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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
October 2026
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September 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
August 2026
Latest News
Center for Used Fuel Research: Building confidence in storage and transport
Used nuclear fuel storage and transportation have reached a critical juncture.
Dozens of utilities need reliable data on how used nuclear fuel performs in dry storage casks and canisters to extend regulatory licenses at sites across the United States. Likewise, the Department of Energy expects to take ownership of the used nuclear fuel—termed “spent nuclear fuel” in the laws and regulations governing its stewardship—and transfer it to one or more federal staging facilities for management and disposition.
Meanwhile, dozens of reactor companies are testing prototypes of advanced reactors and advanced reactor fuels. Eventually, regulators and industry must also verify the safety and security of storage methods for these advanced fuel types.
To help address these challenges, the DOE established the Center for Used Fuel Research (CUFR) in January 2026 for work related to the long-term storage and transport of used nuclear fuel.
2026 ANS Annual Conference
Chief Executive Officer & President
Orano USA
Jean-Luc Palayer is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Orano USA, Orano’s operations in the United States providing commercial and federal customers with global expertise in nuclear materials management.
He oversees all Orano's nuclear business units in the United States, including MCES for sales of uranium fuel, conversion, and enrichment services; TN Americas offering the full breadth of used nuclear fuel management; and Orano Federal Services supporting the development of advanced reactors and offering the full complement of engineering and technology to solve some of the more complex nuclear material processing, conditioning, and packaging for the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Laboratories. He also leads Project IKE (new Uranium enrichment facility project) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Project IKE is the only project selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for the LEU Program with an award of $900 million. He is also an enthusiastic advocate for reprocessing and recycling of nuclear spent fuels and has participated in numerous panels across the United States to promote the benefits of this back-end solution.
With 27 years for the Orano group, Jean-Luc’s international leadership experience includes nuclear materials transportation and storage, front-end material production and deliveries, supply chain optimization, and industrial project development in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Jean-Luc holds a Master of Engineering degree from École des Mines and an Executive MBA from Georgetown University.
