McCollam appointed to North Dakota Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Gavin McCollam, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Basin Electric, was appointed to serve on the North Dakota Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee, serving as one of five citizen members.

"I am honored to represent Basin Electric on this committee," McCollam said. "The benefits of nuclear power include virtually no emissions, on-site fuel sources, and the lifespan of the facility itself lasting 30 to 50 years. However, the most significant hurdles are the lengthy and detailed permitting process, high costs, and public acceptance."

The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee was established earlier this year to monitor the feasibility and deployment of advanced nuclear energy initiatives in North Dakota. It was also allocated a $300,000 appropriation for a study on nuclear energy.

The committee met for the first time on September 3, 2025, and was tasked with selecting a contractor for the nuclear energy study. Key elements of the study include identifying potential locations, assessing public support, and assisting with the federal licensing process. Nucleon Energy, an Alberta-based nuclear development company, received the committee recommendation.

"One of the reasons Nucleon was selected was their knowledge of nuclear siting activities and their experience in performing this type of study for other entities," McCollam said. "Perhaps the most important quality they emphasized was their ability to collaborate with the public and other stakeholders to educate the population on the realities of nuclear generation, the design and implementation of safety measures, and public advocacy for a potential site."

McCollam's industry knowledge and experience will play a key role in helping North Dakota make informed decisions about potential nuclear energy projects.

Learn more about how Basin Electric is monitoring nuclear energy by reading "Nuclear Energy - Basin Electric's Team Evaluates."