If you saw four 20-something-year-old Yale students blasting Chappell Roan as they sped down I-95 in a car covered in college bumper stickers, you probably wouldn’t guess they were heading to a nuclear power plant. But there we were, casually en route to Millstone Power Station on a Thursday. Earlier that week, I had texted a group of my friends in the Schmidt Program on AI, Emerging Technologies, and National Power at the Jackson School of Global Affairs: “Nuclear tour!! Who wants to come with?” Our recent class trip to D.C. had left me curious about the infrastructure that everyone in government and Big Tech was talking about. And, because my friends are energy nerds like me, we were soon on our way to check out the power plant that supplies nearly half of Connecticut’s energy.

After an hour of driving along the Connecticut coast, the plant appeared on the horizon. At first glance, it didn’t look like much — just a series of plain grey buildings you could easily overlook. But as we got closer and saw the high fences surrounded the facility, I had a moment of hesitation.

Was this actually safe? Would I be putting myself or any of my friends at risk of radiation exposure?

I got even more nervous seeing bulletproof watchtowers and warning signs for high voltage transmission.

My concerns were quickly assuaged by our incredibly welcoming tour guides. They calmly explained that Dominion Energy, the owner of the plant, required them to carry radiation detectors alongside their badges even though they’ve never come close to the yearly recommended doses. In fact, they explained that I’d be more at risk for radioactive exposure by visiting a coal plant. They then launched into the fascinating history of nuclear power. Like many technologies, it began 70 years ago under the auspices of the Department of Energy and the Navy, transitioning only 50 years ago into a major force in the commercial energy sector. One deep-voiced employee, with distinctly American demeanor, summed it up: “We make electrons like farmers make corn.”

The Site

The Millstone Power Station spans approximately 90 acres and includes a training facility, office buildings, and two reactors that produce steam to turn turbines and produce energy. The most important part of running the plant is keeping these reactors cooled, controlled, and covered. It takes about 1,000 workers, spanning a mix of labor and professional roles, to keep operations running. During planned maintenance — conducted every 18 months — that number doubles as contractors join the team.

Millstone’s onsite training facility means a degree isn’t required to work there, although many employees have backgrounds in the Navy. For those new to nuclear work, operator licenses are issued by the US government following an intensive exam and a 20-month training program at the plant. During our visit, we got to explore a few of its classrooms and even stepped into the simulator, where one of my friends was guided into triggering a reactor trip. The simulator’s equipment was mostly analog — a surprising contrast to the cutting-edge systems I had imagine!

Curiously, we learned that American operators are trained to have a broad understanding of how an entire plant functions, beyond their specific roles. This systemic approach emphasizes situational awareness and adaptability under pressure, reflecting a key aspect of the US operational philosophy. If operators were at any point unsure how to respond in a crisis, detailed binders provide specific procedures to guide them through. Unfortunately, during the Fukushima disaster in Japan, an overly compartmentalized approach meant that individuals with limited scopes of responsibility didn’t fully understand what was happening, leaving them unable to respond effectively.

After leaving the training facility, we drove single file deeper into the plant, stopping at the safety HQ for another presentation. It was led by two guards whose muscular physique, combined with a disciplined yet friendly smile, silently conveyed, “We’ve got everything under control.” Their division’s motto, “Fierce, unwavering competency,” perfectly matched their appearance.

While Vogtle, the largest nuclear plant in America, was designed with reactors located deep within the site (thus making them harder to access) Millstone’s design didn’t utilize such preventive measures. As a result, the plant relied on increasingly restrictive access the closer you got to the reactor. Standard measures includes prox cards, hand geometry readers, and biometrics, alongside advanced systems such as explosives detectors, bulletproof guard towers, and rock-delayed barriers.

Since a few of us were computer science majors, we were also curious about the plant’s defense against cyber threats, particularly whether an air-gap protocol was in place. We were reassured to learn that external access to the control room is impossible. However, on the business side, Millstone did utilize cloud services, maintaining a separation from the critical systems.

This strong emphasis on nuclear security grew significantly after 9/11, when nuclear facilities were identified as potential targets. In the event of an attack or emergency, Millstone’s team would collaborate with the FBI, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and even Amtrak, whose rail lines run nearby. Loudspeakers would alert locals to evacuate, following instructions outlined in regularly distributed informational pamphlets.

Nuclear Security Presentation

Following the presentation, our tour guides gave us a special treat: a visit to Millstone’s state-of-the-art shooting range, one of the best in the Northeast. There, guards practice with moving targets at significant distances — a vital skill, as they are authorized to use deadly force if necessary to protect the plant. Due to the range’s exceptional size, government security units frequently utilize Millstone’s facilities for their own training.

The Shooting Range

Despite the heavy security, the nuclear industry stands out for its culture of openly sharing information, a stark contrast to many other sectors where knowledge exchange is more guarded. The guides explained this is because the industry wants to safely innovate and advance together. After the Three Mile Island (TMI) incident, this collaborative spirit led to the creation of initiatives like the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) and other advisory groups, which are sponsored by the industry and staffed by company representatives.

However, the industry is not without competition, as increasing demand for plant construction puts pressure on supply chains for parts. This process cannot be rushed, as nuclear-grade components must meet stringent quality and traceability standards, ensuring accountability from the mine to the refinery. This rigorous oversight is essential for maintaining reactor reliability and safety, prompting governments to take an active role in supporting and regulating — and with it, politicizing — these efforts.

Concluding Thoughts

A few weeks after our visit, I still can’t quite believe I got to peek into the day-to-day operations of a nuclear power plant. I’m incredibly grateful to the Millstone Communications Department and the Schmidt Program for making it all possible.

Ironically, though I had a brief moment of apprehension about the safety of nearing radioactive materials, we later learned that our guides were actually the ones nervous more about hosting us. Nuclear energy has long been a controversial topic, clouded by political debates and understandably serious stories of emergencies. However, with Big Tech and the incoming Presidential transition team backing nuclear energy, it’s clear the topic will dominate the news cycle for some time. More people seem to be getting on board — even countries that avoid building their own nuclear plants (NIMBYists, as some might say) often end up purchasing energy from those that do.

Our hosts were relieved that we approached the visit with open minds, eager to learn. They were especially pleased to normalize using the term “nuclear” instead of defaulting to the more generic “energy generation facility.” Before we left, they made a special request: to return to our communities and emphasize the cleanliness of nuclear energy. They encouraged us to share that all the waste ever produced by the plant remains securely stored on-site in an Independent Spent Fuel Storage (ISFS) system, submerged under 10 feet of water for excellent shielding. It’s a testament to the industry’s efficiency and rigorous containment practices.

That said, a few key questions linger in my mind:

• Pricing: How does nuclear compare to other energy sources, both in terms of initial investment and long-term operation? How are energy prices affected by the high costs of infrastructure construction?
• Molten Reactor Technology: What updates are there from the NRC on developing a strategy for molten reactors? Molten fuel is already in use, and there’s theoretical potential for it to double as a cooling method.
• Global Context: The situation in Ukraine has reshaped conversations around energy independence, with attention shifting to Wyoming’s uranium deposits as a less volatile alternative to natural gas. Which aspects of nuclear supply chains are most critical to strengthen in light of this geopolitical shift?