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Division Spotlight
Isotopes & Radiation
Members are devoted to applying nuclear science and engineering technologies involving isotopes, radiation applications, and associated equipment in scientific research, development, and industrial processes. Their interests lie primarily in education, industrial uses, biology, medicine, and health physics. Division committees include Analytical Applications of Isotopes and Radiation, Biology and Medicine, Radiation Applications, Radiation Sources and Detection, and Thermal Power Sources.
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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February 2025
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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.
The Joint Committee on Nuclear Risk Management (JCNRM) is responsible for the preparation and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards, standards-related guidance documents, guidance standards, and technical reports that support the application of risk-informed approaches. These efforts address currently operating and future nuclear power plants and other types of reactors, as well as the transport, storage, handling, and processing of new and used nuclear fuel and radioactive waste. The JCNRM may also support other consensus committees of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and other standards-developing organizations (SDOs), by reviewing and commenting on risk-related aspects of standards, guidance documents, and other documents prepared by those organizations, at their request.
Activities of the consensus committee shall be guided by the Procedures for ASME Codes and Standards Development Committees but shall also meet the intent of ANS Standards Committee Procedures Manual for Consensus Committees unless specifically authorized by the ANS Standards Board.
The JCNRM oversees the following 4 subcommittees:
Volunteer placement is managed by ASME. Individuals interested in JCNRM standards projects may contact Standards for information.
JCNRM Organizational Chart
JCNRM Schedule Milestone Plan
JCNRM Operating Guide (2023)
Last modified October 21, 2024, 10:32am CDT