NRC commissioner discusses “nuclear renaissance” at NC State lecture
William D. Magwood, who sits on the federal commission that regulates the nation’s nuclear power plants, delivered on Oct. 21 the Nuclear Engineering Distinguished Executive Lecture at North Carolina State University.
Magwood spoke to a packed classroom of about 60 nuclear engineering students, faculty and staff in Burlington Engineering Laboratories. His lecture discussed the role of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which regulates commercial nuclear power plants and other uses of nuclear materials, such as in nuclear medicine, through licensing, inspection and enforcement of its requirements. Magwood joined the five-member commission in April.
Magwood noted that the commission is currently reviewing 17 applications for new power plants, including one for a plant in Georgia that could open in 2016.
“The nuclear renaissance … it’s right there in front of us,” he said. “It’s happening right now.”
A leader in the nuclear field as well as in public service, Magwood was the longest-serving head of the U.S. civilian nuclear technology program, serving two presidents and five secretaries of energy from 1998 until 2005. Before joining the NRC, Magwood founded and headed Advanced Energy Strategies, a company that provides strategic advice to domestic and international clients.
