Topic: Nuclear Energy Institute

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Nuclear power in America: Five reasons why it's safe and reliable

Though the crisis at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant appears to be stabilizing, the United States is stepping up inspections of the country’s 104 nuclear reactors. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission today announced that inspectors will soon visit all US reactors to ensure they can withstand the kind of “severe accident” that led to Japan’s emergency. That emergency has caused many Americans to wonder about the future of nuclear power. Is it safe and dependable? Yes, says Tony Pietrangelo, chief nuclear officer and senior vice president of the Nuclear Energy Institute. Here’s why:

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NRC chairman resigns amid battle over lessons from Fukushima

In his three years as chairman, Gregory Jaczko wrangled with other NRC members over the direction of nuclear power plant safety regulations and over his leadership style.
Year after Fukushima, US plodding on nuclear plant fixes, watchdog says

The Union of Concerned Scientists lauds the NRC for its initial reaction to the Fukushima nuclear meltdown, but warns it is dragging its feet on safety recommendations for US nuclear plants.
Nuclear power: NRC approves first new reactors since 1978

The NRC, America's nuclear power regulatory board, has given the go ahead to two new reactors in Georgia. Industry advocates call the decision 'historic,' but it had a prominent critic.
Nuclear safety: NRC chairman is a tyrant, colleagues tell Congress

Four commissioners from the NRC, the federal agency that oversees nuclear safety at power plants, told Congress Wednesday that their chairman is a bully who is poisoning the commission.
Fight among nation's top nuclear regulators gets airing before Congress

At the heart of the fight is Gregory Jaczko, chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, who is under fire for his management style as the agency weighed safety improvements after the Fukushima disaster.
Nuclear safety review: how US plants could handle a Fukushima-type event

A task force convened by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission after the Fukushima disaster offered a dozen major recommendations in its report, released Wednesday.
Fukushima meltdown could be template for nuclear terrorism, study says

The Fukushima meltdown showed how some nuclear plants are vulnerable to cooling-system failures. That might be of interest to Al Qaeda, which considered attacking US nuclear facilities after 9/11, a new study says.
Germany to phase out nuclear power. Could the US do the same?

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has endorsed a plan to end all nuclear power in Germany by 2022. Increasingly, studies suggest this is not a far-fetched idea, even for the US.
Report: 'Unacceptable threat' from spent-fuel pools at US nuclear power plants

Overcrowded spent-fuel pools at US nuclear power plants pose an 'unacceptable threat to the public,' says risk assessor. Much of the leaked radiation from Japan's stricken Fukushima Daiichi came from spent-fuel pools.
Despite recent alerts, nuclear regulators give an 'all-safe'

At a hearing Thursday, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said things are fine. But it also acknowledged it is double-checking key items to verify preparedness in the wake of Fukushima.
Japan nuclear crisis: Has the US industry learned something?

Administration officials, in the first formal accounting to Congress on the Japan nuclear crisis, assured senators that US reactors are safe. But industry critics said much needs to be improved.
Nuclear power in US: public support plummets in wake of Fukushima crisis

Several polls show that Americans are once again wary of nuclear power. Before the Fukushima disaster, support for nuclear power had hit record highs in the US.
Nuclear power in America: Five reasons why it's safe and reliable

Though the crisis at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant appears to be stabilizing, the United States is stepping up inspections of the country’s 104 nuclear reactors. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission today announced that inspectors will soon visit all US reactors to ensure they can withstand the kind of “severe accident” that led to Japan’s emergency. That emergency has caused many Americans to wonder about the future of nuclear power. Is it safe and dependable? Yes, says Tony Pietrangelo, chief nuclear officer and senior vice president of the Nuclear Energy Institute. Here’s why:
Workers evacuated from Japan nuclear plant, again

But workers made progress over the weekend on restoring electricity to the cooling system at Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant, which will help stabilize overheated reactors.
Japan nuclear crisis: Will it give nations pause?

Chernobyl and Three Mile Island did not stop nuclear power growth. Will the Japan nuclear crisis at Fukushima delay or end the 'nuclear renaissance'?
Japan's radiation leak: Shades of Three Mile Island and Chernobyl?

Scientists at a press conference for anti-nuclear power groups say the Japanese nuclear reactor crisis could get worse before it gets better. But other scientists say it's not yet clear whether the accident will become another Three Mile Island – let alone a Chernobyl.
Japan nuclear plant in state of emergency, as cooling power runs low

A nuclear plant in Japan is said to declare a state of emergency, as backup power used to cool three reactors runs low. Help is on the way. 'It's a dicey situation,' says nuclear specialist in US.
Global warming heats up a nuclear energy renaissance

Global warming and the BP oil spill have helped rehabilitate nuclear energy in the eyes of the public – and some environmentalists.
US-backed loans to expand nuclear power: a boon for overseas jobs?

A report released Thursday finds that all 18 firms lining up for tens of billions in US-backed loans for new nuclear power plants would use overseas jobs to build most of them.
Climate-energy bill debuts in Senate, but prospects are dim

A climate-energy bill – one intended to appeal to enough factions to proceed through the Senate – was unveiled Wednesday after months of negotiations. But it recently lost its Republican sponsor, complicating its future.
Nuclear waste piles up, and it's costing taxpayers billions

The Bush administration agreed to store nuclear waste from 21 new reactors. But the federal government still can't meet its commitment to find permanent storage.
State Senate pulls the plug on Vermont Yankee nuclear plant

Critics say Vermont Yankee nuclear plant was too old and had too many problems. This could be a blow for the Obama administration's plan to refurbish and revive aging nuclear power plants.
Budget watchdogs see folly in US loan guarantees for nuclear power

Fiscal watchdogs are skeptical of Obama's move to give US loan guarantees for the construction of nuclear power plants, citing risk of default. Wall Street, too, has been reluctant to invest. Might that change now?
Obama advances nuclear resurgence with US loan guarantees

In announcing $8.3 billion in loan guarantees for the first new nuclear reactors in the US in 30 years, Obama is setting the stage for a nuclear power comeback. But many challenges lie ahead.
Obama's nuclear power policy: a study in contradictions?

Obama wants to triple public financing for new nuclear power plants. Is that safe?