About Will Davis and Atomic Power Review

Here are some of the comments made both in public and by e-mail about Atomic Power Review.

Independent Journalist Fintan Dunne wrote the following on April 2, 2011:

"We were very fortunate to have Will Davis, a former US Navy
nuclear submarine reactor operator as our interview guest
here on BreakForNews a couple of weeks ago when media
hysteria was at fever pitch.

Will's measured analysis of the true level of risk posed by the
Fukushima nuclear incident back then --and since-- has proven him
(by dint of repeated predictive accuracy on often sparse information)
to be one of the most authoritative nuclear risk analysts in the world.

In stark contrast to many academic and industry nuclear talking heads
wheeled out by broadcast and print media in the course of the crisis.

Time and time again Will Davis has been on the truth trail while the
baying media pack and their "experts" have veered into dead ends."

DOCTOR MARIE SPEED gives APR a top notch review at THIS LINK.  Particularly, she says:

I relied particularly heavily on the MIT NSE Nuclear Information Hub, created and maintained by the students of the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT “not to provide up-to-date information about the ongoing situation at the nuclear facilities in Fukushima, Japan, nor … to promote to a pro-nuclear political agenda … [but rather] to provide non-sensationalized, factual data from engineers in a manner that the general public can understand [and] decipher conflicting news reports and manage the frustrating lack of clarity”. The Atomic Power Review, operated by Will Davis, a former US navy reactor operator, offered similarly in-depth analysis of the emerging data. Both these blogs continue to provide valuable updates even as Fukushima Dai-ichi slides off the front pages in New Zealand and around the world.


..in reference to information gathering post-Fukushima.  Thank you, Dr. Speed!



Will has been interviewed by ..


Glenn Williams of The Street


Rod Adams - The Atomic Show


Atomic Power Review's illustrations are being used by John Froates, Associate Professor and Engineer in Residence at University of Ontario Institute of Technology in lectures and public speeches by direct permission.  Prof. Froates has 37 years' experience in nuclear engineering.
 
Allen Morris, formerly with the Nuclear Diagnostics division of Babcock & Wilcox, and who was among the first responders to TMI-2 from B&W's Lynchburg facility, wrote:

I think your blog has been pretty good - coherent analysis and writing - good straightforward explanation without embellishment - either way. ...Keep up the good work.

Paul Lindsey, ex-US Navy nuclear officer (S1W, A4W) wrote:
Found your blog through the NEI Nuclear Notes blog. Keep fighting the good fight.

Jon Edelson: 
I wanted to thank you for providing your information and insights into what is happening in Japan. I particularly wanted to thank you for doing a good job of presenting what is really going on, neither overplaying the danger with scare tactics nor downplaying the real hazards.

Sam Ricci, materials engineer: I found your site shortly after the Japan events started - I was looking for photos of the containments and the fuel floors. I have made your site and the TEPCO website my first sources of what is happening at the Japan facility.

I enjoy reading your hypotheses. I love how you insightfully point to where the answer should be, e.g., are metals in the water, ... why is a hot spot in the turbine building ... which fission products are anticipated ... what is TEPCO really saying.

I know that you have a deep respect for the operators and what they need to do to stabilize the plants. You have a great understanding of how the public relations relates to the world regulatory climate. You also know how serious it all is.
Keep doing what you are doing, I hear your message. You are doing the right thing.
 
Robert Pucher, Vienna, Austria: I want to thank you for the clear and precise statements on the accident in Fukushima. My background is computer science, quite a bit away from nuclear technologies. You blog allows me to understand what is going on in Fukushima, without reading through hundreds of pages of partially misleading information.

People here in Austria are quite interested in the accident in Fukushima, partially because we have been affected by the radioactive cloud from Tschernobyl 25 years ago. Still today, occasionally wild pigs or mushrooms from the woods contain radioactive Cesium above allowed levels.
 
Gary Rose, retired GM tool and diemaker:  I have always been fascinated by and been a great proponent of nuclear power. I stumbled on your blog while looking at some news source, can’t remember which one. You certainly provide more accurate information and give a clearer picture of what is going on at Fukushima than any of the “news” experts.

Prior to this incident, I didn’t know much about boiling water reactors, most of my reading was about pressurized water and naval reactors. It seems like the boiling water units are inherently less safe but I know only enough to be dangerous!  
Thank you to everyone quoted here, and everyone else who has written and commented on the blog.


Atomic Power Review quoted in the 52nd Carnival of Nuclear Energy Bloggers at the American Nuclear Society's "ANS Nuclear Cafe" blog...   And now, Atomic Power Review is in the rotation for hosting the Carnival.


Atomic Power Review is listed in the link lists and blogrolls at:

American Nuclear Society's "ANS Nuclear Cafe" blog
TalkNuclear:  Blog of the Canadian Nuclear Association
NEI Nuclear Notes (Nuclear Engineering Institute)
Atomic Insights blog
Idaho Samizdat blog
Deregulate the Atom blog
The Thorium-MSR blog

Will Davis is a member of:

American Nuclear Society (June 2011)
American Nuclear Society's Social Media Forum
Professional Reactor Operator Society
Nuclear Street (nuclearstreet.com)
Nukeworker.com

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Will Davis - US Navy Experience


Qualified Primary Valve Operator, Control Point, Shutdown Electrical Operator, AMR2UL (Machinery Two Upper Level), Electrical Operator (pre-req for RO), Reactor Operator, Shutdown Reactor Operator  (S5W)  Reactor Technician, Reactor Operator (S8G)


Collateral duties on SSBN 641 included Repair Parts PO, Damage Control PO, Publications PO, Assistant Sound Silencing PO. RPPMS PO.


Discharge Evaluation Bullets:


Petty Officer Davis is a dedicated and productive member of Reactor Controls Division; his experience and talent have greatly contributed to the ship's continued exceptional performance.  His outstanding technical skill and managerial ability have been demonstrated throughout his tour.  Specific accomplishments include:


-Awarded Submarine Atlantic Fleet Letter of Commendation for outstanding performance as reactor operator contributing greatly to the ship's above average grade during an Operational Reactor Safeguards Exam, and for his outstanding performance throughout his tour onboard.


-Received Humanitarian Service Award for his relief efforts during Hurricane Hugo and the recovery period; he was responsible for bringing supplies to many needy families.


-Demonstrated outstanding technical ability.  His efforts were directly responsible for allowing the ship to complete its mission by a timely repair of critical reactor control systems.


-Worked diligently during ship's drills and training, directly contributing to an outstanding Nuclear Technical Proficiency Inspection.


-Demonstrated his exceptional abilities as both a technician and operator during a rigorous period of pressurizer heater replacement.


-Demonstrated exemplary managerial skills as primary and 3-M schedule coordinator for Reactor Control division, scheduling and documenting maintenance.


-Displayed impressive level of knowledge by delivering informative departmental lectures.


-Demonstrated Naval community concern by actively supporting Navy Relief and local nature conservatories.


Petty Officer Davis has demonstrated a high degree of reliability and initiative in all tasks performed.  He is a superb Reactor Operator and has passed the wisdom of his experience to junior personnel.  He is strongly recommended for advancement.


Retention: Recommended.


This discharge eval was all 4.0's except for "not observed" for the item 38 management area, which is for E-7 and above only.  The 4.0 scores are, in total, in order, for military knowledge / performance, rating knowledge / performance, initiative, reliability, military bearing, personal behavior, human relations (including equal opportunity), speaking ability, writing ability, directing, and counseling.  The overall evaluation was 4.0.


Date of eval:  93FEB03.


The schools I attended in the US Navy and the emblem of my ultimate command, SSBN-641, are visible on the right side of the page on this blog.