Assemblyman Scott Gray, ranking Minority member of the Assembly Committee on Energy, this week joined a delegation of state legislators in France for a comprehensive study of the nation’s nuclear energy enterprises, touring facilities operated by EDF, Orano and Framatome.

The week offered a rare end-to-end view of the nuclear sector. With EDF, the delegation examined the utility and grid-side operations. With Orano, the focus shifted to the fuel cycle. And at Framatome, the legislators saw firsthand the quality and safety standards necessary to produce a reactor.

“To see this industry from the grid all the way through to the manufacturing of a reactor, in one week, was simply outstanding and invaluable,” said Assemblyman Gray. “As New York and states across the country prepare for the expansion of nuclear power generation, the knowledge gained on a trip like this is incredibly important. You cannot replace standing inside these facilities and seeing the work being done with your own eyes.”

Assemblyman Gray extended his gratitude to EDF, Orano, and Framatome for their hospitality throughout the visit and to the National Conference of State Legislatures for organizing the trip and extending the invitation. He was joined by four other state legislators, representing Washington, Minnesota, Texas and Kentucky. He also thanked the Nuclear Energy Institute, whose technical expertise helped focus each stop along the way.

“My thanks go to each of these companies for opening their doors, to the National Conference of State Legislatures for putting this together and to the Nuclear Energy Institute for the technical grounding that made every stop meaningful,” Gray said. “This is exactly the kind of preparation we need as we look toward the future of energy generation in New York and beyond.”