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 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
Latest Magazine Issues
May 2026
Jan 2026
2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
June 2026
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
Getting back to yes: A local perspective on decommissioning, restart, and responsibility
For 45 years, Duane Arnold Energy Center operated in Linn County, Ia., near the town of Palo and just northwest of Cedar Rapids. The facility, owned by NextEra Energy, was the only nuclear power plant in the state.
In August 2020, a historic derecho swept across eastern Iowa with winds approaching 140 miles per hour. Damage to the plant’s cooling towers accelerated a shutdown that had already been planned, and the facility entered decommissioning soon after, with its fuel removed in October of that year. Iowa’s only nuclear plant had gone off line.
Today the national energy landscape looks very different than it did just six short years ago. Electricity demand is rising rapidly as data centers, artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and electrification expand across the country. Reliable, carbon-free baseload power has become increasingly valuable. In that context, Linn County has approved the rezoning necessary to support the recommissioning and restart of Duane Arnold and is actively supporting NextEra’s efforts to secure the remaining state and federal approvals.
Thursday, April 3, 2025|6:30AM–4:20PM MDT
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
SOLD OUT
FEE: $20
Participants will be picked up from their hotels and transported to Los Alamos, NM. The participants will be guided on tours of several facilities and sites at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Lunch will be provided.
Restrictions: Must be a US citizen. A valid ID will be required the day of the tour before entering the national laboratory.
Transporation Schedule:
PICK UP TIMES:
6:30AM Student Pickup Embassy Suites by Hilton Albuquerque (1000 Woodward Place NE, Albuquerque NM 87102)
6:50AM Student Pickup Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel (2910 Yale Blvd SE, Albuquerque NM 87106)
DROP OFF TIMES:
4:00PM Student Drop-off Embassy Suites by Hilton Albuquerque (1000 Woodward Place NE, Albuquerque NM 87102)
4:20PM Student Drop-off Sheraton Albuquerque Airport Hotel (2910 Yale Blvd SE, Albuquerque NM 87106)