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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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Nuclear Science and Engineering
January 2026
Nuclear Technology
December 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2025
Latest News
DNFSB spots possible bottleneck in Hanford’s waste vitrification
Workers change out spent 27,000-pound TSCR filter columns and place them on a nearby storage pad during a planned outage in 2023. (Photo: DOE)
While the Department of Energy recently celebrated the beginning of hot commissioning of the Hanford Site’s Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP), which has begun immobilizing the site’s radioactive tank waste in glass through vitrification, the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board has reported a possible bottleneck in waste processing. According to the DNFSB, unless current systems run efficiently, the issue could result in the interruption of operations at the WTP’s Low-Activity Waste Facility, where waste vitrification takes place.
During operations, the LAW Facility will process an average of 5,300 gallons of tank waste per day, according to Bechtel, the contractor leading design, construction, and commissioning of the WTP. That waste is piped to the facility after being treated by Hanford’s Tanks Side Cesium Removal (TSCR) system, which filters undissolved solid material and removes cesium from liquid waste.
According to a November 7 activity report by the DNFSB, the TSCR system may not be able to produce waste feed fast enough to keep up with the LAW Facility’s vitrification rate.
ANS has a number of policy task forces and submits annual appropriations recommendations to House and Senate committees, along with producing related reports to support its public policy efforts.
Special Committee on Generic Standards for Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste
The ANS Special Committee on Generic Standards released this report in August 2023 to recommend updates to the U.S. geologic repository standards under regulation 40 CFR Part 191.
The U.S. Nuclear R&D Imperative
Released February of 2021, this study examines the investments needed to field a new generation of nuclear energy technologies in 2030 and beyond.
ANS Special Committee on Advanced Reactor Policy
This report from November 2019 includes recommendations for accelerating the deployment of advanced reactors in the U.S. and abroad that best represent the consensus position of the U.S. nuclear community.
ANS Nuclear Waste Policy Task Force
Formed in 2019, this task force interacts with policymakers, government representatives, and the public on spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste management issues.
ANS Collaborative-Based Siting Consortium
Supported by an award from the DOE, the ANS-led Consortium partners with four universities to develop a scalable, community-driven model for collaborative siting of interim storage facilities for used nuclear fuel through respectful, inclusive engagement across the country.
Findings of the ANS Executive Order Expert Advisory Group
ANS convened an expert advisory group to compare the Executive Orders signed by President Trump on May 23 to existing ANS approved position statements and to provide input for subsequent implementation by the Trump Administration.
Testimony for the Record for FY 2026 Nuclear Energy Programs to Energy and Water Appropriators
Each year ANS submits appropriations recommendations on DOE programs to the House and Senate for the upcoming fiscal year.
Risk-Informed and Performance-Based Decision Making
ANS supports regulatory reform that uses risk-informed, performance-based principles. Get the background information and simplified definitions on these principles.
Beneficial Uses of Radioisotopes
Radioisotopes go unnoticed for their everyday applications, from life-saving cancer treatments and oil/gas well-logging to extending produce shelf life and sterilizing medical devices, implants and supplies.
The Nexus Between Safety and Operational Performance
Over the past 20 years, the nuclear industry’s efforts to improve plant performance have taken a risk-informed approach that focuses resources on the most safety-significant issues.
Risk-informed, Performance-based Safety: Past, Present, and Future
Risk-informed and performance-based approaches to nuclear safety have saved money and improved safety for current reactors and have the potential to offer even greater benefits for advanced reactors.
