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MUKHA 101111H � <br /> �n <br /> 'U - 0 3� '�r_ �jL 8' e ► <br /> At a. ..0 �•gs .. <br /> g <br /> Ism <br /> - u . <br /> k �« <br /> r <br /> v IYM <br /> ®Air Photo Service <br /> HE RECENT EVENTS IN The Responsible Parties <br /> Japan remind us that while the The United States must Nuclear power safety and security must <br /> likelihood of a nuclear power be given the serious attention they de- <br /> plant accident is low,its poten- take concrete steps serve—and have not consistently re- <br /> tial consequences are grave. And an now to address serious ceived—from the nuclear industry, the <br /> accident like Fukushima could happen NRC (which oversees the industry), <br /> here. An equipment malfunction, fire, shortcomings in nuclear Congress(which oversees the NRC),and <br /> human error,natural disaster,or terrorist plant safety and security the president (who appoints the NRC <br /> attack could—separately or in combing- commissioners and bears ultimate re- <br /> tion—lead to a nuclear crisis. that have been evident sponsibiliry for ensuring public safety). <br /> Our nation will continue to obtain a The industry must address known risks <br /> significant portion of its electricity from for years. and ensure that adequate safety margins <br /> nuclear power for many years to come, are in place to compensate for unknown <br /> regardless of how rapidly energy efficiency risks. Doing so is in the industry's self- <br /> measures and other sources of electricity Given this reality, the United States interest, because nothing would affect <br /> are deployed. Nuclear reactors currently must take concrete steps now to address public acceptance of nuclear power in <br /> account for about 20 percent of U.S. serious shortcomings in nuclear plant the United States as much as a serious <br /> electricity, and the Nuclear Regulatory safety and security that have been evident accident or terrorist strike. For example, <br /> Commission (NRC) has granted or is in for years. No technology can be made reactor owners could reduce the safety <br /> the process of granting 20-year license perfectly safe, but the United States can and security risks associated with spent <br /> extensions for most of the country's 104 and must do more to guard against acci- fuel by transferring it from pools to dry <br /> operating reactors. dents as well as the threat of terrorist casks once it is cool enough. Yet for <br /> attacks on reactors and spent fuel pools. reasons of cost, they have chosen to fill <br />