RadioNuclear

Latest Episodes:

RNE29: Micro Reactors to the Frontline? Dr. Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar and Dr. Rita Baranwal Guest! Apr 03, 2020

Show notes

Thank you for joining us on Episode 29 of RadioNuclear! In this episode, we discuss the potential for micro-reactors and their use on military front-lines Do they offer a strategic advantage, or are they a liability? Additionally, does Gen Z understand nuclear? Apparently not, because 72% of Gen-Z doesn’t know nuclear doesn’t emit C0₂. Next, we discuss how congressional members on the hill are supporting the modernization of the NRC reactor oversight process. Lastly, some more good news out of India, because they have just agreed to build 6 new nuclear reactors with Westinghouse. Some truly great news!

Our first guest on the show is Dr. Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar. Dr. Mary Lou Dunzik-Gougar is multi-faceted and experienced in leading diverse groups toward common goals in science and engineering. She has published internationally and is recognized as principal investigator of productive research projects incorporating nuclear material irradiation and characterization and the associated management of radioactive material. She has collaborated on a variety projects and proposals in university, national laboratory, and international research environments and has a track record of identifying and solving problems and getting results.

Next on, we have Dr. Rita Baranwal. Dr. Baranwal serves as the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Prior to her current role, Dr. Baranwal directed the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative at Idaho National Laboratory. Before joining the U.S. Department of Energy, Dr. Baranwal served as Director of Technology Development & Application at Westinghouse. There, she led the creation and development of game-changing technologies and managed characterization and hot cell laboratories. Dr. Baranwal has served on Advisory Boards for MIT’s Materials Research Laboratory and UC Berkeley’s Nuclear Engineering Department, and was adjunct faculty at University of South Carolina’s nuclear engineering graduate program.

RNE28: Only nuclear needs to change for the future? Eric G. Meyer guests

All music featured created by POGO. Please consider supporting his music!

Songs used in Order of Appearance:

Buh-Pogo
Magik Karpet-Pogo
Reach-Pogo

Facebook Twitter

RNE28: Only nuclear needs to change for the future? Eric G. Meyer guests Jan 22, 2020

Show notes

Thank you for joining us for Episode 28 of RadioNuclear! In this episode, we talk about the recent false alarm involving the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station in Canada and about an opinion piece over a recent MIT Study claiming that nuclear is not needed for deep decarbonization. We also discuss about why some regions of the world have an easier time building nuclear plants, when compared to other regions of the world.

This episode’s guest is Eric G. Meyer, who is the founder and executive director of Generation Atomic, a nuclear advocacy non-profit. He started out pursuing a career in professional singing, but after hearing about the promise of advanced nuclear reactors, he decided to devote his life to saving and expanding the use of atomic energy. He worked as an organizer on several political, union, and issue campaigns while in graduate school for applied public policy, taking time off to attend the climate talks in Paris and sing opera about nuclear power. Meyer began his full-time nuclear work in May of 2016 with Environmental Progress by organizing marches, rallies, and trainings in California, New York, and Illinois, before leaving to found Generation Atomic in late 2016. Since then he’s worked to shift the narrative around nuclear energy by creating unique social media videos, training nuclear supporters to have more effective nuclear conversations, and organizing unforgettable events.

RNE27: The value of preserving the LWR fleet. Gene Grecheck guests!

Music Credit: Pogo
Tracks used (in order of appearance)
1.) Swashbuckle
2.) Reach
3.) J’adore Juin
Please consider supporting his music!

Facebook Twitter

RNE27: The value of preserving the LWR fleet. Gene Grecheck guests! Oct 24, 2019

Show notes

Thank you again for tuning into this week’s episode of RadioNuclear! In this episode we discuss the new partnership between the DOE and NRC, aimed at accelerating developments in new nuclear. We also discuss France’s plan to reboot the EPR Program, and get into a detailed discussion with Gene Grecheck, ANS Past President 2015-2016, about the value in preserving our LWR fleet.

Grecheck is a seasoned executive with 40 years of experience in commercial nuclear power generation, including operations, engineering, licensing, training, security and emergency planning, new plant development, and nuclear safety review. His career spanned over 38 years with Dominion Resources, where he held positions including nuclear station manager, site vice president at two different stations, and vice president over nuclear services and nuclear engineering. For over a decade, he led Dominion’s new plant development activities, including cooperative agreements with the DOE on NP2010, and submittal of applications for an Early Site Permit and a Combined Operating License for the proposed North Anna Unit 3.

Music Credit: Pogo
Tracks used (in order of appearance)
1.) Swashbuckle
2.) Absoblume
3.) Swashbuckle
Please consider supporting his music!

Facebook Twitter

RNE26: Tales from the Nuclear Island (countries)- Alyse Huffman & Harsh Desai guest!

RNE26: Tales from the Nuclear Island (countries)- Alyse Huffman & Harsh Desai guest! Oct 04, 2019

Show notes

Thank you for joining us on Episode 26 of RadioNuclear! In 26, we discuss news items from two literal “Nuclear Islands”. How can nuclear help out island nations that are energy constrained? Are there examples of this? Tune in to find out! We also discuss Westinghouse’s purchase of Rolls Royce’s North American nuclear business, and discuss how this could benefit utilities looking to reduce operations and maintenance costs.

Today’s guests are Alyse Huffman and Harsh Desai. Alyse is the current ANS Congressional Fellow, and Harsh (our first return guest!) currently works as senior manager for the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). They come on to talk about ANS’s Young Members Group and how young members can get the most out of ANS annual meetings. They also discuss the upcoming Young Professionals Congress (YPC19) to be held in Washington, D.C. on the Saturday before the ANS Winter Meeting begins. They discuss what the YPC19 event will entail. Both Alyse and Harsh, along with the hard work of ANS members Catherine Prat and Matthew Jasica, sound like they have put together a fantastic program!

Enjoy this episode and don’t forget to sign up for the ANS Winter Meeting and YPC19.

Music Credit: Pogo
Tracks used (in order of appearance)
1.) Happee
2.) Absoblume
3.) Swashbucke
Please consider supporting his music!

Facebook Twitter

RNE25: What happened in Russia? Dr. Richard Muller of Deep Isolation guests!

RNE25: What happened in Russia? Dr. Richard Muller of Deep Isolation guests! Sep 18, 2019

Show notes

Thank you for joining us on Episode 25 of RadioNuclear! Happy birthday to RadioNuclear, which turned two years old earlier this month. Thank you to everyone who continues to listen and support the show!

This week, we discuss what events may have led to the release of radioactivity in Russia back in August, and also take a moment to reflect on the defueling of the Sellafield MAGNOX reactors.

Today’s guest is Dr. Richard Muller, who is the current CTO of Deep Isolation, a company which aims to solve the nuclear waste issue. He is a professor Emeritus of Physics at UC Berkeley. He founded two Nobel Prize-Winning projects in experimental physics, related to the discovery of dark matter, and the structure of the big bang. He has won multiple prizes, including the coveted MacArthur Prize (“the genius award”), and is the author of over 15 Deep Isolation patents, of which three have been awarded.

Music Credit: Pogo
Tracks used (in order of appearance)
1.) Swashbuckle
2.) Hot Ziggity
3.) Soul Shine
Please consider supporting his music!

Facebook Twitter

RNE24: Batteries will fix all our problems, right?? Craig Piercy guests

RNE24: Batteries will fix all our problems, right?? Craig Piercy guests! Aug 26, 2019

Show notes

Thank you for joining us on Episode 24 of RadioNuclear! In this episode, we briefly discuss the passage of H.B. 6 in Ohio, effectively saving the two nuclear plants in Ohio for the time being. This week we also talk about a recent article detailing the true cost of using battery storage for energy. How much could using them for 100% renewable energy cost? Tune in to find out!

This episode’s guest is Craig Piercy, who serves as the Washington representative for the American Nuclear Society. In this role, Piercy helps devise and execute ANS’s federal outreach activities to Capitol Hill, the Executive Branch. Craig has over 20 years of experience in public policy, within government and as an advocate representing corporations, universities, and trade associations.

Music credit: Pogo
Tracks Used (in order of appearance)
1.) MagiK Carpet
2.) Absoblume
3.) Soul Shine
Please consider supporting his music!

Facebook Twitter

RNE23:Do renewables & nuclear power need to work together? ANS President Marilyn Kray guests!

RNE25: What happened in Russia? Dr. Richard Mueller of Deep Isolation guests!

RNE23: Do renewables & nuclear power need to work together? ANS President Marilyn Kray guests! Jul 24, 2019

Show notes

Thank you for joining us on Episode 23 of RadioNuclear! In this episode, we discuss the landmark achievement at Purdue’s research reactor, PUR-1, on going to a fully digital I&C system, the increasing support for nuclear power from Japanese courts, and the recent increase in radioactivity from a sunken Soviet Union Submarine, the Komsomolets. We also give a brief update on pronuclear legislation in Ohio and discuss the relationship renewables and nuclear must play in the future.

Today’s guest is ANS President Marilyn Kray, who serves as vice president of Nuclear Project Development at Exelon. During her 30-year career, she initiated and led a consortium to develop the industry process for licensing new nuclear power plants in the United States. She has also appeared in front of Congress multiple times to testify about nuclear powers merits, and is a frequent public speaker, having appeared on outlets such as NPR, MSNBC, and PBS NewsHour.

RNE22: HBO’s Chernobyl: Setback or Opportunity? Tom Bergman from NuScale Guests!

Music Credit: Pogo
Tracks used (in order of appearance)
1.) J’adore Juin
2.) Reach
3.) Soul Shine
Please consider supporting his music!

Facebook Twitter

RNE22: HBO’s Chernobyl: Setback or Opportunity? Tom Bergman from NuScale Guests! Jun 27, 2019

Show notes

Thank you for joining us on Episode 22 of RadioNuclear! Today, we discuss the recent miniseries “Chernobyl”, which recently concluded on HBO. We discuss opinions on it, and debunk some of the more egregious articles written in the wake of the show. We also discuss good ways to engage with individuals who are captivated with the show, and not necessarily familiar with nuclear technology.

Today we talk to with Tom Bergman, VP of Regulatory Affairs for NuScale. He is responsible for all licenses, certifications and activities related to the U.S. regulations and international client licensing support. He has more than 30 years of experience in the nuclear industry. He is a 23-year veteran of the NRC. His most recently held positions were in the Office of New Reactors as the deputy director for licensing operations and the director of the Division of Engineering.

Articles discussed in the show:

RNE21: Special Episode with guests Donald Hoffman and Greg Gibson

RNE23: Do renewables & nuclear power need to work together? ANS President Marilyn Kray guests!

Music Credit: Pogo
Tracks Used (In Order of Appearance)
1.) Likes
2.) Buh
3.) Soul Shine
Please consider supporting his music!

Facebook Twitter

RNE21: Special Episode w/guests Donald Hoffman & Greg Gibson May 19, 2019

Show notes

Episode 21 of RadioNuclear deviates from the norm as it is news-free. This special podcast features ANS Past President and Fellow, United Nuclear Industry Alliance (UNI) Chairman of the Board, and President & CEO of EXCEL Services Corporation Donald Hoffman, along with UNI Executive Director, former President & CEO of Unistar Nuclear Energy, and the chair of this special session Greg Gibson. Listen as they discuss a new and ongoing interactive series of Supply Chain Special Sessions focusing on the next generation of supply chain innovation–a new business road map for the supply chain, domestic and international. This inaugural event will take place at the upcoming ANS Annual Meeting in Minneapolis on Tuesday, June 11.

This joint ANS-United Nuclear Industry Alliance session will discuss the need for U.S. suppliers to be more competitive, and outright successful, as the nuclear industry transitions into the next decade of new nuclear projects.

Session Moderator: Don Eggett, UNI Director of Supply Chain and Former Key Account Executive AMEC Foster Wheeler

Panelists: Don Dracon (AECOM), Graham Cable (Westinghouse), Donald Hoffman (UNI and EXCEL), and Art Wharton (Studsvik)

The schedule will be as follows:

Part I – Panel Discussion, 1:30-3:40 pm
Part II – Workshop, 3:55-5:30 pm

Also in this episode, I told you about ANS member Cathy Riddle and her voyage into the Land of LEGOS. Cathy needs 10,000 votes to make Atomic Town Power a reality. So, let’s help her and help the kids of the future so that they can have fun with LEGOS playing with Atomic Town Power. How can you help besides voting online? Share this voting link on your social media platforms: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/af5510c6-8111-4fe0-8ab8-da7d36e5dcb5/comments_tab#content_nav_tabs

Let’s show how strong the nuclear community is!

See you at Annual Meeting in Minneapolis. There will be so much to learn. It is a very educational experience as well is an opportunity to network. You just never know who you are going to meet at the ANS Meetings. For a list of all ANS Meetings visit online.

Music Credit: Pogo
Please consider supporting his music!

Facebook Twitter

RNE20: Science and Free Speech and Science Victory! Sam Belcher and Donald Moul (First Energy) Guest!

RNE22: HBO’s Chernobyl: Setback or Opportunity? Tom Bergman from NuScale Guests!

RNE20: What is a Design Certification? Dr. Jose Reyes Guests! May 08, 2019

Show notes

Thank you for joining us on Episode 20 of RadioNuclear! In this episode, we discuss the news of the NRC’s decision to issue a design certification license for the APR1400. Because of this news, we take a few minutes to discuss the monumental effort and process of getting a reactor through design certification process. We cover the recent and unfortunate news regarding the future of nuclear from Southern Company. There may also be a possible lifeline for the VC Summer project? We also take a minute to discuss a video from friend of the show Dr. Georg Steinhauser on a recent fishing trip to the cooling ponds of Chernobyl.

Today’s special guest is Dr. Jose Reyes of NuScale, LLC! Dr. Reyes is the chief technology officer and co-founder of Nuscale, the company delivering the NuScale passively cooled, small nuclear reactor. Internationally recognized for his expertise passive safety systems, testing, and operation of nuclear power plants, he is also a co-inventor on over 110 patents granted or pending all over the world. He is currently a fellow of the American Nuclear Society and a member of the National Academy of Engineering.

Also in this episode: information on ANS Student Program: