South Texas Nuclear Power Plant Tour

[jfink]

I have been talking with the PR folks about a tour of the STNP. Visit has been rescheduled for Thursday 7/26 at 10:00a in the morning. I realize that many of you can't make a weekday tour because of work. Unfortunately, they don't offer tours on the weekends or evenings. They want to get an estimate of how many would attend. Add in your interest and commitment.

Details: Meet at the STNP at 9:45a on Thursday, July 26th
Sheila Davis is our contact. Meet Sheila at the first building on the left as you enter the plant – Nuclear Training Facility. If you get to the security checkpoint, you’ve gone too far. Tour should be around an hour and a half.

South Texas Nuclear Power Plant

committed - I thought names would be good!
- jfink (Joe)
- jmn (Jeff)
- cthrall (Chuck)
- rydah (Rob)

may be
- subcomm (Mark) ?
- vc_slim (Greg) ?
- springsteve (Steve) ?

Lunch at the Blessing Hotel afterwards.

[focus frenzy]

That would be cool! But can't work that date in unfortunately.


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[Texas T]

I'm really surprised that a nuke plant even gives public tours without background checks and the whatnot.

[NX2000]

I had a badge out there years ago when I was a cop in the area. They gave us a tour inside the secure area, lots of cool stuff.

[focus frenzy]

Originally Posted by Texas T

I'm really surprised that a nuke plant even gives public tours without background checks and the whatnot.

if they are like Comanche Peak there will be machine guns trained on you the whole time and you don't go in the good glow in the dark part.

[jfink]

I was able to tour the facility twenty years ago or so. My wife and I just got back from a vacation at the Grand Canyon and toured Hoover and Glen Canyon Dams, pretty awesome stuff. I thought I would give the STNP a go and found they offered tours. I know some of the TWTEX folks ride right by it on day trips for pie, RTE events or just day rides. I thought it might make a good destination. Like I said it is unfortunate they don't offer these tours on the weekend.

As far as allowing tours of the facility, I am not sure there is much an individual could cart in undetected that could do much damage to a nuclear plant, unless you subscribe to the theory that a coke on the control system can cause a China syndrome run away reaction.

[jmn]

Thanks for setting this up, sounds good count me in. You do realize that Chuck's tour featured a hospitality room with eight beers on tap.

[lddave]

I worked there in the late 80's on unit 1 .


Dave

[jfink]

Originally Posted by jmn

Thanks for setting this up, sounds good count me in. You do realize that Chuck's tour featured a hospitality room with eight beers on tap.

I don't believe the STNP hospitality room has that many beers on tap, but I could be wrong. I did try to set something up where we could bask in the glow of nuclear fusion and leave with iridescent personalities, but apparently there is a policy against that.

[jfink]

Originally Posted by lddave

I worked there in the late 80's on unit 1 .

Dave

You being in the know, I was wondering if there was any way to prearrange a strip search? There are one or two fella's going that probably need it!

[gixxerjasen]

After my last time, I've been told I'm not allowed back. Make sure you know what "Do not touch anything" means!

[subcomm]

Sounds cool, count me in.

[ldst]

I have had enough of the nuke plants, I worked about 10 years in the nuke industry as a Instrumentation and Controls tech until the simiconductor industry started paying more than nuke plants, I have worked on commanche peak ,ano in ark., Seabrook in New hamp.,and palaverde in Arizona and yes I had to work in the reactor itself at times.

FYI the simulator control rooms that are for touring are pretty close to acual control rooms , there are some things they just cant show the public

[andyc740]

I recommend lunch at the Blessing Hotel.

[LeighAnderson]

I would like to go. Will photos be allowed ?

[focus frenzy]

Originally Posted by ldst

FYI the simulator control rooms that are for touring are pretty close to acual control rooms , there are some things they just cant show the public

yep, most folks freak out when they lern there is a self destruct button.

[_RG_]

This could be a cool trip. Thanks for setting it up Joe.

We toured a small "research" reactor at a northern university a few years ago. It was interesting stuff. Mostly a whole bunch of plumbing...really good plumbing. The most fascinating part was looking right down into the pool at the reactor core. It's a blue/purple/cobalt color that is unlike any I'd ever seen before. Sort of like an enormous florescent bulb on steroids. But that color...not natural at all.

What was plain hard for me was knowing that the thing just sits there silently boiling water 24/7. No kerosene, gas, coal, electricity...nothing. Only that eerie glow. Reminded me of looking into the eyes of a big rattlesnake at the zoo when I was young.

[gixxerjasen]

Originally Posted by ldst

I have had enough of the nuke plants, I worked about 10 years in the nuke industry as a Instrumentation and Controls tech until the simiconductor industry started paying more than nuke plants, I have worked on commanche peak ,ano in ark., Seabrook in New hamp.,and palaverde in Arizona and yes I had to work in the reactor itself at times.

It's funny how working somewhere will do that to you. For the rest of us these are places of mystery and wonder.

Heck, I worked at the movie theater for 9 years and now wonder what the attraction is and why folks buy that nasty popcorn.

[Centex]

I worked a 6 month long haz waste cleanup job at the ancient Celanese Plant within sight of STNP back around 1990. Wished the whole time I was at the much safer nuke facility.

[jfink]

I am headed off to Canada, so I may not be commenting much, but I have reserved 7/24 for anyone wanting to go.

RG ... I am worried about you!