ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Nuclear Installations Safety
Devoted specifically to the safety of nuclear installations and the health and safety of the public, this division seeks a better understanding of the role of safety in the design, construction and operation of nuclear installation facilities. The division also promotes engineering and scientific technology advancement associated with the safety of such facilities.
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
U. S. Department of Energy, Retired
Alex Larzelere is the former Federal Director for the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s Modeling and Simulation Energy Innovation Hub. As such, he was involved with developing the original vision, writing the Funding Opportunity Announcement, and conducting the Merit Review Process that resulted in CASL. Over the next six years, Alex executed the “light federal touch” for the oversight of the Hub. Alex has been involved with advanced computing and modeling and simulation for about 30 years in a variety of roles. These include, running technology transfer programs, helping to start the Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative (ASCI) for the simulation of nuclear weapons, working for private industry, and starting his own companies.
He is the author of, “Delivering Insight, the History of the First 10 Years of ASCI”. Also, Alex served in the U.S. Coast Guard, sailing on cutters in Southeast Alaska. He is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Alex Larzelere is now retired, traveling with his wife, Mary Ann, playing with his grandson, and writing his memoirs.
Last modified November 4, 2020, 9:43am EST