Finding the courage to dance

September 9, 2024, 7:00AMNuclear NewsCraig Piercy

Craig Piercy
cpiercy@ans.org

I recently attended the 2024 Utility Working Conference where, despite the widespread travel disruptions created by Tropical Storm Debby, nearly 600 folks from the U.S. nuclear utility and supplier community had descended on southwest Florida to network, do business, and have a little fun.

The UWC has always been a bit different from other nuclear industry meetings: a little less “happy talk” about the future, a little more “real talk” about the practical challenges facing the industry.

To be sure, the mood on the expo floor was buoyant. Business is good for anyone serving the existing fleet these days. The Inflation Reduction Act’s investment incentives have finally gained traction, which has resulted in utilities taking a more long-term approach to their plant maintenance and uprate projects, which in turn has created bigger opportunities for suppliers.

To continue reading, log in or create a free account!

Related Articles

New meeting, better story

November 4, 2024, 9:31AMNuclear News

As you may have heard, the American Nuclear Society recently entered into a 50/50 joint venture with the Nuclear Energy Institute to host an annual industrywide meeting in late summer, which...

Jim Byrne—ANS member since 1979

October 24, 2024, 12:00PMANS News

As I was finishing my studies at the University of Pittsburgh and about to graduate with a degree in civil engineering, I talked to a local navy recruiter about a position with the Seabees. He...

NRC schedules Atlanta meeting

October 22, 2024, 7:01AMNuclear News

A hybrid public meeting hosted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on October 30 will feature chair Christopher Hanson and commissioners David Wright, Annie Caputo, and Bradley Crowell....

Setting the nuclear theme

October 17, 2024, 7:01AMNuclear News

Twice a year, the ANS president and I work with the general chair of our next national meeting to set the theme of the event.It’s no easy process. Sure, one can be anodyne, picking anything...