4.3.6
Are onsite storage facilities secure from terrorist attacks?
The NRC considers spent fuel storage facilities to be robust. Unlike the structures that were destroyed on September 11, 2001, spent fuel pools and dry storage casks are not constructed of flammable material that would fuel fires of long duration. If an attack were to occur, licensees have approved emergency plans, tested biennially, that coordinate local, State, and Federal government responses. The NRC believes that the health and safety of the public are well protected.
4.3.7
Has the NRC revised its requirements regarding aircraft impacts on nuclear reactors?
The NRC amended its regulations to require applicants after July 13, 2009, for design certifications and COL, among others, to perform a design-specific assessment of the effects on the facility of the impact of a large, commercial aircraft. Using realistic analyses, the applicant shall identify and incorporate into the design those design features and functional capabilities to show that, with reduced use of operator actions 1) The reactor core remains cooled, or the containment remains intact; and 2) Spent fuel cooling or spent fuel pool integrity is maintained.
4.4 4.4.1
Emergency Preparedness Does the NRC evaluate emergency preparedness before licensing a new reactor?
Yes. NRC regulations (10 CFR 50.47) prohibit the issuance of a operating license or a combined license unless a finding is made by the NRC that there is reasonable assurance that adequate protective measures can and will be taken in the event of a radiological emergency. The NRC bases it finding on review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency findings, and on the NRC’s assessment of the applicant’s onsite emergency plans.
4.4.2
Is emergency preparedness part of the environmental review?
Emergency preparedness is not part of the environmental review. The NRC documents its findings related to emergency planning in the safety evaluation report, along with the findings regarding site safety characteristics.
4.5
Storage and Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel
Although the storage and disposal of spent fuel or high-level waste are not within the scope of environmental issues pertaining to a new license, the NRC frequently receives questions about these topics during public meetings and other opportunities for public comment. To give a full picture of the issues associated with nuclear power facilities, this section provides information about the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, the status of Yucca Mountain as a repository for spent nuclear fuel from commercial reactors, and the storage of spent fuel at nuclear power facilities.
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