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2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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Getting back to yes: A local perspective on decommissioning, restart, and responsibility
For 45 years, Duane Arnold Energy Center operated in Linn County, Ia., near the town of Palo and just northwest of Cedar Rapids. The facility, owned by NextEra Energy, was the only nuclear power plant in the state.
In August 2020, a historic derecho swept across eastern Iowa with winds approaching 140 miles per hour. Damage to the plant’s cooling towers accelerated a shutdown that had already been planned, and the facility entered decommissioning soon after, with its fuel removed in October of that year. Iowa’s only nuclear plant had gone off line.
Today the national energy landscape looks very different than it did just six short years ago. Electricity demand is rising rapidly as data centers, artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and electrification expand across the country. Reliable, carbon-free baseload power has become increasingly valuable. In that context, Linn County has approved the rezoning necessary to support the recommissioning and restart of Duane Arnold and is actively supporting NextEra’s efforts to secure the remaining state and federal approvals.
ANS student members are the future of the society and we believe in rewarding our members for their academic, service, and leadership excellence. ANS scholarships are awarded to members that have personified the high standards set by the Society and since 1979, over $7 million in scholarships have been distributed.
Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen, undergraduates, and graduate students, and are distributed at the beginning of each school year. Evaluation is based upon numerous factors, such as, academic excellence, leadership within the ANS, references, career goals, and financial need.
If you have any questions, please contact the Scholarship Coordinator.
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Undergraduate and graduate scholarships are open to ANS student members enrolled in a course of study relating to a degree in nuclear science or nuclear engineering at an accredited university in the United States (or its territories).
ANS members from established international student sections are also eligible to apply for ANS undergraduate scholarships (Sophomore, Junior and Senior only).
Incoming freshmen scholarships are open to graduating high-school seniors who have enrolled full-time in college courses pursuing science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) with an interest in working in nuclear science and technology. Recipients of the Incoming Freshman scholarships are required to join ANS prior to the distribution of funds.
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Last modified November 3, 2025, 12:27pm CST
