Public Policy & Engagement

Hash Hashemian
president@ans.org

The theme of this year’s Winter Conference—already less than two months away—is “Building the Nuclear Century.” This focus reflects one of my chief goals during my presidency: streamlining the deployment of new power plants. However, I want to emphasize that this call to build extends far beyond a sole focus on new commercial reactors. As an industry, it’s critical that we keep momentum going across every area that supports the nuclear community.

So, while new reactor announcements are undeniably exciting and a logical benchmark to see the positive progress we’re making, we must continue to ensure that there is space to elevate, focus on, and celebrate crucial work in the fields of isotope production, waste management, public outreach, workforce training, and beyond. The call to build is a call to innovate and collaborate in every sector. It’s a call we need to follow.

The Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission will furlough thousands of employees and operate at reduced capacity under a government shutdown that started after midnight on October 1 following a failed congressional vote on a short-term funding bill.

Connecticut has become the 40th state in the union to sign an agreement with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that gives the state regulatory authority to manage certain radioactive materials within its borders.