BATON ROUGE — Under the state's first Nuclear Strategic Framework and with a $45 million federal funding renewal, Louisiana officials are preparing for large-scale investment in the future of the state's energy industry.

The investment, a three-year renewal, and nuclear framework were announced at the energy industry conference CERAWeek in Houston, Texas.

"From advancing nuclear development to scaling new technologies, we have the resources, the infrastructure and the workforce to power America’s future while creating opportunity here at home," Gov. Jeff Landry said in a statement. 

The nuclear framework will provide a roadmap for how the state will expand nuclear energy infrastructure, strengthen domestic supply chains, and grow high-wage jobs across Louisiana.

State officials say the nuclear framework and the $45 million in Future Use of Energy in Louisiana funding from the National Science Foundation signal a coordinated approach to further strengthening the state's energy infrastructure. FUEL is an initiative led by LSU.

Patrick Courreges, the Press Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy, told WBRZ that there is a growing demand for energy projects in the state, and this new nuclear framework initiative could open the door to future nuclear projects across Louisiana.

He explained, "The data centers folks are talking about you're looking at a lot of potential power demand if somebody wants to get in that side of the business."

Building on the discussion of energy needs, experts like Keith Hall, who directs the John Laborde Energy Law Center at LSU, say consumers could possibly see help in stabilizing or even reducing energy costs.

"If we're going to see increased use because of data centers, we need to generate that. And if we have a lot of generation in Louisiana, then that will decrease the cost just because of the supply and demand," Hall said.

The nuclear framework identifies four areas of priority for the state's nuclear development — nuclear manufacturing, expansion of nuclear generation, uranium fuel conversion, and fuel enrichment capabilities. Alongside the framework, energy officials also announced that the state will host a nuclear industry summit this spring to further explore how the state will expand nuclear capabilities.

Jackson Voss with the Alliance for Affordable Energy, told WBRZ, while they do not oppose the framework, there are concerns about the construction of possible Nuclear plants and possible added costs to energy customers.

"People should be aware that if a project is announced, it could take quite a long time, and it could be quite expensive, and so if the project comes from Entergy or from another investor-owned utility, there is a strong chance that it could raise your electric bills for years to come," Voss said.