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Dr. Nils Diaz honored with Henry DeWolf Smyth Nuclear Statesman Award
La Grange Park, IL (June 9, 2008) - At today's opening plenary session of the 2008 American Nuclear Society (ANS) Annual meeting, Dr. Nils J. Diaz, former Commissioner and Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, received the Smyth Statesman Award. The award acknowledges his outstanding leadership in the safe management and regulation of nuclear power technologies.
"Past recipients of the Henry DeWolf Smyth Award comprise a distinguished cadre of exceptionally talented individuals whose lifetime of outstanding service on behalf of the nuclear enterprise has transcended regional and international boundaries. The honor of the 2008 Smyth Award is a most fitting acknowledgment of Dr. Diaz's stellarcontributions in guiding the nuclear power industry through many important milestones," said Donald C. Hintz, President of ANS.
As a Commissioner and Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Dr. Diaz's exemplary leadership was instrumental in reducing the uncertainty in nuclear power plant licensing and helping the industry as it faces several important challenges, including license renewal for existing plants and implementation of new plant licensing under 10 CFR 52. Dr. Diaz served on the NRC from 1996 to 2006 and was appointed NRC Chair in 2003. Prior to his appointment to the NRC, Dr. Diaz was Professor of Nuclear Engineering Sciences at the University of Florida, Director of the Innovative Nuclear Space Power Institute (INSPI) - a national consortium of industries, universities and national laboratories - and President and Principal Engineer of Florida Nuclear Associates, Inc. Dr. Diaz is also an ANS Fellow.
The Smyth Award, jointly established in 1972 by ANS and Nuclear Energy Institute, is named for Henry DeWolf Smyth, who chaired Princeton University's physics department and advocated for international partnership to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy. The award recognizes statesman-like contributions to the many aspects of nuclear science and technology. Mr. Marvin Fertel, Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute, presented the 2008 Award.
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ANS, established in 1954, is a professional organization of scientists and engineers devoted to the applications of nuclear science and technology. Its 10,500 members come from diverse technical disciplines ranging from physics and nuclear safety to operations and power, and from across the full spectrum of the national and international nuclear enterprise, including government, academia, research laboratories and private industry.
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