US task force reexamines nuclear safety in the wake of Fukushima
JUL 13, 2011
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.025446
New York Times : The Fukushima Daiichi meltdowns following the 11 March earthquake and tsunami in Japan show that the time has come for “redefining the level of protection that is regarded as adequate” at American nuclear plants, a special task force of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has concluded. The task force reported that American plants need to plan for simultaneous accidents at adjacent reactors, ensure that the “hardened vents” added to reactors over the years to prevent hydrogen explosions would actually work in an emergency, inspect on a regular basis any improvements that have been made, and find a better way to add water to spent-fuel pools. The five-member commission is scheduled to meet next week to consider the task force’s recommendations.
© 2011 American Institute of Physics
