Peter B. Lyons Honored by ASME for Achievements in the Advancement of Nuclear Power

NEW YORK, July 16, 2012 – Peter B. Lyons, Ph.D., a resident of McLean, Va., and assistant secretary for nuclear energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C., will be honored by ASME.  He is being recognized for distinguished national and international public service and eminent achievements in the advancement of nuclear power through education, research and assurance of the safety and security of nuclear power plants; and for contributions in the formulation and execution of policy and plans for nuclear energy.He will receive the Society’s James N. Landis Medal.

The award was established in honor of James N. Landis, president of ASME in 1958.  It is bestowed upon an individual for outstanding personal performance related to designing, constructing or managing the operation of major steam-powered electric stations using nuclear or fossil fuels, coupled with personal leadership in some humanitarian pursuit.  The award will be presented to Dr. Lyons during the International Conference on Nuclear Engineering, which is being held in Anaheim, Calif., July 30 through Aug. 3.

Lyons was confirmed as the Department of Energy’s assistant secretary for nuclear energy on April 18, 2011.  As assistant secretary, he serves as the primary policy advisor to the secretary of energy and the department on key issues involving nuclear energy research, development and demonstration, as well as international nuclear activities.  His responsibilities include managing federal programs aimed at fulfilling the potential of nuclear power as a major contributor in meeting our nation’s energy supply, and environmental and energy security needs.

Before his Senate confirmation to his new position, Lyons served as the acting assistant secretary for nuclear energy since November 2010, and as the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Office of Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy (2009-10).  Prior to this appointment, he served as a commissioner of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 2005 until his term ended in 2009.  From 1997 to 2005, Lyons served as science advisor to U.S. Senator Pete Domenici and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where he focused on military and civilian uses of nuclear technology, national science policy and nuclear nonproliferation.

He has published more than 100 technical papers and holds three patents related to fiber optics and plasma diagnostics.

Lyons is a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society and the American Physical Society.

Among his honors, Lyons was named Nuclear Professional of the Year (2009) by the North American Technical Centre; and he received a Distinguished Public Service Award (2010) from the Health Physics Society. Lyons earned his undergraduate degree in physics and mathematics from the University of Arizona, Tucson, in 1964; and his Ph.D. in nuclear astrophysics from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, in 1969.

About ASME ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.