W8 Building Smarter: Accelerating Advanced Reactor Construction

The NRC has rolled into a new era in emergency preparedness (EP), modernizing regulations and licensing frameworks with purpose and precision. Flexible planning and scalable emergency planning zones (EPZs) aren’t a step back from safety — they’re a smarter, more effective way to uphold it.  As we implement these modern EP approaches to support the next generation of nuclear technologies, we want to assure the public that when it comes to protective actions, we are “Never Gonna Give You Up”, and we mean it.  To paraphrase from this popular song, “we’re no strangers to emergency preparedness, you know the rules and so do we.”  But you may be surprised by just how far innovation, research, and cross‑sector collaboration have taken us.  From risk‑informed approaches to cutting‑edge modeling and stakeholder partnerships, the NRC is reshaping what effective emergency response looks like for the next generation of nuclear technologies.  Join us to see how regulation, innovation, and collaboration are coming together to build a more adaptable, modern EP framework — and why the future of emergency preparedness is more resilient than ever.

SESSION CHAIR(S):

Kevin Williams, Director, NSIR/NRC
Opening Remarks

SPEAKER(S):

• Angela Leek, Founder and Principal Health Physicist, Quantum Radiation Solutions 
  Balancing All the Risks: Communication, Coordination, and Confidence 
• Adam Stein, Director of Nuclear Energy and Innovation, The Breakthrough Institute 
  Designing Emergency Preparedness for Robust, Risk-Informed Decisions
• Richard Maurer, Principal Scientist, U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Remote Sensing Laboratory International 
  Collaboration for Radiological/Nuclear Incidents and Accidents
• Todd Smith, Senior Level Advisor for Emergency Preparedness & Incident Response, Division of Preparedness and Response, NSIR/NRC
  Rolling Into the Future of EP

SESSION COORDINATOR(S):

Nadir Chaudhry, Emergency Preparedness Specialist, NSIR/NRC tel: (301) 415-4055, e-mail: Nadir.Chaudhry@nrc.gov