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2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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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.
Technical Session|Panel|Sponsored by Executive Panels
Wednesday, June 16, 2021|4:30–6:15PM EDT
Session Chair:
Kenneth J. Aupperle (Meridian)
Session Organizer:
Alternate Chair:
Charles W. Hess (Meridian)
Staff Producer:
John Starkey (ANS)
Building a new nuclear plant is a first of a kind (FOAK) mega project regardless of the size of the reactor. Project management experience and lessons learned from decades of past projects have been thoroughly documented in dozens of public domain reports. However, past lessons learned have frequently not been recognized, understood, and implemented, resulting in projects that continue to struggle to achieve success. Industry stakeholder implementation of past lessons learned has been inhibited and adversely impacted because of knowledge management "blind spots" that include: • Inadequate experience with nuclear industry large FOAK projects • Conservative owner licensee operating priorities vs. aggressive project mindsets • Corporate cultures coupled with human emotions and personalities • Strategic long-term vs. tactical short-term considerations This panel of industry experts includes representatives from consulting, owner/licensee, EPC, and legal organizations. The panel chair is Ken Aupperle from Meridian Services Group, a recent merger of High Bridge Associates and Work Management. He will provide an overview of fifteen (15) key project management lessons learned and the four (4) blind spots that have led project teams to repeat the errors of the past. Panel members will cite successful project experiences and examples of blind spots that caused project failures. Questions and answers amongst the panelists and with the audience will provide valuable insights and experiential anecdotes. This discussion will help you plan and organize the strategic approach to provide the foundation for success for your new nuclear project.
Charles Hess
Meridian
Diane Cameron
OECD Nuclear Energy Agency
Shawn Hughes
UAMPS
Ryan Lighty
Morgan Lewis
Teresa Magnus
Magnus & Company
John Simmons
Aecon-Wachs
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Session Notes — About the Panel Members