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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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WIPP: Lessons in transportation safety
As part of a future consent-based approach by the federal government to site new deep geologic repositories for nuclear waste, local communities and states that are considering hosting such facilities are sure to have many questions. Currently, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico is the only example of such a repository in operation, and it offers the opportunity for state and local officials to visit and judge for themselves the risks and benefits of hosting a similar facility. But its history can also provide lessons for these officials, particularly the political process leading up to the opening of WIPP, the safety of WIPP operations and transportation of waste from generator facilities to the site, and the economic impacts the project has had on the local area of Carlsbad, as well as the rest of the state of New Mexico.
VIEW RECIPIENTSSUBMIT NOMINATION
Nomination Deadline
December 1
Presented at the
Annual Conference
Monetary Award
$1,000
The George C. Laurence Pioneering Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding pioneering contributions to the field of nuclear reactor safety philosophy.
Nominees need not be ANS members.
This award consists of an engraved plaque and a monetary award of $1,000.
The award was established by the Nuclear Installations Safety Division (NISD), formerly the Nuclear Reactor Safety Division, in 1988 to honor Dr. George C. Laurence who was one of the pioneers in the Canadian nuclear program and who showed remarkable insight by early introducing the risk-informed concept and establishing it, in his capacity of President of the Atomic Energy Control Board, as an integral part of the Canadian nuclear safety regulatory system. This award is supported by the general operating budget of NISD.
The NISD Honors and Awards Committee administers this award. That committee establishes the evaluation criteria, solicits the nominations, and determines the recipient. The award shall not be given on an annual basis, but when the NISD H&A Committee deems such recognition to be appropriate. The national Honors and Awards Committee is available for consultation and review as appropriate.
Nominations must include the completed nomination form accompanied by the following supporting documents:
View Award
