Atomic Insights

Atomic energy technology, politics, and perceptions from a nuclear energy insider who served as a US nuclear submarine engineer officer

TMI

The Atomic Show #136 – Jack Tuohy, Executive Director, American Nuclear Society

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Jack Tuohy is the Executive Director of the American Nuclear Society. We talked about his goals for the organization, his experiences as a first responder at Three Mile Island and his desire to help nuclear professionals develop their expertise.

Other topics discussed during our conversation include:

TMI regulation changes as good for nuclear industry

Engineers as businessmen

Alternative financing for emerging nuclear businesses

Making industry vibrant and respected

Early confusion over anti-nuclear movement, young and inexperienced in recognizing what was going on.

Straightforward guy, did not appreciate the tactics of the other side, engineers tend to be direct and do not try to work an angle

Anti-nuclear attitudes seem to be almost a religion, practitioners will not be convinced otherwise.

It is almost analogous to a conversion from one religion to another to get them to change their mind.

Ownership and passion versus religious fervor.

Story about his attendance at Sierra Club meeting one year after 9-11 – tactics of fear.

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The Atomic Show #132 – Ray Squirrel Interviews (Atomic) Rod Adams

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Ray Squirrel is the screen name used by a documentary film maker who is collecting material for a film about nuclear power. You can find some of the work he has done so far at RaySquirrel’s youtube site. I am not sure how the film will come out, but I thought you might be interested in the interview that Ray’s assistant, James conducted with me on Wednesday, 13 May.

Warning – this podcast is the longest Atomic Show yet at about 105 minutes.

He asked a lot of good, probing questions with an open attitude. Topics include Adams Atomic Engines, Inc., small nuclear power plants, the nuclear renaissance, French nuclear power experiences, Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, nuclear waste, hazards of other energy sources, my thoughts on large scale renewable energy systems, and the importance of understanding commercial energy competition.

During the interview I mentioned a local natural gas explosion that injured 8 firefighters and one employee of the Washington Gas Company. Here is a link to more information about that accident – which had more serious effects on the public health than the far more widely publicized Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident.

Explosion a good reminder there are no ‘routine’ calls

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