LANSING, Mich., May 11, 2026 — Last week, Nuclear Matters, in conjunction with the Nuclear Energy Institute, named state Rep. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) to the inaugural class of 2026 Nuclear State Champions. The recognition honors policymakers across the country for advancing nuclear energy.
After the announcement, Andrews released the following statement:
“It is a tremendous honor to be a part of the inaugural class of Nuclear State Champions. I’m humbled to join a cohort marked by long-standing advocacy and commitment to supporting nuclear energy and a carbon-free energy future.
“Nuclear energy is critical to our long-term success as a state and nation. It provides good-paying jobs that support entire communities and is a clean source of energy that can power our state long into the future. As part of my work as a state legislator, I supported and celebrated the reopening of the Palisades Nuclear plant right in my district. This plant is vital to our local economy and will play a key role in Michigan’s energy independence moving forward.
“We know that we cannot continue to rely on fossil fuels that release dangerous amounts of CO2 into the air; we must prioritize the transition to clean energy sources. I was proud to help introduce a bipartisan nuclear energy package to help support Michigan’s industrial base and make our state a national leader in nuclear energy technology and workforce training. This is about creating a more sustainable, reliable and ultimately more affordable energy future. I am beyond grateful for this recognition, and I am ready to continue the work to make a nuclear energy future a reality.”
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