Top 7 Nuclear Facebook Posts of 2018

Secretary Rick Perry famously stated that he wanted to “make nuclear cool again.”

Not a bad mission, considering nuclear energy makes up nearly 20% of the nation’s power and more than half of its clean energy.

The fact is, nuclear has always been cool … just misunderstood.

So, to help inform the public about this clean and reliable power source, we launched this Facebook page on January 9, 2018.

In less than a year, this incredible community has grown to more than 9,000 followers and has reached more than 3.5 million people.

Thanks to you, more people are learning the facts about nuclear energy than ever before.

Here are our top 7 most memorable posts from 2018:

1. Just the facts, ma’am

Is there anything Joe Friday loves more than facts?

We don’t think so, and neither do you.

Our Five Fast Facts about Nuclear Energy infographic took off like a chain reaction on March 24. The post reached more than 100,000 people and was shared more than 830 times!

It was created by our awesome graphic designer Sarah Harman and gives you a quick snapshot of nuclear energy in 2016, which was later updated to 2017 stats.

2. D’oh

How could we talk about nuclear without addressing “The Simpsons.”

America’s longest-running animated series on FOX has been making nuclear workers cringe on their couches for almost three decades now.

And while there are many things the show doesn’t get quite so right about nuclear energy, this photo gallery focused on seven specific things.

The post reached more than 134,000 people and was viewed more than 22,000 times!

An “excellent” opportunity to educate the public on facts about nuclear.

3. It’s just one of the world’s largest research reactors, no big deal …

The Advanced Test Reactor at Idaho National Laboratory has been smacking large volume experiments with high-flux neutrons since 1967—the same year the Big Mac debuted.

But unlike the Big Mac, ATR doesn’t require a special sauce—just a unique design that helps researchers quickly study the long-term impact radiation has on nuclear technologies.

ATR was our most viewed video in 2018 with more than 31,000 views!

4. NuScale Power did what?

Our most-read story in 2018 was BIG news for the nuclear industry.

On April 30, NuScale's small modular reactor became the first ever to complete the first phase of the design certification process for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. 

NuScale’s design doesn’t require backup power systems to cool down. It’s also on target to become the nation’s first advanced commercial SMR by 2026.

The project is being supported by our office and the U.S. Department of Energy recently agreed to use two of its SMRs to help meet future research and power needs at Idaho National Laboratory.

5. We got jokes

It’s the most uncomfortable 73 seconds on social media—our Top 5 Nuclear Dad Jokes!

The video has been viewed more than 18,000 times and we can confidently confirm 1 of those views resulted in actual laughter!

Thanks, Mom!

6. And the Grammy goes to …

It’s not every day you get a chance to promote a music video about nuclear energy.

But, thanks to the creative minds of our GAIN Initiative and Generation Atomic, Eric Meyer starred in this little ditty about EBR-1—the world’s first nuclear power plant.

7. The world’s first self-sustaining chain reaction

And last but not least, we can’t leave out this incredible video by Argonne National Laboratory.

It was created by Brick101.com and chronicles the world’s first sustaining, controlled nuclear chain reaction.

The video has been viewed more than 25,000 times and is a creative way to relive atomic history.

Final words

Thanks again for joining the conversation, and let’s keep this chain reaction going strong in 2019.

Looking forward to another great year of content and conversation on our page.

Tell your friends!