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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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Latest News
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.
Executive Session|Panel
Wednesday, November 15, 2023|1:00–2:45PM EST|International Ballroom East
Session Chair:
Andrew Smith (ANS)
Exploring new ways of communicating to local stakeholders about the storage and transportation of nuclear byproducts
From Indian Point and Pilgrim to Fukushima and Monticello, 2023 put tritium water into the public spotlight as policymakers debated – and sometimes blocked – planned discharges. The federal government’s pursuit of a consent-based siting approach for interim storage facilities is raising the importance of communications and engagement on the storage and transportation of spent nuclear fuel across the United States. Meanwhile, the continued Russian occupation of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant provoked a flurry of media speculation over the safety of nuclear waste storage. Join a panel discussion on lessons learned from recent experiences in communicating the “back end” of the nuclear fuel cycle and discuss what we can do to help cement the public’s consent.
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Presentation Slides (Visible to Attendees) — Paul Dickman Presentation Slides
Presentation Slides (Visible to Attendees) — Patrick O'Brien Presentation Slides
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