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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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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Deep Space: The new frontier of radiation controls
In commercial nuclear power, there has always been a deliberate tension between the regulator and the utility owner. The regulator fundamentally exists to protect the worker, and the utility, to make a profit. It is a win-win balance.
From the U.S. nuclear industry has emerged a brilliantly successful occupational nuclear safety record—largely the result of an ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) process that has driven exposure rates down to what only a decade ago would have been considered unthinkable. In the U.S. nuclear industry, the system has accomplished an excellent, nearly seamless process that succeeds to the benefit of both employee and utility owner.
John F. Ahearne
Nuclear Technology | Volume 87 | Number 1 | August 1989 | Pages 27-33
Plenary Paper | TMI-2: Materials Behavior / Nuclear Safety | doi.org/10.13182/NT89-A27636
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The Three Mile Island Unit 2 (TMI-2) accident led to significant changes in the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the nuclear industry, public utility commissions, and Congress. The major changes occurred in the NRC, where the fundamental effect was to change the relationship between industry and the regulator. Prior to TMI-2, this relationship was a comfortable mutual resolution of problems by technical professionals. After TMI-2, the relationship became adversarial, arms-length, and dominated by legalism.
