A Message from the NRC about American Nuclear Reactor Safety

U.S. Nuclear Plants are Designed for Severe Natural Hazards

"We’ve gotten some questions about how U.S. nuclear power plants would fare when faced with severe natural hazards. To answer: NRC’s rigorous safety regulations ensure that U.S. nuclear facilities are designed to withstand tsunamis, earthquakes and other hazards. In addition to those plants in recognized earthquake zones, the NRC has been working with several agencies to assess recent seismic research for the central and eastern part of the country. That work continues to indicate U.S. plants will remain safe.

For more information on U.S. nuclear power plants and earthquakes, read our backgrounder on the subject here: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/fs-seismic-issues.html"

Eliot Brenner

Public Affairs Director

http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov/2011/03/13/u-s-nuclear-plants-are-designed-for-severe-natural-hazards/