News

The Utilities Service Alliance (USA) sponsored Purdue University student Josh Young’s attendance at the Nuclear Energy Institute’s (NEI) annual conference on radiation protection July 31-Aug. 3 in St Petersburg, Fla.

In addition to sponsoring Young, USA’s Rick Adams, Corporate Functional Area Manager for Radiation Protection and Chemistry, attended the conference as a mentor for Young. Adams also served as moderator for the conference’s Morning Sessions on Aug. 2, including sessions featuring representatives of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

“The conference annually provides a venue for radiation protection managers and senior staff to discuss regulatory developments, operating experience and industry best practices,” said Adams, who also serves as USA Site Representative for Xcel Energy’s Prairie Island Nuclear Power Plant near Red Wing, Minnesota. “NEI also provides a strong student program at the conference and this gives USA the chance to continue its support for the future of the commercial nuclear power industry.”

Nearly 100 nuclear professionals attended the conference. Young, of West Lafayette, Ind., was one of 16 students attending. He is a graduate student studying Health Physics at Purdue.

USA is an alliance of seven utilities operating eight nuclear power stations generating 13,192 megawatts of energy. In addition to administering a network of more than 70 nuclear suppliers, USA helps its members leverage their combined resources, talent and expertise to serve their customers with clean, safe, reliable and cost-efficient energy.

Photo Caption: From left are Purdue University student Josh Young, USA’s Rick Adams and Ellen Anderson, Director, Radiation Safety, Nuclear Energy Institute