Title Lessons learned from the Fukushima nuclear accident for improving safety of U.S. nuclear plants / Committee on Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident for Improved Safety and Security of U.S. Nuclear Plants, Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board, Division on Earth and Life Studies, National Research Council of the National Academies

Published Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press, [2014] ©2014

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Description 1 online resource (xviii, 376 pages) : illustrations Contents Introduction -- Background on Japanese and U.S. nuclear plants -- Great east Japan earthquake and tsunami impacts on Japanese nuclear plants -- Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident -- Lessons learned : plant operations and safety regulations -- Lessons learned : offsite emergency management -- Lessons learned : nuclear safety culture Summary The March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami sparked a humanitarian disaster in northeastern Japan. They were responsible for more than 15,900 deaths and 2,600 missing persons as well as physical infrastructure damages exceeding $200 billion. The earthquake and tsunami also initiated a severe nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Three of the six reactors at the plant sustained severe core damage and released hydrogen and radioactive materials. Explosion of the released hydrogen damaged three reactor buildings and impeded onsite emergency response efforts. The accident prompted widespread evacuations of local populations, large economic losses, and the eventual shutdown of all nuclear power plants in Japan. Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident for Improving Safety and Security of U.S. Nuclear Plants is a study of the Fukushima Daiichi accident. This report examines the causes of the crisis, the performance of safety systems at the plant, and the responses of its operators following the earthquake and tsunami. The report then considers the lessons that can be learned and their implications for U.S. safety and storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste, commercial nuclear reactor safety and security regulations, and design improvements. Lessons Learned makes recommendations to improve plant systems, resources, and operator training to enable effective ad hoc responses to severe accidents. This report's recommendations to incorporate modern risk concepts into safety regulations and improve the nuclear safety culture will help the industry prepare for events that could challenge the design of plant structures and lead to a loss of critical safety functions. In providing a broad-scope, high-level examination of the accident, Lessons Learned is meant to complement earlier evaluations by industry and regulators. This in-depth review will be an essential resource for the nuclear power industry, policy makers, and anyone interested in the state of U.S. preparedness and response in the face of crisis situations Bibliography Includes bibliographical references Notes This study was supported by Contract/Grant No. NRC-HQ-12-G-03-0002 between the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project English Online resource; title from PDF title page (Version viewed Feb. 17, 2015) Subject Nuclear power plants -- Security measures Nuclear reactor accidents -- Japan Nuclear power plants -- Safety measures -- Risk assessment Nuclear power plants -- Safety measures Radioactive Hazard Release -- prevention & control Fukushima Nuclear Accident Safety Management BUSINESS & ECONOMICS -- Infrastructure. SOCIAL SCIENCE -- General. Nuclear power plants -- Security measures Nuclear reactor accidents Japan Form Electronic book LC no. 2014954121 ISBN 9780309272537 030927253X 9780309272544 0309272548

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