ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Explore membership for yourself or for your organization.
Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
Latest Magazine Issues
Jun 2026
Jan 2026
2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
August 2026
Nuclear Technology
July 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Launching into tomorrow: NRIC guides new era of research and deployment
In June 2025, the Department of Energy announced the Reactor Pilot Program, an authorization pathway that allowed reactor developers to partner with the DOE to get first-of-a-kind (FOAK) reactors built and tested. Soon after, the DOE rolled out a complementary Fuel Line Pilot Program, which aimed to fast-track fuel projects. In all, 20 projects were accepted into the new programs.
NPIC&HMIT 2021 Plenary SPeaker
Mr. Benner joined the NRC in 1990 as an inspector in Region I before transferring to headquarters where he held progressively responsible positions in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR), the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response, and the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards including several branch chief positions. He also has worked as a technical assistant for Commissioner Greta Dicus and Chief of Staff for Commissioner Ostendorff. He served as the Deputy Division Director of the Division of Reactor Projects in Region I as part of the Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program, and as Deputy Director in the Division of Operating Reactor Licensing in NRR before assuming his current permanent role as Director in the Division Engineering in NRR. He recently acted as NRR Deputy Office Director for Reactor Safety Programs and Corporate Support. Mr. Benner received a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
Last modified May 5, 2021, 8:41am EDT