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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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Hash Hashemian: Visionary leadership
As Dr. Hashem M. “Hash” Hashemian prepares to step into his term as President of the American Nuclear Society, he is clear that he wants to make the most of this unique moment.
A groundswell in public approval of nuclear is finding a home in growing governmental support that is backed by a tailwind of technological innovation. “Now is a good time to be in nuclear,” Hashemian said, as he explained the criticality of this moment and what he hoped to accomplish as president.
ANS Standards Board established the Risk-informed, Performance-based Principles and Policy Committee (RP3C) to support modernizing of ANS standards. RP3C’s activities for training and knowledge sharing of risk-informed, performance-based (RIPB) principles and practices include the RP3C Community of Practice (CoP). The purpose of this CoP is to support knowledge sharing of the development and application of RIPB principles and practices within the nuclear industry. This can include, but is not limited to, nuclear power reactors, research reactors, fuel cycle, and decommissioning. It can include U.S. domestic and international activities as well.
This CoP is formally sponsored and led by RP3C. The CoP is held virtually on the last Friday of a month and is open to all professionals interested in RIPB principles and practices. Membership to this CoP is open to all professionals interested in RIPB principles and practices. Those interested in being included in announcements may contact standards@ans.org. Information about the next presentation and links to past presentations are provided below. Many of the CoP presentations are posted to ANS’s Nuclear Science and Technology Open Research (NST Open Research) platform in the RP3C CoP Collection. A bibliography of CoPs posted in NST Open Research is regularly updated.
What is a Community of Practice?
Communities of Practice (CoPs) are group of professionals who share knowledge around a specific topic, craft, or profession. They can form organically or be directed. They can be physical, virtual, or combinations thereof.
Why are CoPs important?
CoPs are well established ways to support knowledge management and transfer. They are used frequently by organizations to help break down organizational barriers where information typically flows up and then down and across an organization. CoPs provide like-minded professionals an opportunity to share knowledge outside of the normal management and project process. CoPs enrich a professional's development and strengthen an organization's ability to manage knowledge effectively.
Next CoP Presentations:
Friday, July 25, 2025, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm eastern Presentation Topic: "Risk-Informed Performance-Based Design and Licensing of the NuScale US460 Small Modular Reactor" by Kent Welter with NuScale Power
Friday, August 29, 2025, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm eastern Presentation Topic: MARVEL safety basis by Doug Gerstner with Idaho National Laboratory (Title TBD)
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Methodologies
These presentations discuss the development of RIPB methodologies that are higher level than an individual standard. This content is most relevant to those interested in understanding the benefits, challenges, and lessons learned during efforts to produce approaches and/or guidance that combine and/or synthesize information from multiple different standards.
Standards
These presentations discuss the development of standards that include RIPB methods and/or approaches. This content is most relevant to those interested in understanding the benefits, challenges, and lessons learned during efforts to revise an existing standard to incorporate RIPB principles as well as those developing new standards that incorporate these methods.
Concepts
These presentations discuss concepts that are foundational and/or complementary to RIPB methods. This content is most relevant to those interested in developing and/or applying RIPB approaches (e.g., standards or methodologies).
Applications
These presentations discuss tangible examples of applying RIPB methods in various contexts. This content is most relevant to those who would benefit from understanding the benefits, challenges, and lessons learned from implementing RIPB approaches (e.g., standards, methodologies, or guidance).
Perspectives
These presentations provide various perspectives on the role of RIPB principles, methods, and approaches in current topics or issues. This content is most relevant to those interested in understanding the status and potential future implementation of RIPB principles, methods, and approaches.
Informational
These presentations provide information about various topics related to RIPB principles, policies, and applications. This content is most relevant to those interested in learning about the important aspects of performance-based regulation history, ASME Section XI Division 2, and the next steps for the 10 CFR Part 53 rulemaking effort.
Last modified July 2, 2025, 6:22pm CDT
