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Dynamics of International Nuclear Safety: Post-Fukushima Developments in Regulatory Oversight and Filtered Vent Technology in Six Nuclear Countries

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Nuclear Threats and Security Challenges

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Abstract

Nuclear safety has undergone intense scrutiny since the Fukushima Daiichi accident in 2011. Areas of particular consideration include the strength of regulatory entities and the use of filtered containment venting systems (FCVS). This assessment reviews the status of nuclear safety regulators with an emphasis on independence. The chapter also examines rules on FCVS and its utilization. Developments specific to China, France, India, Russia, South Korea, and the United States are the central focus. The chapter finds varying levels of autonomy exist among the nuclear safety regulatory entities. The assessment also shows that four of the six countries have not adopted filtering technology, despite its use for decades and related safety gains. Aspects for continued monitoring and study are discussed.

This chapter draws on research that was completed while working as a joint fellow in Managing the Atom, and the Science, Technology and Public Policy Program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and subsequently.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Japan is also a major nuclear state with an energy policy which includes nuclear generation. However, the country’s nuclear program remains on hold, as it recovers following the accident.

  2. 2.

    Notably, Japan, underwent an IRRS in 2007 with findings that (1) its regulator was not independent, and (2) the organizational arrangements could “cause complexity”. The IRRS also highlighted that the relationship management program of the Japanese regulatory body was well-structured and comprehensive, reflecting best practices [10].

  3. 3.

    The nuclear regulatory structure in China has undergone change in 1984, 1998, 2003, and 2008 [13].

  4. 4.

    Vulnerabilities were found with the French Blayais plant in terms of flooding [7].

  5. 5.

    While the NRC is based within the executive branch of the President, the President does not typically intervene in decisions but does appoint commissioners. The NRC’s budget is funded principally by fees charged to regulated entities ([24] citing Malsch, 2011 and Borchardt 2009). Congress wields some influence as it approves nominees, can change the law governing the Commission, and appropriates funds [24]. The NRC has an internal advisory committee as an independent body charged with double-checking licensing decisions [29].

  6. 6.

    Estimates indicate that releases of Iodine 131 and Cesium 137 in the Fukushima accident equaled ∼10 % and ∼20 %, respectively, of that for the Chernobyl accident, based in averages of published numbers [34].

  7. 7.

    With FCVS technology, major types include: Sand-bed filter with dry metallic pre-filter (EDF/IRSN); Multi-Venturi scrubber (Toshiba/Westinghouse); Dry filter method (Toshiba/Westinghouse); High-speed sliding Venturi (Siemens-Areva); and second generation Wet Scrubber (Sulzer/IMI) [36]. Variations exist in efficiency and lay-out.

Abbreviations

AERB:

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board

ASN:

Autorité de sûreté nucléaire

BDBA:

Beyond design basis accident

BWR:

Boiling Water Reactor

CNS:

Convention on Nuclear Safety

CSNI:

Committee on Safety of Nuclear Installations

EPR:

European pressurized reactor

FBR:

Fast breeder reactor

FCVS:

Filtered containment venting systems

FYP:

Five Year Plan

GAO:

Government Accountability Office

IAEA:

International Atomic Energy Agency

INPO:

Institute of Nuclear Power Operations

IRRS:

Integrated Regulatory Review Service

MEP:

Ministry of Environmental Protection

MWe:

Megawatts of electric output

NEA:

Nuclear Energy Agency

NEI:

Nuclear Energy Institute

NLB:

Nuclear Law Bulletin

NNSA:

National Nuclear Safety Administration

NPP:

Nuclear power plant

NRC:

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

NSSC:

Nuclear Safety and Security Commission

OECD:

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

PHWR:

Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor

PWR:

Pressurized Water Reactor

RBMK:

Reaktor Bolshoy Moshchnosti Kanalnyy

TMI:

Three Mile Island

UNSCEAR:

United Nations Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiation

US:

United States

VVER:

Vodo-Vodyanoi Energetichesky Reaktor

WNA:

World Nuclear Association

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA

    Kathleen Araújo

  2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Kathleen Araújo

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  1. Kathleen Araújo
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Correspondence to Kathleen Araújo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Center of Security and Protection, USA

    Samuel Apikyan

  2. Brookhaven National Laboratory, New York, USA

    David Diamond

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Araújo, K. (2015). Dynamics of International Nuclear Safety: Post-Fukushima Developments in Regulatory Oversight and Filtered Vent Technology in Six Nuclear Countries. In: Apikyan, S., Diamond, D. (eds) Nuclear Threats and Security Challenges. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series B: Physics and Biophysics. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9894-5_18

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