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mean it was the familiarization and the fraternization that was more worrisome... We are very concerned about this situation. We are sharpening our regulations, but in this case there is no question that the actions happened as described by the IG, people knew or should have known that they should not have done these actions... But that is a very worrisome situation- both of fraternization with the licensees and then the well-meaning but very dangerous practice of recommending people to licensees to help them solve problems."
77:(1971), with a B.S. cum laude and a GPA of 3.74 in nuclear engineering, holds a master's degree in nuclear engineering, and gained an Atomic Energy Commission Fellowship (1972). Gundersen has more than 40 years of nuclear power engineering experience. Gundersen holds a nuclear safety patent, was a licensed reactor operator, and is a former nuclear industry senior vice president. During his nuclear power industry career, Gundersen also managed and coordinated projects at 70 nuclear power plants in the US.
488:
experiments in support of the Army
Package Power Reactor (APPR) program. A number of APPRs were built and operated. In the middle 1960s, ALCO went out of business and provided the facility to RPI. Since that time, RPI has operated the RCF primarily in a teaching mode in the nuclear engineering department, although limited amounts of reactor research, activation analysis, and reactivity assays have been carried out as well.
185:
through, "there is no backup containment behind it" says
Gundersen. If the dome rusted through the design would expel radioactive contaminants and the plant "could deliver a dose of radiation to the public that is 10 times higher than the N.R.C. limit" according to Gundersen. Westinghouse has disputed Gundersen’s assessment. Gundersen has testified before the
285:
NRC Chairman Selin: "... it is true. Everything Mr. Gundersen said was absolutely right; he performed quite a service..." "much more troublesome because, to be frank, it's not just a question of who was paying for the lunches, but why these people were having lunch together in the first place. I
184:
In April 2010, Gundersen released a report (commissioned by several nongovernment organizations) which explored a hazard associated with the possible rusting through of the AP1000 containment structure steel liner. In the AP1000 design, the liner and the concrete are separated, and if the steel rusts
268:
and accused the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission of "serial failings to do anything about it". Runner-up for the Pulitzer Prize in 1993, the Plain Dealer’s five-part series alleged numerous of "misappropriation and sloppiness using nuclear material that led to disfigurement and death". One of the five
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The
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Reactor Critical Facility (RCF) has provided hands-on education and training for RPI and other student for almost a quarter of a century. The RCF was built in the 1950s by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) as a critical facility in which to carry out
112:
In 1990 Gundersen was a senior vice president at
Nuclear Energy Services when he discovered radioactive material in an accounting safe. Three weeks after notifying the company president of what he believed to be radiation safety violations, Gundersen was fired. According to
212:
Gundersen has said that the U.S. nuclear industry and regulators need to reexamine disaster planning and worst-case scenarios, especially in reactors such as
Vermont Yankee, which have the same design as the crippled nuclear plant at the center of the 2011 Japanese
244:
when it claimed that the disaster was under control and that there existed no health concerns. The plant, Gundersen said, "is leaking into the
Pacific Ocean extensively" and that thyroid cancers, deformed fish and radioactive animals were being discovered.
269:
parts cited Arnie
Gundersen who alleged "botched inspections and cozy personal relationships between NRC inspectors and licensees". Two congressional investigations were held in response to this series in order to obtain NRC reform on the matter.
119:, for three years, Gundersen was "awakened by harassing phone calls in the middle of the night" and "became concerned about his family's safety". Gundersen believes he was blacklisted, harassed and fired for doing what he thought was right.
517:
Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute (RPI) — 1971 to 1972; Critical Facility Reactor Operator, Instructor – Licensed AEC Reactor Operator instructing students and utility reactor operator trainees in start-up through full power operation of a
395:
The film chronicles a community’s victory over leaking reactors, only to confront a chilling reality - deadly radioactive waste stranded next to a rising sea. At the press conference community activists held for the shut down of the
905:"Infographic: Is Nuclear the Future of Energy? | in Our Nature | in Our Nature, based at Northwestern University, aims to engage and entertain readers with all aspects of the environment, nature and sustainability"
557:
Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute (RPI); Critical Facility Reactor Operator, Instructor; Licensed AEC Reactor Operator instructing students and utility reactor operator trainees in start-up through full power operation of a
122:
While also writing numerous nuclear expert reports from 1993 to 2008, Gundersen was employed at a number of Connecticut schools teaching mathematics and physics; in 2007 he became Mathematics Professor at
225:
As part of Fairewinds Energy Education, Gundersen has hosted numerous videos and provided updates about the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. He was also a regular guest on media outlets such as
629:
827:
Federal regulation of medical radiation uses: hearing before the Committee on Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Third Congress, first session, May 6, 1993
248:
In early October 2013, Gundersen stated that due to newly discovered leaks and impending tropical storms, the potential existed for a release of radiation 15,000 times that of
466:
205:
there could be "followed by releases of other, more dangerous materials if the plant keeps operating". The plant ceased operations in 2014 and is currently in the process of
31:
in 1990. Gundersen has written dozens of expert reports for nongovernment organizations and the state of Vermont. Gunderson was a licensed reactor operator from 1971-1972 on
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Committee Chairman Senator John Glenn: "... what is the NRC doing to assure that Commission employees don't engage in potential conflict of interest practices?"
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Symposium: The Medical and Ecological Consequences of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York City, NY, March 11, 2013.
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Gundersen is chief engineer of Fairewinds Associates, and on the board of directors for Fairewinds Energy Education a 501c3 non-profit organization.
189:’s Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards saying that "if a hole appeared, the chimney effect would disperse radioactive material far and wide".
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New England Coalition's Appeal of State Of Vermont Public Service Board's order allowing Entergy to increase power at Vermont Yankee
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In September 2013 Gundersen accused the Japanese government of lying in order to secure its position as host of the
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217:. He has stated that Vermont Yankee and similar plants are vulnerable to a similar cascade of events as in Japan.
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Federal regulation of medical radiation uses: Hearing before the U. S. Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs,
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Keynote Speaker for Three Mile Island at 35 (TMI@35) Symposium at Penn State, Harrisburg, PA, March 28, 2014.
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Invited guest speaker in debate against Dr. Jordi Roglans-Ribas (Director of Nuclear Engineering Division at
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477:(18). Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Office of Scientific and Technical Information, U.S. Department of Energy: 79
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Nuclear Crisis at Fukushima Could Spew Out More Than 15,000 Times as Much Radiation as Hiroshima Bombing
36:
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237:, Gundersen referred to Fukushima as "the biggest industrial catastrophe in the history of mankind".
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Invited speaker at The Wave Conference, Life Chiropractic West, San Francisco, CA, August 2, 2014.
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International Symposium on the Truth of Fukushima Nuclear Accident and the Myth of Nuclear Safety,
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101:-based consulting firm. Gundersen served as an expert witness in the investigation of the 1979
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executive, and engineer with more than 44 years of nuclear industry experience who became a
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35:'s zero-power open-pool university research reactor at the Reactor Critical Facility in
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entitled "Lethal Doses: Radiation That Kills" alleged "extreme medical malpractice" in
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Energy Absorbing Turbine Missile Shield – U.S. Patent # 4,397,608 ¬– September 8, 1983
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Nuclear Engineer: Japan's PM "Lying to the Japanese People" About Safety of Fukushima
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Thirty-five Years and Five Meltdowns Later: The Real Lessons of Three Mile Island
531:"Arnold Gundersen - Nuclear Resume (included in New England Coalition's appeal)"
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What Did They Know And When? Fukushima Daiichi Before And After The Meltdowns,
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507:. as filed with United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. p. 17 of 18
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Arnie Gundersen has a relevant cameo appearance in the 2023 Documentary Film
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249:
323:
Should Nuclear Energy be Expanded to Help Create a More Sustainable Future?
145:“The Echo Chamber: Regulatory Capture and the Fukushima Daiichi Disaster”,
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as an engineering supervisor. From 1979 to 1990 Gundersen was employed at
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Fukushima: It's much worse than you think – Features – Al Jazeera English
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540:. New England Coalition. March 8, 2006. p. 29 of 31. Archived from
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CURRICULUM VITAE RESUME: Arnold Gundersen, Energy Advisor, February 2009
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Iwanami Shoten Publishers, University of Tokyo, Japan, August 30, 2012.
575:"Nuclear expert: "50-50 chance of a catastrophic radiation" from Japan"
202:
931:"Experts debate the future of nuclear energy at Fossil Free NU event"
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353:
82nd Street YMCA, New York City, NY, October 8, 2013. Speakers were
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357:, Riverkeeper President Paul Galley, Former Japanese Prime Minister
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830:. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 22.
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directed by James Heddle, Mary Beth Brangan and Morgan Peterson.
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In 2010 Gundersen expressed concerns about the operation of the
230:
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57:. He served as an expert witness in the investigation of the
727:"Nuclear expert: U.S. should review worst case scenarios"
138:“The Lessons of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident”,
859:"Jordi Roglans-Ribas | Argonne National Laboratory"
39:, where he was a nuclear engineering graduate student.
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Shueisha Publishing, February 17, 2012, Tokyo, Japan.
53:
and has expressed concerns about the operation of the
390:
SOS - The San Onofre Syndrome: Nuclear Power’s Legacy
610:"Expert talks radioactive water effects – CNN Video"
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Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, October 22, 2013.
824:Senate. Committee on Governmental Affairs (1994).
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595:Shows featuring Arnie Gundersen | Democracy Now!
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89:as a nuclear engineer; and from 1976 to 1979 at
762:Fukushima Daiichi | Fairewinds Energy Education
744:Fairewinds Videos | Fairewinds Energy Education
675:Critics Challenge Safety of New Reactor Design
309:The Future of Energy: Is Nuclear the Solution?
660:The Whistleblower: Arnold Gundersen of Goshen
154:Fukushima Daiichi: Truth And The Way Forward,
149:February 27, 2012, Greenpeace International.
8:
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710:Nuclear Expert Says Yankee Should Shut Down
233:discussing the issue. In an interview with
448:"Paying The Price For Blowing The Whistle"
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85:From 1972 to 1976 Gundersen worked at the
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351:Fukushima: Ongoing Lessons for New York,
947:Fairewinds - Arnold Gundersen's website
692:"Disputed Reactor Design Moves Forward"
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260:A weeklong series in the December 1992
87:Northeast Utilities Service Corporation
42:Gundersen questioned the safety of the
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690:Wald, Matthew L. (January 31, 2011).
7:
967:People associated with nuclear power
885:"Did Tesla Just Kill Nuclear Power?"
502:"Arnold Gundersen, Curriculum Vitae"
465:Harris, D.R. (September 30, 1990).
325:Invited guest speaker in Debate at
61:and has provided commentary on the
446:Julie Miller (February 12, 1995).
199:Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant
63:Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster
55:Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant
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91:New York State Electric & Gas
781:"Japan's radiation twice as bad"
75:Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
33:Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
201:, saying a leak of radioactive
159:Invited chapter author for the
73:Gundersen is a graduate of the
787:. June 7, 2011. Archived from
725:John Dillon (March 15, 2011).
500:Gundersen, Arnold (May 2020).
297:List of nuclear whistleblowers
49:, a proposed third-generation
1:
573:David Case (March 14, 2011).
187:Nuclear Regulatory Commission
161:DOE Decommissioning Handbook,
125:Community College of Vermont
107:DOE Decommissioning Handbook
655:The Litchfield County Times
313:Argonne National Laboratory
215:Fukushima nuclear emergency
109:, First Edition (1981–82).
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977:American nuclear engineers
365:, Former NRC Commissioner
333:Radiation Knows No Borders
303:Presentations and Speeches
163:First Edition, 1981-1982.
103:Three Mile Island accident
59:Three Mile Island accident
19:(born January 4, 1949, in
471:Energy Research Abstracts
398:San Onofre nuclear plant
345:Speaking Truth to Power,
276:, May 6, 1993, page 22:
272:Partial transcript from
17:Arnold "Arnie" Gundersen
972:American whistleblowers
317:Northwestern University
207:nuclear decommissioning
147:Lessons From Fukushima,
95:Nuclear Energy Services
767:June 13, 2013, at the
262:Cleveland Plain Dealer
749:July 1, 2013, at the
658:, December 10, 1999,
547:on September 15, 2011
105:. He co-authored the
37:Schenectady, New York
21:Elizabeth, New Jersey
715:, February 11, 2010.
652:Katherine Boughton,
99:Danbury, Connecticut
791:on October 4, 2013.
361:, Former NRC Chair
329:, November 20, 2014
696:The New York Times
678:The New York Times
452:The New York Times
428:pbadupws.nrc.gov,
327:Hofstra University
266:radiation medicine
242:2020 Olympic Games
116:The New York Times
865:on April 24, 2015
680:, April 22, 2010.
673:Matthew L. Wald.
367:Peter A. Bradford
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982:1949 births
933:. May 2015.
843:October 11,
579:Global Post
551:October 12,
511:October 12,
481:October 12,
371:Ralph Nader
315:), held at
956:Categories
404:References
235:Al Jazeera
69:Background
359:Naoto Kan
250:Hiroshima
221:Fukushima
765:Archived
747:Archived
713:VPR News
642:About Us
558:reactor.
518:reactor.
384:In media
291:See also
731:Reuters
203:tritium
167:Patents
915:May 3,
890:Forbes
869:May 3,
834:
369:, and
180:AP1000
81:Career
47:AP1000
545:(PDF)
534:(PDF)
505:(PDF)
256:Other
175:Views
917:2015
871:2015
845:2021
832:ISBN
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229:and
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785:CNN
614:CNN
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