U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Leader Joins The Nuclear Company as VP of Regulatory Affairs
Laura Dudes brings 30 years of NRC experience, key oversight of new nuclear
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Nuclear Company, which is pioneering the modernization of nuclear construction and leading fleet-scale deployment of nuclear power across America, today announced the hiring of longtime U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission leader Laura Dudes as Vice President of Regulatory Affairs.
Dudes has more than three decades of nuclear regulatory experience at the NRC and most recently served as the leader of its largest field office, which has more than 200 staff. In that role, she oversaw inspections of 35 operating nuclear reactors and also managed the NRC’s center that focuses on establishing construction expertise for new reactors.
“Laura’s three decades at the NRC involved regulatory oversight of the development, construction and operation of the only two nuclear reactors started and built in the United States in the last 30 years,” said The Nuclear Company Chief Nuclear Officer Joe Klecha, who himself served as the Project Director and VP-Operational Readiness of the two reactors. “Now she brings that crucial expertise to The Nuclear Company as we deploy 6 gigawatts of fleet-scale nuclear power across America and do it both on time and on budget.”
Dudes led the development of the NRC’s first-ever nuclear construction oversight program for the first-of-a-kind reactors built in Georgia and later led the successful oversight of those projects from construction to operation, adding more than 2 gigawatts of reliable, clean baseload power to the American electrical grid.
The Nuclear Company emerged from stealth mode in 2024, responding to America’s surging energy demand with an innovative approach that redefines nuclear construction. Despite the need for nuclear’s firm baseload power, the biggest challenges facing the industry, which creates high-paying head-of-household jobs, are that nuclear projects are almost always over budget and behind schedule. The Nuclear Company aims to avoid those pitfalls through its design-once, build-many methodology, which lowers costs and minimizes delays. This approach leverages advanced construction and manufacturing methods alongside cutting-edge digital technologies, such as AI-driven site selection, real-time construction updates, and integrated supply chain logistics.
Key to The Nuclear Company’s approach is using proven, licensed technology, which will allow the company to achieve significant cost reductions and shortened project timelines, meeting its commitment to on-time, on-budget deployment of its first fleet of nuclear reactors in America.
“I know firsthand how dedicated America’s leadership is to adding reliable, clean baseload power, and I look forward to helping The Nuclear Company lead the way,” Dudes said. “The company’s fleet-scale nuclear deployment model is the solution America needs to meet our surging energy demand.”
About The Nuclear Company
The Nuclear Company is pioneering the modernization of nuclear construction and leading fleet-scale deployment of nuclear power across America. By integrating proven, licensed reactor technologies with digital innovation and its design-once, build-many methodology, the company aims to reduce costs and shorten development timelines. This approach leverages AI-powered real-time construction monitoring and advanced project management to streamline deployment and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery. The Nuclear Company is committed to delivering safe baseload electricity at the lowest cost, while catalyzing the nuclear industry toward rapid development in America and globally. For more information, visit: www.thenuclearcompany.com.
Contacts
The Nuclear Company Media Relations: info@thenuclearcompany.com
