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Division Spotlight
Fusion Energy
This division promotes the development and timely introduction of fusion energy as a sustainable energy source with favorable economic, environmental, and safety attributes. The division cooperates with other organizations on common issues of multidisciplinary fusion science and technology, conducts professional meetings, and disseminates technical information in support of these goals. Members focus on the assessment and resolution of critical developmental issues for practical fusion energy applications.
Meeting 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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Take steps on SNF and HLW disposal
Matt Bowen
With a new administration and Congress, it is time once again to ponder what will happen—if anything—on U.S. spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste management policy over the next few years. One element of the forthcoming discussion seems clear: The executive and legislative branches are eager to talk about recycling commercial SNF. Whatever the merits of doing so, it does not obviate the need for one or more facilities for disposal of remaining long-lived radionuclides. For that reason, making progress on U.S. disposal capabilities remains urgent, lest the associated radionuclide inventories simply be left for future generations to deal with.
In March, Rick Perry, who was secretary of energy during President Trump’s first administration, observed that during his tenure at the Department of Energy it became clear to him that any plan to move SNF “required some practical consent of the receiving state and local community.”1
Plenary Session|Panel
Wednesday, December 1, 2021|8:00–11:00AM EST |International Ballroom
Video Appearance
There is growing appreciation of the role that clean, reliable, always-on nuclear energy must play in America’s clean energy future. Large light water reactors are being constructed around the world and two units are approaching operation in Georgia. Much of the new reactor focus in the U.S., however, is on new, innovative reactor technologies. Private companies working in cooperation with the Department of Energy and supported by our national laboratories and universities are developing small modular reactor and advanced non-light water reactor designs. The reactor is not the end of the story, however. Each reactor requires a reliable supply of high-quality nuclear fuel to sustain the outstanding plant performance we have come to take for granted from the nuclear industry. Many of the reactor designs use high assay low enriched uranium or HALEU – a class of fissile material that is not currently used in power reactors and for which the supply chain is still developing. Making sure the fuel is available when the reactors are ready to start up is an essential piece of the new reactor puzzle. Knowledgeable and influential speakers in the opening plenary will explore the key issues associated with the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle.
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