
ZettaJoule Appoints NRC Veteran Andrea Veil to Lead Regulatory Strategy
ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZettaJoule, Inc., a next-generation nuclear technology company developing High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) for commercial applications, announced the appointment of Andrea Veil as Senior Vice President, Regulatory Strategy, to assist the company with deploying a fleet of HTGR-based advanced reactors.
Ms. Veil, Former NRC Office Director, will accelerate ZettaJoule's regulatory efforts as Senior Vice President, Regulatory Strategy, to deploy a fleet of HTGR-based advanced reactors.
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Ms. Veil previously served as Director of the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Over a distinguished 32-year career at the NRC, she held numerous leadership roles across licensing, oversight, and research programs.
As head of NRR, she oversaw an office of over 500 engineers, scientists, and program management staff in NRR. In that capacity, she championed the transition from traditional deterministic regulation to a risk-informed, performance-based framework—laying critical groundwork for the safe introduction of advanced, smaller reactor designs.
Veil also led agency-wide initiatives to resolve complex safety issues, delivering technical insights, tools, and data for risk-informed regulatory decisions and the development of new regulations and guidance.
Her unparalleled insight into U.S. licensing pathways and commitment to safety will help ZettaJoule accelerate the deployment of advanced reactors, setting a new global standard for clean, reliable nuclear energy. Veil's deep regulatory expertise and proven leadership at the NRC will be instrumental in moving from concept to commercial deployment.
'I am honored to continue my work in facilitating the deployment of safe and reliable nuclear energy solutions, and I look forward to contributing my experience to the development and deployment of ZettaJoule HTGR advanced nuclear plants in this new role,' Veil said.
About ZettaJoule
ZettaJoule, Inc.(President and CEO: Mitsuo Shimofuji) is a U.S.-based clean energy startup focused on leveraging Japan's proven HTGR technology to build decentralized, carbon-free energy infrastructure. The company is backed by Globis Capital Partners, Coral Capital, Archetype Ventures, SOSV, HAX, and others. Since its launch in 2024, the company has assembled a world-class team, including experts from:
Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), Mitsubishi, X-energy, Westinghouse, Centrus, Idaho National Laboratory, Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, and Areva
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
Amazon Web Services, Sumitomo Corporation, Asian Development Bank, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Deutsche Bank, Deloitte, and KPMG
ZettaJoule is pursuing the deployment of the world's first commercial global fleet of HTGRs to drive decarbonization and strengthen energy security.
About HTGRs
High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGRs) are advanced reactors offering exceptional inherent safety and high-temperature outputs (up to 950°C). Beyond power generation, HTGRs can be used for applications such as:
Industrial process heat
Hydrogen, ammonia, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production
District heating and seawater desalination
HTGRs are increasingly seen as a critical technology for deep decarbonization across industrial sectors and among advanced technology and major oil/gas companies.
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Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
Terra Innovatum Signs Strategic Partnership with Paragon Energy Solutions to Support Commercialization and Global Deployment of SOLO(TM) Micro-Modular Nuclear Reactor
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Tighe Smith, Chief Nuclear Officer of Paragon commented: "We're proud to collaborate with Terra Innovatum and help push the frontier of advanced nuclear forward to address worldwide energy demand. We are well positioned to support their innovative and unique design elements as well as deployment plans as an established partner-of-choice for the advanced reactor industry. We share in Terra Innovatum's long-term commitment to both innovation and safety profile and are excited to build the future of nuclear together." Giordano Morichi, Partner, Chief Business Development Officer & Investor Relations of Terra Innovatum continued: "We engineered SOLO™ for modular scalability and rapid commercialization, and this partnership with Paragon marks a critical first step toward our 2028 deployment timeline. 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Built from readily available commercial off-the-shelf components, the proven licensing path for SOLO™ enables rapid deployment and minimizes supply chain risks, ensuring final cost predictability. Designed to adapt with evolving fuel options, SOLO™ supports both LEU+ and HALEU, offering a platform ready to transition to future fuel supplies. SOLO™ will offer a wide range of versatile applications, providing CO2-free, behind-the-meter, and off-grid power solutions for data centers, mini-grids serving remote towns and villages, and large-scale industrial operations in hard-to-abate sectors like cement production, oil and gas, steel manufacturing, and mining. It also has the ability to supply heat for industrial applications and other specialized processes, including water treatment, desalination and co-generation. Thanks to its modular design, SOLO™ can easily scale to deliver up to 1GW or more of CO2-free power with a minimal footprint, making it an ideal solution for rapidly replacing fossil fuel-based thermal plants. Beyond electricity and heat generation, SOLO™ can also contribute to critical applications in the medical sector by producing radioisotopes essential for oncology research and cancer treatment. To learn more, visit: ABOUT PARAGON ENERGY SOLUTIONS For more than 30 years, Paragon has provided an unmatched level of commitment to tackling the nuclear industry's most difficult challenges. Dedicated to quality, safety, reliability, and carbon-free energy, the company delivers premium products to nuclear energy facilities with proven reductions in direct costs, parts inventory, improved process efficiency, and obsolescence solutions. To learn more, visit: CONTACTS Giordano MorichiPartner, Chief Business Development Officer & Investor RelationsTerra Innovatum SrlE: Nicholas Hresko-StaabInvestor & Media RelationsAlliance Advisors IRE: TerraIR@ John PortilloVice PresidentParagon Energy SolutionsE: JPortillo@ IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SHAREHOLDERS This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or constitute a solicitation of any vote or approval. In connection with the business combination, a Dutch public limited liability company ("Pubco"), GSR III Acquisition Corp. ("GSRT") and Terra Innovatum s.r.l. ("Terra Innovatum" and, together with GSR III and Pubco, the "Registrant Parties") have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement"), which includes a preliminary prospectus of Pubco relating to the offer of securities to be issued in connection with the business combination, and a preliminary proxy statement of GSRT to be distributed to holders of GSRT's ordinary shares in connection with GSRT's solicitation of proxies for a vote by GSRT's shareholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters described in the Registration Statement. The Registrant Parties also plan to file other documents with the SEC regarding the business combination. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, a definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to the shareholders of GSRT. INVESTORS OF THE REGISTRANT PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CONTAINED THEREIN (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION. Investors will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents containing important information about the Registrant Parties once such documents are filed with the SEC, through the website maintained by the SEC at In addition, the documents filed by GSRT may be obtained free of charge by written request to GSRT at 5900 Balcones Drive, Suite 100, Austin TX 78731. PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION Each of the Registrant Parties, and their respective directors and executive officers, may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the potential transaction described in this communication under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of GSRT is set forth in GSRT's filings with the SEC. Information regarding other persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the shareholders in connection with the potential transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests will be set forth in the Registration Statement (and will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus) and other relevant documents when they are filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on GSRT and the other Registrant Parties. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting GSRT and the other Registrant Parties will be those that we have anticipated. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date this press release is delivered and involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreements with respect to the Business Combination; (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against GSRT, any of the Registrant Parties, the combined company or others following the announcement of the Business Combination and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; (3) the inability to complete the Business Combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of GSRT or the SEC's declaration of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement (which will include the proxy statement/prospectus contained therein) to be filed by the Registrant Parties or to satisfy other conditions to closing; (4) changes to the proposed structure of the Business Combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the Business Combination; (5) the ability of Pubco to meet stock exchange listing standards following the consummation of the Business Combination; (6) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of Terra Innovatum as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Business Combination; (7) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (8) costs related to the Business Combination, including the reorganization described in the business combination agreement; (9) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (10) the possibility that the Registrant Parties or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (11) the amount of redemption requests made by GSRT shareholders and (12) other risk factors described herein as well as the risk factors and uncertainties described in the Form S-4 and GSRT's other filings with the SEC, as well as any further risks and uncertainties to be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus filed after the date hereof. In addition, there may be additional risks that neither GSRT nor any of the other Registrant Parties presently know, or that GSRT or the other Registrant Parties currently believe are immaterial, that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Nothing in this communication should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward- looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. None of GSRT, the other Registrant Parties, or any of their respective affiliates, officers, employees or agents, makes any representation or warranty, either express or implied, in relation to the fairness, reasonableness, adequacy, accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information, statements or opinions, whichever their source, contained in this press release or any oral information provided in connection herewith, or any data it generates and accept no responsibility, obligation or liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) in relation to any of such information. GSRT, the other Registrant Parties and their respective affiliates, officers, employees and agents further expressly disclaim any and all liability relating to or resulting from the use of this press release and any errors therein or omissions therefrom. Further, the information contained herein is preliminary, is provided for discussion purposes only, is only a summary of key information, is not complete and is subject to change without notice. In addition, the information contained in this press release is provided as of the date hereof and may change, and neither GSRT nor the other Registrant Parties undertakes any obligation to update or revise any forward- looking statements, whether as a result of new information, inaccuracies, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. SOURCE: TERRA INNOVATUM SRL


Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Accepts Oklo's Licensed Operator Topical Report for Review
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The words 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'continue,' 'can,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'intends,' 'may,' 'might,' 'plan,' 'possible,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'should,' 'would' or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this press release and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, the benefits of the proposed acquisition, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the markets in which Oklo operates. Such forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, the actual results or performance of Oklo may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The following important risk factors could affect Oklo's future results and cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements: risks related to the development and deployment of Oklo's powerhouses; the risk that Oklo is pursuing an emerging market, with no commercial project operating, regulatory uncertainties; risks related to acquisitions, divestitures, or joint ventures we may engage in; the potential need for financing to construct plants; market, financial, political and legal conditions; the effects of competition; risks related to accessing HALEU and recycled fuels; risks related to our supply chain; risks related to power purchase agreements; risks related to human capital; risks related to our intellectual property; risks related to cybersecurity and data privacy; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the outcome of any government and regulatory proceedings and investigations and inquiries; the risk that the acquisition of Atomic Alchemy fails to produce the expected benefits; and those factors in the other documents filed by Oklo from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties of the other documents filed by Oklo from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release and in any document incorporated by reference are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on Oklo. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Oklo will be those that Oklo has anticipated. Oklo undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.


Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Editorial: Dangerous Quad Cities plant incident gives us reason for concern about nuke operator's commitment to safety
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