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2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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ANS webinar looks at radiation studies and living near nuclear plants
In February, a study published in Nature Communications found a correlation between proximity to nuclear power plants and rates of cancer mortality. While the authors acknowledged that causation could not be established, they nonetheless said that calculations supported evidence of 115,586 “cancer deaths attributable to nuclear power plants proximity.”
On its release, this study garnered significant media attention—sparking worry among the public and immediate pushback from radiation experts. ANS recently hosted a webinar taking a deeper look at what that study (and other similar proximity studies) got wrong, the science behind what we do and do not know, and why these conversations matter.
Technical Session|Panel|Panels
Friday, April 5, 2024|1:35–2:55PM EDT|Eric J. Barron Innovation Hub Room 603
Session Chair:
Rebecca A. Baker (Penn State University)
Session Organizer:
Jonathan B. Balog (Penn State University)
Public policy is a keystone to the strategic planning and the regulatory measures needed to create an environment where nuclear reactors of all sizes/shapes can be built and thrive as part of low or zero carbon energy future. Policymakers thus have extremely important roles in transforming stakeholder and public feedback into policy, especially when there are competing demands. Any policy made or changed must account for topics such as site selection, permitting procedures, safety protocols, environmental impact assessments, waste management strategies, and emergency response plans. Effective public policy frameworks aim to ensure the safe and responsible deployment of nuclear energy while addressing concerns related to safety, security, and environmental sustainability. By engaging stakeholders and implementing robust regulatory oversight, policymakers can facilitate the integration of nuclear power plants into the energy mix, contributing to a reliable, low-carbon energy future. This panel will discuss policies currently in place to support the development of new nuclear technologies and plants, as well as areas where policies need to evolve to support the construction of new nuclear power plants, especially advanced nuclear reactor designs, small modular reactors, and microreactors.
Maria Korsnick
Nuclear Energy Institute
Kathryn Huff
U.S. Department of Energy-DC
Seth Blumsack
Penn State University - College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
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Attachment — Public Policy Bios