Sarah Neumann

In 1969, @INL's Advanced Test Reactor demonstrated its full power for the first time. After it powered down, photographers shot an iconic #CherenkovRadiation blue glow moment on film. ⚛️ WATCH to see what this moment looks like through today's lens. ⬇️ inl.gov/advanced-test-…

Ed Lyman (@NucSafetyUCS) and his colleagues in the nuclear opposition camp are gnashing their teeth at efforts to enable rapid prototyping of advanced reactor designs. Their latest objection is aimed at the DOE's decision to use its authority under 10 CFR Part 1021, Subpart D, Appendices A and B to create a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for advanced reactors built on federal (DOE/DOW) sites. This CX decision means that advanced reactors will not need either an environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment. The logic is that the reactors have features that prevent them from having a significant impact. Another way to justify the action is to recognize that building and operating small prototype reactors should be as routine as any other infrastructure project at a national laboratory site. After all, several of our national labs are geographically large and were selected to be suitable for building and testing nuclear facilities. Efforts to streamline and enable safe construction and testing of advanced reactor designs are well inside of the intent of US atomic energy statutes. According to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (as amended) improved reactor designs (specific words are "widespread and diverse research and development") should be encouraged. Regulators should "impose only such MINIMAL amount of regulation of the licensee as the Commission finds will permit the Commission to fulfill its obligations under this Act to promote the common defense and security and to protect the health and safety of the public and will permit the conduct of widespread and diverse research and development.” Section 104 (c) NEPA was not officially intended to halt nuclear energy development, but it's not just a coincidence that there haven't been any new prototype reactors built since it became law. Modest sized reactors with modern safety features and benign coolant conditions are less of a threat to the environment than most commercial buildings. There is adequate justification for determining that prototype or demonstration reactors do not constitute "major federal actions" and that experience has proven that they have no significant environmental impact. Countless articles and other forms of commentary have pointed out that the advanced nuclear reactors that have captured investor attention and public excitement have not yet been built. That situation is changing more rapidly than some would like. In fact, many are doing everything they can think of to stop progress so they do not lose this talking point. It is sadly amusing to note how some oppose the CX decision by pointing out that the reactors haven't yet been built or tested. Here's a recent example that references @NucSafetyUCS "Until now, the test reactor designs currently under construction have primarily existed on paper, according to Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group. He believes the lack of real world experience with the reactors means that they should be subject to more rigorous safety and environmental reviews before they're built." Ref: "The Trump administration exempts new nuclear reactors from environmental review" NPR by Geoff Brumfiel (@gbrumfiel) What modern reactors really need before being made commercially available is to be built, tested and operated in a secure environment staffed with experienced people. Another additional safety provision might be to initially limit power level and operating duration – which limits radioactive material inventory – while testing system response and validating computer models. The new DOE CX is a good step towards enabling construction and testing. Computer models and analysis of paper reactors can only take us to a dead end with no new energy production. That's exactly where nuclear energy opponents would like us to be. Note: The Energy Policy Act of 2005 gave most oil and gas extraction activities on public lands a categorical exclusion under NEPA. Some argue that was a mistake, but that CX was arguably the enabler for the shale revolution. If every new Oil&Gas project needed an EIS or an EA, it is likely that the US would still have an abject dependence on imported oil. Before the CX and wide deployment of the winning combination of horizontal drilling/hydraulic fracturing, natural gas was expected to become another major import. Instead, the US is now the world's largest liquified natural gas exporter.

@XWorldCuisines @grok is there a printed recipe for this somewhere?

Perfect Dip

Let's gooooo!!! This is great news.

@WarPath2pt0 Amazing!!!!

Turns out I don't have ADHD--i just need everything explained to me via 2000s emo music

It was such a pleasure hosting Sec. Wright and media outlets from Idaho Falls and across the nation. I'm really excited to read all the coverage from this important visit.

In the last few years we've seen: - The plot to kidnap Gretchen Whitmer - The Storming of the Capitol and pipe bombs left at the RNC and DNC - The break-in to kidnap Nancy Pelosi and the brutal on Paul Pelosi - Multiple assassination attempts against Trump - The assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and the shooting of on State Senator John Hoffman and his wife - Luigi Mangione's assassination of Brian Thompson - The assassination of Charlie Kirk Political violence is contagious. It is spreading. It is not confined to one side or belief system. It should terrify us all. The foundation of a free society is the ability to participate in it without fear of violence. Political violence is always an attack against us all. You have to be so blind not to see that.

@wilderr67 @BraddrofliT Nice Hitler 'stache.

@BraddrofliT I'm no Trump or Maga supporter. Hell I'm 🇮🇹🇨🇦 and American politics in just strange, very strange to me. The Donald's parents looked pretty good to me in their prime. Looking forward to seeing your wrinkled sad face when you're 80 Brad.

@prcarlson @INL Hello! Yes, we do offer in-person lectures as part of our speakers bureau. You can learn more here: inl.gov/speakers-burea…

This year, @INL is celebrating 75 years of excellence in #science, #engineering & innovation! ✨ The work we do today is built upon the #research & development foundation established by INL employees over seven decades of achievement. #INL75 🔗 inl.gov/history/

Yay! What a great post.

Do you love talking about science? Idaho National Laboratory is searching for a new tour guide. Check it out! inl.taleo.net/careersection/…

If this is a precursor to the super volcano, it's been great knowing you! 🫡😢😱

YES. YOU. CAN. NOT!

We will be taking reporters on a tour of the DOME during INL Media Days May 22-23. Learn more at inl.gov/media-days

Kasen Orr has been fighting necrotizing enterocolitis since his birth as a 1 lb. 9 oz. infant at 26 ½ weeks. To help his and similar families, @RMHIdaho Family Room at EIRMC provides free room, food, toys & more. Help support @ rmhcidaho.org. postregister.com/news/local/fin…

The House of Representatives passed the Atomic Energy Advancement Act by an overwhelming majority of 365-36 with one member voting present. Rep Jeff Duncan of South Carolina issued a statement that included the following: “The Atomic Energy Advancement Act restores American leadership in nuclear energy and technology which is critical to our economic and national security. I’m proud to lead the most significant update to nuclear energy policy in the United States in over a generation.” The next step is to reconcile the bill with a different one passed by the Senate but removed from the FY2024 NDAA on a procedural objection. Talks are in progress.

Ya gotta start somewhere.

It is disappointing, but this is not the end of NuScale or its reactor design, the first SMR to achieve NRC approval. That's a HUGE deal. postregister.com/news/local/uam…

@bunsenbernerbmd Gooseberry Crunchwrap Supreme, or Goose for short.

Ok, who has a unique nickname for their pet? What is it?

@ryan_pickering_ @INL @choppen5 @JessGehin I'm sure it was related to the photo review process. We have security accompany our media tours to expedite that process. It's great for us that media can take pictures to tell the world about the cool research that INL is doing!

@InWithNeumann @INL @choppen5 @JessGehin Oh rad! Not sure why our guide asked us not to take photos on INL land, and I didn’t question it. They took a few photos of us and screened them which was good enough for me. Maybe media is different than general public? Is media allowed to photo inside the reactor buildings?

Wild days at Idaho National Laboratory with Charles Oppenheimer A photo journal documentary of events 📷 🪡