In this episode of Naked Nuclear, host Danielle discusses the intersection of nuclear energy and indigenous ethos with guest Ryan Pickering from the Tribal Consent-Based Coalition.

The conversation, recorded on Native American Heritage Day, delves into the concept of seven-generation decision-making, as endorsed by Scott Lathrop, and how it impacts energy decisions for a cleaner future.

The discussion highlights the rich history of the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash tribe, their involvement in the Diablo Canyon power plant, and the broader implications of their land stewardship. The episode also tackles the history of uranium mining on Navajo land, the challenges of community consent for nuclear waste siting, and the future role of nuclear energy in America.

Along the way, Ryan shares his personal journey into the field, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, mentorship, and energy realism in transforming the nuclear industry.

Learn More about the YTT Northern Chumash Tribe: 

https://yttnorthernchumashtribe.com

Still don’t quite understand consent-based siting: 

https://www.energy.gov/ne/consent-based-siting

Checkout the tribe’s PBS Special: 

https://www.pbs.org/video/ytt-tribe-reclaims-diablo-canyons-nuclear-land/

Learn More about the Diablo Canyon Power Plant 

https://www.pge.com/en/about/pge-systems/nuclear-power.html

Understanding In-Situ Leaching with Dr. Kreamer

The episode emphasizes ISL's efficiency and minimal environmental impact, using simple analogies to explain complex processes. It also highlights the rigorous monitoring and regulations that make ISL one of the safest uranium mining methods globally.

Want a step-by-step graphical explanation of in-situ leaching?

See the process here 👀

Check out the LARGEST producer of uranium:

Kazakhstan

What does the EPA say about radionuclides in our water?

Quick Reference Guide

Solving Groundwater Contamination Mysteries with Dr. David Kreamer

In this episode, we delve deep into the complex world of groundwater contamination with Dr. David Kreamer, an esteemed hydrogeologist from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Kreamer guides us through intricate contamination cases, the impact of uranium mining on water systems, and the multifaceted tools and techniques used in hydrogeology. 

Learn about the environmental risks associated with mining, the importance of rigorous monitoring, and how young professionals can contribute to protecting our valuable water resources. 

Join us as we uncover contamination mysteries and explore solutions for a sustainable future.

00:00 🎤Naked Nuclear Podcast Interview - David Kreamer and Danielle Allen

02:16 Responsible Uranium Mining

06:04 Groundwater Systems

13:29 Water Quantity & Quality Problems

22:15 Contaminant Post-Mortem

Check out Dr. Kreamer’s work in Contaminant Hydrogeology 

Contaminant Hydrogeology

Interested in learning more about groundwater modeling studies? 

EPA Groundwater Modeling

How does groundwater get remediated? 

Groundwater Remediation

Wanna learn how you can get involved with protecting your water supply? 

International Association of Hydrogeologists

A firefighting, plane flying, nuclear engineering student: Danielle Allen's Unconventional Journey (So Far...)

Join Danielle Allen, host of Naked Nuclear, as she shares her weird and wild path from majoring in Near Eastern Studies at Princeton to becoming a firefighter, paramedic, commercial pilot, and nuclear engineering student.

In this episode, Danielle explores her diverse career experiences, the challenges she faced, and what led her to a passion for nuclear energy.

Her story is about her drive to make a difference, build resilient systems, and how to shape the future of energy.

Hopefully, her journey paints a "clearer" picture of how her life events shaped her mission to propel the energy revolution forward.

00:00 From Princeton to Firefighting: My Unconventional Journey

01:19 Challenges and Discoveries at Princeton

02:34 A Call to Action: Field Work in Jordan

05:10 Finding My Path in Firefighting

06:53 Becoming a Paramedic and Entrepreneur

11:50 A New Dream: Becoming an Astronaut

14:29 Falling in Love with Nuclear Energy

17:25 Introducing Naked Nuclear

20:06 Conclusion and Invitation to Connect

Please, please, please connect with Danielle!

(She loves talking with passionate people)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/747-danielle-allen/

Tiktok: Atomic Dani

Email: [email protected]

Watts of holiday displays going on right now, huh?

Explore what a watt is, the energy consumption of incandescent versus LED lights, and discover three practical tips to keep your holiday season safe and cost-effective.

Danielle also discusses how different states' energy prices can impact your holiday budget and discusses the importance of peak energy hours.

Tune in for a watt of interesting facts... okay, I'll stop with the watt jokes.

Energy Resources to find out exactly how much your neighbor is paying for their display:

1. What’s a Watt, Kilowatt, and Kilowatt-Hour?

https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/electric-meters#:~:text=The%20basic%20unit%20of%20measure,kilowatt%2Dhour%20(kWh).

2. Christmas Light Safety Tips

https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/winter-holidays

3. Peak Energy Hours: What You Need to Know

https://www.constellation.com/energy-101/energy-education/peak-vs-off-peak.html

4. Energy-Saving Tips for Holiday Lights

https://investor.pgecorp.com/news-events/press-releases/press-release-details/2020/PGE-Reminds-Customers-LED-Holiday-Lights-Are-the-Safest-Way-to-Brighten-Up-the-Seasonand-Help-Save-Money/default.aspx

5. Understand your Home Appliances in Kilowatt hour

https://electricityplans.com/kwh-kilowatt-hour-can-power/#:~:text=What's%20the%20difference%20between%20a,energy%20something%20uses%20over%20time.

Unlocking the Policy Power Behind Nuclear Energy

From the Inflation Reduction Act’s financial incentives for clean energy projects to the Civil Nuclear Credit Program's support for existing nuclear plants, we unpack how these laws are making nuclear energy more viable.

Learn about the groundbreaking technologies supported by the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act and how state-level policy changes pave the way for a cleaner energy future.

Join us in understanding the policy-making behind climate change and transforming communities.

A Nuclear Opera with Eric Meyer of Generation Atomic: Merging Energy and Advocacy

Meyer discusses his early misconceptions of nuclear power, his groundbreaking work to keep power plants open, and how he uses opera to engage communities in nuclear advocacy. The episode dives into the world of nonprofit organization building, legislative successes in the nuclear sector, and the importance of effective communication in promoting nuclear energy.

Meyer shares insights into the bipartisan support for nuclear energy in the U.S. and emphasizes the need for innovation in reactor production. The story concludes with a vision for the future of nuclear energy and how listeners can get involved.

Get involved with Generation Atomic:

https://www.generationatomic.org

Learn more about climate policy:

https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-t-z/usa-nuclear-power-policy

Global Climate Initiatives:

https://www.energy.gov/articles/cop28-countries-launch-declaration-triple-nuclear-energy-capacity-2050-recognizing-key

The After-Pop! Demystifying Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation

Welcome back to Naked Nuclear, where we simplify nuclear technology. In this episode, we dive into radiation—its origins, types, and measurements. 

Learn about non-ionizing and ionizing radiation, explore their sources, and understand how we measure radiation exposure. Discover the three types of ionizing radiation: alpha, beta, and gamma. 

We also discuss how to stay safe with guidelines on dose, time, and exposure limits. Join us in making radiation a less intimidating and more understood part of our world. Stay curious!

00:00 Introduction to Naked Nuclear

00:11 Understanding Radiation

01:05 Types of Radiation

02:28 Sources of Ionizing Radiation

03:37 Measuring Radiation

04:25 Types of Ionizing Radiation

05:37 Radiation Safety

06:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

More information on how OSHA categorizes radiation exposure: 

https://www.osha.gov/emergency-preparedness/radiation/response

Information from the DOE on Radiation: 

https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2018/01/f46/doe-ionizing-radiation-dose-ranges-jan-2018.pdf

https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/Relative%20Doses%20Radiation%20Thermometer%20-%20March%202022_0.pdf

My yoga teacher, the tree-hugging radiation protection technician...

Caroline shares her journey from corporate America to working alongside her husband in the nuclear field, offering insights into the roles and responsibilities of decontamination workers and radiation protection technicians. They discuss the safety protocols, personal protective equipment used, and the exposure levels to radiation, debunking some common misconceptions about the industry.

Caroline also touches on how her background in yoga helps her remain calm and handle fear in this demanding job. This episode provides a unique look at a non-traditional career path, the evolving diversity in the nuclear industry, and the importance of stringent safety measures. Listeners will also learn about pathways into the field and the potential for travel and financial benefits.

Looking for where to get started as an RP?

Cape Fear Community College Nuclear Technology

https://cfcc.edu/nuclear-technology/

Westinghouse RP Program 

https://westinghousenuclear.com/media/zhdbuk4m/how-to-become-an-rp-technician-2024.pdf

https://westinghousenuclear.com/operating-plants/outage-services/rp-alara/radiation-protection-training/

Wanna learn more about radiation levels?  

Radiation Levels:

https://www.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-sources-and-doses

https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/5-radioactive-products-we-use-every-day

Sober Spaces at Jam Band Concerts

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/looking-for-sober-friends-at-a-concert-find-the-deadheads-with-a-yellow-balloon

Welcome to the Ep.1 After-pop!

Nuclear Fuels Breakdown: Uranium Oxide, Uranium Silicide, Uranium Mononitride, and HALEU

Learn more about Dr. Watkins fuel research at INL here: https://inl.gov/feature-story/u-s-researchers-fabricate-commercial-grade-uranium-dioxide-haleu-fuel/