Gundersen Granted a Moment of NRC's Precious Time

by: Sue Prent

Fri May 27, 2011 at 14:00:00 PM EDT

After six years of repeated attempts to engage the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Advisory Committee on Reactor Safety, Arnie Gundersen of Fairewinds Associates was finally given five-minutes of their precious time in a hearing that allotted a full two hours of that time to industry representatives.

Despite the brevity of his opportunity, and despite persistent interruptions, Arnie ably made the argument that, in light of recent developments at the Fukushima reactors, the NRC can no longer take the position that there is "0%" chance of containment failure at boiling water reactors in the U.S.

In Japan the validity of that NRC position has been thoroughly tested. Failure of the containment vessels occurred in all three reactors that were tested in the Fukushima disaster (two, in the minutes following the earthquake, before the tsunami even hit.) As predicted by the Fukushima experience, the failure rate should now be at 100%!!

Gundersen Gives Testimony to NRC ACRS from Fairewinds Associates on Vimeo.

Sue Prent :: Gundersen Granted a Moment of NRC's Precious Time

Tags: fairewinds associates, Arnie Gundersen, Maggie Gundersen, Fukushima, Vermont Yankee, National-International, (All Tags)

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Gundersen Granted a Moment of NRC's Precious Time | 3 comments

Decent (0.00 / 0)

That was a decent presentation, though the little dig at the committee members at the end will likely be the thing they remember the most. But the ACRS is unlikely to change course anyway, especially since Mk.I BWRs are about a quarter (by number) of operating reactors in the US.

by: PeakVT @ Fri May 27, 2011 at 20:05:10 PM UTC

Well done. (4.00 / 1)

It's too bad the phone system didn't work. Was Arnie using a phone on speaker, or VOIP? If the latter, maybe a directional USB mike might help prevent noise on his end from interfering with the call? Also, it's amazing they didn't automatically ask everyone on the call to mute if they weren't the current speaker - that's standard for phone conferences...

by: simplify @ Sun May 29, 2011 at 22:57:58 PM UTC

I do not buy the 'technical difficulties' bs. (4.00 / 1)

Many thanks to Maggie for this. Thanks for the story Sue. Sorry so late but have had problems w/my network & signing on.

I've heard of these tactics used by NRC before & are routinely used to indicate disapproval while attempting to make critics uncomfortable & unwelcome but not new. Those involved are clearly sending a message. If his information & contribution were welcomed these supposed difficulties would not have been there.

Arnie, with his professionalism & nuclear expertise in analyzing the information now has increased visibility on the world stage. His honesty & integrity serve him & those who trust him well. His priority is analyzing & disclosing the truth behind events taking place, whereas NRC should be doing this.

Since there is little difference between NRC & other trade associations such as NEI & existence is to promote the industry above all else, they are distrusted by nuclear professionals, former insiders as well as the public. As such, I see them as discredited in their role as a regulatory agency.

Arnie & other experts are now the nuclear watchdogs since the ones who should be doing this are silent. He is performing the function NRC should be providing & is now respected on the nationwide & worldwide scene as an honest reliable expert which surely must be another black eye for the NRC especially during a catastrophe of the proportion of Fukushima.

He is clearly being black-balled, given this their insulting behavior comes as no surprise.

by: stardust @ Fri Jun 10, 2011 at 18:09:52 PM UTC