Introduction by Planetary Solutionaries
U.S. SENATE HEARING Nuclear Safety - Science Friction
On March 16, 2012, the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, Chair, Senator Barbara Boxer, held a hearing on Nuclear Safety one year after Fukushima; aired on C-SPAN.ORG. During the Committee meeting concerns were raised regarding the seismic safety and preparedness of reactors located in the U.S., especially in the coastal regions, such as Sam Onofre just north of San Diego. Union of Concern Scientists (UCS) released a critical report of the Nuclear industries vulnerability to a similar incident to that experienced in Fukushima.
Dave Lochbaum, Director, Nuclear Safety Program Director, Nuclear Safety Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
Nuclear power is an inherently hazardous technology; there's no way to make it perfectly safe. But we can make it safer. UCS has released a list of safety and security recommendations for nuclear power plants in the U.S., outlining steps the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and other government agencies can take to make a nuclear disaster less likely and reduce the damage if one does occur.
The NRC needs to begin taking these steps now—upgrade its safety and security standards, enforce all its rules, and become the tough, consistent regulator the public deserves.
U.S. SENATE HEARING Nuclear Safety - Science Friction
On March 16, 2012, the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, Chair, Senator Barbara Boxer, held a hearing on Nuclear Safety one year after Fukushima; aired on C-SPAN.ORG. During the Committee meeting concerns were raised regarding the seismic safety and preparedness of reactors located in the U.S., especially in the coastal regions, such as Sam Onofre just north of San Diego. Union of Concern Scientists (UCS) released a critical report of the Nuclear industries vulnerability to a similar incident to that experienced in Fukushima.
Members of the NRC were present providing testimony assuring the Senate that they have it under control and that the Commission’s position is evolving. During the hearing, NRC commissioners made critical remarks regarding the UCS report; prompting Boxer to take off the gloves and told all testiying that the credentials of the author of the UCS would stand up to any of those present. And, as a result of NRC's bashing of USC report, she stated that she would have the author, Dave Lochbaum, before the Committee to testify. The real challenge facing the nuclear industry is getting insurance coverage in the event of a Fukushima type of disaster on U.S. soil.
Nuclear Power: Safety First. Now.Dave Lochbaum, Director, Nuclear Safety Program Director, Nuclear Safety Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
The Fukushima
disaster of 2011 showed us once again what can happen when a nuclear power
plant's safety systems fail. The U.S. nuclear industry has responded with
familiar reassurances that it can't happen here.
We know better.
It can happen here—but it doesn't have to.
Safe? No. Safer? Yes.
Nuclear power is an inherently hazardous technology; there's no way to make it perfectly safe. But we can make it safer. UCS has released a list of safety and security recommendations for nuclear power plants in the U.S., outlining steps the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and other government agencies can take to make a nuclear disaster less likely and reduce the damage if one does occur.
The NRC needs to begin taking these steps now—upgrade its safety and security standards, enforce all its rules, and become the tough, consistent regulator the public deserves.
You can
help. Join
our campaign and add your voice to our call for safer, more secure, better
regulated nuclear power in the United States. Read more…
