BTL:Investigation Reveals Dangers at Aging U.S. Nuclear Power Plants

Interview with Michael Mariotte, executive director of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, conducted by Scott Harris <!--break--> As corporate media coverage of the ongoing disaster at the four failed nuclear reactors in Fukushima, Japan has faded, a new concern has emerged in the U.S. as flood waters threaten two nuclear plants on the Missouri River. Both Nebraska’s Fort Calhoun nuclear plant and the Cooper Nuclear Station sit on the shores of the Missouri River, which is now facing record flood levels. The Fort Calhoun plant has been shut down for refueling since April, and operators there have installed berms, floodgates and piled up sandbags to help protect the facility. When floods caused the local electricity grid to fail, emergency generators had to be used to supply power to keep the reactor cool and prevent a meltdown, such as occurred in Fukushima. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has assured the public that the plant is equipped to safely survive the flood. Story continues http://www.btlonline.org/2011/seg/110708cf-btl-mariotte.html

<p>Interview with Michael Mariotte, executive director of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, conducted by Scott Harris</p> <!--break--><p>As corporate media coverage of the ongoing disaster at the four failed nuclear reactors in Fukushima, Japan has faded, a new concern has emerged in the U.S. as flood waters threaten two nuclear plants on the Missouri River. Both Nebraska’s Fort Calhoun nuclear plant and the Cooper Nuclear Station sit on the shores of the Missouri River, which is now facing record flood levels. The Fort Calhoun plant has been shut down for refueling since April, and operators there have installed berms, floodgates and piled up sandbags to help protect the facility. When floods caused the local electricity grid to fail, emergency generators had to be used to supply power to keep the reactor cool and prevent a meltdown, such as occurred in Fukushima. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has assured the public that the plant is equipped to safely survive the flood. </p> <p>Story continues<br /> <a href="http://www.btlonline.org/2011/seg/110708cf-btl-mariotte.html">http://www.btlonline.org/2011/seg/110708cf-btl-mariotte.html</a></p>