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Division Spotlight
Decommissioning & Environmental Sciences
The mission of the Decommissioning and Environmental Sciences (DES) Division is to promote the development and use of those skills and technologies associated with the use of nuclear energy and the optimal management and stewardship of the environment, sustainable development, decommissioning, remediation, reutilization, and long-term surveillance and maintenance of nuclear-related installations, and sites. The target audience for this effort is the membership of the Division, the Society, and the public at large.
Meeting Spotlight
Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES 2023)
December 10–14, 2023
New Orleans, LA|New Orleans Marriott
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Dec 2023
Jul 2023
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
December 2023
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2023
Latest News
DOE issues $19 million Community Capacity Building Grant Program FOA
The Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management released a competitive funding opportunity announcement (FOA) on December 6 for the Community Capacity Building Grant Program, aimed at communities affected by DOE-EM’s mission to clean up legacy nuclear waste.
UWC Opening Plenary: Driving Transformational Change Keynote SPeaker
Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear OfficerPalo Verde Generating StationArizona Public Service Company
Maria Lacal is Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer for Arizona Public Service Company (APS), Arizona’s largest electric company. Based in Phoenix, APS serves more than 1.2 million customers and is one of the fastest-growing investor-owned electric utilities in the United States.
Lacal is responsible for all nuclear-related activities associated with the Palo Verde Generating Station, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free energy. She is also responsible for the nuclear assurance division and employee concerns and safety culture programs.
Prior to joining APS in 2007, Lacal previously served as Director of Operations Support for the Nuclear Division of Florida Power and Light Company. In this capacity Lacal’s responsibilities included the Corporate Functional Area Manager and Accredited Training programs across the fleet. She has held other management positions including Training Manager and Operations Manager at Turkey Point Nuclear Plant. As the Operations Manager, Lacal was responsible for site operations, radiation protection, chemistry programs and associated organizations.
Prior to being appointed Chief Nuclear Officer for APS in January 2020, Lacal served as the Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Oversight. In this role Lacal was responsible for regulatory and oversight areas including, the nuclear assurance division, regulatory affairs and environmental, organizational effectiveness, leadership development and the employee concerns and safety culture programs. Lacal also served as the Vice President of Operations Support from 2011 to 2016 and was responsible for emergency preparedness, nuclear security, fire protection, supply chain, records management, information services programs, and associated organizations at the plant.
Lacal obtained a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Reactor Operator License in 1996. She has also served as Chairman of the Academy Council for the National Academy for Nuclear Training. Lacal is a member of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) Executive Advisory Group; STARS Nuclear Alliance Board of Directors; Nuclear Strategic Issues Advisory Committee (NSIAC); Chairman of the Pressurized Water Reactor Owners Group (PWROG) Executive Committee; Chairman of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Risk Informed Steering Committee; Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Nuclear Power Council Executive Committee; CNO liaison for EPRI Fuel & Chemistry Executive Committee; executive sponsor of EPRI Fuels Research Integration Committee. She also currently serves as a member of the University of Arizona, Eller School of Business National Board of Advisors, the U.S. Women in Nuclear Executive Advisory Committee and the North American Young Generation in Nuclear Executive Advisory Committee.
Lacal earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami. She also completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program in May 2015.
Last modified July 15, 2020, 11:33am EDT
