Nuclear Energy Three Years After Fukushima

Committed. Safe. Prepared. These three words have taken on a deeper meaning since the events at Fukushima Daiichi in Japan occurred three years ago today.

Following the events in Japan, Duke Energy immediately took actions to reverify that each nuclear station is in a high state of readiness to respond to emergency events. Additionally, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), conducted thorough inspections at all nuclear sites, focusing on each plant’s ability to cope with flooding and a complete loss of off-site power as follow-up to the Fukushima event. In July 2011, the NRC also developed a three-tiered program of safety enhancements that have become the foundation of post-Fukushima activities, among them are ensuring all U.S. plants take the latest seismic and flooding information into account. The industry is making excellent progress implementing these requirements. To learn more about the NRC’s activities, click here.

In addition to the complex program set forth by the NRC, Duke Energy, like others in the industry, is implementing post-Fukushima safety enhancements quickly and efficiently. To better protect against unforeseen events, we are using the diverse and flexible coping strategy (FLEX) approach and stationing generators, battery packs, pumps and other backup emergency equipment in multiple locations at each station. For a more detailed overview of the nuclear industry’s FLEX approach to enhancing safety post Fukushima, click here to be routed to the Nuclear Energy Institute’s YouTube channel.

Over the past three years, the nuclear industry has been committed to address lessons learned and to make our nuclear plants even safer. We will continue to implement additional measures identified to further enhance operational safety, resulting in added safety margins to an already safe technology.

Additional Reading:
Fukushima Recovery – NEI
Summary of Events in Japan – NRC
Learning Firsthand from Fukushima