Walt Reil

How have your views on nuclear changed over time?:

Walt recorded and reported the Main Generation from both units at Diablo Canyon from meters on the vertical boards for over 25 years.

Oh my, what a question. When I began working in the nuclear power industry fresh out of college in 1976, nuclear power was "new" to me and all engineering and construction students around the nation. The ride since then, traveling to Pennsylvania and back to California to support construction work at Limerick Generating Station (Pottstown, PA) and then Rancho Seco (south of Sacramento) was quite a fantastic and eye-opening experience until my retirement after 35 years at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant. I deeply admire everyone who works at Diablo Canyon, who work tirelessly to ensure its safe and reliable operation. Nuclear power is THE most important source of long-term, baseload power to support power needs 24/7, not relying on fluctuating wind or cyclical solar power (both of which are also very important power sources).

How would you describe your relationship with the natural environment?:

I have loved the outdoors ever since first swimming off the island of Okinawa, Japan, in the late 1950's, and growing up along the rugged and remote coast of Oregon until entering college. Since then, I have been active in sailing, hiking, backpacking and outdoor photography. Diablo Canyon's lands are some of the most beautiful in the world, protected from commercial development.

What would you like other moms to know about nuclear power?:

Having two girls of my own, who grew up as I worked at Diablo Canyon, I always wanted to provide the very best support to them. Nuclear power is key to helping preserve our environment, which is absolutely paramount for human existence and future survival. If we trash our environment (land, sea and air), then we will destroy the future for our children and future generations. Yes, humans significantly negatively impact our environment, but utilizing nuclear power is a major way to significantly reduce our impact as we pursue unending sources of power without destroying more and more land for widespread solar power facilities and cover land and water with wind generating stations. A vitally important part of implementing and supporting nuclear power, is to provide the very best STEM education our children can get, and academic studies that instill critical thinking so that our children become clear, reasonable, and responsible thinking adults who can tackle the world's growing technical living challenges, who can see through the grossly misleading efforts of politicians and big business who do not care about the public at large.