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Published byLeo Corey Casey Modified over 8 years ago
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Enhancing Safety at America’s Nuclear Energy Facilities U.S. Industry’s Fukushima Response Joseph Pollock, Nuclear Energy Institute Christopher H. Mudrick, Exelon Nuclear Timothy S. Rausch, PPL Susquehanna James H. Lash, FirstEnergy Generation March 27, 2012
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Key Points Fukushima reactors are stabilized—no immediate health impacts to workers or residents near the plant U.S. industry took immediate action to reconfirm safety and response capability; reassure public Industry has been focused on collecting, analyzing data to ensure proper action and adding another layer of safety at U.S. reactors 2
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Key Points U.S. companies are installing new equipment for additional backup safety Diverse, flexible coping strategy (FLEX) will meet NRC requirements Nuclear energy remains vital part of U.S. electricity portfolio 3
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Implications of Tsunami Magnitude 9 earthquake rattles Japan – All nuclear power plants shut down safely Massive tsunami—about 45 feet high—strikes the east coast Total power failure disables critical safety equipment at Fukushima Daiichi reactors 4
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Fukushima Daiichi Today Reactors stabilized New cooling systems operating Decontamination under way Debris removal continues Assessing long-term impact of radiation releases 5 Source: Associated Press
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Radiological Impacts in Japan Despite significant radiation releases during the accident, residents at the plant were protected from health impacts – Emergency response plans worked as designed – Residents were evacuated promptly No radiological consequences beyond Japan Radiation health studies are ongoing No danger to food supply: extensive monitoring of land, water, crops, fish and livestock will continue 6
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U.S. Response to Enhance Safety Reconfirmed safety of U.S. reactors immediately after events in Japan Established a factual basis for action through extensive analysis of the events in Japan Applying lessons learned at all U.S. reactors U.S. industry bias for action results in actions and commitments in advance of NRC regulatory action
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Proactive Industry Actions Industry initiated plant inspections and evaluations provide foundation for more effective and quicker implementation of enhancements – Flood protection – Protection against earthquakes – Manage and mitigating a complete loss of electrical power – Instrumentation and containment integrity
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FLEX Provides Additional Safety
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FLEX: Industry Strategy for Action Diverse, flexible coping capacity addresses key issues: – Provides coping for extended power loss – Maintains reactor and used fuel pool cooling capability – Protects against extreme external events Performance-based, all-hazards safety approach Portable backup equipment provides flexible response 10
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Specific Actions Taken at U.S. Reactors Nearly 400 major pieces of equipment acquired or ordered – 66 large portable generators – 62 diesel-driven pumps – 59 small load diesel generators – 13 fire trucks – 11 portable ventilation units 11
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Examples of Additional Actions Verified that equipment, procedures and staffing are in place to respond to threats Verified capability to cope even during a complete loss of power Verified each plant’s capabilities to protect against floods and fires after earthquakes Enhanced capability to protect spent fuel pools against extreme natural events 12
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Exelon Nuclear Stations Limerick Generating Station Montgomery County 2 Units (2,295 MW) Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station York County 2 Units (2,280 MW) Three Mile Island Generating Station Dauphin County Single Unit (852 MW) Exelon Nuclear owns/operates the largest nuclear fleet in the nation and the third largest fleet in the world.
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PPL Susquehanna Multiple Backup Safety Features Two Boiling Water Reactors capable of generating 2,600 megawatts, enough to supply 2 million homes – Located in Luzerne County, southwest of Wilkes-Barre – 1,000 full-time employees Ground floor of plant 150 feet above river elevation Multiple water sources include 25 million gallon pond on site 5 emergency diesel generators “Black start” generator capable of powering battery chargers Nearly 1,000 trained community volunteers supporting emergency plan
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FirstEnergy Nuclear Power Plants: Safe, Reliable and Well Protected Four units at three sites providing 4,000 megawatts, serving more than 3 million customers – Beaver Valley Power Station in Pa. – Davis-Besse and Perry plants in Ohio Beaver Valley Power Station – Located northwest of Pittsburgh – Two Westinghouse units generate 1,815 megawatts – Unit 1 operations began in 1976; Unit 2 in 1987; Licenses renewed until 2036 and 2041, respectively – 1,000 employees
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Nuclear Energy Today Nuclear energy benefits – Clean – Safe and secure – Affordable and reliable – Economically beneficial Forward-looking actions – License renewal – New plant licensing – Blue Ribbon Commission report on used fuel management 18 U.S. Electricity Production
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Key Points/Questions Fukushima reactors are stabilized U.S. took immediate action to reconfirm safety and response capability U.S. companies are installing new equipment for additional backup safety Diverse, flexible coping strategy will meet NRC requirements Safe nuclear energy remains vital part of U.S. electricity portfolio 19
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