Accepting Pitches – Issue 16: Nuclear Energy
Priority Deadline: November 14, 2025
Western Confluence magazine, a publication of the Ruckelshaus Institute at the University of Wyoming’s Haub School of Natural Resources, seeks story ideas for our issue on the full fuel cycle of nuclear energy development—from uranium mining to spent fuel storage. Stories will be published online throughout 2026 and in print January 2027.
What we are looking for
In the 50’s, nuclear was deemed the energy of the future. Finally, humankind would have reliable, clean energy that was so cheap as to be nearly free. Eighty-some years later, calls for decarbonization alongside skyrocketing energy demand has many heralding a nuclear renaissance, where some form of those original dreams can come true. Proponents promise this isn’t “your father’s nuclear,” and a lot does look different, from new fuels to next generation reactors. But some questions, like where to permanently store spent fuel, remain evergreen.
The next issue of Western Confluence will help readers understand the historical legacy and modern-day implications of the full fuel cycle of nuclear energy development—for natural resource management, energy production, access, and use, the environment, communities, and more. The issue will ask:
- What developments are proposed or already happening around uranium mining and milling, fuel refinement, energy generation, spent fuel storage, facility siting, and supporting industries? What environmental, social, and economic risks do they pose? What environmental, social, and economic benefits do they offer?
- Where and how are past nuclear projects informing a community’s response to modern development proposals? Under what conditions are they saying “yes” or “no”?
- How has nuclear regulation and the nuclear industry changed? What innovative, collaborative, or novel approaches are businesses and organizations trying? What sticky, intractable challenges remain?
- How are people grappling with the challenges of making decisions about low-probability, high-impact risks and extended time horizons?
We want thoughtful, nuanced tales of cutting-edge technology, radioactive waste, community visions, and more. Stories should inform and surprise readers, illuminate new ideas and solutions, provide rich context for issues, and introduce us to nuclear’s managers, critics, researchers, policymakers, advocates, and entrepreneurs.
How it works
To write for the magazine, please email a story pitch to editor@westernconfluence.org. In less than 500 words, describe your story angle, how you plan to report the story, why it’s relevant to Western Confluence readers, and how it fits the theme of the issue.
We also welcome story concepts from scientists, researchers, managers, policy makers, and other engaged citizens including tips, names of contacts, links to scholarly papers, or other leads that we can develop into a story. We will consider assigning those to a reporter/writer, who may wish to reach out to you as a source for the article.
Western Confluence editors and advisors will discuss all pitches. For those we’d like to pursue, an editor will work with the writer to hone the approach to the story.
- If your pitch is accepted, we’ll meet to discuss your angle and story approach. We’ll also agree on a word count and deadline for the first draft.
- Write your draft and send it to us on time and near the agreed-upon word count. Be patient, and willing to work through several rounds of edits to make sure the story fits the magazine and is as clear and compelling for readers as it can be.
- Before publication, you will need to fact check. This may include sending parts (but not all) of the story to your sources to ensure that you have presented the information and their voices accurately, double-checking your numbers and data, or asking an expert to review a paragraph or concept.
- You are not responsible for all the graphics, illustrations, or photos that will accompany your article, but if you have good ideas for what to include, work with us to get access to those materials. We are always happy to connect with photographers, artists, and graphic designers who might be interested in publishing their work in our magazine.
- Enjoy seeing your work published and share it widely!
If you are an employee of an institution for whom a contribution to Western Confluence fulfills part of your professional duties, we will not pay for the article. If you are a student, a freelance journalist, a contributor of another sort, or your contribution does not fit within your existing professional duties, we will pay you $0.50–$1.00 per word depending on your writing experience and skill and the complexity of the story.
All Western Confluence articles go through several rounds of editing to bring them in line with our style. Writers should expect an extensive revision process.
View the guide: How to Write for Western Confluence
Please direct all questions, pitches, and ideas to Birch Malotky at editor@westernconfluence.org.
Get Notified
If you would like to be notified when each issue’s call for pitches goes out (typically October), you can join our “contributors” list below. Please note, this is a separate email list from our online article dispatches.