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 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
Latest Magazine Issues
Aug 2026
Jan 2026
2026
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
September 2026
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
August 2026
Latest News
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.
Educational Session|Panel|Sponsored by Cost Reduction Opportunities
Tuesday, August 10, 2021|10:30AM–5:00PM EDT |Calusa 8-9
Track Organizers:
Ray Herb (Southern Company)
Ken Lowery (Southern Company)
Tim Schlimpert (MCR Group)
Maria Hernandez (Duke Energy)
Knowledge Manager:
Saieed Ahmed (Exelon)
Student Intern:
Edward Chen (NC State Univ.)
The utility industry is undergoing dramatic changes as low fuel costs and new technologies, such as solar and batteries, threaten to disrupt the traditional utility generation model; potentially having dramatic impacts on revenues. For nuclear, subsidized renewables and cheap natural gas are formidable low-cost energy competitors in a reduced electricity demand environment. At the same time, costs are increasing as workforces and assets age, interest rates rise, and customer expectations drive the need to support new channels for information and transactions. Combined, these trends are placing significant pressure on earnings. Macro trends will continue to drive business priorities, but enterprise-wide control of cost allows utilities to determine their own destinies. These Cost Optimization sessions will analyze the past 6 years of cost and staffing trends. We will identify key circumstances representing improvements and hear from utilities which have successfully implemented cost saving initiatives. We will discuss measures utilities have already taken, or plan to implement, with an eye on cost reductions. With the premature shutdown of nuclear power plants a reality, reducing cost while maintaining safety and reliability is of utmost importance.
Maria Hernandez
Duke Energy
Andrey Mushakov
Lightbridge
Jeff Norrell
Westinghouse
Dylan Robideaux
MCR
Fred Smith
EPRI
Skip Young
USNRC Branch Chief-Ret
Mark Campagna
Captain USN (Ret) - Moderator
To access the session recording, you must be logged in and registered for the meeting.
Register NowLog In
To access session resources, you must be logged in and registered for the meeting.
Session Notes