Fastest Path supports Decommissioning Workshop with Tohoku University

Tohoku University and the U-M Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences, together with the Fastest Path to Zero Initiative, are hosting a workshop series focused on sharing experiences between Japan and the United States on the decommissioning of commercial nuclear power plants.

The workshop series will address risk management in nuclear decommissioning, encompassing technical risks associated with completing projects safely and efficiently. Additionally, the workshops seek to foster knowledge sharing by highlighting the United States’ previous experiences in decommissioning projects, shedding light on technical challenges as well as other important topics like regulatory procedures, financial frameworks, and effective communication strategies with local communities.

The first workshop, which takes place Thursday, August 3, from 6:30–9:30pm (EDT), will focus on technical topics and facilitate an exchange of information on the decommissioning progress of commercial reactors in Japan and the United States. The workshop will generate insightful questions that can fuel future dialogues, focusing on enhancing the safety and efficiency of decommissioning nuclear facilities. This exchange of perspectives will involve active participation from industry stakeholders, government agencies, and regulatory bodies representing both Japan and the United States.

Speakers

Alison Hahn (U.S. Department of Energy)

Kohei Ikuta (The Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan)

Jane Marshall (Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission)

Kaede Otsuka (Nuclear Regulation Authority)

Richard Reid (Electric Power Research Institute)

Satoru Yasuraoka (Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, METI)

Panel Session Moderator

Kristine Svinicki (Former Chairperson, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission)

Organizers

Yutaka Watanabe (Director and Professor, Center for Fundamental Research on Nuclear Decommissioning and Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University)

Todd Allen (Department Head and Professor, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan)