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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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.
Kuhika Gupta, Hank Jenkins-Smith, Joseph Ripberger, Andrew Fox, Will Livingston
Nuclear Technology | Volume 210 | Number 9 | September 2024 | Pages 1754-1766
Note | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2023.2232647
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Spent nuclear fuel management in the United States is a national issue of growing importance. Scientists, engineers, and policymakers agree that an integrated policy that incorporates consolidated interim storage facilities and deep geologic repositories is both technically feasible and safe. However, past efforts to site such facilities have been met with formidable societal challenges. Recent efforts by the U.S. Department of Energy to find a sustainable solution for this problem has hinged on the principles of consent-based siting. Consent-based siting policies are complex, with many open questions about how to initiate the process, how to define and register consent, when consent can be withdrawn, and the role of trust in the different actors involved. It is crucial to understand and examine public preferences about these core features. To that end, this technical note provides input from members of the U.S. public using nationwide surveys on core aspects of a consent-based siting policy.