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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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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.
The ESCC is responsible for the preparation and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards as well as standards-related guidance documents, guidance standards, and technical reports supporting all aspects of nuclear power plant and non‐reactor nuclear facility siting, environmental assessment, environmental management, environmental monitoring, and the categorization and evaluation of natural phenomena hazards at these public and private sector nuclear facilities.
Many of the ESCC standards presently support the siting and environmental needs of the civilian nuclear industry and the Department of Energy (DOE) in meeting 10 CFR 50, 10 CFR 51 and 10 CFR 52 licensing requirements and assisting with compliance to 40 CFR enabling regulations associated with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, and National Environmental Policy Act. The ANS Standards Committee Procedures Manual for Consensus Committees shall be used to guide the activities of this consensus committee.
The ESCC oversees the following 5 subcommittees:
Matthew BarnettWashington State Department of Health
ESCC Organizational Chart
ESCC 7/24/25 Agenda-Meeting Attachments
Last modified July 7, 2025, 7:49pm CDT
