MISSISSAUGA, ON – February 18, 2015 – Terrestrial Energy Inc. (the “Company”) announces that it has appointed Jeffrey Merrifield as Legal Counsel to its International Advisory Board. Mr. Merrifield is an attorney who has specialized in energy and particularly nuclear energy throughout his career. Mr. Merrifield has previously served as commissioner on the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and as a senior executive for Shaw Group and Chicago Bridge & Iron, two of the largest providers of engineering and construction services to the energy industry. Simultaneously, Terrestrial Energy has named Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP its legal counsel. Mr. Merrifield is a partner in Pillsbury’s energy practice.
Mr. Merrifield was appointed by President Clinton and reappointed by President Bush to serve on the five-member, Senate-confirmed, independent United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. During his tenure, which was from October 1998 to June 2002 and from August 2002 to June 2007, the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission had a staff of 3,250 employees with a budget of $900 million and set all policies and rules that govern the safe and secure use of nuclear materials at the 104 U.S. nuclear power plants operating at that time.
Mr. Merrifield was the Senior Vice President of Global Business Development with CB&I’s Power Business Unit. While there, he led a team of twenty-five sales and proposal staff to develop and win over $1.5 billion in annual sales. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President for The Shaw Group, Inc.’s Power Group. As a member of the Power Group’s executive team, he was responsible for overseeing the group’s external relationships including nuclear business development, customer relations, strategic planning, marketing and communications, as well as government and regulatory affairs.
Mr. Merrifield has published numerous articles, and has appeared on numerous network television interviews, including CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, NBC, FOX, BBC, Bloomberg and ABC. He received his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University, and his BA from Tufts University.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is an international law firm that has been serving the energy industry for 140 years. Pillsbury’s domestic nuclear practice began in the 1950s as the first nuclear energy practice in the USA. Pillsbury has been a party in virtually every US purchase and sale of a nuclear power plant, and has spearheaded the NRC licensing of 50 of these plants – more than any other firm.
Simon Irish, CEO of Terrestrial Energy commented on the appointment: “Mr. Merrifield provides a great deal of relevant experience to our International Advisory Board. His experience, network and legal advice will be invaluable as the Company engages with its industrial and regulatory constituencies. Furthermore, Pillsbury has a substantial nuclear practice and this expertise will be of great relevance as we deepen our relationships with strategic industrial partners.”
