Leading the way in Nuclear Information and Records Management

magazine

The Gang’s All Here! NIRMA’s 45th Anniversary Conference Edition

Visit us at: NIRMA.org

Inside

Issu

e #

12,

Fall 2

021

NIRMA Conference, Records Managers, and the Pandemic, nextScan

Optimize Business Processes with Tech-Enabled Outsourcing, iBridge

It’s an Exciting Time for NIRMA! Messages from NIRMA’s President & Vice-President

Scenes from the

NIRMA

Conference

2 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

Contents

Message from the President; It’s an Exciting Time for NIRMA! By Janice Hoerber, Ameren

News from the Vice-President By Bruce Walters, AECOM

NIRMA Conference, Records Managers, and the Pandemic By Matt Anderson, Vice President of Marketing, nextScan

Optimize Business Processes with Tech-Enabled Outsourcing

By Desh Urs, CEO and President, iBridge LLC

Reducing Cost and Risks when Digitizing Micrographic Collections

By Manual Bulwa, Integrated Scanning of America/ISAUSA

Choosing a Records Management Solution that Fits Your Needs

By Kaycee Jaeger, e-ImageData Marketing Director

Lifetime Member Profile: Meet Frank Kocsis III, CRM/NS

From the CRM: Wait, What did I do? By Andy McGavin, CRM, NS

Chronicles of NIM: A Retrospective on Information Management in Nuclear Power By Eugene Yang, KISMET Consulting, Inc.

Smartphones or Smart Use

By Bob Larrivee, NIRMA’s Director of Technical Programs

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Fall 2021

Attendees from NIRMA’s 45th Annual Conference briefly removed masks for a quick photo commemorating the event. NIRMA’s 46th Annual Conference will be August 1-3, 2022 at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Las Vegas Nevada.

CONTENTS

in every issue

TREASURER REPORT—26

PDBU NEWS—28

RIMBU NEWS—29

M&MBU NEWS—30

INDUSTRY NEWS—31

Scenes from the NIRMA Conference:

Speakers—5 & 7 Celebration Event—11

First Time Attendees—19 Vendors—23

Board Positions Announced—30

Editors

Neal and Sandra Miller

DevereauxInc@outlook.com

Advertising

Neal.F.Miller@gmail.com

NIRMA Headquarters

Sarah Perkins

NIRMA Administrator

245 Sunnyridge Ave., #41

Fairfield, CT 06824

nirma@nirma.org

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 3

Fall 2021

In addition to our own articles, Inside NIRMA publishes guest articles from agencies and vendors. Please be advised that the views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NIRMA or its Board of Directors.

Gil Brueckner (top photo), and Kathi Cole & Margie Janney, (bottom photo) present at NIRMA’s 45th Annual Conference. Check out the many Conference photos within this magazine edition.

4 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

hat an engaging Conference that unfolded for the 45th NIRMA Anniversary! It was wonderful having a

majority of attendance in-person to network and reminisce and to stroll through a NIRMA Memorabilia room. We also embraced technology with Webex enabling keynote presentations and discussion with attendees participating from across the nation. While other industry associations had to default to another virtual event, NIRMA has been fortunate to deliver a hybrid Conference for in-person and virtual attendance to ensure strong engagement among the membership in light of COVID-19 travel impacts.

During the Conference, it became clear what an exciting time this is to be involved with NIRMA. A few of my favorite highlights:

• NIRMA Lifetime Rich Giska announced the just-completed extensive revision cycle for the ANSI/NIRMA Standard CM 1.0 – 2021 for Configuration Management

• NIRMA Board Member Bob Larrivee immersed us in technologies that can eliminate manual processes today in lieu of digitally automated processes and introduced us to Spot the Robot!

• Andrew Ysasi, President-Elect for the ICRM, helped re-ignite a passion for members to pursue

the ICRM Certifications available, including the elite Nuclear Specialist (NS)

• "Bill Gates has entered the chat!" Past NIRMA Board Member Meg Milligan asked the NIRMA Board to follow up on the Bill Gates' Foundation funding of Nuclear Power for getting the world to a carbon-free future (Aug 4, 2021 NEI magazine.com article)

The NIRMA Board of Directors is aware that the time is now to help our membership and our industry to see the future and quickly leverage the skills and solutions that are available today. At the Conference, we heard the barriers that many are experiencing:

• Not everyone is "on the bus" and wants change, there are resistors and slow walkers in our workplaces

• Some have tried new technology and it never made it long enough to see the savings with few people using it (i.e. Electronic Work Packages)

• Paper is still very much in play – some Quality Assurance vaults are overflowing

• Not all organizations have an electronic signature tool for work-from-home approvals

Today, the barrier is not always funding as it once was. Now, the issue is making these things an organizational priority in our work places. We need vendor experts and All-In teams to take nuclear processes into the future with technology. NIRMA needs to bring more technology vendors to our Conference to connect the dots.

NIRMA intends to be on the forefront to help your organization streamline and manage information. It really is about the "I" in NIRMA. We thank our past NIRMA legacy who recognized that long ago. It is a great time to be involved in this journey!

W

A MESSAGE From the President

Janice Hoerber

It’s an Exciting Time for NIRMA!

David Nelson, NRC presenting remotely “Transformation Initiatives around the NRC” Laura Williams, ANI presenting remotely “Records – The Nuclear Liability Perspective”

Bob Larrivee facilitating the pre-conference Workshop, “Preparing for Information Automation”

➔ “Configuration Management Panel Discussion” with Tim Fleet, Moderator with

panel participants Laurent Perkins, Rich Giska, and Lona Smith

“History of NIRMA” with Past Presidents & Lifetime Members, (L-R) Rich Giska (remote), Frank Kocsis, Margie Janney, Moderator Sheila Pearcy, Cheri Susner, Mary Binkholder, Michelle Smith, and Eugene Yang

he 2021 Nuclear Information Management Conference was a big success based on survey

comments. I am particularly thankful for our many keynote speakers, general session speakers, exhibitors, sponsors, marketing team, and hotel staff who helped make the conference, well, the Conference. It takes a lot of effort and support to pull off such an endeavor. Thank you all for stepping up and being a part of the conference team. And many thanks to all the attendees who participated on location at the JW Marriott or from your home/office. Your energy and insightful contributions during the conference were remarkable and made the NIRMA 45th Anniversary an event to remember!

You should know that I am already making plans for 2022. The Conference is locked in for August 1-3, 2022 at our favorite resort. I’m thinking of topics and speakers that would be of interest to all of us and

you shared some ideas on the survey. I have reached out to a number of potential speakers already and will continue in the coming months. It's time to reflect on your career, your work experiences, what you just finished, and what YOU could share with the rest of NIRMA! I am ready to hear from you (or you may hear from me!).

Speaking of the 2022 NIRMA Conference, your Board of Directors met in September to discuss our 2021 costs and 2022 fees. Eugene Yang brought up a great point during the Annual Business Meeting about the organization’s finances. That triggered some tough discussion amongst the Board members. We are being mindful that we need to be as cost-conscious as possible because this is Association money we are spending.

We have all noticed grocery prices going up all over the country and thus, the hotel meal costs have risen equally. Additionally, in a nutshell, having a virtual Conference

is expensive. While we reduce the overall cost for meals of attendees because fewer of us are in-person, we have learned that we have significantly more audio/visual costs. The final numbers have not been received as I write this article, but based on

projected costs, we continue to run at a deficit and are having to draw from NIRMA's investment account to pay expenses. That is not sustainable regardless of what we charge for attendance. Our plan is to return to an in-person conference in 2022 and future years but know that COVID-19 realities are out of our control.

In order for you to make budgetary plans for 2022, below are the Board-approved fees for the next Conference:

Early Bird by end of July 1:

$1,250

Late Registration after July 1:

$1,500

Speaker Fee: $1,000

Exhibitor Fee:

$2,800

The NIRMA Membership Fee will once again remain at $250 for those who did not attend the 2021 Conference. By end of year, the NIRMA Office will be sending out Membership reminders to those who could not participate in 2021.

I am excited for what the coming year will bring for NIRMA and the opportunities that all of us have for networking and education. We are going to do this, together, and I’m looking forward to it.

T

FROM THE VICE-PRESIDENT

Bruce Walters, CRM/NS

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 6

Two Former NIRMA Presidents (as well as Lifetime Members), Eugene Yang and Cheri Susner catch up. Andrew Ysasi, VP, Advocacy, VRC Companies, LLC presents “IG and Cyber Security”

Whitney McCollum, Assistant General Counsel for Data Protection & Technology, AECOM presenting remotely “Data & COVID - Now & Future” Rich Chaney, nextScan presents “Basics of Document Control"

Lou Rofrano, Co-Director of PDBU presenting “One Year Later – Progress Report on the NIRMA Mentoring Program"

NIRMA 2021 ConferenceExhibitor, Presenter and Spotlight Showcase

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 9

ooking back over the years, we fondly remember our first NIRMA shows before the pandemic. Everyone was, and

remains warm, friendly, and inviting. Personally, I remember experiencing my first NIRMA conference, with the exhibitors being welcomed to share a meal and engage off the floor, which is unique compared to other events we attend. Thank you for always welcoming us to Las Vegas and your annual conference.

These last two NIRMA conferences have been much different. While the friendly and warm faces are still there, there are just a lot fewer of them. And while there have been many negative changes, we are going to seek out the positive as well.

The NIRMA Conference has evolved and allowed much more than only an exhibitor experience. For nextScan, it has given us the ability to share our knowledge of document management with you as

NIRMA Conferences,

Records Managers, and the

Pandemic By Matt Anderson,

Vice President of Marketing, nextScan

Continued on next page.

L nextScan has been able to

create software

enhancements to help

resolve problems you

encounter. Thank you for

the continued support and

allowing us to present to

this esteemed group.

Continued from previous page.

10 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

well as showcase how our equipment is designed to solve some of your recurring problems. These opportunities often turn into conversations, allowing us to speak directly with NIRMA members, to understand their unique challenges, and propose possible solutions. Additionally, in response to the challenges you face, nextScan has been able to create software enhancements to help resolve problems you encounter. Thank you for the continued support and allowing us to present to this esteemed group.

The pandemic has had a profound impact on all industries and Records Management was certainly an area that felt the increased pressure to keep up with demands these past 18 months. COVID has also made everyone

more aware of the importance of proper Records Management strategies and techniques to be able to timely share information as the remote working

paradigm shift seems to be here for some time.

We understand that the role that Records Managers undertake is critical to keeping nuclear plants on plan, on task, and on budget. Never before have so many documents, of all different formats, file types, and sizes, been produced and stored. Understanding where to access, how to access, and who can access, has become a challenging task for Record Managers. Thank you for all you do for the Nuclear and Records Management industries.

The future of smart and clean energy sources is not going away anytime soon. As need for energy continues to grow, our country will be looking to nuclear energy to help provide the carbon-free energy it will require. If the current bipartisan infrastructure bill is passed, nuclear power reactors would get $6 billion to shore up a struggling electrical grid.

We hope everyone that attended the NIRMA Conference had a great visit and thoroughly enjoyed the conference. It’s a spot on our calendar that we mark every year.

See you in 2022!

The future of smart and

clean energy sources is

not going away anytime

soon. As need for energy

continues to grow, our

country will be looking to

nuclear energy to help

provide the carbon-free

energy it will require.

Scenes from

NIRMA’s 45th

Anniversary

Conference

Celebration

Event

Feeling thePressureto Digitize?

www.ibridgellc.com

But for budget purposes, you need an estimate and proof of concept?

No Problem.

We will come to your site, provide you with an estimate and proof of concept.

All free of cost and with no obligation

Give us a call at 503.906.2593, no job is too big or too small.

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 13

nterprises looking to outsource business processes in a cost-efficient way should look for vendors that embrace natural language processing, artificial intelligence, and machine

learning. These tools deliver significant advantages by automatically filtering and categorizing large volumes of content.

Deploying automated solutions to high-volume, low-impact processes is key to achieving best-in-class workflow efficiency. IT and Records Managers who look for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) partners that incorporate these technologies will enable smarter decision-making and greatly enhanced efficiencies.

The foundation of next-generation document control processes is Natural Language Processing (NPL). NPL is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that allows computers to read the text of digitized documents. However, the ability to interpret large quantities of

unstructured data relies on trained AI algorithms. The practical benefit of this approach is minimal-touch, straight-through processing, which now includes interpreting topographic legends and symbols in plat maps and land use documents. In addition, an AI-powered sorting algorithm can identify and process details within a single or cluster of records, to extract information accurately and quickly.

Higher-impact BPO benefits are achievable through Machine Learning as well. Machine Learning is an advanced subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on teaching computers to process data without giving them explicit instructions on how to do so. Machine Learning systems can interpret data and identify trends with minimal or no human intervention. This tech-enabled analysis makes it possible for enterprises to emphasize the value their employees generate.

Machine Learning enables enterprises to automate analytics processes that traditionally come with steep operating costs. Enterprises that incorporate Machine Learning into their operating models can often act faster and more decisively than their peers, making enterprise agility one of the most compelling benefits this technology has to offer.

Business process outsourcing vendors that implement emerging technologies make process efficiency a core value. If your organization is not internally leveraging these emerging technologies, then look for a BPO partner who does. You will be rewarded with a strategy that prioritizes efficiency, flexibility, and cost-saving.

By Desh Urs, CEO & President, iBridge LLC

E

Optimize Business

Processes with Tech-

Enabled Outsourcing

here is ample consensus across most industries about the need to digitize their micrographic collections. Reasons include concerns about film degradation, regulatory compliance,

obsolescence of mechanical viewers, inherent inefficiencies, contingency planning against natural and man-made disasters, the irreversible paradigm shift to remote working and more. The traditional barriers to entry have been breached by COVID, technological innovations and the abundance of success stories. There are also some horror stories mostly associated to underestimation of the complexities of digitization projects, especially when undertaken on site, or assigned to service providers engaged in cutthroat competition.

This article proposes options to reduce risks and costs. Although it focuses on microfiche, it applies similarly to roll film and aperture cards. Let’s start by exploring the Technology and Methodologies components of the proposed concept.

Technology (Equipment, Software)

The traditional “rent equipment and good luck” approach is costly and risky. It implies training, learning curves, beginner’s mistakes, lack of adequate QC tools and/or expertise, staff working beyond their core competency, and more. An ideal solution should allow for:

• All media stays onsite.

• Client’s clerical staff (or temps) undertake “bare bones” operations (mostly feeding media).

• Service provider undertakes all critical tasks through remote access, using highly trained experts and sophisticated technology.

• Expensive equipment is allocated only during the bulk digitization phase.

• Day forward capture, if needed, is configured with a solid scaled down version of the resources used during bulk capture.

• Low cost/low risk.

To accomplish the above, one or more production level scanners are installed onsite for the duration, configured and fine-tuned remotely by experts using smart glasses at the site to drastically improve support and training. Smart glasses make possible that local operators become the hands, eyes and ears of the remote experts during training and support. (click here for Tele-Assistance video).

A small workgroup consisting of at least one preconfigured scan station with a high-volume scanner, a printer, a robust storage unit, a barcode handgun and at least one production station are configured with Internet access, but fully isolated from any local IT resources. All captured images are stored locally, while the service provider performs all post-capture work on the auxiliary station(s) using remote desktop. No data needs to be transferred out of the workgroup.

REDUCING COST AND RISKS

WHEN DIGITIZING

MICROGRAPHIC

COLLECTIONS

By Manuel Bulwa, Integrated Scanning of America www.isausa.com

t

14 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 15

Methodologies

An ideal scenario will not only reduce risks and costs, but it should also eliminate or drastically reduce the following vulnerabilities:

To accomplish the above, our concept involves the use of:

• Smart glasses toperform a creativevideo inventory ofphysical assets.

• Barcode technology and abarcode gun to managesmart rescans.

• Efficient productionmethodologies successfullyproven on billions of images.

• Ability to find inventoriedand scanned images withoutthe cost of traditionalindexing or deferring this cost to future budgets.

To find records with minimal or no indexing, we propose the use of Visual Navigation to mimic digitally the same process users performed manually when using (now obsolete) reader printers, i.e.: navigate fiche titles in a drawer, mount a sheet in the carrier, then navigate the frames in the carrier until the first frame of the record is located. Although the steps are quite similar, there is an overwhelming number of benefits when operating digitally instead of manually.

The cost savings are significant when compared to traditional indexing strategies. The risk reduction is based on the absence of human errors interpreting and capturing index data.

In conclusion, if your micrographic collection has not yet suffered degradation, abuse, misuse, natural or man-made disasters, you still depend on in-person staff attendance and obsolete equipment. The concept presented here makes digitization affordable and safe.

https://e-imagedata.com/

hey say that we’re doomed to repeat history if we do not study and understand it. Until the past couple of decades—and even to today—much of history was recorded on paper

documents. Nuclear corporations and businesses of all kinds have carefully stored microfilm and microfiche versions of critical documents for viewing. With many employees’ workload curtailed due to pandemic precautions, these documents must become digitally available to research so work can continue remotely. If your corporation is looking for a microfilm scanner, it’s important to ask these five questions to ensure you get the best value for your budget.

1. Can it do everything we need it to do?

You may have records stored in a variety of formats,and you need one solution that can best scan and digitize all of them. Some of the most common formats that corporations need to have scanned for digital use include microfilm, microfiche and aperture cards. While other scanners on the market may be able to handle one or two types, ScanPro® can handle all of these and more. It reliably and clearly scans all types of micrographic media so that you’ll only need one scanner. It makes the most economic sense, and it will be far more convenient for corporations that want to standardize how their micrographic media documents are scanned and saved for the future.

2. How reliable is it?

When dealing with delicate and sensitive microfilm,microfiche and others, you need a scanner that works every time. Employees have deadlines, businesses are on the clock, and researchers are often in a race to find answers to questions buried within those micrographic documents. ScanPro microfilm scanners are famous for reliability, which makes them the industry standard for digitizing micrographic documentation. Built with heavy-gauge steel with smooth ball-bearing movement andmotors that corporations praise for workhorsereliability, e-ImageData’s ScanPro products produceclear image quality after years of scanning millions ofimages.

3. How consistently does it produce highquality images?

It's normal for a ScanPro microfilm scanner, scanning hundreds of documents a week and thousands of documents a month or more, to produce the same high-quality digital image of the original micrographic media as it did on the very first day. Some other key benefits include quick and accurate media positioning each time for a perfect, easy-to-read scan. Additional features like wide-range optical zoom and image focus capabilities help researchers discover things that might have been missed previously. Automatic film scanning makes the process quick and easy for high-volume scanning

T

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 17

Choosing a

records

management

solution that

fits your needs

By Kaycee Jaeger, e-ImageData Marketing Director

projects, and the ScanPro is built with the environment in mind. ScanPro products are also quiet enough to operate without disturbing your co-workers.

4. How easy is it to use?

Unlike other microfilm scanners, ScanPro is coupled with a powerful software package called PowerScan Productivity Suite, a Windows app that your employees will find intuitive to use. This reduces the time it takes to learn how to use the system, even for first time users. This is critical when research is on a time crunch. The Film Selection Wizard creates an automatic setup that makes the process a snap, and also allows you to add custom photo icons and links to your corporation’s applications for a smooth process. On-screen help and look-up features make it easy to get answers to common questions. No other product on the market has these powerful, time-saving tools. If your corporation needs a microfilm scanner that is up and running quickly with a minimum of hassle and no wasted time, e-ImageData’s ScanPro with a powerful software package is the combination you need to save time and avoid headaches.

5. Can we get a demo before we buy it?

You wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive first, and with such an important piece of micrographic equipment, you should always be able to get a complete demo that shows you what you can expect and how to get the most out of your microfilm scanner. Be sure to contact us today and let’s talk about your microfilm scanning needs and how ScanPro can perform for you.

Not a Member of

NIRMA?

join today!

Choosing a records management solution that fits your needs, continued

NIRMA is considering the creation of a Committee focused on emerging

technologies with a perspective on how they would impact Nuclear Information

Management. An Emerging Technologies Insight Group would

consist of interested NIRMA members and vendor solution providers. Members of this group would monitor technologies

such as process automation, robotics, capture devices, etc. producing articles

and presenting their opinions at the conference on a panel. Send your

thoughts or interest to jhoerber@ameren.com so we can gauge

interest. Thank you!

18 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

“There is good support from NIRMA to move the industry forward and explore new collaboration and records management options.” Jorge Biaggini, Fellow Engineer,

Technical Lead for Digital Design, Westinghouse

“I am new to the nuclear part of utilities and at a decommissioned plant that has a staff of 4. The speakers were good and very knowledgeable. I think that building on my knowledge is key to getting a better understanding of what I am required to do in my job.”

Theresa Zuck, Office Technician, Sacramento Municipal Utility District

(SMUD)

2021 NIRMA Conference

First-Time attendees

“I enjoyed Eugene Yang when he spoke on Electronic Document and Records Management in the Nuclear Industry. NFS is just now discussing going electronic with our Document Records and this information was very useful and addressed

many questions I had about the process.” Sherry Street, Configuration Management Specialist I, Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (NFS) a BWXT company

“It was great hearing from others that have gone through or are going through the Electronic Records and Decommissioning Record Management process. Going over their takeaways, dos and don’ts, and plans forward was beneficial and helped answer some of my questions/concerns I’d had prior to the conference.”

Lauren Evans, Office Technician, Nuclear Records Manager, SMUD – Rancho Seco

20 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

Tell us about the locations you worked at, and positions you have held?

I have worked at:

• Idaho National Laboratory – Director Information and Facilities Management

• Source One Management – Vice President Federal and Nuclear Programs

• Rocky Flats – Program Manager Administrative Services

• Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant – Director Administrative Services, Records Manager, Procedures & Training Manager

• Cleveland Electric/Perry Nuclear Plant – Records Manager

• Public Service Indiana/Marble Hill Nuclear Plant – Records Manager

• Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, New

Production Reactor Program – Documentation Management Specialist

• INEL, LOFT Project – Certified Senior Reactor Operator, Test Engineer

• United States Navy Nuclear Submarine Service – Propulsion Engineer

Lifetime Member

Profile

Meet Frank Kocsis III

Frank and fellow NIRMA Lifetime Member, Cheri Susner➔

What are the Professional Affiliations you have been involved in?

• Nuclear Information & Records Management Association (NIRMA)

• ARMA International (ARMA)

• Project Management Institute (PMI)

• United States Submarine Veterans (USSVI)

When did you join NIRMA?

I joined NIRMA in 1980.

What NIRMA Leadership positions have you held?

NIRMA positions I have held were President, Director, and a Vendor Exhibitor Coordinator.

How did you get started with NIRMA?

In 1979 I was a member of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) New Production Reactor Program assigned to the Technical Support Office at Three Mile Island Nuclear Station. Our mission was accident evaluation and nuclear fuel recovery. My assignment was development of documentation and configuration management programs for the Office. A consultant I hired introduced me to NRMA, now known as NIRMA. I was able to gain valuable insight into the nuclear records and information world, which assisted in the development of our documentation and configuration management programs.

How did being a member of NIRMA assist you with your career?

For the last forty-two (42) years my career has been centered around nuclear information/records management, document & configuration management/control, and procedures development. As a member of NIRMA, I had the most absolute networking connections to nuclear industry Information/Records Management professionals and vendors as I was developing information management and procedure programs for my companies and customers.

What have you found most rewarding about your membership?

Besides abundant knowledge of the profession I had chosen, the most rewarding part of being a member of NIRMA is the life-long professional and personal relationships I have developed. There has never been a time when I could not get the information I needed to help me be successful in my career and program/project development.

In what ways were you able to help (mentor) other members?

Since I have mostly been in Information Management Leadership positions, I have made sure my staff had the opportunity to be involved in NIRMA, to assist in their career development. I was involved in the early development of the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM), Certified Records Manager (CRM) – Nuclear Specialist designation. I have always felt that being a Certified Records Manager would be a tremendous boost to a career. I have personally assisted (mentored) several individuals in their quest in obtaining their CRM. I have also mentored individuals in other career development activities.

What would you tell others looking to get involved in NIRMA or NIRMA leadership roles?

I would tell people to look at my career and let them know that involvement in NIRMA was a significant driver in my obtaining increasingly more important Information Management Leadership roles. I would tell them that a leadership role in NIRMA will assist in their career development and company leadership position progression.

Why is it important for you to stay involved?

I am probably the oldest member still involved in NIRMA. Even after being retired for almost ten years, I do it for self-satisfaction, to keep abreast of developing technology, to help the organization where I can, and to stay in contact with old friends while making new ones.

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 21

think we’ve all been there. You’re at a party, someone asks what you do, and you say you’re a Nuclear Records

Manager. After the initial blank look, you get some variation on the response, “Huh, what is that exactly?” Over the years, I’ve developed a brief canned description to move the conversation along, but it strikes me that professionals in many other fields don’t have to go through this. “I’m a lawyer.” “I’m in sales.” “I’m an engineer.” Bam - question answered! There might be some follow-up chitchat about the person’s area of specialty, but “what’s that?” just isn’t in the conversation.

If you’re like most nuclear records and information managers I know, you might not have started your career with your sights set on the job you have now. Personally, I was a journalism major working a temporary job as a technical writer at a nuclear plant, when I sort of followed the documents I was writing along their lifecycle from development and approval into document control and records management. I know others who worked their way into records from IT or administrative roles, discovered they liked it and they were good at it, and stuck around.

In the time I’ve been a NIRMA member, I sense that many of us fall into one of two groups:

• I’m relatively new to records management, and while I’m good at my job right now, sometimes I feel there should be more to it, but I don’t know what I don’t know.

or

• I’ve been working in records management for a long time, I can handle pretty much anything that comes my way, but I feel like I’m in a rut.

(OK, there are also a few NIRMA rock stars who have really got this thing down -- I try to hang around them as much as possible and hope something rubs off, but they’re in their own league.)

Fortunately, whether you find yourself in the first or second group above, there is something you can do to fill in the gaps and gain a better perspective of how your job fits into the bigger picture: Become certified as a Records Analyst or a Records Manager by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM).

Why become certified? In my experience, here are a few reasons why:

• It tells your current employer that you’re serious about your profession and you want to expand how you can contribute.

• It tells potential employers that you’re serious about your

profession and it provides an objective third-party endorsement of your skills on your resume. (No kidding -- I get unsolicited inquiries from employers on LinkedIn solely because I have a CRM on my resume.)

• It adds structure and fills in gaps around the knowledge you have picked up more organically throughout your career.

The ICRM’s records management certification process is based on six separate exams (five multiple choice, one essay) covering a range of records management proficiencies:

• Part 1: Management Principles and the Records and Information (RIM) Program

• Part 2: Records and Information: Creation and Use

• Part 3: Records Systems, Storage and Retrieval

• Part 4: Records Appraisal, Retention, Protection and Disposition

• Part 5: Technology

• Part 6: Business Case (two essay questions)

ICRM offers two certifications:

• Certified Records Analyst (CRA): Conferred upon completion of

I

22 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

From the CRM

Wait, What Did I do?

By Andy McGavin, CRM/NS

Parts 2, 3, and 4, which focus more on the operational aspects of records management.

• Certified Records Manager(CRM): Conferred uponcompletion of all 6 Parts,demonstrating a comprehensivegrasp of Records Managementpractices.

There are also three additional specialty designation exams that CRAs and CRMs in the nuclear, federal government, and information governance areas may choose to complete after their initial certification.

Don’t let the idea of six exams seem overwhelming – if you have a few years of records and information management work under your belt, you’ll find you already know much of the content. Start with just one exam in the area you already know the best and take advantage of ICRM’s study guides to prepare. When you’ve completed the first one, start on another, and before you know it, you’ll find you’re a CRA.

I’m not sure if it will help with the job explanation at the next party you attend, but when you say you’re a Certified Records Analyst or Manager, it’s bound to generate some more conversation.

For more information, contact ICRM at http://icrm.org.

Andy McGavin, CRM/NS, is the Nuclear Records and Document Manager for Jacobs Engineering. He has worked in records and information management roles in the nuclear and aviation sectors for over 20 years and has been a Certified Records Manager (Nuclear Specialty designation) since 2012.

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 23

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NIRMA greatly appreciates our Conference Vendors.

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am continuing with my multi-part series on the fundamentals of electronic records in the nuclear industry. In the last issue, I discussed the

evolution of electronic records guidance in the nuclear industry. This time, I’ll speak to the subject of electronic records authentication.

“May you live in interesting times.” This purported Chinese proverb, seemingly a blessing, but drips with irony; the “interesting times” are usually times of trouble. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) certainly has exposed global social and economic disruption; “work-from-home” went from being a novelty act practiced by the few to being the “normal” way of conducting business by millions of employees around the world.

The nuclear industry has been affected in the same light. Many workers were asked to telecommute, leading to a magnitude increase in the use of web-based teleconferencing platforms. One key issue that emerged was the review and “signing off” of documents and records. Plants still need to be compliant to regulations and safety, so only approved (“latest and greatest”) procedures, drawings, etc. are used, and quality assurance records are appropriately signed off.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states that authentication is “an act, process, or method of showing something (such as an identity, a piece of art, or a financial transaction) to be real, true, or genuine.” We, in NIRMA, have defined authentication (NIRMA Technical Guideline TG11, Authentication of Records and Media) as the “act of attesting that the information contained within a document is accurate, complete, and appropriate to the work accomplished. The quality of being valid, authentic/genuine.”

In the nuclear industry, I always say that there are two “types” of signatures needed. The first type is to the “technical veracity” contained in the document – the person signing is saying that the information in here is “right” and “is good to go”. The second type of signature authenticates the document as a record – it is valid, authentic, genuine. Most documents or records that I’ve come across usually have multiple signatures, of which the last one on a list is the one that authenticates the record; the ones before that attest to the completeness and accuracy of the document. In some cases, I’ve seen one signature – the person signing is attesting that the information is accurate AND authenticates the document as a record.

A Retrospective on Information Management in Nuclear Power

i

24 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

By Eugene Y. Yang, Principal Consultant

KISMET Consulting, Inc.

You need to keep possible

endgames in mind when using

electronic authentication/

signatures: you either need to

demonstrate regulatory

compliance or you may need to

go into litigation, which means

your records have to be “good”.

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 25

“Electronic signatures” are in common practice now. I use quotes because the implementation of electronic signature (we in NIRMA say “authentication”) has been broadly executed. I’ve seen digital signatures, approval emails, scanned-in documents that were pen-and-ink signed, cut-and-paste of signature images, use of LAN IDs and passwords, PIN numbers, two-factor/three-factor authentication, workflows, ad infinitum. Are any of these “right”? Are any of these “wrong”?

• The most practiced “electronically approved” record is the scanned document containing a pen-and-ink signature. The problems with written signatures:

Your written signature does not have to reflect your full legal name (see credit card slips – full disclosure: I start with an “E” and then it’s pretty much incomprehensible from there).

Cursive is not being taught in schools today, which means workers of the future won’t be “signing” anything.

The scribble can’t be traced to a person.

• The second-most practiced electronic approval is email approvals.

• Cut-and-paste of signatures – this really is a “don’t go there” issue, as it’s too easy with today’s technology to lift the signature and paste it on a document.

• Digital signatures require the use of encrypt/decrypt keys and/or an authenticating server that keeps track of approved users.

• Use of IDs/passwords, PIN numbers, etc. also require an authenticating service or server for tracking approved users.

• Approvals need to be “as close as possible” to the object being approved. The “authentication separation gap” starts to emerge. Here’s what I mean (“tight” to “looser” as you go down the list):

For an electronic record, a scanned image is good. However, it still requires someone to pen-

and-ink sign the document. But the signature is directly on the document image.

Digital signatures that apply an “electronic chop” directly to the electronic are good, but requires an authentication infrastructure (desktop toolset for applying the chop, and authentication server for tracking who’s chop is applied on what document; that the person who is applying the chop is legit).

Workflow-based approvals collect an audit trail that can be a “report” that is appended to the document, or “associated tightly” with the document being approved (audit report lists who approved and on what document [down to revision and date level]).

ID/Passwords used in data applications record an audit trail that could also be exported as part of a document.

You need to keep possible endgames in mind when using electronic authentication/signatures: you either need to demonstrate regulatory compliance or you may need to go into litigation, which means your records have to be “good”. Especially on this latter point, you’ll need demonstrate to the satisfaction of the court that:

• The appropriate level and amount of information surrounding the signing process was retained;

• The system used to retain the information is itself reliable; and

• The storage system must be rigorously secure from a physical and technological standpoint.

It’s not about the technology or the tool; it’s about the PROCESS. The method needs to support and serve the purpose and retention needs of the process. A federal regulation or standard does not need to exist as the federal and state laws establish the legality (such as UETA or the ESign Act). There is no one correct method. Any signature method may be used; however, the ability or need to defend the signature becomes the requirement. Simple, low-tech methods may serve one process fine while more robust or secure methods may be needed for quality-related or legally liable signatures requiring long term retention.

26 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

Michelle Smith NIRMA Treasurer

NIRMA’s Financial Holdings As of: September 15, 2021

Investment Account $ 123,796.54 Checking Account $ 30,486.33

The Federal Rules of Evidence provide a good basis: The appropriate level and amount of information surrounding the signing process was retained. There is the “intent to sign” notion – the signature is only valid if the signer intends to sign. A company venturing into electronic authentication or signaturing needs to assure the quality of the software (lifecycle change process, proper software documentation), policy/procedural

direction for use, and the training of personnel in the use of electronic records. Once these factors are met, any electronic method is then acceptable, and it is then up to the company to defend the use.

Bottom Line:

It’s about PROCESS and CONSISTENCY

as the keys in the legal arena.

Eugene has been a member of NIRMA for over 34 years. At the time he joined, NIRMA had only been in existence for 11 years. He would love to hear about stories and anecdotes from others, so please email him at eugene.yang@kismetconsulting.com.

Eugene’s ➔Celebration

Night presentation

received many accolades.

hen I hear the term Smartphone, I envision a classroom full of phones learning how to read, do

calculations and eventually graduate from Smartphone school with the designation Smartphone duly conferred upon them. Is it really the phone that is smart or is it the user who masters the capabilities of this device?

No matter, the point is that there are a lot of these out there being used for both business and personal reasons. In fact, according to Finances Online, “3.8 billion or 48.33% of the world’s population have smartphones”. As such, many businesses and workers are using their Smartphones as the interface to various applications and process activities in relation to their roles in the organization. This could be monitoring systems, capturing data, and communicating with operations.

This could prove extremely beneficial to a Nuclear Power Plant, in relation to the detection and prevention of a situation requiring the plant to go offline. According to a report by the Idaho National Laboratories, “When procedure and work order information is recorded on a mobile device, there is little or no lag time for recording it in the enterprise information systems. Reducing information lag times also improves collective situation awareness, which can greatly improve accurate and timely decisions by stakeholders. Research

indicates that wireless technology reduces group decision making time by 30 to 40%”.

In My View

The growth of Smartphones and Smartphones are here, and their popularity is strongly on the rise. This means that Nuclear Power organizations are faced with the challenge of addressing use of these devices for business purposes and governance over their use to maintain compliance and minimize RISK. RISK not only being that of proper use and security but ensuring these devices will not cause precarious situations like system disruption via Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) transmission. It is also an indication that Smartphone use is an opportunity to enhance the mobility of the workforce through adoption of Smartphone use for business purposes. The task at hand is how?

How do you take your business applications and make them mobile ready? Do you approach it from a web access perspective or do you think in terms of Smartphone apps that will meet the need. Perhaps there is no app that meets your needs, and you will need to create one. Let’s not forget the processes related to all of this. Once the Smartphone enters your realm of approved devices, how will that impact the process? Think in terms of both access and capture of information. How will your employees work differently using Smartphones compared to the way things are done today?

My point is this, Smartphones are here and their use is increasing rapidly. Forward thinking organizations will embrace and leverage this to their advantage. Imagine being able to cut down monitoring and communications time using a Smartphone. Imagine that you can now provide 24/7 customer service through a Smartphone app.

The phone itself is not “smart” but it does provide greater capability than ever before. It is the user who must be smart about how to use this device that makes the difference. It is the organization that plans and implements Smartphone use in alignment with their overall strategy that establishes differentiation.

w

By Bob Larrivee NIRMA’s Director of Technical Programs

SMARTPHONE OR

SMART USE

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 27

28 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

am writing the last of my articles as PDBU Director as I will move into the NIRMA Secretary position at the

beginning of 2022. I can still recall my first conference where I met two of the people who would be the key factors in getting me into PDBU and the Directorship, Peggy Warner and Anita Carter. Peggy was a long-time member of NIRMA and had a real passion for professional development and learning. Anita was a first-time attendee along with me. The constant prodding from Peggy led Anita into PDBU where Anita later convinced me to join her as co-director. My personal and professional development journey set out roots that very first year.

The PDBU is all about development and learning opportunities. My career in nuclear

has required me to learn about records management, regulations, how to be an instructor, and how to speak to all levels of personnel from clerks to vice presidents to station directors and CNOs. As the plant’s SME for all things records management, I had to learn to do it with confidence as well. Some of this was “learn by doing” at the plant, but I gained so much knowledge and experience by doing the same at NIRMA for the past 16 years. Involvement in NIRMA has led me to learn, network, lead sessions, lead business units, inspired me to pursue a professional certification, and now to take on a role on the NIRMA Board. It’s a far cry from where I started, and I’ve enjoyed all the steps along the way.

As I move on to the next steps in my NIRMA path, I’m leaving the PDBU in the capable, energetic, and

very enthusiastic hands of Lou Rofrano who has been my co-director for the past two years. I’d like to take one last opportunity to exhort you to get involved in anything that interests you at NIRMA and to grab any opportunity for learning and development. My work at the plant has helped in my roles at NIRMA and NIRMA experience has helped me at work. I would love to see the same for you. Listen to the webinars, lead sessions, get a certification, network, benchmark, join a business unit then lead one, be mentored, mentor others, and watch what happens.

Professional Development

Business Unit (PDBU) News Tammy Cutts, PDBU Director

i

2021 NIRMA Board (Front L-R): NIRMA Administrator Sarah Perkins, President Janice Hoerber, Treasurer Michelle Smith, Director of Infrastructure Sheila Pearcy. (Back L-R): Vice-President Bruce Walters, Secretary Lona Smith, Director of Tech. Programs Bob Larrivee.

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 29

IMBU kicked off the Summer 2021 meeting with a review of the Less with Less Panel and a discussion around what kind of survey/

benchmarking would be most beneficial to the NIRMA organization. Topics such as staffing levels and collateral duties outside RM functions were brought up, as well as reporting structure and whether current state organization charts were stable. Controlled distribution best practices were of interest to the group including who performs distribution and how to successfully move that function out of the RM organization. Other topics included EDMS (Electronic Document Management System) and program interfaces, automation of processes, and conversion of microform. Its clear the RM landscape is evolving as new technologies emerge and the pandemic increases the push for automation. NIRMA and RIMBU feel it is the right time to reach out and find what people are doing well and how they are doing it. Be on the lookout for a survey from the NIRMA organization. Response to the survey and learning from one another are key to the success and growth of our RM organizations.

Another topic discussed during the Summer meeting

was the need to educate and inform the NIRMA membership on the origins, purpose, and application of the Technical Guides (TGs). TG‑11, TG-15, TG-16, and TG-21 in particular, inform the basis for the records management programs in the industry. This is especially true for records generated and/or maintained electronically. RIMBU is currently looking for opportunities to share more information about the TGs.

2D/3D models are a hot topic in the industry today and RIMBU was fortunate to have a few of the conference attendees from Westinghouse speak during the Summer meeting. There is interest among the RIMBU team in working with Westinghouse to develop and provide guidance to the industry on best practices for maintaining 3D models as long-term, sustainable records. A sub-committee was formed to take on this effort and RIMBU looks forward to providing the NIRMA membership with its perspective on 3D model maintenance in the future.

Get involved with RIMBU

New members are always welcome! RIMBU is a great opportunity to benchmark with others in the industry, share valuable operating experience, and have the opportunity to influence industry standard guidance in records management.

R

News from the Records &

Information Management

Business Unit (RIMBU)

By Stephanie Price, RIMBU Business Unit Director

Summary of the RIMBU Summer 2021 Meeting

reminder to all NIRMA members. If you did not attend the hybrid conference this year, don’t forget to renew your membership for 2022. In January, NIRMA’s Administrator will be

sending out invoices to those members who missed this year’s conference.

It is never too early to begin planning for the next conference, “NIRMA’s 46th Annual Conference.” NIRMA is very appreciative of the feedback members provided to our Post-Conference Survey. The Board

wants the 2022 conference to meet the needs of the novice through the seasoned veterans.

As always, everyone is welcome to join the Membership & Marketing Business Unit. We hold monthly conference calls on the first Wednesday of each month. Email either myself or Denise Pickett to let us know of your interest and we will add you to the call list. kjccole1@yahoo.com or denisearma@gmail.com

he 2022 Board of Directors election results were communicated to the attendees at the 2021 Annual Business Meeting on Day 3 of the Conference in August. Congratulations to the

NIRMA 2022 Board:

• President: Janice Hoerber

• Vice President: Bruce Walters, CRM/NS

• Treasurer: Lona Smith

• Secretary: Tammy Cutts

• Director of Technical Programs: Bob Larrivee

• Director of Infrastructure: Sheila Pearcy, CRA

2022 Business Unit Directors:

• Membership & Marketing Business Unit (M&MBU)

Director: Kathi Cole, CRM

Co-Director: Denise Pickett, CRM/NS/FED

• Professional Development Business Unit (PDBU)

Director: Lou Rofrano

Co-Director: Gil Brueckner, CRM/NS

• Regulations and Information Management Business Unit (RIMBU)

Director: Stephanie Price

Co-Director: Rhonda Redding

• Technical Advisor to the Board:

Chris Boudreaux

• 2022 Nominating Committee:

Tori Markel

Janine Nice

T

MEMBERSHIP & MARKETING

(M&M) Business Unit News

Kathi Cole, CRM

M&MBU Director

a

30 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

Front (L-R): Janice Hoerber, Lona Smith, Sheila Pearcy Back (L-R): Bruce Walters, Bob Larrivee

Tammy Cutts ➔

NIRMA ANNOUNCES

NEW BOARD POSITIONS

CHICAGO — Exelon Generation said today that it is preparing to refuel its Byron and Dresden nuclear plants as a result of the action taken by the Illinois legislature to enact a comprehensive energy bill. Once signed by the Governor, the legislation will strengthen Illinois’ clean energy leadership, protect the state’s economy by preserving tens of thousands of jobs and prevent an increase in pollution and energy costs that would harm consumers if the plants closed.

“We commend the Governor, the General Assembly, our partners at IBEW Local 15 and the coalition of labor leaders and members who worked so hard to pass this roadmap for rebuilding our economy and addressing the climate crisis by investing in clean energy in a way that ensures that jobs and environmental benefits are shared equitably,” said Christopher Crane, president and CEO of Exelon. “This new policy offers a better future for the employees who have run these plants at world-class levels, the plant

communities that we are privileged to serve and all Illinoisans eager to build a clean-energy economy that works for everyone.”

The legislation promotes jobs and lowers carbon emissions by scaling up renewables, investing in electrification and adopting critical job training programs and labor standards. It also creates a process for the state to procure carbon mitigation credits from nuclear plants, which are critical to keeping Illinois on a path to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The bill will mitigate widely acknowledged flaws in regional energy markets and compensate nuclear plants for their clean-energy benefits in much the same way that wind and solar are compensated today. It also will put the state on a path to 100 percent clean energy at a fraction of the cost of achieving the same goal with only renewables.

More than 60 percent of Illinois’ electricity consumption and approximately 90 percent of its

carbon-free energy comes from Exelon Generation’s six nuclear plants in Illinois. Studies have shown that when nuclear plants close, plants that burn fossil fuels operate much more often, increasing harmful carbon and air pollution, especially in disadvantaged communities.

Dresden Generating Station, located in Morris, Ill., was slated to retire in November and the Byron Generating Station, located just outside Byron, Ill., was scheduled to begin the defueling process and permanent shut down starting today. Despite being among the safest, most efficient and reliable units in the nation’s nuclear fleet, Dresden and Byron face revenue shortfalls in the hundreds of millions of dollars because of market rules that allow fossil fuel plants to underbid clean resources in regional electricity markets.

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 31

Continued on next page.

Passage of Illinois Energy Legislation Preserves Nuclear Plants &

Strengthens State’s Clean Energy Leadership

Preservation of zero-emissions nuclear plants prevents harmful pollution and supports more than 28,000 jobs, while protecting

consumers from higher energy costs

32 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

Space developments in the last two decades have greatly contributed to our understanding of our planet’s climate. Satellite imaging, space exploration, and new technologies give us an idea of the big picture and how we can adapt to address climate change.

For example, satellites in space have played a critical role in our understanding of the causes of global warming by providing us with a large body of data to examine the variations in the Earth’s orbit.

Data from these capabilities were essential inputs into the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) recent report that focused on how the physical science of climate change informs likely impacts under five different emissions scenarios.

The report also found that climate change is happening quicker than we thought, making the need to reduce emissions imminent. To address this, space infrastructure such as positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) can help identify efficient transportation routes and sources of emissions, ultimately

aiding mitigation efforts.

NASA’s Earth System Observatory, the next generation of Earth science satellites that will launch in the next decade, reflect the importance of Earth imaging. This constellation of satellites is designed to provide information about our planet ranging from the location of forest fires to the sea level rise to our agricultural processes. It will be able to collect data at the regional and local levels and connect critical interactions between the atmosphere, land, ocean and ice, significantly bolstering our understanding of the Earth’s climate.

Another large focus of the initiative is predicting severe weather and answering questions surrounding aerosols, which are particles in the atmosphere that are a key source of uncertainty in predicting climate change.

Alongside adding funding to FEMA, the Biden Administration announced the development of the Earth System Observatory, indicating its support for the program in understanding how

Continued from previous page.

In addition to Byron and Dresden, the legislation creates an opportunity to preserve the Braidwood nuclear plant, which also is economically challenged and at imminent risk of premature retirement. The LaSalle nuclear plant also will remain operating for the five-year duration of the carbon mitigation credit program.

By supporting these always-on, zero carbon nuclear plants, the legislation ensures that Illinois stays on track to meet its climate goals at the lowest cost to consumers. Byron alone generates 30 percent more clean energy than comes from all the solar and wind ever built in Illinois. An analysis by an independent consulting firm found that it would take $29 billion – or more than $6 per month for every Illinois household over the next 25 years – to replace just Byron’s carbon-free energy with renewable sources, much less reach 100 percent clean.

In January 2019, the state committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the targets set in the Paris climate agreement. Emissions-free energy from the four nuclear plants puts the state 85 percent toward the 2025 goal versus 20 percent had they retired prematurely and been replaced by polluting resources.

Continued on next page. Read full article here.

In the United States, fully functioning nuclear plants are under threat of closure due to profitability concerns and political phase-out policies, while vital research infrastructure is being mothballed.

In Europe, single countries are closing down entire nuclear fleets while ongoing talks about whether to include nuclear power in clean-air taxonomies mean financing costs remain too high as investors seek out better returns from less controversial technologies that have already passed the ‘green’ test.

The rise of ‘greenwashing’, whereby products and services are misleadingly advertised as environmentally friendly, has taken up a large part of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) driven investment, which is still to be governed under established regulatory frameworks.

Nuclear energy’s shaky public image has left it out of the mix and, consequently, off the books at investment houses.

Meanwhile, in China a nuclear power renaissance is being supported by government-backed,

long-term planning strategies for reduced carbon emissions from electricity generation.

“If you had to boil it down to one word, it’s commitment,” says

Article reprinted with permission of NEI. Read full article here.

climate change is impacting communities.

Space exploration is foundational to climate science because it provides us with more information about the Earth, our solar system and the role of gases in our atmosphere, and nuclear energy has played an important role powering our missions into space.

In 1969, NASA launched Nimbus III, a nuclear-powered spacecraft, that is the first U.S. satellite to gather vital oceanographic data, such as measurements of sea ice and the ozone layer.

The spacecraft also measured atmospheric temperature, water vapor and ozone, as well as the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching our atmosphere from the sun.

Cassini, a nuclear-powered probe into Saturn and its moons, released the Huygens probe which collected important data about what earth may have looked like in its state before humans evolved. The mission revealed Titan to be one of the most Earth-like worlds we’ve encountered.

US, Europe Risk Falling Behind as China Nuclear Industry Expands

China’s nuclear power industry is expanding rapidly while stumbling blocks in the United States and Europe puts their industries at risk of being left behind in the

race toward next generation technology.

Continued from previous page.

Continued on next page.

Chinese technician in the control room of a nuclear power plant in Qinshan, in the Zhejiang province (Source: Reuters/Reinhard Krause)

Back to Content | Inside NIRMA NIRMA.org Fall 2021 33

34 Fall 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA

CEO and Executive Director of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Craig Piercy.

“(In the United States) we see movement in the right direction, but we haven’t gotten our heads around the fact that we are going to be in the nuclear game for decades and this technology is only going to expand. We’re still thinking about it like a domestic energy option.”

A government’s commitment, or lack thereof, to nuclear power has wide ranging implications across the sector.

Without public commitment to the technology, financing costs climb, a new generation of potential nuclear engineers are discouraged to join the workforce, national laboratories face fluctuating budgets for long-term projects, and existing baseload infrastructure is shut down to be replaced by carbon-spewing alternatives.

China's Nuclear Electricity Production

In the pipeline

In 2020, six reactors were permanently shut down worldwide while five new reactors started up, leaving a total of 441 operable nuclear reactors producing a combined capacity of 392 GWe, according to the World Nuclear Association (WNA) World Nuclear Performance Report 2021.

Of the six shut down, the two Fessenheim reactors were closed due to a political decision to reduce nuclear power’s weight in the French electricity generation mix, while the United States closed two because of market conditions. Sweden’s Ringhals 1 closed despite calls for it to restart.

In Russia, the Leningrad reactor closed but was instantly replaced by a new reactor on site.

Of the new startups, aside from the Leningrad reactor, Belarus connected Ostrovets 1 which was built on Russian technology and was the first VVER-1200 unit to begin operations outside of Russia.

The Barakah 1 reactor was built in the United Arab Emirates using South Korean reactor technology.

China alone started two new reactors: the Fuqing 5 and the Tianwan 5.

The two shortest construction times were achieved by the Chinese reactors due to the advantages of series builds and the retention of skills through the ongoing new build program, the WNA report notes.

Fuqing 5 was constructed in 67 months and Tianwan 5 in 55 months. By comparison Barakah 1 took 97 months and Ostrovets 84 months.

Nuclear reactors under construction in Britain and the United States have not fared so well, often facing years of delays and significant cost overruns.

US, Europe Risk Falling Behind as China Nuclear Industry Expands

Article reprinted with permission of Reuters Events Nuclear. Read full article here.

Continued from previous page.

(Source: World Nuclear Association, IAEA PRIS; World Nuclear Performance Report 2021)

Save the Dates:

46th Annual NIRMA Conference

August 1-3, 2022