The excitement over nuclear technology has reached new heights. Not since the 60s have the prevailing winds been so strong at our backs.

A good set of policies driven by historic bipartisan support in Washington and increased interest at the state level. Long term electricity demand growth trends, propelled by AI/data centers and the re-shoring of domestic manufacturing, are real and increasingly appear durable.

Nuclear has finally reached the high ground. The hardest part of the journey, however, still lies ahead.

The industry faces a set of steep challenges as it moves from conceptual designs to detailed engineering, and from First of a Kind (FOAK) to Nth of a Kind (NOAK) costs, while navigating the NRC licensing process, new financing models, fuel availability and waste management issues, and the need for a rapidly growing nuclear workforce.

No challenge is insurmountable, but they will require the collective commitment of the entire U.S. nuclear enterprise—developers, suppliers, national labs, universities, investors, off-takers, high school science teachers—to succeed. Most of all, it will require the knowledge, experience, creativity and fortitude of every man and woman who in some way devote themselves to harnessing the power of the atom.

Kicking off barely two weeks after an historic election, this year’s ANS Winter Conference promises to be a unique opportunity to take stock of the hard technical challenges ahead and see the paths to success. Join us as we roll up our sleeves and get to the hard part.