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Division Spotlight
Nuclear Criticality Safety
NCSD provides communication among nuclear criticality safety professionals through the development of standards, the evolution of training methods and materials, the presentation of technical data and procedures, and the creation of specialty publications. In these ways, the division furthers the exchange of technical information on nuclear criticality safety with the ultimate goal of promoting the safe handling of fissionable materials outside reactors.
Meeting Spotlight
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
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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Dec 2024
Jul 2024
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
December 2024
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2024
Latest News
Finland’s Onkalo repository licensing gets stuck again
Finland’s regulatory authority, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), announced that it was further delaying issuing a statement on the safety case for the Onkalo spent nuclear fuel repository until 2025, saying that Posiva’s license application material is not yet ready.
Dr. Eric Loewen, Ph.D. joined the American Nuclear Society (ANS) in 1987, and since, has held a variety of governance positions within the Society. He began as the Publicity Chair for the University of Wisconsin Student Section, and later became the National Membership Committee Chair. He was elected ANS Treasurer and eventually became the 57th president of ANS in 2011.
Dr. Loewen has supported ANS efforts at the United Nations Climate Change Conferences (UNFCCC): Conference of the Parties (COP6), The Hague (2000); Conference on Sustainable Development (SD-9), New York (2001); and the UN World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg (2002).
He served as editor for the Nuclear Technology special issue on “Medium-Power Lead-Alloy Reactors,” (September 2004), has authored a number of papers, and has spoken at many conferences.
As the 2005 ANS Congressional Fellow, Eric provided nuclear technology information to the U.S. Congress that led to inclusion of nuclear energy in TITLE XVI—CLIMATE CHANGE passed into public law in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Dr. Loewen graduated from Western State College (Gunnison, Colo.) with a B.A. in chemistry and mathematics in 1983, earned a commission in the U.S. Navy, and subsequently attended Navy Nuclear Power School and the Nuclear Prototype (1983-84). After his active Navy service he earned his Masters and Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Loewen worked in private industry as Director of Nuclear Applications & Development, Molten Metal Technology, Inc. (1996-1998) and joined the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as a Systems Integration Manager and Interim Department Manager. Currently, he is the Chief Engineer and Manager of the Chief Engineer’s Office at GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) in Wilmington, N.C., where supports the activities to build a sodium-cooled with DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Project called Natrium, the BWRX-300, Advanced Reactor Concepts and the current boiling reactor fleet.
Featured in Esquire Magazine’s 2005 and 2009 “Best and Brightest” issues, Dr. Loewen introduced nuclear science information to a different type of readership.
His U.S. Navy leadership roles included: Naval Prototype Nuclear Reactor School Instructor; B-2 Division Officer, Nuclear Quality Officer, Engineering Officer of the Watch, Surface Warfare Officer of the Deck aboard the USS LONG BEACH (CGN-9); and Commanding Officer of two Naval Reserve maintenance support units.
During his career, Eric received many honors and awards including: Molten Metal, Inc. Technology Star Award (1995); ANS Public Communication Award (2003); DOE Outstanding Mentor Award (2003); GEH CEO Award (2012); and, GE Regulatory Excellence Award (2010). To add to his list of accomplishments, he is also a Kissimmee Iron Man triathlete.
Read Nuclear News from July 2011 for more on Eric.
What I learned from Warren Nyer
A Perspective: ANS service from the ranks to the Presidency
Last modified September 28, 2023, 3:51pm CDT