The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) said recently that nuclear power plants have invested approximately $4 billion in safety enhancements since the Fukushima Daiichi plant disaster in Japan five years ago.
NEI said these improvements include the FLEX strategy, which addresses one of the factors in the Japanese accident: how a loss of power affects cooling systems. The FLEX measure establishes backup cooling systems and safety equipment alongside existing safety systems.
“The industry’s top priority is the safe operation of nuclear energy facilities, which is reflected in record levels of safety in industry metrics tracked by the World Association of Nuclear Operators,” NEI Chief Operating Officer Maria Korsnick said. “The multi-year plan to effectively respond to the Fukushima accident shows the depth and scope of this commitment to safety by the nearly 100,000 men and women who work in the nuclear industry. It is their focus and dedication to excellence in safety that has resulted in the safe operating record industry-wide, and their continued dedication will carry this safety record into the future.”
NEI also said that in the immediate aftermath of the Fukushima accident, safety systems at U.S. plants were inspected and verified.
