NEW MEXICO NUCLEAR ALLIANCE NEWS RELEASE
DOE leadership, Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, industry executives, investors, utilities, universities, entrepreneurs and policymakers unite to advance America’s nuclear future.
National momentum around nuclear energy continues to accelerate, and on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, that momentum will converge in Los Alamos as leaders from across the nation’s nuclear enterprise gather for the inaugural Los Alamos Nuclear Forum (LANF) at the SALA Event Center & Theater.
Hosted by the New Mexico Nuclear Alliance (NMNA), the Forum will convene leaders from the U.S. Department of Energy, national laboratories, industry, utilities, higher education, Tribal communities, investors, economic development organizations, and state and federal government to explore the technologies, partnerships, workforce, policies, and investment needed to deploy America’s next generation of nuclear infrastructure.
The event will be held in person in Los Alamos and professionally livestreamed nationwide, expanding participation while showcasing New Mexico’s leadership in America’s growing advanced energy economy.
“Los Alamos has helped shape America’s nuclear story for more than eighty years,” said Scott Lopez, Founder of the Los Alamos Nuclear Forum and Founder & CEO of the New Mexico Nuclear Alliance. “Today, that legacy continues through advanced reactors, space nuclear technologies, nuclear medicine, fuel-cycle infrastructure, environmental stewardship, national security, and scientific innovation. There is no better place to bring together the leaders who are building America’s nuclear future.”
Lopez also founded the annual New Mexico Energy Policy Symposium, one of the state’s premier convenings of leaders from government, industry, utilities, Tribal communities, academia, and economic development.
“This Forum comes at exactly the right time,” Lopez said. “New Mexico is building an advanced energy economy unlike anywhere else in the country. With the world-class capabilities of Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, our universities, innovative companies, and growing investment community, we have an extraordinary opportunity to lead the nation in deploying advanced energy technologies. The Los Alamos Nuclear Forum is about bringing the entire ecosystem together to accelerate that future.”
The Forum has attracted broad support from organizations across New Mexico and the national nuclear industry.
The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) will serve as the Forum’s Founding Partner. OKLO and Grants Energy are serving as Presenting Partners, while Los Alamos County and UNM Los Alamos are serving as Ecosystem Partners, recognizing their leadership in strengthening the region’s innovation, workforce, and advanced energy ecosystem.
Space Nuclear Corporation, Eden Radioisotopes, and Laramide Resources are Strategic Sponsors. Additional sponsors include the Regional Development Corporation and the CLEAN Energy Association of New Mexico, with additional partners expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Forum will open with a keynote address by Chris Stanek, Director of Nuclear Energy Programs at Los Alamos National Laboratory, who will discuss how advanced nuclear technologies can help meet rapidly growing energy demand driven by artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, defense, water infrastructure, and industrial growth.
James Zahler, Program Director at the Feynman Center for Innovation at Los Alamos National Laboratory, will moderate the Frontier Technologies panel and the New Mexico Nuclear Innovation Showcase, highlighting the next generation of nuclear and advanced energy technologies emerging from New Mexico’s innovation ecosystem. The session will feature pioneering companies and innovators advancing breakthroughs in advanced reactors, space nuclear technologies, medical isotopes, fuel-cycle innovation, and other frontier technologies, while exploring the commercialization pathways and partnerships needed to move these innovations from research to real-world deployment.
The featured luncheon conversation, Research to Deployment & Workforce, will be moderated by Jennifer Hayden, President & CEO of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. Bringing together leaders from the national laboratories, higher education, and industry, the discussion will focus on technology transfer, commercialization, workforce development, and preparing the next generation of scientists, engineers, technicians, operators, and skilled trades needed to support America’s growing nuclear enterprise.
A featured session, The Grid–Nuclear Nexus, will be led by Sandia National Laboratories, bringing together national laboratory researchers and utility leaders to examine how advanced nuclear technologies and the modern electric grid are converging to deliver reliable, affordable, and resilient energy. The discussion will explore advanced reactors, microreactors, hybrid energy systems, grid modernization, cybersecurity, and the partnerships required to meet unprecedented electricity demand.
The Forum will conclude with a keynote address from Eric Skrmetta, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, who is helping lead the nation’s strategy to strengthen energy security through advanced nuclear deployment, resilient baseload generation, and modern grid infrastructure.
Additional confirmed speakers include:
- Chris Stanek, Director of Nuclear Energy Programs, Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Eric Skrmetta, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Energy, U.S. Department of Energy
- Bruce Brown, Head of Strategic Climate Initiatives, New Mexico State Investment Council
- Senator Ant Thornton, New Mexico State Senate
- James Zahler, Program Director, Feynman Center for Innovation, Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Andy Phelps, CEO, Space Nuclear Corporation
- Patrick McClure, COO, Space Nuclear Corporation
- Carrie Freeman, CEO, Eden Radioisotopes
- Josh Leftwich, Vice President of Operations & Strategic Development (USA), Laramide Resources
- Jennifer Hayden, President & CEO, National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
- Dr. Van Romero, Professor of Physics, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
- Representative Randall Pettigrew, New Mexico House of Representatives
- Bobby St. John, External Affairs Manager, WIPP / SIMCO
Speakers representing industry, utilities, universities, federal agencies, Tribal governments, investors, and advanced energy organizations will be announced as confirmations are finalized.
The Forum explores the entire nuclear value chain—from uranium production and fuel security to advanced reactors, space nuclear technologies, nuclear medicine, environmental stewardship, workforce development, commercialization, financing, and deployment.
Sessions will examine the partnerships needed to move breakthrough technologies from research into commercial deployment, including project finance, institutional investment, permitting, public-private partnerships, technology transfer, and workforce development.
The participation of organizations spanning national laboratories, industry, utilities, higher education, government, Tribal communities, and investors reflects New Mexico’s unique position as one of America’s premier centers for nuclear innovation.
“New Mexico is emerging as one of the nation’s most important advanced energy hubs,” Lopez said. “From Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories to uranium enrichment, WIPP, our universities, Tribal communities, innovative companies, and growing investment community, New Mexico has the talent, infrastructure, and partnerships to help lead America’s nuclear future.”
The Forum’s theme—Built in New Mexico. Deployed for the Nation.—reflects New Mexico’s enduring role across the nuclear enterprise, from scientific discovery and national security to commercialization, manufacturing, workforce development, environmental stewardship, and deployment.
“From the Manhattan Project to today’s breakthroughs in advanced reactors, space nuclear technologies, medical isotopes, and national security, Los Alamos continues to help define America’s nuclear future,” Lopez said. “This Forum is about bringing together the entire ecosystem to celebrate that legacy while building the partnerships that will define the next chapter. We believe it will become New Mexico’s premier annual gathering for nuclear innovation, investment, workforce development, and deployment.”
Registration is now open. Additional speakers, sponsors, and program updates will be announced in the coming weeks.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to register, visit www.LosAlamosNuclearForum.com.