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Division Spotlight
Young Members Group
The Young Members Group works to encourage and enable all young professional members to be actively involved in the efforts and endeavors of the Society at all levels (Professional Divisions, ANS Governance, Local Sections, etc.) as they transition from the role of a student to the role of a professional. It sponsors non-technical workshops and meetings that provide professional development and networking opportunities for young professionals, collaborates with other Divisions and Groups in developing technical and non-technical content for topical and national meetings, encourages its members to participate in the activities of the Groups and Divisions that are closely related to their professional interests as well as in their local sections, introduces young members to the rules and governance structure of the Society, and nominates young professionals for awards and leadership opportunities available to members.
Meeting Spotlight
Conference on Nuclear Training and Education: A Biennial International Forum (CONTE 2025)
February 3–6, 2025
Amelia Island, FL|Omni Amelia Island Resort
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
Jan 2025
Jul 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
February 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
Latest News
A series of firsts delivers new Plant Vogtle units
Southern Nuclear was first when no one wanted to be.
The nuclear subsidiary of the century-old utility Southern Company, based in Atlanta, Ga., joined a pack of nuclear companies in the early 2000s—during what was then dubbed a “nuclear renaissance”—bullish on plans for new large nuclear facilities and adding thousands of new carbon-free megawatts to the grid.
In 2008, Southern Nuclear applied for a combined construction and operating license (COL), positioning the company to receive the first such license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2012. Also in 2008, Southern became the first U.S. company to sign an engineering, procurement, and construction contract for a Generation III+ reactor. Southern chose Westinghouse’s AP1000 pressurized water reactor, which was certified by the NRC in December 2011.
Fast forward a dozen years—which saw dozens of setbacks and hundreds of successes—and Southern Nuclear and its stakeholders celebrated the completion of Vogtle Units 3 and 4: the first new commercial nuclear power construction project completed in the U.S. in more than 30 years.
2020 ANS Virtual Winter Meeting Plenary Session Speaker
Ken Canavan joined Westinghouse as the Chief Technology Officer in January of 2018. Westinghouse’s CTO role has strategic responsibility to drive next-generation technology and innovation solutions that align with the company’s global business strategy. Ken leads the Global Technology Organization (GTO), and is responsible for ensuring that the Westinghouse’s technology vision and business strategy are aligned.
Mr. Canavan brings 34 years of nuclear experience to the position – half utility plant experience and half research and development experience.
Having held progressively responsible leadership roles within the nuclear energy industry, Ken most recently served as Director of Engineering, for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). While at EPRI, he turned industry needs into compelling research and development plans. These plans resulted in solutions to improve the safety and performance of the global nuclear fleet.
Prior to his work at EPRI, Ken was responsible for risk and safety applications at Data Systems and Solutions and ERIN Engineering and Research. Ken’s utility experience includes work for GPU Nuclear at the Three Mile Island and Oyster Creek nuclear power plants primarily in risk and safety analysis with assignments in maintenance and operations. Ken began his career as safety analysis engineer with Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station.
Ken holds a Bachelors of Chemical Engineering with a minor in nuclear engineering from Manhattan College.
Last modified October 22, 2020, 11:45am EDT
