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2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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Getting back to yes: A local perspective on decommissioning, restart, and responsibility
For 45 years, Duane Arnold Energy Center operated in Linn County, Ia., near the town of Palo and just northwest of Cedar Rapids. The facility, owned by NextEra Energy, was the only nuclear power plant in the state.
In August 2020, a historic derecho swept across eastern Iowa with winds approaching 140 miles per hour. Damage to the plant’s cooling towers accelerated a shutdown that had already been planned, and the facility entered decommissioning soon after, with its fuel removed in October of that year. Iowa’s only nuclear plant had gone off line.
Today the national energy landscape looks very different than it did just six short years ago. Electricity demand is rising rapidly as data centers, artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and electrification expand across the country. Reliable, carbon-free baseload power has become increasingly valuable. In that context, Linn County has approved the rezoning necessary to support the recommissioning and restart of Duane Arnold and is actively supporting NextEra’s efforts to secure the remaining state and federal approvals.
The American Nuclear Society (ANS) invites its members to apply for a one-year Washington, D.C.–based Congressional Fellowship. The ANS Congressional Fellow appointment helps the Society fulfill its strategic goal of enhancing nuclear public policy.
As an ANS Congressional Fellow, you will have the opportunity to work in either a U.S. Senator's or Representative's personal office or with a Senate or a House Committee, and become a direct contributor to the federal policymaking process. Along with providing Congress with expertise in nuclear science and technology, the Fellow will support other issues of importance. In return, the Fellow will gain a better understanding of how the legislative process works. Often the year as a "Beltway Insider" results in a new career direction.
As an ANS Congressional Fellow, you will be one of nearly 30 scientists and engineers participating annually through the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship Program. More than 2,000 have served as Fellows on Capitol Hill since the inception of the AAAS program in 1973. ANS initiated its program in 2000. The ANS Congressional Fellowship term runs from January through December each year. In 2023, ANS expanded its program and now hosts two Congressional Fellows.
Experience the inner workings of Congress and contribute to improving the understanding of nuclear science and technology issues with congressional leaders through this once in a lifetime opportunity. ANS encourages interested members to apply.
"I am very grateful to the American Nuclear Society for this immense opportunity. It has been an amazing journey and a life changing experience to be advising Senator Feinstein on nuclear issues, as part of the energy, transportation, and climate change portfolios. The ANS Congressional Fellowship provides great opportunities for a nuclear professional to participate in federal policymaking and experience firsthand the intersections between federal and state policy, theoretical science, and engineered technology. The ability to understand the role policy plays in the nuclear industry is essential for future leaders."
Harsh Desai2014 Congressional FellowServed in the office of Senator Dianne Feinstein in Washington, D.C.
The Fellowship program compensates the Fellow with an $95,000 annual stipend, payable in monthly installments over 12 months, plus up to $10,000 in travel reimbursement for expenses related to attending the AAAS orientation in September prior to the official start date, and the two ANS National Meetings in June and November of the Fellowship year. Any expenses above these are the responsibility of the Fellow. ANS also agrees to pay up to $5,000 towards out-of-pocket health insurance premiums not covered by AAAS or other programs during the year long Fellowship.
Must fulfill one of the following at minimum before Fellowship start date of January 1:
To apply for the ANS Congressional Fellowship you must submit the following information in a Word, PDF or other compatible format to fellow@ans.org before the stated deadline:
"It was a great and unique opportunity for me. The legislation I was working on (in the office of U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) - the Energy Policy Act of 2005 - was passed into law."
Eric P. Loewen, Ph.D. (left), ANS Past President, 2005 ANS Congressional Fellow with U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel [R-NE]
After an application review, the selection committee invites finalist candidates for virtual and/or in-person interviews either during or before the ANS Annual Meeting in June.
For additional information, please contact: fellow@ans.org.
Last modified May 6, 2026, 4:02pm CDT