Encouraging his audience to bring light to the dark portions of the globe, Dr. Peter B. Lyons delivered NPRE’s inaugural Leadership Speaker Series talk November 20 to about 200 people, many of whom were students.
Lyons, U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, presented "Past, Present, and Future of Nuclear Power in the US," covering the recent history of the US nuclear fleet; the connection (past and present) of US nuclear energy and national security; the budget of the Office of Nuclear Energy and where taxpayer money goes; recent loan guarantee announcements; the status of the office's Small Modular Reactor licensing technical support program; early retirements of nuclear plants and the carbon implications; and a review of plants currently under construction around the country.
In addition to the talk, Lyons spent the day on campus, visiting with campus and College of Engineering administrators, and NPRE faculty and students.
The Leadership Speaker Series has been made possible by NPRE's alumni group, the Constituent Alumni and Industry Advisory Board, and is intended to provide a forum for global leaders to present policies and platforms that shape the sciences of nuclear, plasma and radiological disciplines.
To view photos from the event, go to NPRE's Facebook Page.