Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

A Letter to Journalists from NEI


John Keeley
Manager, Media Relations
 
Nuclear Energy Institute
1776 I St. N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006
www.nei.org 
Follow NEI's media team on Twitterhttp://twitter.com/NEI_media



Dear Journalist:

Fourteen months after the Fukushima Daiichi accident, some opponents of nuclear energy remain determined to persuade the public that the situation there is getting worse rather than better. Their fear-mongering of late has centered on the #4 used fuel pool building at the site.

This note is sent to provide you with links to information demonstrating that these claims are false. An excellent dissection of the opponents' repeated assertions can be found on the American Nuclear Society's "Nuclear Cafe."

Just days ago, when TEPCO hosted a tour, members of the news media were able to see that the Fukushima #4 used fuel pool building is structurally sound and the nuclear fuel it holds is safely contained. Reporters were able to observe the extensive measures taken by TEPCO to reinforce the structure and provide multiple independent cooling water sources. The fuel in the pool has been repeatedly observed by underwater cameras. It is intact and far cooler than it was 14 months ago due to the substantial decrease in decay heat emitted by the fuel.

To ensure the facility’s stability, TEPCO performed a detailed analysis of the used fuel pool building and confirmed the pool can withstand another large earthquake similar to one of March 11, 2011. In fact, it has already withstood ninety-seven earthquakes 6.0 or greater since the 2011 accident. 

Confusion regarding the #4 used fuel pool stems in part from misinformation released by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the days immediately following the March 11 accident. On page 6 of the transcript of a public meeting held in June 2011, Bill Borchardt, NRC Executive Director for Operations, sets the record straight, explaining, “Early in the event, the staff was concerned that the Unit 4 spent fuel pool had become dry, resulting in the potential for a large radioactive release. And the latest information that we have, including recent video and water samples from the Unit 4 spent fuel pool indicates that the pool -- it's unlikely that the pool ever went completely dry. The staff welcomes this as very good news, as it's one indication that the event may not have been as serious as previously believed for Unit 4.”

In a related matter, it was reported earlier this week that very low levels of certain radioactive isotopes were discovered in bluefin tuna caught last August off the California coast. The finding demonstrates again how precisely radiation can be measured, and experts have made clear that this finding does NOT pose a health risk. For details, see the post on NEI's "SafetyFirst" website: http://safetyfirst.nei.org/japan/no-public-health-concern-from-radiation-levels-in-blue-fin-tuna/.


If you need additional information, please contact the Nuclear Energy Institute’s media relations department at 202.739.8000.
Sincerely,

Steve Kerekes

Senior Director, Media Relations
Nuclear Energy Institute
Washington, DC

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