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Conference Spotlight
2026 Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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!
Latest Magazine Issues
Dec 2025
Jul 2025
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
January 2026
Nuclear Technology
December 2025
Fusion Science and Technology
November 2025
Latest News
Seconds Matter: Rethinking Nuclear Facility Security for the Modern Threat Landscape
In today’s rapidly evolving threat environment, nuclear facilities must prioritize speed and precision in their security responses—because in critical moments, every second counts. An early warning system serves as a vital layer of defense, enabling real-time detection of potential intrusions or anomalies before they escalate into full-blown incidents. By providing immediate alerts and actionable intelligence, these systems empower security personnel to respond decisively, minimizing risk to infrastructure, personnel, and the public. The ability to anticipate and intercept threats at the earliest possible stage not only enhances operational resilience but also reinforces public trust in the safety of nuclear operations. Investing in such proactive technologies is no longer optional—it’s essential for modern nuclear security.
2023 ANS WINTER CONFERENCE AND EXPO
Dr. Richard A. Meserve, who served as Chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) from 1999 to 2003 following many years as a partner at Covington & Burling, is currently senior of counsel to the firm. Richard is based in Covington's Washington office. With a Ph.D. in applied physics, Richard has long concentrated his practice on issues at the intersections of law, regulation, science, and technology, with a special focus on recent years on nuclear matters.
Richard serves as President Emeritus of the Carnegie Institution for Science, a non-profit entity that undertakes fundamental research on the frontiers of biology, earth sciences, and astronomy. He assumed the presidency in April 2003, having been a member of Carnegie's board of trustees since 1992, retiring as President in 2014.
Richard served as Chairman of the NRC under Presidents Clinton and Bush. During his tenure from 1999 to 2003, he was the principal government official with responsibility for regulating nuclear power plants and the use of nuclear materials. In this role, he helped NRC and its licensees respond effectively to terrorist challenges; facilitated the continued production of safe nuclear power; prepared for the next generation of nuclear reactors; and made significant progress in establishing risk-informed regulation through the successful implementation of the reactor oversight process and through various regulatory changes.
Richard is currently chairman of the International Nuclear Safety Group chartered by the International Atomic Energy Agency. He has served on numerous legal and scientific committees over the years, including many chartered by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Among other affiliations, he is a member of the American Philosophical Society and the National Academy of Engineering, and he is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Physical Society. Richard served on the board of directors of PG&E Corporation and Duke Energy Corporation and is a member of the board of TAE Technologies, Inc. He is a former President of the Board of Overseers of Harvard University.Prior to joining Covington & Burling in 1981, Richard served as legal counsel to President Carter's science and technology advisor and as a clerk to Justice Harry A. Blackmun on the US Supreme Court.
Last modified November 6, 2023, 8:21am EST
