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Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Human Factors, Instrumentation & Controls
Improving task performance, system reliability, system and personnel safety, efficiency, and effectiveness are the division's main objectives. Its major areas of interest include task design, procedures, training, instrument and control layout and placement, stress control, anthropometrics, psychological input, and motivation.
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.
2023 ANS WINTER CONFERENCE AND EXPO
Kate H. Kelly is the director for Space and Emerging programs of BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC, a subsidiary of BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT), leading the strategy and execution of the space and advanced manufacturing portfolio.
Prior to her current position, Ms. Kelly was the Advanced Nuclear Systems Program Manager, focused on the development of nuclear projects to promote the company’s R&D interests in advanced manufacturing and nuclear thermal propulsion technologies. She also worked in project management, quality control and operational excellence within BWXT’s Nuclear Operations Group in Lynchburg, Virginia. Her previous responsibilities include managing a next generation reactor manufacturing development project, overseeing quality trending and performance initiatives, and leading cost reduction and improvement projects. She joined the company in 2012 as a system design engineer on BWXT’s small modular reactor (SMR) program.
For her work at BWXT and in the Lynchburg, Virginia community, Ms. Kelly was recognized by Lynchburg Business Magazine and in Woman Engineer Magazine in 2020. Ms. Kelly earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame and has Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Project Management Professional® certifications.
Last modified October 25, 2023, 2:30pm EDT