WASHINGTON

– United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today commended the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on its 24-hour-a-day monitoring of the nuclear reactor crisis in Japan and its decision to dispatch two boiling-water reactor (BWR) experts to Tokyo, bringing technical assistance to Japan’s efforts to stabilize three nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant, where the 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami on Friday led to a series of building explosions and the threat of a meltdown.

 

Sen. Landrieu called on the NRC to continue keeping close watch on developments at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant and apply what it learns to the ongoing development of U.S. nuclear policy and safety standards.
Sen. Landrieu said:
“Japan, with its 54 nuclear plants, has one of the safest, most technologically advanced nuclear power programs in the world.  Nuclear energy supplies 30% of the country’s power.  Japan’s handling of this crisis presents an opportunity for nuclear scientists everywhere to learn more about nuclear safety, knowledge the U.S. government can use to develop our own nuclear policy and build smarter, safer standards for our plants, particularly those geographically vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunami.”
The United States currently has 104 nuclear reactors that supply about 20% of the nation’s energy.  Sen. Landrieu reiterated her support for nuclear power as a safe and reliable source of alternative energy.
Sen. Landrieu said:
“I am, and have been, a supporter of nuclear energy.  I co-sponsored the Nuclear Safety and Promotion Act of 2001, the SMART ACT in 2008 and most recently the Nuclear Power Act of 2021.  We need nuclear energy to supply this country with clean, carbon-free energy.  At the same time, we need to look at the vulnerabilities within our nuclear power facilities and make sure we provide enough redundancies to mitigate any complications from man-made or natural disasters.
“Louisiana, with our two nuclear reactors and key industry players – Shaw and Westinghouse – has a vested interest and significant role to play in fostering a safe and reliable nuclear industry.  I am confident that with the expertise we have in Louisiana, and throughout the country, we can address and plan for difficult situations, such as the one Japan is currently facing.”

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