ZettaJoule Appoints NRC Veteran Andrea Veil as Senior Vice President to Spearhead Regulatory Strategy for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Deployment
ZettaJoule, Inc., a pioneering nuclear energy company developing High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) for next-generation energy solutions, has announced the appointment of Andrea Veil as Senior Vice President of Regulatory Strategy. This key leadership move marks a significant milestone in the company’s ambitious mission to deploy a fleet of commercially viable HTGR-based advanced reactors across the United States and internationally.
With a reputation as one of the most forward-looking companies in the advanced nuclear space, ZettaJoule is positioned to play a central role in transforming the energy landscape through the development of safer, cleaner, and more efficient nuclear energy systems. The addition of Veil to its leadership team reflects ZettaJoule’s commitment to navigating the complex regulatory terrain with precision, rigor, and transparency while building trust with stakeholders and government agencies alike.
Andrea Veil brings an extraordinary legacy of experience and leadership from her 32-year tenure at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), one of the most respected nuclear regulatory bodies in the world. Most recently, Veil served as the Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR), where she led more than 500 engineers, scientists, analysts, and program managers in overseeing the safety and performance of the nation’s commercial nuclear power reactors. Her work encompassed the entire lifecycle of nuclear plants—from licensing and construction to long-term operation, performance monitoring, and eventual decommissioning.
Throughout her career at the NRC, Veil became known not only for her deep technical knowledge but also for her strategic vision in modernizing regulatory approaches to match the evolving landscape of nuclear technologies. One of her hallmark contributions was leading the transition from traditional deterministic regulatory methods to a more modern, risk-informed and performance-based regulatory framework. This strategic evolution was crucial to paving the way for the licensing and deployment of smaller, modular, and more advanced reactor designs, including HTGRs and other non-light-water reactor technologies.
Veil’s tenure was marked by a steadfast commitment to upholding the NRC’s mission of ensuring the protection of public health and safety while simultaneously supporting innovation in the nuclear sector. Her leadership on resolving complex safety and design issues—especially those associated with emerging nuclear technologies—has been instrumental in building the technical basis for new regulations and guidance documents that will be applied to next-generation reactors.
As a key contributor to agency-wide initiatives, Veil oversaw efforts to enhance the NRC’s ability to assess safety issues using advanced analytical tools and probabilistic risk assessment models. These initiatives led to the development of new technical insights and data sets that empowered regulators and developers to make informed, science-based decisions during the licensing and oversight process. Veil also played a critical role in stakeholder engagement, ensuring that industry, academic experts, environmental groups, and the public had a voice in shaping the future of nuclear regulation.
Her insights into NRC’s inner workings—spanning pre-application engagement, licensing review, safety evaluation, inspection protocols, and post-licensing compliance—are expected to be invaluable to ZettaJoule as the company prepares to bring its HTGR technology through the rigorous U.S. licensing process. This includes potential interactions under both Part 50 (two-step licensing) and Part 52 (combined license) frameworks, as well as possible engagement with newer licensing pathways tailored to advanced non-light-water reactors, including the Part 53 framework currently under development by the NRC.
Veil’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the nuclear industry. As countries around the world seek to decarbonize their energy systems, nuclear power is increasingly being recognized as a reliable, zero-emissions source of baseload power that complements intermittent renewables like wind and solar. High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors, in particular, are viewed as game-changing technologies that offer significant advantages in safety, efficiency, and versatility. HTGRs operate at very high outlet temperatures, enabling them to provide not only electricity but also industrial heat and hydrogen—making them suitable for a wide range of decarbonization applications beyond traditional power generation.
ZettaJoule’s HTGR platform aims to deliver scalable, factory-built reactors with passive safety features, high fuel burnup, and simplified operational protocols. The company envisions these reactors being deployed at industrial sites, hydrogen hubs, and utility-scale power plants as a cornerstone of the 21st-century clean energy economy.
The complexity of licensing advanced reactors, however, remains a key challenge for developers. Regulatory uncertainty, lengthy review timelines, and the evolving nature of the licensing process for non-light-water reactors have often slowed the commercialization of promising technologies. That is why Veil’s regulatory acumen and experience with navigating these challenges are seen as game-changing assets for ZettaJoule.
“Andrea’s extensive background in licensing, oversight, and technical evaluation makes her uniquely qualified to guide our regulatory engagement strategy,” said Dr. Marcus Rinehart, CEO of ZettaJoule. “Her insights into NRC processes, coupled with her commitment to public safety and innovation, align perfectly with our mission to bring advanced, clean nuclear energy to market in a responsible and efficient manner.”
For her part, Veil expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to support ZettaJoule’s vision of advanced nuclear deployment. “I am honored to continue my work in facilitating the deployment of safe and reliable nuclear energy solutions,” she said. “ZettaJoule’s commitment to innovation, safety, and climate solutions resonates deeply with my own values, and I look forward to contributing my experience to the development and deployment of ZettaJoule HTGR advanced nuclear plants in this new role.”
As Senior Vice President of Regulatory Strategy, Veil will lead all aspects of ZettaJoule’s engagement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other relevant federal, state, and international regulatory agencies. She will oversee the development of licensing documentation, safety analyses, environmental impact assessments, and regulatory strategy plans. Veil will also serve as a liaison between ZettaJoule’s technical teams and external stakeholders, ensuring that regulatory compliance remains at the forefront of the company’s development pathway.
Beyond the U.S., Veil’s expertise is expected to support ZettaJoule’s potential entry into international markets, many of which are also considering HTGRs as part of their long-term clean energy strategies. Countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Japan are exploring advanced reactor deployments and developing their own regulatory regimes. Veil’s knowledge and network will support ZettaJoule’s ability to navigate cross-border licensing requirements and international nuclear safety standards, including those established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
ZettaJoule’s leadership team is confident that Veil’s strategic input will accelerate the company’s trajectory from concept to commercial deployment. As governments and utilities seek dependable clean energy solutions in the face of climate change and grid modernization, the combination of technical innovation and regulatory excellence may define which advanced nuclear developers succeed.
