In the Spotlight: Will Howard

Morning, friends - Logan here. Happy week of Thanksgiving! I’m thankful for all of you that support Middle Tech by opening this newsletter and clicking on our links :)

This week, I’m sharing a conversation that bridges the gap between the energy frontier in Texas and the industrial opportunity right here in Kentucky. I was joined by Will Howard, who leads Project Development for Elementl Power. Will’s journey into the industry began not in a classroom, but in the dark - during Winter Storm Uri, where he witnessed firsthand what happens when a modern grid collapses.

Elementl is disrupting the traditional nuclear sector by applying a "developer model" typically seen in real estate or renewables. Instead of waiting for utilities to shoulder the immense early-stage risk, Elementl acts as the "quarterback", identifying viable sites, securing land rights, and navigating federal regulations to create "shovel-ready" projects.

This strategy was recently validated by a major partnership with Google, which has tapped Elementl to develop advanced nuclear sites to power the exponential energy demands of Artificial Intelligence. Will breaks down why Big Tech is suddenly betting on the atom: intermittent wind and solar simply cannot support the flat, 24/7 load profiles of massive data centers.

As Kentucky looks to revitalize its own energy sector, Will offers the "Texas Model" as a blueprint. From the formation of the Texas Nuclear Alliance to the passage of legislation like House Bill 14, he outlines how states can actively court development. The conversation highlights a critical opportunity for Kentucky to leverage its existing coal infrastructure, abundant water resources, and skilled industrial workforce to become a key player in the national supply chain.

What We Discussed:

The "Iron Law" of Power
Will explains the concept (coined by Robert Bryce) that politicians will ultimately do whatever is necessary to keep the lights on, as reliability is the prerequisite for a stable society.

The "Developer Model" for Nuclear
How Elementl Power is de-risking the industry by using private capital to handle the complex early-stage work of siting and permitting before handing projects off to utilities.

Big Tech’s Atomic Bet
How Hogshead is bridging tradition and technology in an industry where relationships have always been the currency.

The Texas Blueprint
A look at how the Texas Nuclear Alliance and state-level funding (HB 14) have created a pro-business environment that is attracting billions in investment and how Kentucky can replicate it.

The Coal-to-Nuclear Advantage
Why legacy coal states are uniquely positioned for the nuclear renaissance due to existing high-voltage transmission lines, water abundance, and a workforce culture built around heavy industry.

Listen to the episode on Spotify

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts

We hope you enjoy this episode! If you have any thoughts after listening, feel free to shoot me a message at [email protected]

Have a great week, friends!

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