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More research needed on earthquake risk at nuclear plants- Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Among commercial U.S. nuclear plants, the Diablo Canyon reactors near San Luis Obispo and the Columbia generating station in Richland, Washington, face “the highest … hazard” when potential strong shaking is evaluated against the plants’ designs, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission found…………..

Diablo Canyon, which sits within a web of earthquake faults on the California coast, one 650 yards away from the reactors, has faced questions for decades about its ability to withstand a strong earthquake. Last year, a former chief NRC inspector at the plant urged regulators to shut down the reactors until they can determine whether they can withstand shaking from nearby faults, a recommendation rejected by the NRC.

Last year, two Seattle-based groups, Heart of America Northwest and Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, called for shutting down the Columbia plant, citing a report by a nuclear power critic on risk posed by a stockpile of spent nuclear fuel and a potential earthquake. Operator Energy Northwest said the report was marred by errors.

Anti-nuclear activists said the NRC directive confirms concerns that Diablo Canyon’s design might not account for the threat of nearby faults discovered after the twin-reactor plant was constructed decades ago.

“The order is yet more evidence that earthquakes surrounding Diablo Canyon are capable of more ground motion than the reactors were built to withstand,” Friends of the Earth said in a statement…………..http://www.sfgate.com/business/energy/article/NRC-orders-more-research-on-earthquake-risk-at-6261739.php

May 18, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety