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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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Getting back to yes: A local perspective on decommissioning, restart, and responsibility
For 45 years, Duane Arnold Energy Center operated in Linn County, Ia., near the town of Palo and just northwest of Cedar Rapids. The facility, owned by NextEra Energy, was the only nuclear power plant in the state.
In August 2020, a historic derecho swept across eastern Iowa with winds approaching 140 miles per hour. Damage to the plant’s cooling towers accelerated a shutdown that had already been planned, and the facility entered decommissioning soon after, with its fuel removed in October of that year. Iowa’s only nuclear plant had gone off line.
Today the national energy landscape looks very different than it did just six short years ago. Electricity demand is rising rapidly as data centers, artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and electrification expand across the country. Reliable, carbon-free baseload power has become increasingly valuable. In that context, Linn County has approved the rezoning necessary to support the recommissioning and restart of Duane Arnold and is actively supporting NextEra’s efforts to secure the remaining state and federal approvals.
Nomination Deadline
August 1
Presented at the
Winter Conference
Monetary Award*
$1,000
The Landis Public Communication and Education Award recognizes an individual for outstanding efforts, dedication and accomplishment in furthering public education and understanding of the peaceful applications of nuclear technology.
This may include outstanding communication in public venues as well as exceptional work done to inform teachers, K-12 students, and other audiences in public education settings about nuclear science and technology applications and nuclear careers. This award is given to an individual who, over the course of the year, has made a significant impact in public education and communication.
Nominees may be from any nation, but they must not be deceased at the time the awardee is selected. Also, nominees need not be ANS members and can include teachers, workshop leaders, and organizers and facilitators of other youth-oriented programs.
The award consists of an engraved plaque, $1,000 monetary award*, and compensation (up to $1,500) for travel expenses incurred in attending the award presentation at the ANS Winter Conference.
*In lieu of a cash award, recipients can opt for travel reimbursement up to the award amount.
The Public Education Program (PEP) Service Award* was established in 1983. In 2004, the award was renamed the Landis Public Communication and Education Award in response to a contribution from John W. Landis, one of the founders of the American Nuclear Society, the 17th president of the Society and ANS Fellow.
This award provides both an incentive and a reward for individuals devoting their time and energy to improving the education of the public on nuclear matters. ANS has served the public interest for more than 40 years. In the words of Mr. Landis, “Outreach is one of the Society’s major accomplishments, rooted in the vision, generosity, and unselfish service of thousands of members.”
Nominations must include the completed nomination form accompanied by the following supporting documents:
View Award
