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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Center for Used Fuel Research: Building confidence in storage and transport
Used nuclear fuel storage and transportation have reached a critical juncture.
Dozens of utilities need reliable data on how used nuclear fuel performs in dry storage casks and canisters to extend regulatory licenses at sites across the United States. Likewise, the Department of Energy expects to take ownership of the used nuclear fuel—termed “spent nuclear fuel” in the laws and regulations governing its stewardship—and transfer it to one or more federal staging facilities for management and disposition.
Meanwhile, dozens of reactor companies are testing prototypes of advanced reactors and advanced reactor fuels. Eventually, regulators and industry must also verify the safety and security of storage methods for these advanced fuel types.
To help address these challenges, the DOE established the Center for Used Fuel Research (CUFR) in January 2026 for work related to the long-term storage and transport of used nuclear fuel.
Educational Session|Panel|Supply Chain Challenges & Opportunities
Monday, August 8, 2022|1:30–3:00PM EDT|Banyan 1
Track Organizer:
Bill Fry (Duke Energy)
Knowledge Manager:
Nathan Choplin (Duke Energy)
As the nuclear industry struggles to be competitive in a market where fracking has led to historically low natural gas prices and politicians favor wind and solar, maintaining high capacity factors is essential to keeping plants operating. INPO has identified more than 600 of what they term “Noteworthy - Consequential” events related to faulty parts, that between 2018 and 2020 led to a loss of generation equivalent to shutting down the entire nuclear industry for 16 days. These are mostly commercial quality parts that have escaped the additional scrutiny of parts procured safety-related. The industry has responded with parts quality programs and initiatives that provide for additional testing on parts with the goal of minimizing parts related lost generation incidents.
This session will be a panel discussion with audience participation of various utility programs, their results, and how they relate to addressing INPO IER 21-4.
George Shampy
Entergy
Jaysen Baker
Southern Nuclear
Craig Irish
Westinghouse
Shawn Simon
INPO
Kevin McMonagle
Constellation Power Labs
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Session Notes