14 Nov (NucNet): A new publication from the US Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) provides new insights into how best to protect the
public in the event of an accident at a nuclear power plant.
The NRC said yesterday that the publication is based on the results of
focus groups and telephone surveys conducted in the Emergency Planning
Zones (EPZs) around reactor sites.
The surveys found that a majority of the residents living within the
EPZs of nuclear power plants were:
� Generally well-informed about what to do in a nuclear power plant
emergency;
� Remembered receiving emergency response information from the plant and
kept it readily accessible;
� Recalled receiving information about evacuation and sheltering;
� Agreed they would evacuate, shelter-in-place or monitor for more
information, if directed to do so;
� Agreed they would support a staged evacuation, during which some
residents would shelter while others would evacuate.
Nuclear regulators say the data will help them review regulations and
guidance related to emergency preparedness and determine if changes need
to be considered to existing protective action strategies.
The full report, �Review of NUREG-0654, Supplement 3, Criteria for
Protective Action Recommendations for Severe Accidents�, is on the NRC�s
web site (http://www.nrc.gov).
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Regulatory Chief Calls For Better Communications About Nuclear Incidents
(World Nuclear Review No. 46, 16 November 2007)
NRC Assessments Show US Plants Continue To Operate Safely (World Nuclear
Review No. 34, 5 September 2008)
Source: NucNet
Editor: editors@worldnuclear.org
14 Nov (NucNet): A comprehensive review of Spainˇs nuclear safety
found good practices in areas such as technical competence of personnel
and quality of infrastructure, the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) reported yesterday.
The IAEA said the review, carried out under the agency�s Integrated
Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) highlighted positive aspects of Spain�s
nuclear system and identified areas for improvement.
Speaking at a workshop in Seville, Spain, on lessons learned from the
IRRS mission, the IAEA director-general Mohamed ElBaradei urged that a
strong nuclear safety culture be adopted worldwide, noting that while
nuclear safety has improved significantly, vulnerabilities remain and
continued vigilance is needed.
�We must work together to close the gaps that exist today in the
coverage of international safety conventions and codes of conduct. It is
essential to ensure that a true safety culture takes root worldwide, not
least in countries new to nuclear power," he said.
The Seville workshop, which took place on 5 November 2008, was organised
by Spain�s Nuclear Safety Council (Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear).
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Spain Launches National Debate On Nuclear Energy (News No. 28, 1
February 2006)
Source: NucNet
Editor: editors@worldnuclear.org
14 Nov (NucNet): A sub-committee of Japan�s Agency for Natural
Resources and Energy has met for the first time to discuss international
cooperation and support for overseas activities by nuclear
energy-related industries.
The Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF) said the sub-committee on
international affairs, which reports to the nuclear power sub-committee
of the Advisory Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, met on 30
October 2008.
JAIF said key topics discussed included support for countries that are
planning to launch domestic nuclear power programmes, securing stable
supplies of nuclear fuel and making Japan�s nuclear power industry more
competitive.
The sub-committee plans to meet about once a month before publishing a
mid-term report about potential activities in the spring of 2009.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Nuclear �At Forefront Of Japan Energy Policy� As New Ministers Appointed
(News in Brief No. 89, 12 August 2008)
Japan Aims For 67% Nuclear Share By 2100 (World Nuclear Review No. 42,
31 October 2008)
Source: NucNet
Editor: editors@worldnuclear.org
14 Nov (NucNet): A six-month public review period has begun into
Bruce Power�s proposal to build up to four additional reactor units at
its existing plant site on the eastern shore of Lake Huron in Ontario,
Canada.
The Joint Review Panel for the proposed project � an independent body
that will assess the environmental effects of the proposal and review
the licence application � announced the start of the review on 4
November 2008.
Details about the review and the status of new nuclear projects in
Canada are available on the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission�s web
site (http://www.nuclearsafety.gc.ca).
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Bruce Power�s Canada New-Build Proposal Moves Forward (News in Brief No.
96, 26 August 2008)
Review Panel Appointed For Canada New-Build Proposal (News in Brief No.
104, 9 September 2008)
Bruce Power Plans Environmental Assessment For More Ontario Units (News
in Brief No. 126, 4 November 2008)
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