Hillary Hagen-Peter is a Senior Engineering Geologist at Â鶹TVÍøÕ¾, currently working on Oklo Inc.’s Aurora powerhouse project at Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls. As fieldwork lead and now project manager, Hillary is helping assess and prepare this Aurora powerhouse site, which supports advanced reactor technology designed to deliver low to near‑zero emission energy. Hillary explains how geoscience bridges the environmental challenges of past energy practices with the sustainable, low‑carbon solutions needed for the future.
“I am deeply passionate about my work on the Oklo Aurora powerhouse project and other advanced nuclear initiatives that are opening doors to a cleaner energy future. With today’sÌýability to recycle and reuse spent fuel through advanced nuclear technologies, I see this work as a vital bridge between the environmental impacts of past energy practices and the sustainable, low‑carbon solutions we need moving forward.†–Hillary Hagen-Peter
My path into geology began long before my professional career. I was inspired by my older brother, whose undergraduate and graduate fieldwork took him from Mongolia and Italy all the way to Antarctica. Hearing his stories about working in remote, rugged places sparked my curiosity about a field that blends science, exploration and global travel. I signed up for an introductory geology course soon after and was immediately hooked. The combination of fieldwork, problem‑solving and understanding how the Earth shapes our infrastructure and communities set me on the path I’m on today.
So far, my work as a geologist has taken me across the Pacific Northwest, where I’ve led complex geotechnical and geohazard evaluation programs for nuclear and technology infrastructure projects throughout the United States and Canada. Whether hiking through steep terrain, flying by helicopter to remote sites or working in extreme weather, including temperatures dropping to –40°F (the rare point where Fahrenheit and Celsius finally agree), each location brings its own challenges and a distinct set of potential geohazards.
At Â鶹TVÍøÕ¾, I’ve managed large scale geotechnical programs involving comprehensive hazard assessments. One of the most meaningful has been leading geotechnical work for the Oklo Aurora powerhouse project at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls. This project is advancing a more resilient and sustainable energy future, and I’m proud to contribute to efforts that support the broader transition to clean, reliable nuclear energy.
On this project, I started out as a Fieldwork Lead for subsurface drilling and geophysical investigations before moving into full project management, overseeing drilling operations, laboratory testing and final reporting, all in compliance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Nuclear Quality Assurance (ASME NQA1) requirements. This work is meticulous and often challenging, but it is foundational to building safe, sustainable infrastructure.
Through both my studies and field experience, I have seen how geoscience directly shapes the success of advanced nuclear projects, helping see that innovative clean‑energy technologies are built on safe and resilient ground. From evaluating hazards such as flooding, expansive and collapsible soils, landslides, faulting, seismicity and volcanic activity, to leading subsurface drilling and geophysical investigations, geoscientists provide the critical data that informs design, safety and long‑term performance.
I’m especially inspired by the nuclear sector’s ability to recycle and reuse spent fuel through advanced nuclear technologies. This capability represents a vital bridge: connecting the environmental impacts of past energy practices with the low‑carbon solutions we need moving forward. When paired with renewable sources like solar and wind, advanced nuclear energy becomes part of a resilient, diversified path toward achieving the United Nation’s global goal of net‑zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Across all of these efforts, I am reminded that sustainable energy isn’t just a technological challenge; it’s a geotechnical one. The future we build must stand on solid ground, and I’m proud to help ensure that the next generation of clean‑energy infrastructure is resilient, responsible and built to support communities for decades to come.
Hillary Hagen-Peter, P.G., C.E.G., L.E.G.
Senior Engineering Geologist
Hillary Hagen-Peter earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from St. Lawrence University in 2014. As a Senior Engineering Geologist at Â鶹TVÍøÕ¾ with more than 12 years of geotechnical experience, Hillary is responsible for managing and executing complex geotechnical and geohazard evaluation programs for major nuclear and technology infrastructure projects across Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Hillary has experience preparing comprehensive geotechnical background studies assessing hazards such as flooding, expansive and collapsible soils, landslides, faulting, seismicity and volcanic activity. She previously served as Fieldwork Lead for nuclear subsurface drilling and geophysical investigations, before transitioning into full project management responsibilities, overseeing nuclear projects from their earliest conception through final delivery.
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