NEI Nuclear Notes

Did you know it’s National Nuclear Science Week ? Just the same time as last year. National Nuclear Science Week is a national, broadly observed week-long celebration to focus local, regional and national interest on all aspects of nuclear science. Each day will provide for learning about the contributions, innovations and opportunities that can be found by exploring nuclear science. That means more than reactors: Nuclear science plays a vital role in the lives of Americans…and the world. Consider these facts: • 18 million nuclear medicine procedures are performed per year among 305 million people in the United States • 104 operating nuclear reactors in the US employ an average of 700 people to operate them in the 31 states that have nuclear power generating plants • 20 percent of our nation’s electricity is generated by nuclear power • 436 nuclear power plants are operating in 30 countries, supplying 14 percent of the world’s electricity. Fifty-three new ...

Rod asks: Should we be concerned about guards sleeping in a "ready room"? Late last year there was a lot of hype about a series of cell phone videos recorded by a new security guard at the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station of fellow guards dozing off while in a room identified as a "ready room". Having never actually been on the commercial side of the nuclear business, I am still having some difficulty with understanding why it would be a big deal. In the military, we have "ready rooms" where people gather for briefings and to await orders to take action. Generally speaking, the people on alert in ready rooms are in full gear and ready to move when called, but there is often a lengthy period of waiting before the call actually occurs. Sometimes days can expire without any call to action. As some wise observer once described the situation "hours of boredom punctuated by seconds of pure adrenaline." When in this kind of "ready room" waiti...

One of the things that's been most fun about blogging in the nuclear industry has been seeing the kind of success many of my newfound colleagues are enjoying. One of those colleagues is Rod Adams, better known as "Atomic Rod" to his new BFF, ex-MTV VJ Adam Curry. Rod earned that moniker after a couple of appearances on Curry's popular podcast, the Daily Source Code . Most recently, Adam had Rod on as a guest , and gave him plenty of time to talk about nuclear energy. Click here (MP3) for a direct link to the show. Rod's appearance comes toward the second half of the program. And thanks to Adam for giving our industry a fair shake, something we're not quite used to as of yet.