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ANS President Grecheck Annual Meeting Opening Remarks

Following is an edited excerpt from ANS President Eugene S. Grecheck’s remarks at the Opening Plenary session of the ANS Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA, today.


Good morning, and welcome to New Orleans and the 2016 Annual Meeting of the American Nuclear Society!

I am a grateful to all of you for being here, because there is no better place where I can be engaged with not only my peers from the nuclear energy industry, but many of the best minds in the wide variety of nuclear professions.

One of the unique features of these ANS national meetings is that we bring together scientists, technicians, business leaders, government representatives, suppliers, educators, and others engaged in everything from space exploration to isotope production. We connect highly experienced nuclear professionals with each other, and with the new generation whose ideas and discoveries will someday be the next big things.

Our collaboration with government entities and other organizations that share our interests makes ANS a stronger professional society. We bring together the broad nuclear community, making ANS a highly-respected advocate for advancing nuclear science and technology.

Your collective wisdom is what will make these next few days a highly valuable experience for us all.

When I began my term as president last June, I chose the theme, “The world needs nuclear, and nuclear needs ANS,” because it captured why we all do what we do every day, and why we’re involved with ANS. All of us in nuclear science and technology are doing important work for the benefit of the entire world.

This week, we will learn from each other and discuss the issues that are vital to us not only as professionals, but as citizens. We know and understand the many ways that nuclear science and technology improve our lives. But the general public and policymakers often don’t. So it’s up to us to help others understand, if we are going to move the needle forward for nuclear.

I find it inspiring to be here in New Orleans. This city has one of the greatest revitalization stories in our nation’s history. There were those who said they couldn’t, or shouldn’t, rebuild after Katrina. Yet here we are in a vibrant city that is carrying on while still facing significant challenges.

Now, I in no way compare what the people of New Orleans have been through to the challenges facing nuclear energy and some other nuclear technologies, such as isotope production for medical use. But the lesson for us is that we can continue to be a vibrant and innovative community of nuclear professionals despite the naysayers and challengers who throw roadblocks in our way.

We know that nuclear energy is necessary for improving the world’s air quality. We know the many health, safety, and other improvements that nuclear technologies bring to people’s lives. It’s up to us to ensure that nuclear technologies continue to be available for our families, our friends, and the world.

This past year has been a two-steps-forward, one-step-back experience for nuclear energy.

One major step forward was that ANS and about 150 partner organizations were very successful in creating high visibility for nuclear energy at the COP21 United Nations climate change conference in Paris last December. We were part of an international team that flooded social media with pro-nuclear messages, met with key decision-makers, arranged panel discussions, and gained international media attention.

ANS was closely engaged with DOE both before COP, and while we were in Paris. I was invited to speak on a DOE panel discussing advanced nuclear, where Secretary Moniz was the keynote speaker.

We can’t take credit for the outcome of the COP agreement that retains nuclear among the solutions to climate change. But I can’t help but think that if we were not there, and if we hadn’t been very actively working behind the scenes with government officials, and creating visibility for nuclear leading up to the conference, there may have been a different outcome.

For the first time in some 15 years, nuclear is finally being recognized as a carbon dioxide emission reduction strategy worldwide. In fact, we were so successful in Paris that anti-nuclear activists vandalized one of our booths and complained on a blog that pro-nuclear advocates were too visible.

Here in the United States, the Administration, the Congress, and the Department of Energy are demonstrating a commitment to advance nuclear technologies. This didn’t happen overnight. And it didn’t just happen by itself. ANS and our partner organizations have been making important connections with legislators, government agencies, and the White House, and getting results.

The White House Summit on Nuclear Energy, which took place just days before our Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., last November, was the result of hard work behind the scenes – but we also suspect it was influenced just a little by the flood of social media we and our partners in Nuclear for Climate orchestrated in the months leading up to COP21.

And a few weeks ago, I was invited to present at an invitation-only Summit hosted by DOE’s GAIN program on Improving the Economics of America’s Nuclear Power Plants. ANS’s new Nuclear in the States toolkit caught the attention of the organizers, and I was asked to moderate a panel discussion about what the states can do to save the current nuclear fleet.

These invitations demonstrate one of the reasons that nuclear needs ANS. We represent the interests of respected nuclear professionals both nationally and internationally. The strength in our numbers opens doors. But most importantly, our expertise and leadership are recognized at the highest levels of government and by the media.

Unfortunately, we’ve also faced a few steps back. Just a week before the DOE economic summit came the announced shut down of the Fort Calhoun nuclear plant in Nebraska. Less than two weeks ago came the announcement that two nuclear plants in Illinois will begin premature shutdown due to an unbalanced economic market that favors other forms of energy to the detriment of nuclear. These are unfortunately too frequent reminders that serious challenges remain.

Artificially low fossil fuel prices and energy markets that don’t value the clean air benefits of nuclear have made it difficult for nuclear to compete economically. And, make no mistake: short term economic decisions, while possibly understandable, are being made that are not in the best long term interests of the economy or the environment.

ANS’s commitment to working with and supporting the energy industry is far-ranging. Our members are being called upon to lead planning and research into innovative nuclear technologies for the future.

Our Special Committee on Nuclear in the States has provided information to state leaders on the impacts of premature plant closings, and the economic and environmental benefits of keeping the nuclear fleet intact. This past year, ANS has received deserved recognition for our efforts in these areas.

Now, let’s look at our next two steps forward! Yes, we have challenges, and President-elect Andy Klein will be leading ANS members in tackling those head on. But we also have innovation. We have new opportunities. We have some promising political trends. And we have the knowledge, talent, and leadership to take nuclear into the next generation. I’m looking forward to what’s to come.

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