Fred Tollison Luncheon

Fred Tollison, former INPO Chairman, Speaks at Chapter July Luncheon. Plus, New Board Officers Elected and 76-Year Span of Classes Represented at Luncheon.

The Chapter July luncheon was held on Friday, July 21^st. We had a guest speaker as well as elections for Board of Director Officers for the incoming Chapter year, plus a visit from a candidate for the Class of 2011.

Chapter member Dave DeJarnette ’82 brought his nephew McHugh DeJarnette with him. McHugh is a candidate for the Naval Academy Class of 2011. Dave justifiably bragged about the character and scholastic performance of his nephew who actually aced his SATs! He will be a great addition to the Class of 2011. McHugh’s proud father Hugh was also visiting with us. Senior Chapter member Capt. George O,Connell '35 was also present at the luncheon. I am quite sure that this 76-year span of represented classes sets a record for Atlanta! See pictures below.

The following slate of nominated Chapter Board officers was unanimously voted into office by the alumni in attendance:

President – Steve Frederick ’72 (second term)
Vice President – Mitch Rowland ’71 (second term)
Treasurer – Pete Knoetgen ’77 (first term)
Secretary – Paul Borer (second term)
Director, Membership – Ples Bruce ’77 (second term)
Director, Brigade Support – Stew Caldwell ’65 (second term)
Directors (General) – Terry McElroy ’86 (second term), Mary McElroy ’87 (second term), Eric Busko ’88 (first term)

Our guest speaker for July was Fred Tollison, who recently retired as Chairman of the Board of Directors of INPO, the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations. Fred was drafted for duty as speaker by his neighbor and past Chapter President Paul Hurst ’62.

INPO was founded by in 1979 by utility companies just after the Three-mile Island accident. It currently employs about 350 people, including many Naval Academy alumni.

INPO’s mission is to promote the highest levels of safety, reliability, and excellence in the operation of existing nuclear electric generating plants. It accomplishes this mission through four programs, as follows:

Plant visits and evaluations
Training of plant personnel
Assistance programs
Analysis of, and feedback from, past operating experiences

The United States currently has 103 nuclear generating plants at 65 sites in 31 states, which provide 20% of the nation’s electricity. Plant reliability (up-time) has been over 90% since the year 2000. At 1.68 cents ($0.0168) per KiloWatt-Hour, nuclear power provides the cheapest cost of all energy sources. (Coal is 1.92 cents, gas is 5.87 cents, and oil is 6.39 cents per KW-H.)

There are currently 433 reactors operating world-wide. Other areas of the world are expanding their nuclear power generating capacities at a greater pace that the U.S. Fred sees two possible scenarios regarding the expansion possibilities in this country. If existing plants continue to provide strong reliable performance, sustained generation, and no shut-downs, then future plant expansion will be “full speed ahead”. If any of those factors fail to hold true, then a slower pace can be expected. In the U.S. there are currently 24 plants under construction, 41 plants ordered/planned, and 113 plants proposed. One additional plus on the side of nuclear generating plants is that they are emissions free.

Fred closed with some interesting insight on nuclear plant security. However, if we told you, we’d have to kill you! (Not really, but couldn’t resist the old joke.) The built-in safety of the equipment itself plus the security offered by the surrounding physical buildings, etc. are quite impressive. In addition, there are typically between 120 and 250 highly trained, heavily armed, security forces at each plant. The level of security is great enough as to cause even the most intent terrorist to look elsewhere for an easier target.

For more info on Fred, click on

FredTollissonBio.pdf

Many thanks to Fred for taking time out of his retirement to educate us on INPO and its mission in keeping our nuclear generating plants safe and reliable.

Click on a thumbnail image to view a full-size picture.

Fred Tollison starts his presentation, with able equipment operator Paul Hurst '62 in place at the AV gear.

Chapter President Steve Frederick '72, presents Fred with his personalized Altlanta Chapter Apron and a standing invitation to LobsterFest.

DeJarnettes: (l-to-r) Dave '82, McHugh (2011 candidate), Hugh (McHugh's proud Dad)

Senior Chapter member Capt. George O'Connell '35, with McHugh DeJarnette. This represents a 76 year span in class years, an Atlanta record for sure!