ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Accelerator Applications
The division was organized to promote the advancement of knowledge of the use of particle accelerator technologies for nuclear and other applications. It focuses on production of neutrons and other particles, utilization of these particles for scientific or industrial purposes, such as the production or destruction of radionuclides significant to energy, medicine, defense or other endeavors, as well as imaging and diagnostics.
Meeting Spotlight
2024 ANS Winter Conference and Expo
November 17–21, 2024
Orlando, FL|Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Sep 2024
Jan 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
November 2024
Nuclear Technology
October 2024
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Report touts lessons from era of nuclear waste negotiator
As the Department of Energy embarks on its consent-based process for siting a geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, a new report from the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA highlights relevant lessons from the federal government’s now defunct Office of the Nuclear Waste Negotiator.
Established under Title IV of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, the office, an independent agency within the executive branch, was primarily active from 1990 to 1995. Its role was to engage with state and tribal governments to find an acceptable and suitable host site for a repository.
The full report, Lessons from the Nuclear Waste Negotiator Era of the 1990s for Today’s Consent-Based Siting Efforts, is now available online. Its executive summary is available here.
Challenge: Rejuvenate nuclear technology infrastructure and facilities.
How: There is an urgent need to rejuvenate and build the infrastructure, facilities, and skilled associated scientific staff involved in the research, testing, development, and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. Maintaining this national testbed is critical to support vibrant commercial nuclear businesses.
Background: Developing new technologies and their use in nuclear applications is an expensive proposition. Due to the high level of quality and reliability required for nuclear applications, navigating the complex path from development to implementation and profitable production can be a daunting and cost prohibitive process. Ensuring that there is clear guidance for new and existing suppliers will lead to competitive and cost-effective options available in nuclear technologies markets. In addition, having reliable, consistent guidance will assist regulators in quickly processing new applications.
Developing the national assets of research and test facilities, be they government-operated or commercial, would provide a consistent basis for testing and approving new technologies. This applies not only to new technologies, but also to the development of replacement equipment needed for older systems.
For years, the attitude has been to operate systems to failure, because by then there would have been a replacement system, process, or part. Then is now. In many cases the replacement system or process, or more frequently the needed parts to maintain the current capability, does not exist. Now it will cost more to consider, design, build, and operate the needed replacement facilities. Now it will cost even more to restore needed systems to prior standards, and even more to meet many of the current standards.
The higher costs are coming at a time when it is more difficult to acquire the necessary funds to perform everything that nuclear professionals are being requested to perform. On top of that, additional funds are required for infrastructure maintenance to keep plants operating into the future. None of these funds are stable into the long term. Companies are spending significant funds to replace operations due to aging infrastructure. They must also finance ongoing maintenance program upgrades, which in turn lead to more spent on maintenance. Additional costs are being incurred working off legacy and deferred maintenance and facilities upgrades to extend their lives. Many times, issues arise due to the cost associated with upgrades and replacements.
Last modified May 12, 2017, 1:23am CDT
