By Teresa Chan, Director of the Master of Professional Studies in Insurance Management Program
The perils of using fossil fuels have been at the core of pushing for cleaner forms of energy. As technology advances, the options for clean energy continue to grow. However, the capacity of renewable and alternative energy options to fuel the growing demand for energy requires a balanced and well-planned transition.
The optimal blend of resources during this transition includes the use of nuclear energy. For more than 40 years, Insurance Management lecturer Bob Percopo has been promoting and advising about the implementation of small modular reactors (SMRs) for specific uses. He has long maintained that SMRs represent a viable source of energy which can be clean, efficient, sustainable, and cost effective.
In spring 2024, Bob was appointed chief operating officer of United Nuclear Group by John A. Catsimatidis, chairman of Red Apple Group, the parent company of United Nuclear Group, providing advice and connecting key technology and service providers, regulatory resources and project developers. Company officials say that United Nuclear Group is developing SMRs for deployment in the United States and other countries using 60 Hz electric power.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s certification of the NuScale SMR design in January 2023 could not have come at a better time: intense heat waves are being experienced around the globe and with them a push for more electric vehicles on roads; the realization that more energy is needed to fuel the demand for even more technological advancement is spreading; and the scope of artificial intelligence and the number of data center operations have proliferated globally.
In anticipation of the need to power these activities, Bob has been working with two nuclear-friendly states, Texas and North Carolina, which recently launched programs to offer funding to support the implementation of localized nuclear facilities, including workforce training to oversee the operation, installation, and location of SMRs. A few weeks ago, Microsoft announced a deal to help restart Three Mile Island.
The time has arrived, once again, to put nuclear energy to work.
About the Program
The Master of Professional Studies in Insurance Management is for career professionals who want to accelerate their advancement to leadership positions or broaden their expertise in the industry. It accommodates both professionals already working in insurance and those looking to make a career change. The program is part-time, online, and instruction is asynchronous to accommodate working professionals.
