WILMINGTON — Governor Matt Meyer recently nominated eight distinguished individuals to serve on the Delaware Nuclear Energy Feasibility Task Force, in accordance with Senate Concurrent Resolution 18 (SCR 18), adopted earlier this year by the Delaware General Assembly.
“Delawareans are feeling the impact of rising energy prices, and we have a responsibility to explore every option to bring those costs down,” Governor Matt Meyer said. “This task force will take a hard, honest look at whether nuclear energy — and specifically small modular reactors — can play a role in providing reliable, affordable, and clean power for our state.”
The 25-member Task Force will conduct a comprehensive study into whether deploying Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Delaware is feasible, what regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy‐reliability implications it would carry, and what steps the state would need to take to prepare.
SCR 18 charges the Task Force with:
examining the technical and logistical feasibility of SMR deployment in Delaware, including site suitability, infrastructure, and grid integration needs
analyzing long-term economic costs and benefits, considering job creation, local economic impacts, and comparative energy pricing
reviewing regulatory and permitting requirements, both at the state and federal levels
assessing environmental impacts, including emissions reduction potential, safety, waste management, emergency preparedness, and overall ecosystem effects
evaluating how SMRs might enhance energy reliability, lessen Delaware’s dependence on energy imports, and stabilize costs for families and businesses
The nominated members represent a cross-section of expertise in energy engineering, environmental science, regulatory law, economics, public health, business, and community leadership. Their insights will be essential to producing the Task Force’s report, which is due to the General Assembly and the Governor by December 31, 2025.
ABOUT THE NOMINEES
Robert DeNight
Robert DeNight is Vice President of Nuclear Engineering at PSEG, which owns five and operates three nuclear power plants in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He supports the safe and reliable operation of both the Salem and Hope Creek generating stations and has more than 35 years of experience in the nuclear industry. Mr. DeNight previously served as Site Vice President of Hope Creek Generating Station and Vice President of Nuclear Operations Support.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Virginia Tech, an MBA from the University of Delaware, and obtained a Senior Reactor Operator license for Salem Generating Station. A licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania and longtime Delaware resident, he brings extensive leadership and technical expertise to the Task Force.
Andrew Cottone
Dr. Andrew Cottone is an inventor, entrepreneur, and business leader with more than two decades of experience in advanced manufacturing and clean energy innovation. After earning his Ph.D. in organometallic chemistry from the University of Florida and completing post-doctoral studies at the University of Delaware, he co-founded Adesis in 2005 and helped grow it into a leading research and development company. Under his leadership, Adesis expanded from 17 employees to nearly 180 and from 15,000 square feet of laboratory space to two sites totaling 100,000 square feet, establishing itself as a leader in process chemistry and high-tech manufacturing. In 2023, Dr. Cottone founded Aternium, a Delaware-based company working to advance the region’s clean energy future by producing safe, reliable, and affordable industrial hydrogen.
He brings to the Task Force a combination of scientific expertise, entrepreneurial vision, and deep commitment to building the state’s energy economy.
Anthony DePrima
Dr. Anthony (Tony) DePrima retired in 2022 as the founding Executive Director of the Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility, also known as Energize Delaware. Under his leadership, the organization became a statewide resource for helping residents and businesses save money through clean energy and efficiency programs. Earlier in his career, Dr. DePrima served as City Manager of Dover for a decade and as Dover’s Planning and Inspections Director.
He earned a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware, a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Tech, and a bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Based in Dover, he brings deep experience in energy policy, municipal planning, and sustainable development.
Martin Willis
Martin Willis has been a Union Boilermaker for more than 35 years and is a member of Boilermakers Local 13 in Philadelphia. Over the course of his career, he has worked on projects in oil refineries, petrochemical facilities, coal and natural gas power plants, nuclear power plants, paper mills, and steel mills. His experience in field construction provides him with a first-hand understanding of America’s energy infrastructure and the challenges of building and maintaining energy facilities.
A resident of New Castle, Delaware, Mr. Willis brings a practical perspective on energy generation and a commitment to engaging the public in conversations about clean, low-carbon alternatives.
Keith Goossen
Dr. Keith Goossen is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Delaware, where his research spans optics, electronics, and energy systems. He began his career at Bell Laboratories and later co-founded a start-up commercializing high-speed fiber-optic modules. He holds 84 patents and is recognized internationally for his work in optoelectronics and micro-mechanical systems.
Dr. Goossen directs the Mid-Atlantic Industrial Assessment Center, which trains students in energy efficiency and conducts energy audits for industrial and nonprofit facilities. His technical expertise, combined with his leadership in energy innovation, provides the Task Force with valuable insight into advanced technologies and practical energy solutions.
Peggy Schultz
Peggy Schultz is a longtime civic leader and energy advocate in Delaware. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh before spending 15 years as an educator and reading specialist. Over the past several decades, she has been active in the League of Women Voters and is the founder of POWER—People for Offshore Wind Energy Resources—a coalition supporting offshore wind in Delaware.
Ms. Schultz is committed to ensuring that community voices are included in the state’s energy discussions and will serve as a bridge between scientific experts and the general public on the Task Force.
Robert Wheatley
Bob Wheatley is a 45-year resident of Sussex County with decades of experience in land use, business, and community service. He served for 30 years on the Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission and spent 20 years owning and operating a commercial construction company before establishing a real estate and consulting practice.
Mr. Wheatley also serves as an outside director of Linkbancorp, a community bank with operations across four states, and sits on the board of Sussex Montessori School along with several other nonprofits. Residing in Laurel, Delaware, he brings to the Task Force extensive experience in planning, development, and local governance.
Jennifer Clemons
Dr. Jennifer Clemons is an Associate Teaching Professor in Penn State’s Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, where she teaches in both undergraduate and graduate energy programs. A specialist in solar design and finance, she is a NABCEP-certified photovoltaic instructor and an award-winning leader in clean energy education. Dr. Clemons previously spent 12 years at Delaware Technical Community College, where she chaired the Energy Technologies programs and developed associate degrees in solar, energy management, and building automation.
She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Penn State and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Delaware. A 2024 recipient of the U.S. Department of Energy’s C3E Education Award, she contributes a strong background in renewable energy education and workforce development to the Task Force.
For headshots of the nominees, CLICK HERE.
For any questions or to schedule a one-on-one interview with Governor Meyer, please email govcomm@delaware.gov.
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