Governments Adapt Nuclear Plans in Response to Japan’s Crises

Since Monday, the nuclear crises in Japan continue to worsen as fires have broken out in two reactor buildings and reports emerge of possible breaches in two containment vessels. Information about the level of damage to critical areas of the Daiichi nuclear plant in Fukushima Prefecture has been incomplete and difficult to obtain, as technical crews work around the clock to maintain water levels in spent fuel pools and pump water through reactors to prevent nuclear meltdowns. One spent fuel pool has gone almost completely dry, according to reports received by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and concerns about radiation levels have led to evacuations in the surrounding areas.

International reaction to the crisis has varied. Germany, which has 17 nuclear power plants, announced on March 15 it would shut down seven plants built before 1980 for a three-month moratorium. (One of those plants has been offline since a 2007 accident.) Switzerland suspended its approval process for three new nuclear power plants in order to review safety standards. Bulgaria and Lithuania indicated they would incorporate additional safety measures into their new nuclear projects.

Britain, Finland, and Bulgaria have indicated they will review the safety and risk factors associated with their nuclear assets and plans. Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy, and the Netherlands have plans to build reactors but have not decided to delay or cancel plans yet. Sweden said its 2009 decision to replace its existing reactors at the end of their lifetimes will not change.

On March 16, China announced it would suspend safety approvals of new nuclear plants until new rules are put in place and inspections at existing reactors are conducted. China is currently building 25 new nuclear plants. India and South Korea have also announced reviews of their nuclear programs.

In the United States, some lawmakers have called for safety reviews or a moratorium on new reactors, but many remain supportive of expanding the nuclear power industry, which currently supplies 20 percent of U.S. electricity. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said that the administration “is committed to learning from Japan's experience” but that pending nuclear construction license applications could proceed.

The Department of Energy and Nuclear Regulatory Commission have sent teams to assist with the effort to control the damaged Mark 1 reactors at the Daiichi plant in Japan. In addition, the White House has recommended that American citizens evacuate a 50-mile radius around the plant, compared to the 12.4 mile evacuation radius called for by the Japanese government.