1The United States Nuclear Power Plant Safety Geo 106 Presentation

The United States Nuclear Power Plant Safety. : 

The United States Nuclear Power Plant Safety. How safe is the United States in the wake of a devastating nuclear disaster like Japan? Presented and written by; Debra Thomas 8/10/11

The major catastrophe that occurred in Japan with the nuclear power plant explosions made the U.S. think twice about the nuclear plants we have here in the U.S. The U.S. is now taking precaution’s and want us the “American people” to feel safe with the tight regulations they have claiming to be better off than Japan. (1) : 

The major catastrophe that occurred in Japan with the nuclear power plant explosions made the U.S. think twice about the nuclear plants we have here in the U.S. The U.S. is now taking precaution’s and want us the “American people” to feel safe with the tight regulations they have claiming to be better off than Japan. (1)

The U.S. has 100 nuclear plants that are in operation now and 16 that are not. The truth is, the safety of the American people is not completely out of the woods when it comes to the nuclear safety as much as they say we are. (1) : 

The U.S. has 100 nuclear plants that are in operation now and 16 that are not. The truth is, the safety of the American people is not completely out of the woods when it comes to the nuclear safety as much as they say we are. (1)

The nuclear power plants here in the U.S. are very old, the newest plant we have now was built back in 1979. In a period of 4 years there has been over 56 safety violations with the nuclear power plants. The safety issues range from the backup power generators failing to the pipes for cooling purposes being corroded and even as far as using marijuana in the facilities. There were also other violations that were bigger, such as not having adequate emergency plans, nuclear material that was missing or even mishandled. (2) : 

The nuclear power plants here in the U.S. are very old, the newest plant we have now was built back in 1979. In a period of 4 years there has been over 56 safety violations with the nuclear power plants. The safety issues range from the backup power generators failing to the pipes for cooling purposes being corroded and even as far as using marijuana in the facilities. There were also other violations that were bigger, such as not having adequate emergency plans, nuclear material that was missing or even mishandled. (2)

In 2007 at a nuclear plant in Illinois close to Chicago, material from that nuclear plant went missing with nuclear material equipment and fuel pellets. The “Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)” fined “Exelon Corp.” that was the operators of the nuclear plant. That fine was pretty much just a slap on the hand, because following that incident two years later “Exelon Corp.” was caught again with two more violations. With the millions that live in Illinois and around there can you imagine the danger that the public was put in and how little they knew about it. (2) : 

In 2007 at a nuclear plant in Illinois close to Chicago, material from that nuclear plant went missing with nuclear material equipment and fuel pellets. The “Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)” fined “Exelon Corp.” that was the operators of the nuclear plant. That fine was pretty much just a slap on the hand, because following that incident two years later “Exelon Corp.” was caught again with two more violations. With the millions that live in Illinois and around there can you imagine the danger that the public was put in and how little they knew about it. (2)

The nuclear plant “Indian Point” that is outside New York City was fined by the NRC, the safety device that is used for an earthquake had been leaking for 18 years. The faulty safety device would prevent water from leaking out of the reactor to keep the fuel rods cooled down. The nuclear power plant problem in Japan was for the same reason. They were lacking the water to cool down the fuel rods which was a critical mistake. The NRC had been aware of this problem since 1993 and took no action to have it fixed. (2) : 

The nuclear plant “Indian Point” that is outside New York City was fined by the NRC, the safety device that is used for an earthquake had been leaking for 18 years. The faulty safety device would prevent water from leaking out of the reactor to keep the fuel rods cooled down. The nuclear power plant problem in Japan was for the same reason. They were lacking the water to cool down the fuel rods which was a critical mistake. The NRC had been aware of this problem since 1993 and took no action to have it fixed. (2)

In 2009 at a nuclear plant located in Alabama, was where the NRC found an emergency diesel generator that was no longer able to be used due to years of neglect. That diesel generator was used for in case of a disaster (like Japan) it would be there. (2) : 

In 2009 at a nuclear plant located in Alabama, was where the NRC found an emergency diesel generator that was no longer able to be used due to years of neglect. That diesel generator was used for in case of a disaster (like Japan) it would be there. (2)

Some of the nuclear power plants are located along major fault lines. Two of them are located in California right along one of the greatest known faults which is the San Andres fault. This makes our nuclear power plants just as vulnerable to the possibility of an earthquake and tsunami like the one in Japan. (3) : 

Some of the nuclear power plants are located along major fault lines. Two of them are located in California right along one of the greatest known faults which is the San Andres fault. This makes our nuclear power plants just as vulnerable to the possibility of an earthquake and tsunami like the one in Japan. (3)

This nuclear power plant which is called “Diablo Canyon” was built to last through a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. The other nuclear power plant is located in “San Onofre” and it was built to last through a maximum of a 7.0 magnitude earth quake. In the case of a nuclear disaster the U.S. has an evacuation plan of 50 miles radius. (3) : 

This nuclear power plant which is called “Diablo Canyon” was built to last through a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. The other nuclear power plant is located in “San Onofre” and it was built to last through a maximum of a 7.0 magnitude earth quake. In the case of a nuclear disaster the U.S. has an evacuation plan of 50 miles radius. (3)

In the case of there being a major earthquake like Japan had, due to the lack of care and upkeep we would have the same possible neglect mishap that Japan did. For the sake of having over 100 nuclear plants and over 56 violations found, the odds of us surviving an earthquake with little damage and better protection would be slim. These couple of examples that were given out of 56 were not only completely wrong but could have been avoided and also could have cost many people their lives because of ignorance and stupidity.(1) : 

In the case of there being a major earthquake like Japan had, due to the lack of care and upkeep we would have the same possible neglect mishap that Japan did. For the sake of having over 100 nuclear plants and over 56 violations found, the odds of us surviving an earthquake with little damage and better protection would be slim. These couple of examples that were given out of 56 were not only completely wrong but could have been avoided and also could have cost many people their lives because of ignorance and stupidity.(1)

With out having proper care and maintenance in the nuclear plants the U.S. would not be able avoid such a disaster as Japan had. : 

With out having proper care and maintenance in the nuclear plants the U.S. would not be able avoid such a disaster as Japan had.

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Works Cited: 1.) Hoffman, Russel D. "Nuclear power plants and other large nuclear facilities in the United States ." List of Nuclear power plants in America. Russel D. Hoffman, 112001. Web. 5 Jul 2011. http://www.animatedsoftware.com/environm/no_nukes/nukelist1.htm 2.) Thomas, Pierre, Jack Cloherty, and Andrew Dubbins. "Records show 56 safety violations at U.S. nuclear power plants in the past four years." ABC News, 30032011. Web. 5 Jul 2011. http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=13246490. 3.) West, Larry. "Environmental Issues." How Safe and Secure are U.S. Nuclear Reactors?. About.com, 03172011. Web. 5 Jul 2011. http://environment.about.com/od/nuclearenergywaste/a/How-Safe-Are-U-S-Nuclear-Reactors.htm 4.) Worthington, D. (2011, June 20). Us nuclear safety regulations softened by industry influence. Accessed August 10,2011 Retrieved from http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/us-nuclear-safety-regulations-softened-by-industry-influence/7167

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Pictures Cited from slides as follows: 2.) Thomas P.,Cloherty J., Dubbins A. (2011, March 30). Records show 56 safety violations at u.s. nuclear power plants in past 4 years. Accessed August 10, 2011 Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=13246490 3.) NRC, U.S. (2011, March 12). Map of power reactor sites . Accessed August 10, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/map-power-reactors.html 4.) Worthington, D. (2011, June 20). Us nuclear safety regulations softened by industry influence. Accessed August 10, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/us-nuclear-safety-regulations-softened-by-industry-influence/7167 8.) Getty, Images. (2011, March 15). Most Vulnerable Nuclear Power Plants. Accessed August 10, 2011Retrieved from http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/03/16/nuclear-power-plants-ranking-americas-most-vulnerable.html 9.) Zimmerlin, J. (2011). Jim zim's pictures of the diablo canyon nuclear plant. Accessed August 10, 2011. Retrieved from http://www.zimfamilycockers.com/DiabloCanyon.html 11.) Digital Globe, Initials. (2011, March 16). Fukushima1 by digital globe. Accessed August 10, 2011. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fukushima_I_by_Digital_Globe_crop.jpg