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Division Spotlight
Fuel Cycle & Waste Management
Devoted to all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle including waste management, worldwide. Division specific areas of interest and involvement include uranium conversion and enrichment; fuel fabrication, management (in-core and ex-core) and recycle; transportation; safeguards; high-level, low-level and mixed waste management and disposal; public policy and program management; decontamination and decommissioning environmental restoration; and excess weapons materials disposition.
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!
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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 Special Session Speaker
Exelon GenerationExecutive Vice President and Chief Generation Officer
Profile Hanson is responsible for the safe, efficient and reliable operation of Exelon Generation’s power generation fleet, which includes nearly 100 generating units in 19 states and Canada. Exelon Generation operates the largest clean energy fleet in America, producing electricity from 10 fuel types including nuclear, natural gas, hydro, wind and solar.
Professional HistoryHanson has more than 30 years of progressive experience in the nuclear power industry. Prior to his current role, Hanson was president and chief nuclear officer of Exelon Generation’s nuclear fleet. In that role, Hanson was responsible for ensuring that Exelon Generation maintained high levels of performance and safety across its nuclear fleet of 21 reactors at 12 facilities that it operates in Illinois, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania. During his tenure with Exelon, Hanson served as the nuclear chief operating officer, senior vice president of Midwest operations, site vice president for Exelon’s Braidwood Generating Station and the site vice president for Clinton Power Station. He also has been vice president of nuclear oversight, Limerick Generating Station plant manager, and director of operations and work control.
Education Hanson earned a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and a Master of Business Administration from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. Hanson is a graduate of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations Senior Nuclear Plant Management Program, the Exelon Leadership Institute at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University.
Professional Affiliations Hanson is on the board of directors for Easterseals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region, and he also serves on the University of Wisconsin Engineering Physics Advisory Board.
Last modified October 13, 2020, 5:02pm EDT