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This session will feature a roundtable discussion of the stakeholders in radioactive waste management in all of its forms and settings. This discussion features perspectives from the Department of Energy, commercial and regulatory representatives to create a collaborative approach to nuclear waste management.

Ahmad Al-DaoukAssociate Administrator, Office of Environment, Health & SafetyNational Nuclear Security Administration David CampbellExecutive Vice President, Business Development & GrowthEnergySolutions Chuck FleischmannRepresentative, Tennessee 3rd DistrictU.S. House of Representatives Theodore (Erik) OldsDirector of CommunicationsOffice of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy Eric K. KnoxVice President, Strategic Development, National Security GroupAmentumModerator

Like politics, radioactive waste management is local – at least as long as it remains near dozens of communities throughout the U.S. Hear the latest regulatory perspectives from speakers and their roles in determining how radioactive waste is managed and stored. 

Rebecca Casper, PhD.MayorIdaho Falls, Idaho Ashley ForbesDeputy Director, Radioactive Materials DivisionTexas Commission of Environmental Quality Aaron WhiteDirector, Office of Regulatory ComplianceOffice of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy Miriam JuckettStakeholder Engagement Advisor, Nuclear Material Storage/TransportationPacific Northwest National LaboratoryModerator

Networking Break

This session will focus on the physical, cyber, policy and regulatory challenges making nuclear sites safe and secure. 

Jeanne BeardChief Information Officer and Director, Information ServicesOffice of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy Richard KoenigProgram Manager for Packaging/Transportation Operations, Nuclear Nonproliferation ProgramsSavannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC Bradley LoftinNuclear Nonproliferation Project Specialist, Transportation Security Engineering/Analysis GroupOak Ridge National Laboratory Miriam JuckettStakeholder Engagement Advisor, Nuclear Material Storage/TransportationPacific Northwest National LaboratoryModerator

As this audience remembers, the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 caused the public to question the nuclear industry’s ability to safely operate nuclear power plants.  As a result, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the nuclear industry began to focus on the highest standards of care to ensure the safety of the workers, the public, and the environment. Today, the nuclear power industry is one of the safest industries in the world due to the significant progress made to improve safety over the past four decades.  This session focuses on today’s initiatives being developed and implemented at nuclear power facilities to continue the industry’s quest for the highest levels of safety.

J. Kent FortenberryChief Operating OfficerUCOR Andrew LombardoExecutive Vice President, Nuclear ServicesPerma-Fix Environmental Services Inc. Jay TarziaExecutive DirectorRadiation Safety & Control ServicesModerator

We’re excited to offer a unique opportunity to explore The Honorable Distillery’s finest spirits. From smooth bourbons to flavorful gins, each spirit has its own distinct flavor profile that will leave you wanting more. Please join us in the exhibit hall for a truly unforgettable tasting experience paired with delicious foods.

Networking Breakfast

Safe and efficient transportation of radioactive materials and waste is a critical component of our industry.  Our panelists will discuss how COVID temporarily impacted transportation and the efficiencies gained in a post COVID world.

Joe HeckmanPresident, Waste ManagementEnergySolutions Russell NeelyChief Operating OfficerEdlow International Company Jimmy ToliuszisProject ManagerNAC International Inc. Daniel ShrumExecutive DirectorLow-level Radioactive Waste Forum, Inc.Moderator

Brokers work as an intermediary to generators and disposal sites. They act as a single point of contact for all waste management needs which can save the generators time, money, and the overhead processes required to independently manage disposal of their materials. Hear how brokers save time, money and overhead managing materials disposal for you.

David CarlsonPresident and Chief Operating OfficerWaste Control Specialists, LLC Leah LavalleeDirector, Waste ManagementVeolia Nuclear Services - Federal Services John McCormickFounder and Vice PresidentBionomics, Inc Ken GrumskiPresidentNAC LPTModerator

Networking Break

This diverse panel of experts will share their perspectives, lessons learned, and recommendations for forming and maintaining positive relationships with affected communities concerning nuclear-related infrastructure. They will highlight both longstanding and new challenges and opportunities, such as DOE’s initiative on consent-based siting, that reinforce the importance of early, regular, and ongoing engagement with affected communities.

Manuel C. Camargo Jr.Principal Manager, Strategic Planning, SONGS DecommissioningSouthern California Edison Jill ConradTribal Affairs Program ManagerOffice of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy Emily Stein, PhDSenior Advisor, Office of Spent Fuel and Waste DispositionU.S. Department of Energy Mike ValenzanoSenior Project ManagerOrano TN Americas Katrinia McMurrianExecutive DirectorNuclear Waste Strategy CoalitionModerator

Networking Luncheon

This session will connect the dots between activities in the government and commercial sectors.  It will begin with a broad overview of federal used fuel management programs, address efforts to improve storage strategies for federal used fuel inventories, and examine parallel efforts to both extend storage durations for commercial storage systems and prepare for used fuel arisings from advanced reactors.  

Mark BollingerManager, Carlsbad Field OfficeOffice of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy William Boyle, PhDDirector, Office of Spent Fuel and Waste Science & TechnologyU.S. Department of Energy Jomaries RoviraDirector, Office of Nuclear MaterialsOffice of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy Rod McCullumSenior Director, Fuel and Decommissioning ProgramsNuclear Energy InstituteModerator

Regulations and nuclear facility designs continue to improve toward “risk informed, performance based” frameworks, and with climate change comes an increased need for natural hazard resiliency. In this session, Dr. Stamatakos will discuss lessons learned that can be gleaned from recent advances in seismic design methods for nuclear power plants that are relevant to radiological waste storage and disposal facilities.

John Stamatakos, PhDTechnical DirectorSouthwest Research Institute Miriam JuckettStakeholder Engagement Advisor, Nuclear Material Storage/TransportationPacific Northwest National LaboratoryModerator

Networking Break

This session will focus on the advances and effectiveness of the scientific and technical expertise in the DOE National Laboratory Complex (National Labs) toward meeting the objectives of both EM’s legacy nuclear waste cleanup mission and LM’s long-term surveillance and maintenance mission.  Attendees will benefit from understanding the process; future objectives; and successes that have resulted from leveraging the capabilities of the National Labs.

Connie HermanAssociate Laboratory Director, Environmental StewardshipSavannah River National Laboratory Mark RigaliPrincipal Member of Technical StaffSandia National Laboratories Tania TaylorTechnical Director, Long-Term StewardshipOffice of Legacy Management, U.S. Department of Energy Kathryn Taylor-PashowExecutive Director, Network of National Laboratories for Environmental Management/StewardshipSavannah River National Laboratory Tammy MondayVice President Business DevelopmentAVANTech LLCModerator

This panel will include demonstrations of how technologies and their application are changing and improving the way the nuclear industry, safely and effectively, performs high hazard work, aerial surveillance and cleanup missions.

Matt ChandlerFederal ManagerSkydio Tamzidul MinaPostdoctoral Appointee, Robotics GroupSandia National Laboratories Jason WheelerR&D Staff Member, Robotics GroupSandia National Laboratories Renee EcholsPresidentFirewater LLCModerator

Get ready to fiesta like there’s no mañana at tonight’s networking reception hosted outside by the lodge. Enjoy listening to our mariachi band while you sip on a refreshing margarita and make new connections. Indulge in our deluxe nacho and fajita bar all while enjoying the festive atmosphere. Please join us for a fiesta like no other, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Networking Breakfast

This session will discuss the implications of new and updated rules from the NRC that govern waste classifications and management including Part 61, GTCC and TRU waste as well as updates to the decommissioning rules

Larry CamperConference Chair and Senior Nuclear Safety ConsultantAdvoco Professional Services, LLC J. Scott KirkManager, Environmental Compliance and Waste DisposalSavannah River Mission Completion Francis (Chip) CameronPresidentthe Zero Gravity GroupModerator

The key bridge to the next generation of nuclear is ensuring that operating plants continue through their full operational lives.  With a number of plants recently shuttered, the idea of bringing one of those back to life has been met with increased interest from both the Federal Government and State Leaders.  Come hear about the challenges and benefits from a regulatory, stakeholder, governmental, and logistical perspective of Holtec’s plan to repower the Palisades facility in Michigan and how that can help show the world that a plant can safely be resurrected. 

Myron KaczmarskyVice PresidentHOLTEC Government Services Patrick O’BrienDirector, Government Affairs and CommunicationsHoltec International

Networking Break

Even as the U.S. nuclear energy market pivots to sustaining and developing reactors, some sites have shut down and progressed through decommissioning with unique and creative technology and procedures. In this session, Orano highlights their teams’ performance and innovations at the Vermont Yankee BWR and Crystal River 3 PWR accelerated decommissioning projects.

Sebastien GuillotVice President, OperationsOrano Decommissioning Services Rod McCullumSenior Director, Fuel and Decommissioning ProgramsNuclear Energy InstituteModerator

It’s an exciting time to be active in the nuclear sector.  Hear from multiple voices driving what’s next in the sector including nuclear fusion, domestic HALEU production and the next gen workforce required to move the industry forward.

Dee GrayDirector of Communications and Talent ManagementJacobs North American Nuclear Sal GolubAssociate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Supply ChainOffice of Nuclear Energy, U.S. Department of Energy Ken KasperRadiological Operations Manager, National Ignition FacilityLawrence Livermore National Laboratory Jim BlankenhornSenior Vice President and Manager, Environment & Security Business LineAmentumModerator