The Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident Begins

Summary

History Daily Podcast Summary
Episode: The Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident Begins
Release Date: March 28, 2025
Host: Lindsay Graham
Produced by: Airship | Noiser | Wondery

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Introduction to the Three Mile Island Accident (00:19)

On the early morning of March 28, 1979, at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Station near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the first signs of what would become America's most significant nuclear accident began to unfold. Shift foreman Frederick Scheiman was reviewing paperwork in his basement office when he decided to check on the progress of routine maintenance being conducted by Donald Miller and Harold Farst.

According to Lindsay Graham, “As the clock nears 4am on the dot, Frederick decides to check in on their progress” (00:19). Upon arrival, Scheiman discovered that a pipe responsible for carrying away impurities was blocked, leading to unusual concerns among the crew. A sudden loud crash and alarm indicated a turbine and reactor trip, prompting panic in the control room as workers, including Scheiman, realized they were ill-prepared to handle such a meltdown.

Governor Dick Thornburgh Enters the Crisis (04:23)

By approximately 6:00 am, the situation had escalated beyond the immediate control of the plant’s workers. Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh, who had been in office for just 71 days, was abruptly awakened by a phone call informing him of the unfolding disaster. Unprepared and undertrained for such a crisis, Thornburgh found himself thrust into the role of managing an unprecedented public health emergency.

Graham narrates, “Thornburg is shaken. His knowledge of nuclear energy is limited” (04:23), highlighting the governor's lack of preparedness. As emergency measures like shutting down the emergency cooling system were implemented—unbeknownst to the workers, worsening the reactor's condition—Thornburgh had little choice but to act without comprehensive information. He assembled a team dubbed the "Adhocracy" to advise him, striving to piece together the full extent of the accident while attempting to manage public fear.

Escalation: The Hydrogen Gas Threat (11:27)

By mid-morning, Governor Thornburgh and his Adhocracy team were inundated with contradictory reports about the reactor's status. Initially assured that radiation levels posed minimal risk, Thornburgh chose to withhold this information to prevent public panic. However, a statement from Metropolitan Edison later contradicted these assurances, revealing a radioactive leak and sparking further anxiety.

The situation worsened when a hidden issue emerged within the power plant—a dangerous bubble of hydrogen gas had formed inside the reactor core due to cooling complications. Lindsay Graham details, “If this hydrogen were to ignite and explode, vast amounts of lethal radioactive gas would be released” (11:27). Faced with this new threat, Thornburgh held an urgent press conference where he had to reverse his earlier stance, advising the evacuation of pregnant women and children to mitigate the risk of a catastrophic explosion.

The governor's revelation, made under immense pressure from a hostile and panicked press corps, underscored the severity of the accident. As Graham states, “The press conference immediately erupts in uproar” (11:27), reflecting the public's increasing distrust and fear.

Presidential Involvement and Crisis Resolution (17:24)

In an effort to restore public confidence, Governor Thornburgh arranged for President Jimmy Carter to visit the Three Mile Island plant. President Carter, with his background in nuclear engineering and experience in dismantling a broken reactor, was seen as a credible figure to reassure the nation.

As Graham narrates, “After President Carter visits the power plant, 98% of the hundreds of thousands of evacuees will return back to their homes” (17:24), indicating a temporary stabilization of public sentiment. Despite Carter's presence and the visible cleanup operations, underlying concerns about health consequences and governmental transparency persisted.

Aftermath and Long-Term Impact (21:02)

The Three Mile Island accident had profound and lasting effects on the nuclear energy landscape in the United States. While the immediate crisis was managed without a full-scale meltdown, the incident exposed critical flaws in reactor management, emergency response, and regulatory oversight.

Lindsay Graham concludes, “Authorities will maintain that the health effects of the low level of exposure are negligible but across the country, protesters will use Three Mile Island as a reason to continue to campaign against the use of nuclear energy” (21:02). This skepticism was further fueled by the subsequent Chernobyl disaster seven years later, which highlighted the systemic issues within the nuclear industry.

In response to the accident, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission implemented sweeping changes to enhance safety protocols, emergency preparedness, and operator training. These reforms aimed to prevent similar disasters and restore public trust in nuclear energy. However, the legacy of Three Mile Island continued to influence energy policies and public opinion for decades to come.

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Key Takeaways

• Unpreparedness: The accident highlighted significant deficiencies in training and emergency preparedness among nuclear plant workers and government officials.

• Public Trust: Inconsistent communication and delayed information from officials eroded public trust, emphasizing the need for transparency during crises.

• Regulatory Reforms: The incident spurred comprehensive changes in nuclear safety regulations, emergency response strategies, and oversight mechanisms to prevent future accidents.

• Long-Term Skepticism: Three Mile Island became a pivotal event in shaping anti-nuclear sentiments and advocacy, influencing energy policy and public discourse on nuclear safety.

Notable Quotes

• Lindsay Graham at 00:19: “As the clock nears 4am on the dot, Frederick decides to check in on their progress.”

• Lindsay Graham at 04:23: “Thornburg is shaken. His knowledge of nuclear energy is limited.”

• Lindsay Graham at 11:27: “If this hydrogen were to ignite and explode, vast amounts of lethal radioactive gas would be released.”

• Lindsay Graham at 17:24: “After President Carter visits the power plant, 98% of the hundreds of thousands of evacuees will return back to their homes.”

• Lindsay Graham at 21:02: “Authorities will maintain that the health effects of the low level of exposure are negligible but across the country, protesters will use Three Mile Island as a reason to continue to campaign against the use of nuclear energy.”

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Conclusion

The History Daily episode on the Three Mile Island accident provides a comprehensive overview of one of the most critical moments in American nuclear history. Through detailed narrative and insightful analysis, Lindsay Graham elucidates the multifaceted challenges faced by officials, the impact on public perception, and the enduring legacy of the disaster on nuclear energy policies.

Transcript

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[Lindsey Graham]

March 28, 1979, and at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Station near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It's a few minutes before 4am and the shift foreman, Frederick Scheiman, is attending to some paperwork in his office in the basement below. Two other men, Donald Miller and Harold Farst, are taking care of some routine maintenance. And as the clock nears 4am on the dot, Frederick decides to check in on their progress. On arriving, Frederick finds Donald and Harold cleaning out the pipes that feed and purify cooling water into one of the plant's reactors. Donald beckons Frederick over and explains that there's a slight plumbing problem. One of the pipes that carries away impurities is blocked. He goes on to explain that they've been trying for the best part of an hour to flush away the blockage, but it's yet to budge. Frederick frowns because this is unusual. He peers into a glass window on one of the pipes to try and figure out what the issue might be. But as he inspects the machinery closer, he hears a sudden loud crashing noise. And then the building's loudspeakers blare an alarm that there has been a turbine trip, a reactor trip. Frederick rushes to the control room, where he finds workers in a frenzy. No one is sure what to do because most, Frederick included, respond. Received little training to work at the plant, let alone handle any kind of meltdown. But as they argue over what to do first, the crashing sound stops. Frederick looks at the clock. It's 37 seconds past 4am and the reactor has shut down. Immediately. The automatic emergency cooling system begins. But when Frederick and his team check the water readings, they determine that there is too much cooling water in the reactor. So they shut off the emergency system. But in reality, the generator is boiling dry, and it is only getting worse. Unbeknownst to the workers in the control room, a valve intended to release pressure has malfunctioned and remained open, allowing coolant to rapidly drain away from the reactor and leave its temperature rising. Frederick and his colleagues think that they have averted disaster, but America's greatest nuclear accident has just begun. By the late 1970s, what once was a small nuclear power industry has grown rapidly, with more demand than ever. Power plants are often managed by under qualified and undertrained workers. And outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a combination of equipment failures and operational errors will result in a partial reactor meltdown that will draw international attention and heighten concerns over the risks of nuclear energy. After the accident at Three Mile island becomes the worst nuclear disaster in American History. On March 28, 1979.

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[Lindsey Graham]

From Noiser and Airship I'm Lindsey Graham and this is History Daily. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is March 28, 1979 the Three Mile island nuclear accident. It's around 6:00am on March 28, 1979 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While the accident at Three Mile island is still ongoing, Pennsylvania's governor, Dick Thornburg is asleep in bed. Thornburg has only recently been elected governor, holding office for a mere 71 days. But he's about to be thrust into the center of an unprecedented public health disaster. Two hours ago, a nuclear reactor on Three Mile island started to experience a partial meltdown. While workers struggled to recognize the issue, contaminated and radioactive cooling water leaked into the building surrounding the reactor, releasing radioactive gases throughout the plant. The open pressure valve that originally caused the reactor to overheat has only just been discovered, and given the severity of the accident, it's now time for the government to get involved. So rather than being awoken by his alarm clock, Thornburg is jolted awake by his telephone. Leery eyed, he rolls from bed and picks up the phone. The information he receives is clear and direct. There's a problem at Three Mile island and he needs to be There. Now. Thornburg is shaken. His knowledge of nuclear energy is limited. In his short tenure as governor, he's only received one undetailed briefing and never anticipated an accident of the scale of the one presently brewing at Three Mile Island. He is undereducated and ill prepared, but he's got no time to catch up. He has little choice but to go in blind. Thornburg is out of the house in a matter of minutes, and when he arrives at Three Mile Island, a state of emergency has already been declared and media are swarming the site. At the power plant, Thornburg is fed mixed information. Rumors of evacuation plans are circling, as are stories of dead animals killed by radioactivity. Thornburg finds himself thrown into an unfamiliar level of crisis management. Not only does he need to solve the accident itself, but he must control the building public panic. His task is complicated by the fact that he simply does not have the facts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has a plan for evacuation in place, but Thornburg stalls on making the announcement. He doesn't want to issue an evacuation until he knows the full extent of the radioactive leak. Any unnecessary moves or overreactions might only cause more panic. And the frenzied retreat of 200,000 people living near the power plant could potentially be more destructive than the accident itself. So instead, Thornburg builds a team he calls the Adhocracy, a band of trusted advisors and colleagues who, along with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, help him gain the fullest picture of the events at Three Mile Island. They assert that the radiation levels detected would only have a minimal impact on the public. And though this is good news, Thornburg decides to keep this information private, at least for now. He fears any mention of radiation will create unnecessary fear. But Thornburg does cancel any plan for evacuation, having been assured the public is safe. But not long after Thornburg makes that decision, the Metropolitan Edison, the utility company who runs the plant, releases a statement to the press revealing that there has been a release of radioactivity into the area around Three Mile Island. The result is exactly what Thornburg intended to avoid a mass panic. As the day wears on, efforts are made to solve the immediate issues at the plant. Emergency water pumps are turned back on and the temperature of the reactor is gradually lowered. Thornberg receives reports that the core of the reactor had soared to 4,000 degrees Celsius and was just an hour away from total meltdown. But now it's reported that while the core is damaged, no serious radiation has leaked or been detected outside the plant. But this information contradicts the earlier reports from Metropolitan Edison. Not knowing who to trust, some members of the public decide to take no chances, pack their cars and flee the area. But despite the panic, Thornburgh remains calm. He reassures residents that the accident is under control and further cooling plans will bring a swift end to the entire incident. The governor's composed demeanor will settle the nerves of many. But as contradictory messages continue to spread, protesters will begin to target Three Mile island, adding more pressure and panic. And as the day draws to a close, there's still one hidden problem lurking at the power plant. Its discovery will have not just Three Mile island, but the whole of America. Stricken with fear.

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[Lindsey Graham]

It'S 10:30am on March 29, 1979 at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant outside its Gates. Members of Governor Dick Thornbird's Adhocracy team are speaking to a vast number of journalists itching for any new piece of information. People want answers to what's unfolding at the reactor. And the confusing messages of the previous day have led journalists and members of the public to wonder if the government may be withholding crucial details from them. As a result, anti nuclear groups have started to gather momentum and now line the streets of Pennsylvania. While Thornburg may think all is under control at the plant, he now has to contend with a palpable anxiety spreading across his state and the nation. So Thornburg's team has come to Three Mile island to address those fears and clear up confusion. They reveal that a plane equipped for detecting radiation has picked up traces around the plant. Though they are minimal and of little concern, Thornburg and his team remain clear that an evacuation is still not necessary. But people should shut their windows and remain indoors until the issue is fully resolved. For the remainder of the day, work to cool the reactor continues. And it seems that for now, the accident is moving toward a safe conclusion. But then, a new discovery changes everything overnight. As a result of complications in cooling the reactor, a dangerous bubble of hydrogen gas has formed inside the core. If this hydrogen were to ignite and explode, vast amounts of lethal radioactive gas would be released. The morning after learning about this complication, Thornburg calls another press conference in nearby Middletown. Backstage, he peers out of a small window, looking out to the packed conference room full of journalists and camera operators. The air is filled with nervous chatter as members of the press worry over the severity of the accident and whether this conference will herald good or bad news. As the governor walks into the room, questions from reporters fly toward him. He declines to answer until he sits and raises a hand to silence the crowd. Then, after a sharp intake of breath, Thornburg reveals that the team working at the plant have found volatile and potentially dangerous hydrogen gas at the Three Mile island power plant. He explains that if this hydrogen were to explode, the structural integrity of the reactor could be compromised and radioactivity could could be released into the open air. The press conference immediately erupts in uproar. Hands flail in the air as questions are barked with a new ferocity. But Thornburg remains calmly poised and raises his hand again for silence. He purses his lips before stating that it is vitally important that pregnant women and children evacuate the area immediately, reversing his previous position. And then Thornburg makes his exit, leaving the stunned journalists behind. Backstage, the cacophony of angry, unsatisfied and panicked reporters fades away and the Governor lets out a long sigh. He turns into a side room to gather himself for a moment, but his attention is quickly grabbed by a television set on the wall. The news shows images and video from areas near Three Mile island depicting parents already running with their children, cars racing down the streets, and audible cries of panic. Thornburg's heart drops as he feels the full weight of what is at stake. A feeling of powerlessness sweeps over him as he realizes that all he can do is hope that the hydrogen can be contained. After the Governor's press conference, all schools within five miles of the stricken reactor close their doors. Over 100,000 people decide to evacuate. Full scale panic sets in as rumors circulate about what's really going on at the power plant. People begin to question how long the hydrogen bubble has been kept from their knowledge and what else has yet to be revealed. The mixed messages and perceived lack of transparency builds a sense of distrust in nuclear energy, in government, and in leaders like Thornburg. So over the next 24 hours, the governor will lead an effort to both calm and shelter those directly affected by the accident at Three Mile Island. Meanwhile, inside the plant, workers will risk their lives to attend to the hydrogen bubble and prevent any further radiation leak. Through their perseverance, they will manage to eliminate the threat of explosion. And to many, this will feel like a lucky escape. But Governor Thornburg will still have his work cut out for him as he grapples with the accident's lingering repercussions and tries to form a plan to quell the public's panic. Bombas makes the most comfortable socks, underwear and T shirts. Bombas are so absurdly comfortable, you may throw out all your other clothes. Sorry, do we legally have to say that? No, this is just how I talk. And I really love my Bombas. They do feel that good.

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[Lindsey Graham]

It's April 1, 1979. Four days after the accident at Three Mile island began. Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh sits aboard a bus heading toward the island. Alongside him is his ad hocracy team and a band of photographers, their lenses aimed at the bus's most distinguished passenger, President Jimmy Carter, the man Thornburg believes is the key to managing the fallout from the Three Mile island accident. After the discovery and reduction of the hydrogen bubble, Thornburg arranged for President Carter to visit Three Mile Island's power plant. The President has a unique background in nuclear energy. He has trained as a nuclear engineer and even worked on dismantling a broken nuclear reactor during his time in the U.S. navy. He seemed like the perfect figure to assure the public that Three Mile island is safe and to quell the public's persisting distrust. But when the bus arrives, the appearance of President Carter does little to deter the anti nuclear protesters swarming the island and soon surrounding the bus, waving signs high in the air. There's an unmistakable anger in the crowd who either disbelieve the government's narrative about the nuclear crisis or are against the idea of nuclear energy itself. As Thornburg guides President Carter up to the plant's gates, the protesters whistle and cry derisively. But the men ignored the yells as they travel into the heart of the power station. Inside the control room, photographers capture the two politicians watching the cleanup operation already underway. Both men know that this is going to be a very expensive accident, financially and politically, but being here in the control room, where radiation had earlier been detected, seems like a good first step in getting out the message the Three Mile island is now safe. And indeed, after President Carter visits the power plant, 98% of the hundreds of thousands of evacuees will return back to their homes. Dick Thornburg's response to the nuclear disaster is soon regarded by many as exemplary crisis management. But concerns about the health consequences of the Three Mile island accident persist. While the island will be deemed safe for the public, suspicion remains over the many workers who were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation during the accident's initial stages. And in the coming years, debate will continue over the effects the accident's radiation will have on public health. Authorities will maintain that the health effects of the low level of exposure are negligible but across the country, protesters will use Three Mile island as a reason to continue to campaign against the use of nuclear energy, citing a lack of trained workers and a prioritization of profit over public health. And at least in part, the protesters message will be heard in the wake of the events at Three Mile Island. New care will be shown toward training power station staff. The US Government's Nuclear Regulatory Commission will strengthen its oversight and in an effort to enhance safety at all nuclear plants, sweeping changes will come to emergency response planning, operator training, radiation protection, and many other aspects of nuclear operations. The value of these updates and the danger still present will become even more evident after another reactor crisis shakes the world yet again. Faulty equipment and inadequately trained personnel caused the world's worst nuclear disaster at Chernobyl in the Soviet Union, just seven years after similar problems sparked the Three Mile island accident on March 28, 1979.

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Next on History Daily March 31, 1889 after years of work, construction ends on an iconic new addition to the Paris.

[Lindsey Graham]

Skyline, the Eiffel Tower. From Noiser and Airship, this is History Daily Hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohammad Shahzeeb Sound design by Misha Stanton Music by Lindsey Graham this episode is written and researched by Luke Lonergan. Produced by Alexandra Curry Buckner. Executive producers are Steven Walters for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Nouser.

[Misha Brown]

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[Lindsey Graham]

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