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

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.

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.”

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.