Can Spent Fuel Pools Catch Fire?

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Can Spent Fuel Pools Catch Fire?

In this Fairewinds’ feature, Fairewinds Associates Chief Engineer Arnie Gundersen analyzes a US government national laboratory simulation video that shows nuclear spent fuel rods do catch fire when exposed to air. This simulation video proves Fairewinds’ assertions that nuclear fuel rods can catch fire when exposed to air, and Arnie discusses the ramifications of this phenomena if the Fukushima Daiichi Unit 4 spent fuel pool were to lose cooling water. The Sandia National Laboratories video in its entirety can be seen here.

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CCTV Live at Five with Margaret Harrington and Arnie Gundersen

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CCTV Live at Five with Margaret Harrington and Arnie Gundersen

CCTV Host Margaret Harrington and Fairewinds Energy Education’s Arnie Gundersen discuss the urgent need to empty spent fuel pools into dry cask storage to prevent a serious but avoidable accident. They also discuss the economic cost to nuclear plants if they where forced to withstand natural calamities, the future of Yucca Mountain, and the radiological contamination caused by depleted uranium weapons.

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Lessons Not Learned from Fukushima Daiichi

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Lessons Not Learned from Fukushima Daiichi

SolarIMG’s founder Rick interviews Fairewinds Energy Education's Arnie Gundersen in a discussion about the current post accident status at Fukushima Daiichi, the lessons the United States has not learned from that triple meltdown, and the cultural shift happening in Japan as a result of this catastrophe. Additionally, Rick and Arnie discuss the serious safety consequences of the steam generator problems at Southern California Edison’s San Onofre's plant as well as the recent nuclear waste licensing decision mandated by the courts.

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Nuclear Power: Everything But The Kitchen Sink…

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Nuclear Power: Everything But The Kitchen Sink…

All Things Political host Steve Leal interviews chief engineer Arnie Gundersen of Fairewinds Energy Education and financial analyst Russell Lowe. The show discusses the recently released Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission report; the San Onofre steam generator modifications and ensuing complications in California; loan guarantees for the nuclear industry; radiation concerns worldwide; whistleblowers and domestic nuclear issues; and a future with energy alternatives.

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San Onofre's Steam Generators: Significantly Worse Than All Others Nationwide

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San Onofre's Steam Generators: Significantly Worse Than All Others Nationwide

Using NRC and Edison data, Fairewinds analysis determines that San Onofre had 3.7 times the number of plugged tubes than all the replacement steam generators in the US combined, and that 4,000 tubes show significant wear. 

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San Onofre Steam Generators: Worse Than All Others Nationwide

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San Onofre Steam Generators: Worse Than All Others Nationwide

Peggy Pico of KPBS interviews Fairewinds Associates’ chief engineer Arnie Gundersen about Fairewinds’ latest report commissioned by Friends of the Earth. Fairewinds reviewed NRC data and leaked documents from Edison that show that the tube wear and failure at San Onofre is worse than all other U.S. nuclear plants combined.

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