Gone Fission Nuclear Report

Hosted by Michael Butler

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Mar 2026

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About the show

Are you interested in the latest news about the emerging nuclear renaissance and environmental cleanup at the Department of Energy's nuclear facilities? The GONE FISSION Podcast is for you! This podcast covers all the latest developments across the nuclear industry and the DOE complex. More than just the news, you'll get commentary and insights to help you better understand the impact of developments.

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60 recent

March 9, 2026Episode 21 hr 2 min

S6 E2 Ken Rueter: Oak Ridge Cleanup Leader Retires 03/09/2026

A well-known leader in cleanup of Department of Energy sites nationally is preparing to retire after more than four decades in the industry. Gone Fission podcast host Michael Butler sat down with Ken Rueter, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR), to review his decades of impressive accomplishments and discuss what’s next for this seasoned executive. From completing the first-ever teardown of a complete uranium enrichment complex to ushering in the nuclear renaissance on clean federal land, Ken’s story covers the history of the Manhattan Project and sets the stage for the nuclear technology of tomorrow.You’ll also enjoy an informative new segment from Mike Deane, the internet’s Nuclear Average Joe.Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of episodes since November 7, 2022.

February 9, 2026Episode 131 min

S6 E1 V.C.Summer Nuclear Plant: Is Construction Restarting? 02/09/2026

It’s being called the biggest construction failure in American history. Companies went bankrupt. Executives went to jail. Ratepayers got stuck with the bill.This week’s episode of the Gone Fission podcast takes a look at the history and current status of the Virgil Summer Nuclear Plant in South Carolina. What does the future hold for this three-unit plant? Will it ever be finished? Our guest is Jim Little, an industry veteran and member of the SC Governor’s Nuclear Advisory Council.And you’ll enjoy the Nuclear Average Joe’s take on what’s new in nuclear. Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of episodes since November 7, 2022.

October 27, 2025Episode 732 min

S5 E7 Bechtel: Expanding Nuclear Power Globally -- 10.27.2025 -- Ahmet Tokpinar, Principal VP and GM, Nuclear Power Business Line, Bechtel Corp.

While many companies--foreign and domestic--are engaged in advancing the nuclear renaissaance, one company stands out for its reputation and deep involvement in the evolution of commercial nuclear power over a period of decades. In this week’s episode, host Michael Butler takes a look at what Bechtel is doing today to further advanced nuclear technology in the U.S. and abroad. Our guest is Ahmet Tokpinar, Principal Vice President and General Manager of Bechtel’s nuclear power business iine. We’ll also have more from Mike Deane, the “Nuclear Average Joe”, who’s burning up the internet with his easy-to-digest layman’s take on the benefits of nuclear power.Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of episodes since November 7, 2022.

September 22, 2025Episode 627 min

S5E6 TVA: Building an SMR at Clinch River - 9/22/2025 - Greg Boerschig, TVA Vice President

The 2025 Nuclear Opportunities Workshop sponsored by the East Tennessee Economic Council in Knoxville continues to yield newsworthy stories for the Gone Fission podcast. This week, host Michael Butler talks with Tennessee Valley Authority Vice President Greg Borschieg about TVA's plans to build a small modular reactor on the Clinch River site in Oak Ridge. In May, TVA became the first American utility to apply for a construction permit to build an SMR. Learn more about this groundbreaking project in this week's episode of the Gone Fission podcast.Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of episodes since November 7, 2022.

September 15, 2025Episode 536 min

S5E5 Meet the Nuclear Average Joe - with Mike Deane - 09.15.25

In this week’s episode of the Gone Fission podcast, Host Michael Butler reports on major news developments in the nuclear renaissance and the Department of Energy’s enviromental cleanup program. Oklo is building a new spent fuel recycling facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. TVA is partnering with Kairos to purchase power from a new Kairos reactor. The Savannah River National Laboratory’s Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative is open for business at USC-Aiken. And we’ll meet Mike Deane, host of the “Nuclear Average Joe” podcast and talk about what he’s doing to make nuclear energy relatable to “Average Joes” across America.Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of episodes since November 7, 2022.

August 4, 2025Episode 422 min

S5 E4 Charles Oppenheimer - 08/04/25

Charles Oppenheimer, the grandson of atomic pioneer Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, is Michael Butler’s guest on this week’s episode of the Gone Fission podcast. Ironically, this episode drops two days before August 6 which will be the 80th anniversary of America's use of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima, a pivotal event that launched the end of World War II--and one in which Charles Oppenheimer's grandfather, Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, played a major role. Charles and Michael sat down at the recent Nuclear Opportunities Workshop in Knoxville, Tennessee, for a wide-ranging discussion that covered everything from nuclear plant financing to what it’s like to be an Oppenheimer in today’s world. Was he surprised that “Oppenheimer” was such a blockbuster hit at the box office? Find out in this week’s episode.Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of episodes since November 7, 2022.

July 9, 2025Episode 341 min

S5 E3 Nuclear Opportunities Workshop, Knoxville, TN - 07/07/25 - Tracy Boatner, President and CEO, East Tennessee Economic Council

In this week’s episode, Host Michael Butler discusses plans to expand the Gone Fission podcast’s coverage to include the emerging nuclear renaissance. The expanded coverage begins later this month at the Nuclear Opportunities Workshop in Knoxville, Tennessee. Sponsored by the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC), the Workshop is expected to attract more than 800 attendees representing major companies in the nuclear industry. Topics will include small modular reactors, advanced reactor fuel, uranium enrichment, nuclear plant financing and more. Learn more about this exciting conference in this week’s interview with ETEC President and CEO Tracy Boatner.Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of episodes since November 7, 2022.

May 12, 202527 min

S5 E2 Amentum Nuclear Center of Excellence, Oak Ridge, TN - 05/12/25 - Mark Whitney, President, Amentum Energy & Environment Business

One of America’s largest government contractors has announced plans to establish a new Nuclear Center of Excellence in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Amentum said its new Center will serve as a strategic hub for nuclear expertise, engineering and operational excellence. Mark Whitney, President of Amentum’s Energy and Environment Business, talks with host Michael Butler about the new Center and more in this week’s episode of the Gone Fission Nuclear Report podcast. Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of episodes since November 7, 2022.

April 21, 2025Episode 133 min

S5 E1 Centrus: American-Made Uranium Enrichment - 04/21/2025 - Amir Vexler, President and CEO, Centrus Energy Group

The Gone Fission Nuclear Report launches Season 5 with a new episode featuring a discussion with Amir Vexler, President and CEO of Centrus Energy Group. Centrus is playing a vital role in nuclear renaissance with its manufacturing of uranium enrichment centrifuges in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and operation of the American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio. The size of the Pentagon, the plant is pioneering the development of High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU), expected to be a crucial fuel fuel component for both existing reactors and a new generation of advanced reactors. Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of episodes since November 7, 2022.

December 9, 2024Episode 2037 min

S4 E20 New Orano Enrichment Plant Boosts Nuclear Growth - 12/09/2024 - Jean-Luc Palayer, President and CEO, Orano USA

It’s being called the largest investment in the history of the State of Tennessee. Orano USA has announced plans to build a new multi-billion dollar, state-of-the-art centrifuge uranium enrichment plant in Oak Ridge. The facility will provide fuel for America’s nuclear power plants and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources, including Russia. In this week’s episode of the Gone Fission Nuclear Report, host Michael Butler discusses this exciting project with Orano USA President Jean-Luc Palayer. Visit the Gone Fission Nuclear Report channel on youtube.com for a videocast of episodes since November 7, 2022.

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