Nuclear Innovation Institute announces winners of Clean Energy Frontier program awards

The Nuclear Innovation Institute (NII) has announced the winners of the second annual Clean Energy Frontier program awards, recognizing exceptional contributions to the local economy and clean energy sector.

Presented at the Canadian Nuclear Association Conference in Ottawa, Wednesday night, these awards, part of the Bruce Power Nexus Research Centre, celebrate individuals, teams and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding dedication to advancing clean energy innovation, economic growth and community engagement in the region.

Award recipients were recognized in three distinct categories — each demonstrating a fundamental aspect of success in economic development and clean energy in the Clean Energy Frontier region.

The Paulette Peirol Memorial Award for Excellence in Economic Development, recognizing outstanding commitment to economic development with a focus on clean energy, was presented to Jeff Loney, Bruce County manager of economic development.

Loney, a key driver of economic development in the clean energy sector since 2021, has fostered regional growth, built strategic partnerships and promoted the region as a clean energy investment hub, securing funding for initiatives, raising awareness provincially and internationally, and supporting municipal readiness through training and strategic collaboration.

“I am proud to be recognized through this award for the work Bruce County does at the forefront of clean energy and economic growth,” said Loney. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of the entire Bruce County team and our community partners, who work daily in supporting our clean energy sector.

“Bruce County is committed to continuing to drive forward opportunities across the full spectrum of clean energy technology. This award is an important recognition that Bruce County is a leader in the clean energy transition, creating jobs and strengthening our local economy.”

The Emerging Leader in Clean Energy and Innovation Award, recognizing a leader in clean energy under the age of 40, went to Bharath Nangia of NPX.

Nangia is a transformative leader in the nuclear industry, revolutionizing the sector with advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation, to enhance nuclear safety, efficiency and transparency. As chief executive officer of Nuclear Promise X (NPX), he has driven innovation while also empowering communities through initiatives, such as coding programs and support for STEM education, inspiring the next generation of clean energy innovators.

“I’m beyond honoured to be recognized by NII and so proud of the work we’re doing to transform nuclear energy through innovation,” said Nangia. “By making nuclear modern, more cost-effective and faster, we’re helping ensure the Clean Energy Frontier continues to lead the way in delivering clean, reliable power for generations to come. A huge thanks also to Bruce Power for being a force for good that has enabled us to thrive!”

The Community Clean Energy Champion Award, recognizing significant contributions from organizations seeking to support the growth of the clean energy sector in the region, was presented to Georgian College in Owen Sound.

The college has demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing clean energy, workforce development and regional economic growth. Through strong partnerships, it has expanded programs in power engineering, apprenticeships and nuclear sector training, while fostering research and innovation that supports clean energy advancements and strengthens the regional supply chain.

“We’re honoured to receive this award,” said Dr. Dave Shorey, executive director of Georgian College’s Owen Sound campus. “This recognition reflects the deep and ongoing partnerships we’ve built with nuclear operators, suppliers, unions and community leaders who share our commitment to innovation and regional resilience.

“Georgian’s Owen Sound campus plays a critical role in localizing, developing and retaining the highly-skilled workforce needed to power Ontario's clean energy future. We are proud to be a full-service campus deeply embedded in the sector, responding to its evolving needs, co-creating solutions and preparing the next generation of leaders and professionals.”

The Community Clean Energy Champion Award was also presented to Willing to Listen, a community-led initiative that fostered informed discussions about the proposed Deep Geological Repository (DGR) for used nuclear fuel. Through newsletters, social media, podcasts and face-to-face conversations, the group provided science-based information, empowering local residents to critically evaluate the project and make informed decisions, while promoting open dialogue and addressing key community concerns.

Said the group, “As individuals with knowledge and work experience in the nuclear industry, we recognized a need for factual information to be shared with our community. Our goal was to emphasize the benefits of clean energy and correct any misinformation that was being spread about the DGR and the industry as a whole.

"Collectively, we spent countless hours researching the DGR and distributing that information to South Bruce residents. We obtained a positive referendum result — showing our community was a willing host for the DGR — because of the support and dedication of our like-minded community members.”

“Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, whose leadership in clean energy innovation, community engagement and economic development is helping shape a more sustainable future,” said NII’s Chad Richards, senior director, Bruce Power Nexus Research Centre.

“These awards were inspired by the Paulette Peirol Memorial Award, established at the 2024 Canadian Nuclear Association Conference, to honour Paulette’s legacy of dedication to regional growth and clean energy advancement.”

Learn more about the Clean Energy Frontier at: nii.ca/clean-energy-frontier.



The 2025 Clean Energy Awards are presented at the Canadian Nuclear Association Conference in Ottawa; from left, are NII vice-president Stellina Williams; NII board chairman James Scongack, chief operating officer and executive vice-president at Bruce Power; NII president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jessica Linthorne; Bruce County economic development manager Jeff Loney; NPX CEO Bharath Nangia; Larry Hayes, Sheila Whytock, and Tony Zettel of Willing to Listen; Dr. Dave Shorey, executive director, Georgian College's Owen Sound Campus; Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, minister of rural affairs; and Bruce Power president and CEO Eric Chassard