Come-and-go event will offer residents opportunity to speak directly with experts, view interactive displays
Lewis County residents will have another opportunity Saturday to learn about nuclear energy and ask questions directly of industry professionals as part of the county’s participation in Kentucky’s Nuclear Energy Ready Community Certification process.
A Nuclear Energy Ready Community Certification Education Fair will be Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Lewis County High School.
Unlike the public educational seminar held at the high school in August, the October event is being planned as a come-and-go education fair rather than a presentation before a seated audience.
Residents may arrive at any time during the two-hour event, move through informational and interactive displays at their own pace, speak directly with nuclear energy professionals and educational partners, and ask questions in informal, one-on-one settings.
Organizers say the event will provide information on nuclear energy, emerging technologies, safety, related industries, and potential economic opportunities.
Among the interactive features planned for the fair is a Westinghouse virtual reactor model that will allow participants to explore reactor technology.
Educational videos will also be available, including demonstrations of nuclear fuel-cask safety testing, along with informational exhibits explaining nuclear energy and related industries.
Representatives of participating organizations and field experts will be available for individual conversations with attendees.
The fair is the latest step in Lewis County’s participation in the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Ready Community Certification process.
Lewis County Fiscal Court unanimously approved a resolution in July supporting participation in the certification program, followed by action by Vanceburg City Council later that month.
The certification effort has generated considerable local public discussion, including questions about what certification means for Lewis County and whether it is connected to a specific nuclear development proposal.
Organizers are emphasizing that the certification process does not mean a nuclear project has been approved or selected for Lewis County.
Information prepared for the October 3 event specifically states that Lewis County does not currently have an active nuclear project.
It also states that Nuclear Energy Ready Community Certification does not approve a nuclear power plant, select a site, commit public funding, or authorize a particular company or technology.
Instead, according to information provided for the fair, certification means a community has taken steps to become informed and prepared so it can responsibly evaluate potential opportunities should they be proposed in the future.
The distinction has been an important part of the local discussion since the certification effort became public this summer.
At the first public educational meeting at Lewis County High School in August, officials said the process was informational and did not commit to a particular nuclear project.
That meeting drew more than 150 people and included presentations from Buffalo Trace Area Development District Executive Director Kevin Cornette, BTADD representative Kristie Dodge, Kentucky Office of Energy Policy Executive Director Kenya Stump, and Christine King, director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program.
The meeting included discussion of nuclear technology, Kentucky’s energy needs, economic development, and the certification process. Questions and concerns from audience members also became part of the approximately two-hour session.
Since then, nuclear energy and the certification effort have continued to come up in meetings of the Vanceburg City Council and the Lewis County Fiscal Court.
Officials involved in the process have repeatedly said Lewis County has no announced small modular reactor or other nuclear project.
The fair is designed to give residents a different setting to get information and ask questions. Rather than requiring participants to answer questions before a large audience, residents can speak individually with representatives at the various displays.
The event is open to everyone. Organizers are encouraging residents, students, families, business owners, educators, elected officials, and anyone interested in learning more about nuclear energy or the certification process to attend.
No one is required to stay for the entire event.
“Come when you can. Stay as long as you like. Learn, explore, and ask questions,” information announcing the fair states.
Additional participating organizations and activities are expected to be announced as details are finalized.
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