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Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Robotics & Remote Systems
The Mission of the Robotics and Remote Systems Division is to promote the development and application of immersive simulation, robotics, and remote systems for hazardous environments for the purpose of reducing hazardous exposure to individuals, reducing environmental hazards and reducing the cost of performing work.
Meeting Spotlight
Utility Working Conference and Vendor Technology Expo (UWC 2024)
August 4–7, 2024
Marco Island, FL|JW Marriott Marco Island
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
Latest Magazine Issues
Jun 2024
Jan 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
August 2024
Nuclear Technology
July 2024
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
NRC engineers share their expertise at the University of Puerto Rico
Robert Roche-Rivera and Marcos Rolón-Acevedo are licensed professional engineers who work at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They are also alumni of the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez (UPRM) and have been sharing their knowledge and experience with students at their alma mater since last year, serving as adjunct professors in the university’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. During the 2023–2024 school year, they each taught two courses: Fundamentals of Nuclear Science and Engineering, and Nuclear Power Plant Engineering.
UWC Opening Plenary: Driving Transformational Change Keynote SPeaker
Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear OfficerPalo Verde Generating StationArizona Public Service Company
Maria Lacal is Executive Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer for Arizona Public Service Company (APS), Arizona’s largest electric company. Based in Phoenix, APS serves more than 1.2 million customers and is one of the fastest-growing investor-owned electric utilities in the United States.
Lacal is responsible for all nuclear-related activities associated with the Palo Verde Generating Station, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free energy. She is also responsible for the nuclear assurance division and employee concerns and safety culture programs.
Prior to joining APS in 2007, Lacal previously served as Director of Operations Support for the Nuclear Division of Florida Power and Light Company. In this capacity Lacal’s responsibilities included the Corporate Functional Area Manager and Accredited Training programs across the fleet. She has held other management positions including Training Manager and Operations Manager at Turkey Point Nuclear Plant. As the Operations Manager, Lacal was responsible for site operations, radiation protection, chemistry programs and associated organizations.
Prior to being appointed Chief Nuclear Officer for APS in January 2020, Lacal served as the Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Oversight. In this role Lacal was responsible for regulatory and oversight areas including, the nuclear assurance division, regulatory affairs and environmental, organizational effectiveness, leadership development and the employee concerns and safety culture programs. Lacal also served as the Vice President of Operations Support from 2011 to 2016 and was responsible for emergency preparedness, nuclear security, fire protection, supply chain, records management, information services programs, and associated organizations at the plant.
Lacal obtained a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Reactor Operator License in 1996. She has also served as Chairman of the Academy Council for the National Academy for Nuclear Training. Lacal is a member of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) Executive Advisory Group; STARS Nuclear Alliance Board of Directors; Nuclear Strategic Issues Advisory Committee (NSIAC); Chairman of the Pressurized Water Reactor Owners Group (PWROG) Executive Committee; Chairman of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Risk Informed Steering Committee; Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Nuclear Power Council Executive Committee; CNO liaison for EPRI Fuel & Chemistry Executive Committee; executive sponsor of EPRI Fuels Research Integration Committee. She also currently serves as a member of the University of Arizona, Eller School of Business National Board of Advisors, the U.S. Women in Nuclear Executive Advisory Committee and the North American Young Generation in Nuclear Executive Advisory Committee.
Lacal earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Miami. She also completed the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program in May 2015.
Last modified July 15, 2020, 11:33am EDT