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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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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Nov 2025
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
December 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2025
Latest News
Nuclear power’s new rule book: Managing uncertainty in efficiency, safety, and independence
The U.S. nuclear industry is standing at its most volatile regulatory moment yet—one that will shape the trajectory and the safety of the industry for decades to come. Recent judicial, legislative, and executive actions are rewriting the rules governing the licensing and regulation of nuclear power reactors. Although these changes are intended to promote and accelerate the deployment of new nuclear energy technologies, the collision of multiple legal shifts—occurring simultaneously and intersecting with profound technological uncertainties—is overwhelming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and threatening to destabilize investor and industry expectations.
Technical Session|Panel|Panels
Wednesday, April 24, 2024|10:15AM–12:00PM PDT|Imperial Ballroom
Session Chair:
Samuel E. Bays
Session Organizer:
Alternate Chair:
Massimiliano Fratoni
This panel will discuss topics related to the initial test program for first-of-a-kind (FOAK) advanced reactors. Dr. Sam Bays will provide a historical overview of past advanced reactor test programs as documented in his team's report, "Startup Physics Testing of Advanced Reactors - A Historical Review". Dr. Bays and Dr. Abe Weitzberg have co-chaired the ANS working group, Initial Fuel Loading and Startup Physics Tests for FOAK Advanced Reactors, ANS-19.13. Current findings of ANS-19.13 will be discussed. Dr. Nader Satvat of Kairos Power will be providing an overview of current test plans for the HERMES reactor. Mr. Mike Prible of Westinghouse will provide his perspectives leading the startup physics testing of AP1000 pressurized water reactors.
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