Clean Energy Insight - Moving Energy Forward

[Approx. Read Time: 2 minutes]

On Thursday, November 3^rd, approximately 90 American Nuclear Society members ended their annual winter meeting with a Capitol Hill visit. Constituents from over 20 states visited with their elected officials and their staffers to promote nuclear energy.

Pictured from L to R: Jennifer Varnedoe (Progress Energy), Eric Helin (GE Hitachi), Myron Koblansky (Westinghouse), Adam Nygaard (Duke Energy)

Hill Visit team and topic:

The North Carolina team represented a variety of nuclear companies that reach across the state. The team’s previous experience at communicating with policy makers ranged from first timers to experienced veterans. While the primary purpose of the hill visit was to support nuclear in general; our team decided to raise attention to the recent letter from the Nuclear Engineering Department Heads Organization to Senators Feinstein and Alexander.

The letter, signed by all Nuclear Engineering Department Heads, encourages congress to restore funding for U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) nuclear research and development programs as well as the Integrated University Program (IUP) as Fiscal Year 2012 Energy and Water Appropriations are being finalized. The team discussed the upcoming labor shortage in the nuclear industry and the need for stable, successful nuclear engineering programs.

The Hill Visit:

The first appointment of the day was with Kara Weishaar, the Energy Legislative Assistant (LA) for Senator Richard Burr (R-NC). Kara was very friendly with the ANS group and re-assured Senator Burr’s support of nuclear energy as a clean and reliable source of electricity.

House of Representative Member Melvin Watt (D-12^th/NC) supports a comprehensive energy policy that includes nuclear according to his Energy Legislative Assistant, Eric Love, from Charlotte.

The team also visited Senator Kay Hagan’s (D-NC) office and spoke with Energy LA Aaron Suntag. Aaron was very engaged in the conversation and expressed that Sen. Hagan was a strong supporter of nuclear. It was encouraging to learn that Aaron occasionally works with Kara from Senator Burr’s office (Democrats and Republicans can get along!)

Finally, the day ended with an appointment with Jack Huerter, Energy Legislative Assistant for Congressman Mike McIntyre (D-7^th/NC). Jack informed the ANS members that Rep. McIntyre is a strong supporter of nuclear. The congressman is concerned about domestic energy supply and realizes that nuclear must be part of the mix. As the discussion with Mr. Huerter came to a close, Congressman McIntyre unexpectedly popped in his office and agreed to a quick photo op.

The elected officials of North Carolina overwhelming support nuclear energy. This is not the case in every state. Your voice matters. Write a letter or give a phone call to your elected representative today and show your support for a nuclear future.

Pictured from L to R: C.J. Milmoe (Milmoe Consulting Services LLC), Eric Helin (GE Hitachi), Margaret Harding (4 Factor Consulting), Congressman Mike McIntyre Adam Nygaard (Duke Energy), Jennifer Varnedoe (Progress Energy)

[Approx. Read Time: 1 minute]

Last week, Elizabeth McAndrew-Benavides, NA-YGN Past President, participated in the U.S. Navy’s Educational Orientation Visit (EOV) program. This unique opportunity showed participants what it is like to have a career in the U.S. Navy and expanded their understanding of the Navy’s extensive training program.

“I was very excited to participate. Navy Nukes are a traditional work force pipeline for the commercial nuclear energy industry,” said McAndrew-Benavides. “These highly trained individuals have integrated well into the safety oriented careers that the nuclear energy industry demands.”

One exciting piece of information the participants learned during this tour was that first women have begun their training that will allow them to serve on the Navy’s submarine fleet. “Hopefully I will have the opportunity to meet these ladies when they finish their first submarine tours. I’m inspired just thinking about them,” said McAndrew-Benavides.

The two day EOV program is filled with information, training and tours. Participants saw both the USS Bonhomme Richard and a Los Angeles class fast attack submarine named the USS Hampton. During a hands-on portion of the program, participants were encouraged to partake in a Damage Control (DC) training facility demonstration. This DC training locks participants in a water tight room quickly filling with water with a goal to patch leaking pipes. This training gives sailors the opportunity to practice their team building skills by performing a critical activity in a stressful environment.

At the end of the program Elizabeth said, “I appreciate the U.S. Navy and all the sailors who made my trip memorable. Even if we never work together, I’m glad there are such great guys and gals keeping the navy’s nuclear propulsion systems working safely!”