WHEREAS, nuclear energy is among the most safe and reliable energy sources in America, and nuclear power plants are designed to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year; and

WHEREAS, the nuclear industry is an important economic driver in the Commonwealth and employs approximately 100,000 Virginians; and

WHEREAS, Virginia's two nuclear power plants are located in North Anna and Surry and provide 32% of the Commonwealth’s electricity; and

WHEREAS, Virginia institutions of higher education, including Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Old Dominion University, Liberty University, as well as community colleges, offer opportunities for research, degree programs, and workforce training in the nuclear industry; and

WHEREAS, Naval Station Norfolk is the largest naval base in the world and more than 40% of the Navy’s major combatants are nuclear powered, including 10 aircraft carriers, 54 attack submarines, and 18 strategic submarines; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s role in nuclear innovation – energy generation, advanced manufacturing, academic research, next generation nuclear fuel technology, and national security applications – makes the Commonwealth a global leader in nuclear research and development; and

WHEREAS, spent nuclear fuel recycling offers a promising opportunity to create a solution to used nuclear fuel while also bolstering the Commonwealth’s nuclear energy supply chain; and

WHEREAS, Virginia has established a goal to develop and deploy the first commercial small modular reactor in the nation in Southwest Virginia within 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Nuclear Science Week is an international, broadly observed week-long celebration to focus on local, regional, and international interests on all aspects of nuclear science; and

WHEREAS, Nuclear Science Week educates the public on the five pillars of nuclear science: Carbon-Free Energy, Global Leadership, Transformative Healthcare, Innovation and Technology, and Space Exploration;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize October 16-20, 2023, as NUCLEAR SCIENCE WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.