Are US Nuclear Power Plants Prepared for Earthquakes?

[Astronuc]

NRC publishes proposed post-Fukushima action schedule
http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2060916
18 October 2011

Staff of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission have published a proposed schedule to implement the 12 post-Fukushima recommendations that it issued in July 2011 for US nuclear power plants.
. . . .

NRC Task Force Report (July 12, 2011): http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1118/ML111861807.pdf

http://www.nrc.gov/japan/japan-info.html

This is coincidental with the NRC program on seismic issues related to NPPs.

Nuclear power plants are built to withstand environmental hazards, including earthquakes. Even those plants that are located outside of areas with extensive seismic activity are designed for safety in the event of such a natural disaster. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requires all of its licensees to take seismic activity into account when designing and maintaining its nuclear power plants. When new seismic hazard information becomes available, the NRC evaluates the new data and models and determines if any changes are needed at plants. The newest seismic data suggests that although the potential seismic hazard at some nuclear power plants in central and eastern states may have increased beyond previous estimates, all operating nuclear plants remain safe with no need for immediate action.

http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/fs-seismic-issues.pdf


Please keep subsequent posts related to US NRC and US nuclear plants.

 

[SmalltownNuke]

With regard to design basis scenarios and spent fuel pool cooling/instrumentation, is the NRC looking at permanent installation or leaning more towards portable equipment? During the Fukushima accident, Westinghouse created a portable spent fuel pool cooling system. I don't know any technical details of it, however I was able to find this article.

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS-New_system_to_keep_fuel_pools_cool-2605117.html

 

[rmattila]

I suppose the referred prioritization paper is that one:
http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1127/ML11272A111.html

 

[NUCENG]

NEI is in the process of issuing a 5 part article on US NRC post Fukushima Actions.

http://safetyfirst.nei.org/industry...shima-u-s-nuclear-industry-commits-to-action/

 

[NUCENG]

I believe this is appropriate for this thread. NRC just issued guidelines for estimation of maximum design basis flooding levels. See:
http://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/IDMWS/ViewDocByAccession.asp?AccessionNumber=ML11321A195
No actual plant information, but some good case studies showing how the process will work.

 

[NUCENG]

NRC has issued draft orders and Requests for Information for Post Fukushima Actions

http://adamswebsearch2.nrc.gov/webSearch2/main.jsp?AccessionNumber='ML12039A103'