<p> August 22, 2012 U.S. Industry Further Enhances Nuclear Energy Safety With Significant Response to Fukushima Daiichi Accident</p><p>Below is a summary of actions by the U.S. nuclear energy industry in response to the accident at Fukushima Daiichi. These actions include proactive initiatives taken by the industry and a tailored, comprehensive industry response to new regulatory requirements.</p><p>Analyzing and Capturing Lessons Learned from Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini  The Institute of Nuclear Power Operations coordinated one of the most exhaustive timelines (INPO 11-005) of events at Fukushima Daiichi so that the U.S. and global industry can learn lessons from this event.  INPO also conducted an independent review of Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi and Daini nuclear power plants to examine and share lessons learned from the 2011 accident. The nine-person team, comprised of INPO, World Association of Nuclear Operators and U.S. nuclear industry experts, provides lessons learned that nuclear energy facility operating organizations should consider implementing, in conjunction with action plans already established as a result of the Fukushima event.  The U.S. industry also is evaluating other reports about the Fukushima Daiichi accident and identifying possible gaps and lessons learned from eight different reviews of the event.</p><p>Validating and Improving Safety Margins at U.S. Reactors  . All U.S. reactors completed safety inspections and walk downs in March 2011 to ensure that facilities and equipment are protected in the event of extreme natural hazards. All action items from the inspections have been completed.  . Additional detailed inspections are being conducted to reevaluate seismic and flooding risks. Industry is confirming the ability of structures and equipment to withstand extreme weather events and enable safe shutdown of the reactor. If necessary, U.S. companies will add protection/mitigation capability.  . The industry is updating seismic models based on new information and will make additional</p><p> modifications to American reactors, if needed, based on future evaluations.</p><p>Additional Measures to Provide Power, Cooling Capability during Station Blackout  . The industry is establishing the equipment, procedures, and training necessary to cope indefinitely with beyond-design-basis events that may impact multiple reactors at a site.  . Industry is implementing a diverse and flexible coping capability, known as FLEX. This strategy provides reliable backup electrical power and cooling capability if a beyond-design-basis event disables multiple power and cooling systems. U.S. companies have spent more than $1 million per reactor in additional back-up equipment, inspections, planning and procedural improvements  . Companies are enhancing protection of onsite portable equipment as well as equipment staged at regional response centers to restore AC power during an extreme event.  . The industry is moving forward to establish and operate regional response centers, which would be stocked with emergency equipment that could be transported to any U.S. reactor in the event of an emergency.  . U.S. companies have added a hardened vent in Boiling Water Reactor Mark I containments and are ensuring the reliable operation and easy use of hardened vents during a prolonged station blackout. Thirty-one BWRs with Mark I containments voluntarily installed hardened vents many years ago. Companies that operate these reactors are assessing containment vent designs to ensure that operators can operate the vents remotely and access them manually.  . The industry will install supplemental instrumentation that enables operators to monitor spent fuel pool cooling parameters. Companies are reconfirming their ability to keep the water temperature below 200°F following the loss of active cooling capability.  . Companies will add a second system of instrumentation to remotely monitor spent fuel pool water temperature and level.</p><p>Strengthening Procedures to More Effectively Prevent/Mitigate Fuel Damage  . Industry is strengthening and integrating onsite emergency response capabilities, such as emergency operating procedures (EOPs), severe accident management guidelines (SAMGs), and extensive damage mitigation guidelines (EDMGs)  . FLEX implementation includes rigorous training and preparedness elements to integrate with new emergency operating procedures  . Industry has developed emergency plans that address prolonged station blackouts. This capability includes the means to power communications equipment needed to communicate onsite and offsite during a prolonged station blackout.  . Industry will determine and implement the required staff to fill all necessary positions for emergency response to a multi-reactor event at a site. U.S. companies are verifying capabilities and staffing plans in accordance with the comprehensive FLEX approach and are requiring additional training to prepare for extreme events.  . Companies have expanded their communications capabilities, including satellite phones and equipment to connect personnel at the plant with government emergency communications networks.  . The Nuclear Energy Institute, Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and Electric Power Research Institute have issued an updated emergency response protocol to the U.S. nuclear energy industry outlining the responsibilities of each party.</p><p>Strategies to Contain and Filter Radiation  . Electric Power Research Institute is leading an industry program to analyze science-based options for filtering radioactive particles that may result from fuel damage.  . The industry is engaged in a technical exchange with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other stakeholders on this issue.</p>