Topic: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

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How dangerous is nuclear power? Three lessons from Japan.

The devastated Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has become the latest poster child for long-standing issues surrounding nuclear energy – issues that need to be resolved to reduce the risk of a similar nuclear crisis in the United States.
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:
Nuclear safety: Five recent 'near miss' incidents at US nuclear power plants

Fourteen safety-related events at nuclear power plants required follow-up inspections from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the NRC reported in 2010. These "near-miss" events "raised the risk of damage to the reactor core – and thus to the safety of workers and the public," concluded a new report, "The NRC and Nuclear Power Plant Safety in 2010," by the Union of Concerned Scientists. Here are five of these 14 "near miss" examples:
Meltdown 101: A brief glossary of nuclear terms

For those who don’t work in the nuclear energy field, some of the terms being thrown around in news coverage of the events unfolding at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan are being heard for the first time. These definitions will provide some clarity.

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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.
'War on women' rhetoric turns nuclear power spat radioactive

The head of the US nuclear power watchdog on Friday refuted allegations that he bullies women colleagues in a controversy that involves several political subplots.
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.
Q&A: Illinois nuclear plant loses power. What got vented into the air?

A nuclear plant in Illinois shut down one reactor Monday after a transformer failed. The problem is growing for aging nuclear plants. But in this case, the public was never in danger, officials say.
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.
NRC must implement nuclear regulations now, not 10 years after Fukushima

Americans narrowly avoided nuclear disasters during hurricane Irene and the 5.8 earthquake that hit the East Coast. Six months after Fukushima, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission must implement new regulations, rather than debate reforms for the next decade, as it did post-9/11.
Power outages after hurricane Irene: Are utility crews prepared for them?

Extra crews are being lined up to deal with power outages, and officials are urging residents to stock up on batteries food, and water before hurricane Irene hits.
Washington Monument closed by East Coast earthquake. What else?

The iconic Washington Monument, on the National Mall, cracked at the top during Tuesday's East Coast earthquake and is closed 'for an indefinite period.' Other D.C. tourist spots, as well as some schools and government offices, are closed, too.
Virginia quake: What was the damage on the East Coast? [VIDEO]

Virginia quake caused the evacuation of many buildings and triggered the shutdown of two nuclear reactors. Cellphone call volume spiked as people rushed to call loved ones after the Virginia quake.
Who has final say over the fate of Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant?

If a state wants to shutter a nuclear power plant, but the feds have relicensed it, does the state have legal grounds for closure? That question is being wrestled with in federal court.
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.
Missouri River soaks Nebraska nuclear plant, but it's no Fukushima

Much of the grounds at Fort Calhoun nuclear plant in Nebraska are under two feet of water from the rising Missouri River. But the plant's critical systems sit six feet above the flood's expected crest.
NRC hearing raises questions about safety at nuclear plants

A hearing of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) pointed to apparent weaknesses in the regulation of nuclear plants.
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.
Nuclear power safety: Latest on Japan crisis fuels new concern in US

Nuclear Regulatory Commission still insists that US nuclear plants with same design as Japan's stricken Fukushima Daiichi facility are safe. But watchdog groups cite failed venting system, which led to hydrogen explosions.
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.
Fukushima prepares for cold shutdown: Will it finally stabilize Unit 1?

At Fukushima Daiichi in Japan, nuclear reactor Unit 1 is being prepared for 'cold shutdown,' which requires flooding the reactor's containment structure with cold water to stop steam production.
Grammar a thousand times more correct?

Our expression of mathematical comparisons is often illogical, the Monitor's language columnist points out, and it's not too hard to get it right.
How a federal court battle in Vermont could recast nuclear power

The authority to license nuclear power plants has rested squarely with the federal government since 1983 – but if Vermont prevails in federal court, that power could shift to the states.
Time to lift ban on uranium mining near Grand Canyon? Deadline nears.

Obama administration must decide by midsummer whether to extend a freeze on uranium mining claims near the Grand Canyon. A recent report cites 10 national 'treasures' at risk.
Fukushima gets worst crisis rating. But how much radiation has been released?

Based on new estimates of the radiation that has been released, Fukushima now has the worst score on the IAEA's accident rating scale. But much about the reactors, and their future, is still unknown.