Rosenmeier Center presents forum focused on Minnesota’s Nuclear Energy Future

The community is invited to attend an upcoming forum hosted by the Gordon Rosenmeier Center for State and Local Government focused on Minnesota’s Nuclear Energy Future.

The Rosenmeier Forum will take place from 6:30–8:30 p.m. on February 23 in the Chalberg Theatre on the CLC Brainerd campus. The event is free and open to the public.

The forum will feature a panel of industry leaders and experts, including:

• Darrick Moe, President & CEO, Minnesota Rural Electric Association
• Philip Hult, Development Manager and Nuclear Engineer, MPhil., University of Cambridge
• Michael Brasel, Chief Operating Officer, Deep Fission

Presenters will explore future opportunities and challenges related to the use of nuclear power in Minnesota. Discussion topics will include whether nuclear energy should play a role in meeting the state’s future energy needs, Minnesota’s readiness to expand nuclear power, and how emerging technologies are shaping the nuclear energy industry.

“Affordable and reliable electricity affects every Minnesotan,” said Greg Blaine, Rosenmeier Center Board member. “This forum will examine how advances in nuclear technology could help address our state’s energy concerns.”

Steve Wenzel, Executive Director of the Gordon Rosenmeier Center for State and Local Government, added “This Rosenmeier Forum will give our audience an exceptional look at the energy needs of the 21st century. Mr. Moe, Mr. Hult, and Mr. Brasel bring tremendous expertise and real-world experience, and we are fortunate to have speakers of their caliber guiding this important conversation.”

More on the presenters:

Darrick Moe, President & CEO of Minnesota Rural Electric Association

Darrick started his service as President & CEO of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA) in 2014. As Minnesota’s statewide association, MREA serves all 50 of the state’s rural electric cooperatives, providing safety support, education and training, communications support, and political and policy leadership.

He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, California State University, and the University of Idaho, with master’s degrees in the Humanities and Electrical Engineering with an emphasis on power system operations. He has worked in the electric utility industry for over 35 years, holding positions including Washington Liaison in Washington D.C., Operations Support Manager at a bulk transmission system operations center, and Regional Manager of Western Area Power Administration’s Desert Southwest Region, responsible for over 3,000 miles of transmission line and marketing power from Hoover Dam and other Federal generation facilities in the southwest. He has served on national and regional power system operations and reliability committees.

Philip Hult, Development Manager, Nuclear Engineer, MPhil. University of Cambridge 

Philip Hult is a promoter of the dual goals of expanding access to energy and reducing the impacts of climate change. He currently works to promote nuclear power through public engagement and addressing the equity challenges surrounding the long-term disposition of spent nuclear fuel. As a key strategist with Generation Atomic, he works to organize advocacy initiatives and build coalitions across traditional social and political divides. He serves as the Development Director at Generation Atomic and holds a Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Cambridge, UK.

Michael Brasel, Chief Operating Officer of Deep Fission

Michael has served as Chief Operating Officer of Deep Fission since October 2025. Before joining Deep Fission, Mr. Brasel worked at NuScale Power in successive senior project and supply-chain leadership roles from April 2012 to March 2024, most recently as Senior Director. Prior to NuScale, he served at Dairyland Power Cooperative from February 2002 to March 2012, including as Plant Manager of the La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor from January 2009 to March 2012. Mr. Brasel is a former U.S. Navy Nuclear Operator–Electrician and completed Naval Nuclear Power School. He holds engineering and business degrees from Old Dominion University and the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Lake Region Electric Cooperative and Great River Energy in Minnesota.