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Conference Spotlight
2026 ANS Annual Conference
May 31–June 3, 2026
Denver, CO|Sheraton Denver
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Nuclear Science and Engineering
April 2026
Nuclear Technology
February 2026
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
RIC panel discusses pathway to fusion commercialization
Fusion leaders at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s annual Regulatory Information Conference discussed the path forward for regulating the burgeoning fusion industry. The speakers discussed government and private industry initiatives in the United States and United Kingdom, with a focus on efforts shaping the near-term deployment of commercial fusion machines.
A recurring theme was the need to explain the difference between fission and fusion. Representatives from the Department of Energy and Type One Energy highlighted this as an important distinction for regulators, as it will allow fusion to undergo its own independent maturation process for developing standards and regulations in the same way that fission has. Lea Perlas, Fusion Program director at the Virginia Department of Health, said that confusion between fission and fusion has been a common cause for misplaced concerns among community members surrounding Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ proposed fusion plant site near Richmond, Va.
Educational Session|Panel|Sponsored by Plant Reliability
Tuesday, August 6, 2024|3:30–5:00PM EDT|Banyan 2
Programs Engineering plays a central role in nuclear utility’s ability to operate plants reliably and consistent with regulatory requirements. However, the importance of these programs and innovation opportunities within them can be overlooked based on factors such as the US nuclear industry’s excellent safety performance over the last 20+ years and lack of historical perspective resulting from a shifting nuclear workforce age demographic. This session will demonstrate why a strong Programs Engineering Organization is critical to plant reliability. The session will provide a historical perspective for many of the programs, why they still matter utilities look to push plant life to 80 or 100 years to bridge the gap to next generation nuclear deployment, and what innovations are occurring within utility programs to enhance plant reliability, reduce costs, and ensure safe, clean energy for decades to come.
Jordan Rice
SNC
Andrew Wilkerson
Tom Basso
NEI
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