Report: Nuclear industry's safety measures are 'inadequate'

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6. US nuclear regulators should focus on extreme events: NAS

http://www.platts.com/latest-news/electric-power/washington/us-nuclear-regulators-should-focus-on-extreme-21969184

US nuclear regulators should focus on extreme events: NAS
Washington (Platts)--24Jul2014/431 pm EDT/2031 GMT

US nuclear regulators and industry officials must do more to protect reactors from extreme, but unlikely, events like the earthquake and tsunami that caused the accident at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant, the National Academy of Sciences recommended in report issued Thursday.

In its report on the causes and lessons from the Fukushima nuclear accident, NAS also urged regulators and industry to incorporate "modern risk concepts" to increase reactor safety in the US.

In addition, the study concluded that Fukushima plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. and Japan's nuclear regulator at the time failed to heed mounting evidence that the plant was not properly protected from flooding.

The report raised questions about the approach to nuclear safety used in the US and other countries, which relies on studies of the most likely accident scenarios for a site, the so-called "design-basis accident," and holds plant operators accountable for being able to withstand them. Less likely events are considered "beyond design-basis" and are regulated differently.

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Congress asked the National Academy of Sciences to examine the causes of the March 2011 accident in Japan and report on any potential lessons for US plants. The report was completed under a contract with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. A committee of 21 specialists held 39 meetings over two years to gather information for the report and recommendations.

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