Volume 8, Issue 18: March 14, 2011

Dear NA-YGN Members,

During this somber time, our thoughts are with the citizens of Japan. Due to recent events, many of you have expressed interested in helping with the situation in Japan. We appreciate the outpouring of support shown by our members. Though no request has been made for North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NA-YGN) members to travel to Japan to aid in the recovery; we still have important work ahead.

First and foremost, as nuclear professionals, our responsibility is to stay focused on operating our facilities safely and securely. We need to ensure our nuclear power plants, construction sites, laboratories and academic institutions maintain the proper focus on safety. With the weight of current events, our goal is to support the industry. While intriguing, please try not to be distracted from our daily work responsibilities by the ever flickering news reports.

As many of us have noted, some of the information available to the public is inaccurate or in overly technical jargon that is difficult for the average citizen to understand. This gap in information is where NA-YGN members can help. Public information is one of cornerstones of our organization. As an organization, we have the ability to reach a large number of people. During your free time, assist your site and community by putting the situation into context for friends, family and members of the public. By following the lead of industry experts, NA-YGN can help debunk myths and provide examples that everyone can understand. Our request is simple- talk about the good work you do, how your plant works, and the importance of safety to the industry.

To help us with this effort, a webinar produced by experts from the Nuclear Energy Institute and the Canadian Nuclear Association will provide tips for more easily communicating the events in Japan. The webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, March 15th at 3 p.m. eastern.  If you are available to participate, please register here: http://www.quia.com/sv/514140.html. For those registered, the webinar information will be sent out at Noon eastern.

We are asking that every member of NA-YGN feel empowered to correct inaccurate statements. Providing the public with correct information is the best way to accomplish our goal. Please do what you can to help us educate the public and address their concerns.

If you are not available to attend the webinar to review best practices when providing information to the public, please ensure you have:

1)     reviewed your organization’s communication policy

2)     reviewed expert information on the current status of the Japanese reactors on the Nuclear Energy Instituted, American Nuclear Society, Canadian Nuclear Association or Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s websites and

3)     determine if your organization is already planning any outreach events in light of this event.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth McAndrew-Benavides

President

North American – Young Generation in Nuclear