Clean Energy Insight - Moving Energy Forward

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Even by our own strict measures for success, I’m surprised by the outstanding performance that North American - Young Generation in Nuclear (NA-YGN) turned in this past year. And this effort is all the more significant because, this year, outstanding performance came in the face of overwhelming challenges. The tsunami-triggered nuclear troubles in Japan have challenged even the NA-YGN’s famous optimism about the future of the nuclear science and technology.

As soon as the first report on the troubled Japanese nuclear reactors hit the news, young professionals in North America wanted to know more and find ways to help. We wanted more information on the status of the troubled reactors and we wanted to know more about the future of the industry. But there wasn’t much NA-YGN could do to support Japan technically, so our generation became restless. Some began to question the future of the industry. Even I had doubts. I worried about the future of nuclear energy, I worried about my career selection and I worried about the future of NA-YGN.

But in this challenge to our optimism came the key for us to mobilize and help. We are an organization known for grassroots outreach. We act when others just talk. Since our career worries were broadly shared, we decided to support our industry by providing confidence, vital information and guidance for young professionals in the industry. We used social media to explain the significance of the events in Japan and correct inaccuracies about nuclear. Our dedication to communicating with our neighbors, friends and family helped keep valid concerns from growing into undue hysteria. Today we are seeing the confidence return. The optimism is rebounding.

Now that more than a month has passed since the earthquake and tsunami, a brighter picture of nuclear’s future is reemerging. North Americans will continue to research, design, develop, construct and operate nuclear facilities. We will create and keep jobs and we will continue to focus on safety.

What we cannot do and will not do is quit. This event is our generation’s Three Mile Island. We will learn from this event and we will use these lessons to further improve our industry. Continuing the path toward building new nuclear reactors, advancing nuclear medicine andeliminating proliferation concerns will help us achieve these goals. It is clear to me that our destination has not changed, just the road we are taking to our destination.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth McAndrew-Benavides

President

North American Young Generation in Nuclear

 

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This is Elizabeth McAndrew-Benavides’ last President’s Corner as President of NA-YGN. She is now Past-President of NA-YGN.

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My name is Robert Ashworth, but people know me as “Bobby.”  I am a mechanical engineer and live in nearby Alexandria, VA with my wife and my one year old son.  For the past five years, my engineering career has been spent helping ensure the safe and reliable operation of nuclear power plants around the United States.  I chose a career in nuclear power because I consider nuclear power to be clean, safe, reliable, and a necessary form of energy generation.  I remain in this industry because my early views are continually reinforced by the people and the technology that support nuclear power.  As an individual citizen, a father, and a young person working in the nuclear industry, I look forward to the continued use of nuclear technology in this country.  However, I recognize the challenges that this commission faces.

Today, I address you not only as an individual, but as a volunteer representing the North American - Young Generation in Nuclear, or NA-YGN.  The NA-YGN organization comprises more than 6,000 young professionals across North America who believe in the benefits obtained from the peaceful application of nuclear science and technology.  Nuclear technology provides many benefits to Americans, such as a sustainable source of medical isotopes, safer foods, and large-scale clean electricity to help America reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The benefits of nuclear technology are being realized by Americans today.  However, in order for these benefits to be available in the future, America needs a sustainable plan for managing used nuclear materials. 

• NA-YGN supports the research and development of advanced recycling technologies and advanced reactor technologies. Each year, the nuclear power reactors in this country produce approximately 2000 metric tons of spent fuel. Approximately 96% of this fuel inventory can be recovered and used as new fuel. Ninety-six Percent! Other countries have implemented recycling technologies to keep these used nuclear materials in the fuel cycle. NA-YGN encourages the Commission to recommend the continued research and development of advanced recycling and advanced reactor technologies. Investing in beneficial research and development will provide a sustainable foundation for nuclear technology.
• NA-YGN also encourages the Commission to recommend establishing an independent agency for managing used nuclear materials. For the past 30 years, electric utility customers have placed funds into a Federal Trust with the promise from the U.S. government to manage used fuel. This promise has yet to materialize, but funds continue to be collected from electric utility customers. An independent agency would be insulated from political whims and provide stability for the nuclear industries. This independent agency should have access to nuclear waste fees outside of congressional appropriations, but also be fully subject to the regulatory requirements of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Lastly, NA-YGN would like to remind the Commission that there are over 6,000 young professionals in North America eager to be part of the solutions for used nuclear materials. Our organization is filled with young professionals that see a bright future for nuclear science and technology. We are ready to use our skills, ideas, and enthusiasm to implement the recommendations of this commission. After all, the recommendations from this Blue Ribbon Commission will affect the future of nuclear technology. Members of NA-YGN will one day lead that future.

On behalf of the North American - Young Generation in Nuclear, I thank the commission for this opportunity to speak.

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The Shaw Group’s Charlotte North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NA-YGN) chapter recently raised $38,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Central & Western North Carolina chapter at its third annual golf tournament.

“As a group, we learned a lot from last year and made some adjustments for this year’s tournament,” said Kevin Snyder, Power Group QA specialist and golf committee chair.  “The planning went extremely well because of all the work we did over the past couple of years establishing contacts through Shaw’s amazing vendors and subcontractors.” 

More than 120 golfers from Shaw and approximately 30 local companies, including AREVA, Westinghouse, Duke, SPX and Heyward, teed off to support this event on March 25 at NorthStone Country Club in Huntersville, N.C.  Participants enjoyed a beautiful day of golf, networking opportunities, raffle prizes and door prizes for all.

“The staggering success of this year’s tournament surpassed all the goals our chapter set out to accomplish,” said Holly Boehm, Power Group business systems analyst and Shaw Charlotte NA-YGN co-chair. “We can’t thank all who supported this tournament enough, and we look forward to making this bigger and better each year.”

A banquet followed the tournament, where participants enjoyed food and drinks, raffle drawings, awards and the check presentation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Central & Western N.C.  The winning team actually boasted two NA-YGN members from the AREVA chapter, Jackson Rollins and Adam Johnson, who played along with Mark Black and Paul Callaghan, both of Benefit Insight Group.

“Every child has a story, an idea and a vision of what their one wish will be, and with your help, several kids throughout our region will get to experience that magical moment,” said Jen Pearson, special events coordinator for the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Central & Western N.C. “Knowing that a young girl stricken with cancer will get to eat breakfast with Cinderella in a few weeks is all it takes to realize that you have helped share in the power of a wish.”

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is an international non-profit organization that enriches the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. Since being founded in 1980, the organization has reached more than 250,000 children around the world.

NA-YGN unites young professionals passionate about nuclear science and technology through professional development, networking and community outreach opportunities and this event accomplished just that!

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In response to the events at Japan’s Fukushima reactors following the devastating earthquake and tsunami Democratic Congressman Bobby Rush, from Illinois’ 1st Legislative District in Chicago, visited Dresden Nuclear Power Station on Friday, March 18, 2011.  The Congressman is a Chairman of the House of Representative’s Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection and wanted to get a first hand look at Dresden Station in response to the Japan nuclear issues experienced at the Fukushima units.

While visiting Dresden the Congressman was able to a tour of the plant, including stops to view one of the isolation condensers, the spent fuel pools, the turbine and generator, and a stop in the control room.  Additionally, Dresden Site Vice President Tim Hanley and Exelon Nuclear Chief Operating Officer Susan Landahl reviewed the station’s design and safety systems as well as emergency preparedness and security measures with Representative Rush during his visit.

The visit to Dresden, as well as interviews with Representative Rush and Susan Landahl were documented by ABC 7 Chicago reporter Charles Thomas.  To view the story that was aired March 18 on ABC 7 visit http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8021577.