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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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!
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The RAIN scale: A good intention that falls short
Radiation protection specialists agree that clear communication of radiation risks remains a vexing challenge that cannot be solved solely by finding new ways to convey technical information.
Earlier this year, an article in Nuclear News described a new radiation risk communication tool, known as the Radiation Index, or, RAIN (“Let it RAIN: A new approach to radiation communication,” NN, Jan. 2025, p. 36). The authors of the article created the RAIN scale to improve radiation risk communication to the general public who are not well-versed in important aspects of radiation exposures, including radiation dose quantities, units, and values; associated health consequences; and the benefits derived from radiation exposures.
Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2023)
Matt Kirschenheiter is the Director of Design and Computer Engineering at TVA’s Fleet Center. In this role he has oversight of the nuclear fleet’s design, design regulatory, computer and cyber engineering programs. Matt has nearly 20 years of experience in engineering, maintenance, and operations at boiling water reactor facilities (BWR), pressurized water reactor (PWR) facilities and operating in the US Navy.
Kirschenheiter started his career as a nuclear submarine officer prior to joining TVA in 2009 and has served in various progressive roles in engineering and maintenance at TVA’s Sequoyah and Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plants. Kirschenheiter continues to serve as a Commander in the US Navy Reserve and a six-time Commanding Officer. Most recently, prior to returning to TVA in 2022, he served as the Director of Engineering and Chief Engineer at the Nevada National Security Site and in 2018 as the Director of Engineering at Fermi Nuclear Power Station (DTE).
Kirschenheiter earned his Senior Reactor Operator Management Certification from Sequoyah Nuclear Plant and is a graduate of INPO’s Senior Nuclear Plant Management. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Science in Industrial and System Engineering from the University of Alabama Huntsville.
Last modified July 14, 2023, 9:07am EDT
