oversight framework. This pioneering initiative ensured that the reactors were completed safely, and with strong adherence to federal standards, setting the stage for future projects.
Joe Klecha, Chief Nuclear Officer of The Nuclear Company, emphasized the importance of Dudes’ unique background:
“Laura’s three decades at the NRC involved regulatory oversight of the development, construction, and operation of the only two nuclear reactors started and built in the United States in the last 30 years,” said Klecha. “Now she brings that crucial expertise to The Nuclear Company as we deploy 6 gigawatts of fleet-scale nuclear power across America and do it both on time and on budget.”
Klecha himself has deep ties to the Vogtle project, having served as Project Director and VP of Operational Readiness. His shared experience with Dudes gives the company a robust foundation of practical, hands-on nuclear development knowledge—something often missing in today’s energy ventures.
Solving Nuclear’s Two Biggest Challenges: Cost and Schedule
The Nuclear Company officially emerged from stealth mode in 2024 with a bold mission: to redefine nuclear construction in the United States. The need is clear. As the country faces soaring demand for dependable, low-emission electricity, nuclear energy remains one of the few technologies capable of delivering large-scale baseload power 24/7. Yet nuclear construction in the U.S. has been marred by budget overruns and chronic delays—issues that have tarnished the industry’s credibility and discouraged investment.
The Nuclear Company aims to break that pattern. Its solution? A fleet-based deployment strategy underpinned by a “design-once, build-many” methodology. This innovative approach seeks to standardize reactor design, modularize construction, and leverage economies of scale—driving down costs and improving predictability. At the same time, it enables rapid replication of successful builds, positioning the company to deploy multiple gigawatts of clean energy far more efficiently than previous nuclear efforts.
Central to this model is the use of already-proven and licensed reactor technology. Rather than take the risk of untested innovation, The Nuclear Company is opting for technological certainty. This allows the team to focus on what it believes is the real bottleneck in nuclear deployment: inefficient construction and fragmented project management.
The company also incorporates modern digital tools to enhance performance. These include AI-assisted site selection to optimize locations based on grid needs and geotechnical factors, real-time construction monitoring systems to improve transparency and coordination, and integrated logistics platforms to streamline the nuclear supply chain.
A Unique Moment in the Energy Transition
Dudes’ appointment comes at a time when the momentum behind nuclear power is growing once again. With grid reliability becoming a national concern and carbon-reduction targets looming large, nuclear energy has re-entered the mainstream conversation as a necessary solution to long-term sustainability. From federal policymakers to local utilities, there’s a renewed consensus that nuclear must play a central role in the energy mix of the future.
This shift in perspective is reflected in recent federal and state-level initiatives, which include expanded tax credits for clean energy, streamlined licensing pathways for advanced nuclear technologies, and new public-private partnerships to foster domestic nuclear fuel supply chains.
In this context, The Nuclear Company’s vision resonates with urgency and realism. Its emphasis on repeatable, scalable projects—not just one-off flagship ventures—aligns with the evolving needs of utility companies and government agencies alike.
Laura Dudes expressed her enthusiasm about the road ahead:
“I know firsthand how dedicated America’s leadership is to adding reliable, clean baseload power, and I look forward to helping The Nuclear Company lead the way,” said Dudes. “The company’s fleet-scale nuclear deployment model is the solution America needs to meet our surging energy demand.”
A National Mission
With Dudes now in charge of regulatory strategy, The Nuclear Company is well-positioned to navigate the complex and often challenging landscape of nuclear licensing. Her track record at the NRC gives the company an invaluable edge in building and maintaining strong regulatory relationships—crucial for securing timely approvals and ensuring projects remain compliant through all phases of development.
As the company continues to scale its operations, it will rely on Dudes’ regulatory expertise to not only meet compliance standards but also anticipate and adapt to evolving regulations around safety, environmental protection, and community engagement.
In addition to her technical acumen, Dudes brings a leadership style rooted in collaboration and accountability—values that reflect the broader culture The Nuclear Company is aiming to build. Her presence also signals to partners, investors, and regulators that the company is serious about its mission and prepared to meet the highest standards of public trust and performance.
