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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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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Seconds Matter: Rethinking Nuclear Facility Security for the Modern Threat Landscape
In today’s rapidly evolving threat environment, nuclear facilities must prioritize speed and precision in their security responses—because in critical moments, every second counts. An early warning system serves as a vital layer of defense, enabling real-time detection of potential intrusions or anomalies before they escalate into full-blown incidents. By providing immediate alerts and actionable intelligence, these systems empower security personnel to respond decisively, minimizing risk to infrastructure, personnel, and the public. The ability to anticipate and intercept threats at the earliest possible stage not only enhances operational resilience but also reinforces public trust in the safety of nuclear operations. Investing in such proactive technologies is no longer optional—it’s essential for modern nuclear security.
Dr. Thomas L. Sanders joined the American Nuclear Society (ANS) in 1987, joining the Fuel Cycle and Waste Management, Nuclear Criticality and Nuclear Nonproliferation Divisions. Since the start of his membership at ANS, he has served as Vice President, President, and Board Executive.
Currently, he is the Associate Laboratory Director for Clean Energy Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), operated by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), LLC, where he is responsible for developing new opportunities in energy technology development.
Dr. Sanders is a recognized expert on international relations and has been working on rebuilding the U.S. nuclear export industry through the development of small modular. Prior to working at SRNL, he spent 27 years at Sandia National Laboratory (SNL).
He was appointed to a second term on the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee (CINTAC), which serves the Secretary of Commerce on trade issues facing the U.S. civil nuclear industry. Additionally, Dr. Sanders was selected as a U.S. member of Russian President Medvedev’s Global Energy Prize Committee and was the cofounder and former Vice President of the American Council on Global Nuclear Competitiveness (ACGNC).
His many accomplishments include testifying to Congress, the Blue Ribbon Commission, and Secretarial Officers from DOE, the Departments of State and Defense, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and other agencies. He also developed a complementary partnership initiative between seven U.S. and nine Russian Lab Directors.
Dr. Sanders earned a BS, MS and PhD from the University of Texas – Austin in Nuclear Engineering. He has authored more than 100 journal articles and papers on subjects from fusion and fast fission breeder reactor systems, to criticality safety of spent fuel transport, storage, and disposal systems. He is a member of ACGNC, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management.
He also served as a nuclear operator and supervisor on U.S. Navy nuclear submarines.
Read Nuclear News from July 2009 for more on Thomas.
