Navy Nukes, TMI, and NRC

["Brian Rees" <brees@lanl.gov>]

"high plains drifter" wrote:

"Most of the early nuclear engineers out the Rickover era got their total 
nuclear engineering training in a matter of 6 months.  Combine that with 
their issuance of conflicting requirements for the past 20 or so years.  
Someday ask a manager of a BWR or a gas cooled reactor about the learning 
curve they went through with their Canoe U folks.  Three Mile Island was a 
direct result of nuclear navy training and experiences."

First of all, Navy Nukes get a hell of a lot more than 6 months of 
training.  
Secondly, yes, a commercial Rx manager has learning curve when dealing with 
ex-Navy Nukes, it's a real learning experience for somebody to go from a 
program that's never had a major accident (or even big minor ones)to one 
where the "bottom line" was jeopardized by "managers" who didn't really 
have an appreciation for nuclear safety. Nuclear power plants should not be 
operated in the same manner as other commercial facilities, and THAT'S what 
lead to TMI - $$$. If the short-term dollar was not pursued as strongly, 
and the "big picture" had been kept, there'd be more, not fewer plants 
today.   The controls and systems used at TMI would never be tolerated by 
most "Canoe U" folks, and IMHO were the direct cause of the problems 
experienced.  

Yes, Navy Nukes are a different breed, and many are *kinda* headstrong, but 
it's based on the experiences and training received, training and 
experiences that make it the best nuclear program in the world.

Brian Rees
brees@lanl.gov