Civil Nuclear Energy Working Group
Stored: Civil Nuclear Energy Working Group
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Office of Nuclear Energy |
| Top Organization | Department of Energy |
| Creation Legislation | Energy Policy Act of 2005 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The Civil Nuclear Energy Working Group enhances U.S.-Japan collaboration on civil nuclear energy research and development. It aims to advance safe nuclear technologies and support Fukushima recovery through bilateral expertise. |
| Program Start | 2013 |
| Initial Funding | Congressional appropriations |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Civil Nuclear Energy Working Group (CNEWG) is a Department of Energy initiative under the Office of Nuclear Energy that operates as a key component of the U.S.-Japan Bilateral Commission on Civil Nuclear Cooperation, fostering collaboration between U.S. and Japanese experts across the United States and Japan to advance civil nuclear energy research, supporting over 50 joint projects as of 2025. Established in 2013 as one of five working groups under the Bilateral Commission, CNEWG has driven advancements in high-temperature gas-cooled reactors and Fukushima decommissioning, with its latest efforts in 2025 enhancing post-Hurricane Helene energy resilience by integrating next-generation nuclear technologies into recovery planning, leveraging partnerships with DOE labs and Japan’s nuclear agencies.
Goals
- Advance civil nuclear energy R&D through U.S.-Japan collaboration.
- Enhance Fukushima recovery and decommissioning technologies.
- Promote safe, innovative nuclear solutions for global energy needs.
Organization
The Civil Nuclear Energy Working Group was sponsored by the Office of Nuclear Energy within the Department of Energy, headquartered in Washington, D.C. Funding came from Congressional appropriations, supporting a team of DOE scientists and engineers alongside counterparts from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) and Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), operating within the Bilateral Commission framework across U.S. and Japanese research facilities, guided by co-chairs from both nations’ energy sectors.
The leader at the Department of Energy level was the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, currently Katy Huff (as of February 22, 2025), with CNEWG co-chaired by DOE and METI representatives.
History
The Civil Nuclear Energy Working Group was established in 2013 under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, formalized as part of the U.S.-Japan Bilateral Commission launched in 2012. It emerged from the commission’s initial meeting in July 2012, focusing on civil nuclear R&D, and by 2025, has supported over 50 projects, with milestones including the 2018 Fukushima recovery focus and 2025’s integration of resilience technologies post-Hurricane Helene, building on its legacy of advanced reactor collaboration.
Funding
Initial funding in 2013 came from Congressional appropriations, with unspecified startup amounts supporting early R&D efforts. Funding began in 2013 and continues within DOE’s $1.5 billion FY 2025 Office of Nuclear Energy budget, supporting ongoing joint projects, with no end date as appropriations sustain efforts like 2025’s $5 million for resilience-focused nuclear R&D.
Implementation
The program was implemented through bilateral meetings, joint research projects, and technology exchanges, advancing nuclear safety and reactor designs across U.S. and Japanese labs. It operates continuously with no end date, supporting over 50 projects, with 2025 efforts enhancing post-Helene resilience through shared nuclear expertise and innovative frameworks.
Related
External links
- https://www.energy.gov/ne/bilateral-cooperation
- https://www.energy.gov/ne/office-nuclear-energy - Office of Nuclear Energy
- https://www.doi.gov/ - Department of the Interior Overview
- wikipedia:United States Department of Energy