A Whiting-Turner Lecture  — November 5, 2009

Abstract

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 set the stage for the renaissance of nuclear energy in the United States. A small group of companies have emerged as the front runners on the leading edge of what will be some of the largest and most complex projects in recent U.S. history.

UniStar Nuclear Energy is driving forward with its business model of building a fleet of advanced nuclear technology facilities while managing the ever-changing risks of doing business in 2009. The obstacles and opportunities of being on the leading edge of the nuclear curve will be illustrated as well as the benefits of new nuclear in the United States.

Biography

As president and chief executive officer of UniStar Nuclear Energy (UNE), a Constellation Energy and EDF company, George Vanderheyden is responsible for leading UNE’s efforts to develop and deploy the first new generation of nuclear power plants in North America in more than 30 years.

Vanderheyden also serves as senior vice president of Constellation Energy's Nuclear Group, overseeing Constellation’s new nuclear interests, and president of UniStar Nuclear, LLC, a joint venture with AREVA, NP, to market a version of AREVA’s evolutionary power reactor technology, adapted specifically for the United States. He joined Constellation Energy in 2003 as Constellation Generation Group’s vice president of asset optimization. Within a few months, he became vice president at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant.

Vanderheyden holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University in nuclear engineering technology. He is a member of the Engineering / Engineering Technology / Electronics Programs Advisory Council for the College of Southern Maryland, and a board member for the USS Constellation Museum. He was a member of IBEW Local 15 for five years.