ANS Chicago Local Section welcomes Dr. Mark PetersANS Nuclear CafeJanuary 30, 2013, 7:00AM|ANS Nuclear CafeWhat's Next For Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Management Policy?On the evening of January 16, the Chicago local section of the American Nuclear Society welcomed distinguished guest speaker Mark Peters, Ph.D., deputy director for programs at Argonne National Laboratory. A dinner meeting was held at the ANS headquarters building. Peters addressed the section on the future of US policy concerning used nuclear fuel and nuclear waste management, a topic area for which he is a nationally recognized expert (short bio). Mark T. Peters, Ph.D.The topic could not have been more timely, as the US Department of Energy on Friday, January 9, released a response to the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future recommendations on nuclear spent fuel and nuclear waste policy, broadly endorsing the commission's findings and in effect outlining a new strategy for US nuclear waste disposal. Chicago Local Section Chair Totju Totev, Ph.D.Over 40 were in attendance to hear Peters provide a background on US spent fuel and waste storage policy history, and a detailed update on current status-including Yucca Mountain and other ongoing nuclear waste legal challenges. Often Peters paused the presentation to enable spirited Q&A discussions on many aspects of the topic. (As an aside, many in attendance advocated a "closed nuclear fuel cycle"-while this is not current policy in the United States, Peters noted that continued R&D is important to develop the viability of this option for the future.) Getting ready for presentation"It was a pleasure to address the ANS Chicago Local section on this vitally important topic," Peters said after the event. "Many members in the section are involved in advancing research and development in the nuclear fuel cycle, and I was pleased to discuss the history of and ongoing discussions on US policy concerning spent fuel and nuclear waste management."Peters' presentation slides linked here. Chicago Local Section Secretary Justin W. Thomas, Ph.D.Periodic dinner meetings such as this one are hosted by many ANS local sections on a regular basis. See map of ANS local sections for contact information in your geographic area. Dr. Totev and Dr. PetersBlue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future website here.Peters' Testimony to U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of ANS concerning recycling used nuclear fuel.___________________Tags:american nuclear societyans local sectionsnuclear fuel cyclespent fuelspent nuclear fuel reprocessingShare:LinkedInTwitterFacebook
DOE releases blueprint for advancing U.S. nuclearThe Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) last week released its Strategic Vision report, outlining its plan to support the current U.S. reactor fleet, demonstrate the latest innovations in nuclear energy technologies, and explore new market opportunities for nuclear energy.The 36-page document identifies five goals to address challenges in the nuclear energy sector, help realize the potential of advanced technology, and leverage the unique role of the federal government in sparking innovation. Each goal also includes supporting objectives to ensure progress.Go to Article
Nuclear Science Week: the ANS local and student sections eventsNuclear Science Week (NSW) is a celebration designed to focus local, regional, national, and international interest on all aspects of nuclear science. National events marking the 11th annual NSW took place October 19–23 in Washington, D.C. This year’s theme was “Think Clean. Think Solutions. Think Nuclear.”Several ANS local and student sections from around the world organized their own events to celebrate NSW, as follows:Go to Article
U.S., Russia finalize amendment to uranium import agreementThe U.S. Department of Commerce and Rosatom, Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, have signed a final amendment to the Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Investigation on Uranium from the Russian Federation. The amendment extends the 1992 pact through 2040 and reduces U.S. reliance on uranium from Russia during that time period, the DOC announced October 6.Previously, the agreement was set to expire on December 31 of this year. According to the DOC, the document’s expiration “would have resulted in unchecked imports of Russian uranium, potentially decimating the front-end of the nuclear fuel cycle in the United States.”The final amendment is unchanged from the draft version, released for public comment on September 11. (For more specifics on the amendment, see our story on the draft here.)Go to Article
NRC to hold webinars in October on used fuel storage facility in TexasThe Nuclear Regulatory Commission has scheduled four webinars in October to present its draft environmental findings and receive comments on Interim Storage Partners’ (ISP) proposed consolidated interim storage facility for used nuclear fuel in Andrews County, Texas.Information for the webinars will be posted on the NRC’s Public Meetings webpage. The webinars will be held at different times of the day to maximize opportunities for the public to participate and are tentatively scheduled for the following (all times are Eastern):October 1, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.October 6, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.October 8, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.October 15, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.Go to Article
Experimental Breeder Reactor I: A retrospectiveIn the not-so-distant 20th century past, our planet was in an uncertain new-world order. The second of two major wars had dramatically reshaped the landscape of the world's nations. It was not by any means assured that the extraordinary nuclear process of fission, which itself had been discovered mere years before the second war's end, would be successfully utilized for anything but the tremendous and frightening powers realized in thermonuclear warheads. In the years following, a humble project materializing out of the National Reactor Testing Station in Idaho was to challenge that assertion and demonstrate that nuclear fission could indeed be a commercial, peaceful source of electrical power for civilizations around the globe.Go to Article
Be the change you want to see in the worldWhat does it mean to be a leader? That question is at the heart of the Young Professionals Congress 2019 (YPC19).Go to Article
RadioNuclear 22: HBO’s Chernobyl: A Setback or Opportunity? Episode 22 of RadioNuclear is now available. In this episode, we discuss the recent miniseries "Chernobyl", which recently concluded on HBO. We debunk some of the more egregious articles written in the wake of the show (see links to these articles below). We also discuss good ways to engage with individuals who are captivated with the show, and not necessarily familiar with nuclear technology.Go to Article
Advocating for Nuclear with the NESDSometimes it feels like we're fighting an uphill battle for nuclear energy - and perhaps we are.Go to Article
Honoring Dr. Leona Woods - #HerstoryDuring March's Women's History Month, I honor Leona Woods by telling #herstory.Go to Article
New Year, New Committee, Diversity and Inclusion in ANSAs I write this, I'm excited to know the future of the American Nuclear Society will involve the activities and efforts of the newly formed Diversity and Inclusion in ANS (DIA) Committee. The DIA Committee was formed after the 2018 Annual Meeting by expanding the Professional Women in ANS (PWANS) committee with the inclusion of Nuclear Pride, a LGBTQA+ nuclear organization. It is dedicated to giving a voice to all underrepresented and marginalized groups within ANS, including, but not limited to, women, persons of color, the LGBTQA+ community, and people with disabilities. This new committee is the result of the combined efforts of several people over several years to ensure all of these groups, named and not named, have a voice.Go to Article