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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
Joe Colvin is a senior chief executive officer with extensive political, public and advocacy background in corporate management, coupled with over 50 years of nuclear energy operational, engineering and management experience.
Colvin served on the board of the American Nuclear society from 2007-2012 and served as the President of the Society from 2010- 2011, managing the industry’s response to the nuclear accident at Fukushima in Japan.
Colvin is President Emeritus of the Nuclear Energy Institute, Inc., NEI, serving as its President and CEO from 1996-2005. He previously held senior executive positions with the NEI, the Nuclear Management and Resources Committee and the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations. He also served over twenty years as a line officer in the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine program.
In 1969, Colvin earned a BSEE from University of New Mexico and graduated from Harvard’s School of Business’ Advanced Management Program.
Read Nuclear News from July 2010 for more on Joe
