November 21, 2012

Financial Pressures are Affecting Safety Decisions in the Nation's Nuclear Plants

November 21, 2012/ Arnie Gundersen

Arnie explains that Oyster Creek is the only nuclear plant in the US that lacks a modern High Pressure Safety Injection System. This means that the recently discovered pipe crack in a 3 inch pipe at Oyster Creek would create a serious safety threat if it were to completely break. Arnie also discusses the cost of operating nuclear plants, and how many nuclear plants around the country are no longer a low cost electric producer. Finally, Arnie looks at the three nuclear plants with extended shutdowns (Ft. Calhoun, San Onofre and Crystal River) and concludes that the cost of maintaining large staffs when no electricity is being produced is not in the best interests of the ratepayers.

November 18, 2012

Unit 3 Fuel Pool Repairs Support "Detonation" and More Contamination Found in Fish and Tokyo Suburb

November 18, 2012/ Arnie Gundersen

Events in Japan begin the Fairewinds weekly podcast this week. Gundersen analyzes TEPCO's recently released plans to install a protective cover over Unit 3 and discovers more proof that a detonation (not deflagration) did indeed occur in Unit 3 back in March 2011. Gundersen then analyzes recent radiation readings in Japan and concludes that the contamination is not abating.

November 11, 2012

Possible Sabotage at Southern California Nuclear Plant

November 11, 2012/ Arnie Gundersen

Yet more problems for San Onofre: According to Southern California Edison, a possible case of sabotage at the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant is being investigated. Gundersen and KH discuss how coolant liquid at the plant may have found its way into an unrelated system and threatened the backup power supply. - San Onofre has a long history of employee concerns, and recent layoffs may have exacerbated their employee problems. - The nation's oldest running Nuclear Plant, Oyster Creek, may remain shut down for longer than expected following the discovery of a crack in the reactor head. - The NRC to back a new study which will re-evaluate earthquake risks and probabilities at U.S. nuclear plants.

November 04, 2012

Learning Lessons

November 04, 2012/ Arnie Gundersen

In this edition, we'll discuss the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and what lessons must be learned including the breakdown in emergency preparedness. - Nuclear power plants are built to a "design basis" in an effort to prepare them for Mother Nature's worst events. Are these design bases still sufficient? - Containment Venting has long been a concern associated with Mark 1 BWR containment systems. Now, NRC staff has recommended that these filtered vents be hardened. - Looking at industry wide changes, we discuss the new Vogtle nuclear power plant, under construction in Georgia, that will cost billions of dollars for ratepayers and US taxpayers. Finally, in response to reader questions, we discuss what other radioactive isotopes in addition to cesium were released into the environment from the Fukushima Daiichi triple meltdown.

October 30, 2012

Special Edition Podcast: After Hurricane Sandy - Questions and Answers About What Happened

October 30, 2012/ Arnie Gundersen

In this special edition question & answer podcast, Gundersen and KH discuss what effects Hurricane Sandy had on U.S. nuclear power plants, especially Oyster Creek. Gundersen explains how spent fuel pools are not configured to be cooled with diesel power in the event of a loss of offsite power. Oyster Creek and several other nuclear power plants did lose offsite power and Thomson Reuters reports that they may use fire pumps to cool the pools.

October 28, 2012

Discussion of Hurricane Sandy and its potential impact on U.S. Nuclear Plants, the Woods Hole Report, Kudankulam, and the Shutdown of the Kewaunee Nuclear Plant

October 28, 2012/ Arnie Gundersen

In this week's podcast Arnie Gundersen discusses with KH what effect we can expect Hurricane Sandy to have on operating U.S. nuclear plants. Nuclear power plants rely on off-site power to cool the reactors, but in the event of a "loss of off-site power" (which is likely in a hurricane,) plants rely entirely on backup diesel generators. A new report from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution finds Fukushima Daiichi accident released more radiation into the Pacific Ocean than any other nuclear event. Massive protests in India, at the site of the new Kudankulam nuclear plant, are met a harsh response by the Indian government. The U.S. Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant is about to shut down for good. Gundersen discusses the costs of operating a nuclear power plant and suggests that other single-unit nuclear plants may soon follow suit.

October 21, 2012

Unit 4 and TEPCO

October 21, 2012/ Arnie Gundersen

Arnie Gundersen and KH discuss the deteriorating status of Fukushima Daiichi Unit 4, the ramifications of a recent TEPCO announcement, and how it all relates to nuclear reactors in the United States.

Fairewinds Energy Education Podcast

Financial Pressures are Affecting Safety Decisions in the Nation's Nuclear Plants

Unit 3 Fuel Pool Repairs Support "Detonation" and More Contamination Found in Fish and Tokyo Suburb

Possible Sabotage at Southern California Nuclear Plant

Learning Lessons

Special Edition Podcast: After Hurricane Sandy - Questions and Answers About What Happened

Discussion of Hurricane Sandy and its potential impact on U.S. Nuclear Plants, the Woods Hole Report, Kudankulam, and the Shutdown of the Kewaunee Nuclear Plant

Unit 4 and TEPCO

Nuclear Energy, Reactor and Radiation Facts

Shut Down the Nuke Smokescreen!

Protect the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.

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