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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Latest News
The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
13th Nuclear Plant Instrumentation, Control & Human-Machine Interface Technologies (NPIC&HMIT 2023)
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 and External Hazards in NRR. He 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 19, 2023, 9:22am EDT