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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Aug 2026
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
October 2026
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September 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
August 2026
Latest News
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.
International High Level Radioactive Waste Management (IHLRWM 2025)
Plenary Session|Panel
Wednesday, November 12, 2025|3:15–5:00PM EST|International Ballroom East
Session Organizers:
Robby Joseph (ORNL)
Sven Bader (Orano)
Click on a photo to view the speaker's bio (if available)
Closing Speaker: Sylvia J. Saltzstein (Sandia National Laboratories)
This plenary session will explore the relationship between planned advanced reactors and their evolving strategies for managing used and spent nuclear fuel (UNF/SNF). The discussion will explore how innovative reactor designs can unlock new opportunities for reimagining the nuclear fuel cycle. By discussing emerging reactor concepts, the plenary will address how legacy waste challenges may be transformed into viable opportunities for fuel recycling and waste reduction, thereby paving the way for novel strategies in effective UNF/SNF management for future advanced reactors.
Paul Murray
DOE NE-8
Kaushik Banerjee
INL
Theodore Dowling
X-energy
Kyle Stanton
TerraPower Natrium
Dan Moneghan
EPRI
