Nuclear Waste: The Whole Story

2022 was a pivotal year for nuclear with countries worldwide taking a fresh look at this clean energy source to fight climate change and secure energy independence. With that has come a renewed interest in nuclear waste disposal key to the success of future nuclear power, plant deployments, nuclear waste. The whole story has explored these topics and many more in 20 plus interviews with scientists, citizens, and industry experts. Here are a few highlights from our most popular episodes of the year.Highlights from:Stuart Haszeldine, Geologist & Environmental Scientist at the University of EdinburghZion Lights, Science Communicator and Author of The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting and Only a MomentSuzie Jaworowski, Former Chief of Staff in US Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy under the Trump AdministrationPrincess Mthombeni, Stakeholder Liaison Officer at The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation

In this episode, Tay Stevenson shares his experience in talking to communities about nuclear and nuclear waste and why it's so important to take fear out of the decision-making process when it comes to energy.

In this episode, Princess Mthombeni explains how she entered the South African nuclear industry as an outsider and has been working to educate the African public on how the issues of climate change, nuclear energy, and quality of life intersect.

In this episode, Suzie Jaworowski reflects on her experiences as the Chief of Staff in the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy under the Trump Administration and gives insight into her vision of the future of nuclear technologies.

Many of the scientists, citizens and nuclear energy advocates we've interviewed for our podcast, Nuclear Waste: The Whole Story, have a passion for protecting the environment. In honor of Earth Month, please enjoy this compilation of some of the inspiring things they said.

In this episode, Zion Lights walks us through her journey into environmental and pro-nuclear activism and sheds light on the intersection of science advocacy and social justice in relation to climate change.

In this episode, Stuart Haszeldine unravels the complexity of designing underground tunnels for the purpose of nuclear waste disposal and relates it to the processes used for carbon capture.

In this episode, Roy Payne explains why he started the non-profit GDFWatch, an organization whose mission is to assist the public in having informed discussions before decisions are made for nuclear waste disposal.

In this episode, Tom Isaacs gives historical insight into nuclear waste disposal barriers internationally and explains how those barriers can be overcome by using both social science and hard science.

In this episode, Talia Martin explains the role she holds as a Tribal/DOE Program Director and the past and current relationship between the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe and the U.S Department of Energy from a nuclear waste lens.

In this episode, Kent Cole reflects on his career in nuclear, how NAC came to be a leader in nuclear waste storage, and how vital nuclear waste disposal is to the industry's success.

Deep Isolation's podcast, Nuclear Waste: The Whole Story is delighted to have reached our 1-year anniversary. Find us at nuclearwastepodcast.com.

In this episode, Melanie Snyder breaks down the complexities of nuclear waste transportation in the United States and offers some insights on improving stakeholders trust regarding transportation. 

In this episode, Kalev Kallemets explains his motivation in bringing advanced nuclear technology to Estonia and his hope to bring Estonia closer to reaching its climate change goals. 

In this episode, Andrew Sowder dives into the global need for carbon-free electricity, his experience engaging with indigenous communities, and EPRI's role in the nuclear industry.

In this episode, Jessica Lovering explains why she co-founded the Good Energy Collective and how she hopes it will impact advanced nuclear policy in the United States.

In this episode, John Lindberg, Public Affairs Manager at the World Nuclear Association, speaks about the impacts of radiophobia and the public's perception of nuclear on the nuclear industry.

In this episode, Judy Treichel and Steve Frishman reflect on their experience with the state of Nevada and with citizen groups nationwide to get the message across that they do not believe Yucca Mountain is suitable for permanent nuclear waste disposal.

In this episode, Kara Colton, Director of Nuclear Energy Policy at Energy Communities Alliance, discusses the problem of how to dispose of federal nuclear waste at 16 locations nationwide.

In this episode, Deep Isolation interviews Dr. David Victor, chair of the Community Engagement Panel for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) on the Southern California coast. Dr. David Victor offers insight into how stakeholders and the utility work together on the decommissioning process. We welcome your comments and suggestions for future podcast topics. Leave them below or email us at podcast@deepisolation.com. Learn more at https://www.deepisolation.com/nuclear-waste-podcast (https://www.deepisolation.com/nuclear-waste-podcast).

In this episode of Nuclear Waste: The Whole Story Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and Deep Isolation Advisor David Hoffman talks to James Taylor, General Manager of the environmental division of Bechtel's Nuclear, Security, & Environmental global business unit, about the long term costs of temporarily storing nuclear waste above ground. We welcome your comments and suggestions for future vlogs. Post them below or email us at podcast@deepisolation.com. For more information, please visit https://www.deepisolation.com/nuclear-waste-podcast (https://www.deepisolation.com/nuclear-waste-podcast).

In this episode, Deep Isolation interviews social scientist Thomas Webler about community consent and how it relates to nuclear waste disposal. We welcome your comments and suggestions for future podcast topics. Leave them below or email us at podcast@deepisolation.com. Learn more at https://www.deepisolation.com/nuclear-waste-podcast (https://www.deepisolation.com/nuclear-waste-podcast).

In this episode Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and Deep Isolation Advisor David Hoffman talks to Arjun Makhijani, President of Science Matters, LLC. Arjun is an electrical and nuclear engineer who speaks candidly about the weaknesses of various nuclear waste disposal methods. We welcome your comments and suggestions for future podcasts. Post them here or email podcast@deepisolation.com. Learn more at https://www.deepisolation.com/nuclear-waste-podcast/ (https://www.deepisolation.com/nuclear-waste-podcast/)

In this episode of Nuclear Waste: The Whole Story, Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker and Deep Isolation Advisor David Hoffman talks to Rod McCullum, Senior Director, Used Fuel and Decommissioning for the Nuclear Energy Institute. McCullum gives us an insider's perspective on commercial nuclear waste disposal and explains why any failure to solve this problem could affect the development of the next generation of nuclear energy reactors. We welcome your comments and suggestions for future podcast topics. Leave them below or email us at podcast@deepisolation.com. Learn more at https://www.deepisolation.com/nuclear-waste-podcast/ (https://www.deepisolation.com/nuclear-waste-podcast).