History Daily - The Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident Begins

Episode Date: March 28, 2025

March 28, 1979. The worst Nuclear accident in American history begins when Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island power plant experiences a partial meltdown. This episode originally aired in 2023. Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more.History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.

Salku X, tapam we again. Vy number, five vizietta, Arvauksia, Patheria. Palkintona X-Pengue G-K-Sacko, Towsin'em-Ombreau,

Towsin'emps, Pover.P.5. Coutta, X. Don't jay-kydista. It's March 28th, in 1979 at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Station near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It's a few minutes before 4 a.m., and the shift foreman, Frederick Shimon, is attending to some paperwork in his office. In the basement below, two other men, Donald Miller and Harold

Farrst, are taking care of some routine maintenance, and as the clock nears 4 a.m. 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 the... 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, 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 4 a.m., and the reactor has shut down. Immediately, the automatic emergency cooling system begins. But when Frederick and his team checked the water readings, they determined 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 underqualified and under-trained 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 heightened 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. From Noisor and Airship, I'm Lindsay 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 a.m. on March 28, 1979, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While the accident at Three Mile Island is still ongoing, Pennsylvania's governor, Dick Thornberg, 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. Leary-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 the

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, Thornberg is fed mixed information. Rumors of evacuation plans are circulating, as are stories of dead animals killed by radioactivity. Thornberg 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 ad hocracy,

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, Thornberg decides to keep this information private, at least for now. He fears any mention of radiation will create unnecessary fear. But Thornberg 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 plan,

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, Thornburg 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. Tapa. Weas number, five vizabeth, arvokes, and pithel of power. Palkintona, XP, G-K-Sacko, Towsin'Oto, Towsin'omax. 10-week-a-a-a-a-ratka-corder-a-cotees Power.5-5-X. Don't jade-kydist. What? Ruisteta?

2000-15-vuode-meros. Ru-ste, not question the auto-icair, or over. Espoan-Colari-Mo does ru-stek-corriacets and sojoujohn-A

and over-icas-o-o-o-o-o-o-i-Pi-Pi.fi. Bastille, aterian afterion afterion after 100% xxilitol

malkeutett and give himmys loista and it's moreh tarts we're

back up we're number five number five vijett and the

power power palkint for Palkinton XP G-K Cacco

Sackco Tousin times It's 10-week for a time to write outcaiding in a codeozoiteess Power.5-X. Don't jay-kidst. It's 10.30 a.m. on March 29th, 1979 at the 3-mile island nuclear power plant. Outside its gates, members of Governor Dick Thorneberg'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 Thornberg'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. Thornberg 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, Thornberg calls another press conference in nearby Middletown. Backstage, she 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, Dornberg 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 is a small plant, hydrogen were to explode, the structural integrity of the reactor could be compromised and radioactivity could be released into the open air. The press conference immediately erupts in uproar. Hands flail in the air as questions are barred 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. Dornberg's heart drops as he feels the full weight of what is at stake. The 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 closed 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 be able to be able to be able to, 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 Thornberg 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. Vakuptuctions'clock. Espo's Colaricorjaum. Coriae and take Ruistecorrials

and do rustecorriot carixte after Leroytooks Mestarinte 7 Espoon

Dotfi And and nappas yelitol a aaterian yelken Jenck Anne hymus

loista Yeah We're Wee Weeeee 5 numeroa, 5 vietta, Arvauksia,

Poveria. Palkintona X-Peng G-K-S Sacko, Towsin-O, Towsin-Omacki Codew-C POTE-C ALEAWRDIST.

Don't jay-kydista. What? RUstetta? Kvon-15-vode-Mersus In-Rosst, It's not a cuton-icoriamo. Espo's Colaricorjaum Teke's ruestcorriacoset and

sujawsatheam All-Ikajel Auxi-Colioriamo. It's April 1st, 1979, four days after the accident at Three Mile Island began. Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornberg 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 protestors, whistle and cried 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 that 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 event, events at Three Mile Island, new care will be shown toward training power station staff. The U.S. 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. Next on History Daily, March 31st, 1889. After years of work, construction ends on an iconic new addition

to the Paris skyline, the Eiffel Tower. From Noisor and Airship, this is History Daily, hosted, edited, and executive, produced by me, Lindsay Graham. Audio editing by Muhammad Shazib, sound design by Misha Stanta, music by Lindsay Graham. This episode is written and research by Luke Lonegan, produced by Alexandra Curry Buckner. Executive producers are Stephen Walters for airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser. And naptak siletali aina yank, anna whimsical loistar.