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BBC: Nuclear to continue as planned, says UK Gover

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SChttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13426851?print=trueIENCE & ENVIRONMENT
18 May 2011Last updated at 10:43
'No hold-up' from UK nuclear review
By Richard BlackEnvironment correspondent, BBC News
There is no need to curtail UK nuclear power as a result of the crisis at Japan's Fukushima site, according to the UK's nuclear inspectorate.
Chief inspector Mike Weightman says that extreme natural events such as the Magnitude 9 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami are "not credible" in the UK.
But his interim report, commissioned by government, does call for re-evaluation of safety systems at existing plants.
These include electrical and coolant systems, and flood protection.
Overall, he says, the UK nuclear industry reacted "responsibly and appropriately" to the Fukushima incident, with companies "displaying strong leadership for safety and a strong safety culture".
And the principles for assessing safety at UK plants are still sound, he says - as are procedures for licensing new reactors.
"The extreme natural events that preceded the accident at Fukushima are not credible in the UK," he said.
"But we are not complacent. No matter what the differences are, and how high the standard of design and subsequent operation of the nuclear facilities here in the UK, the quest for improvement must never stop."
Energy and Climate Secretary Chris Huhne described the report as "authoritative and detailed".
"It provides us with the basis to continue to remove the barriers to nuclear new build in the UK," he said.
"We want to see new nuclear as part of a low-carbon energy mix going forward, provided there is no public subsidy. The Chief Nuclear Inspector's interim report reassures me that it can."
Cool assessment
Despite the assessment that tsunami risks are neglible, the report does say flood protection may need re-evaluation at some sites.
Companies operating reactors should "undertake further work with the National Grid" to establish whether electrical power can be maintained on-site in the event of severe hazards.
The failure of multiple back-up electrical systems at Fukushima was the main factor leading to loss of cooling in the reactors and in one of the pools storing spent fuel rods.
In a bid to eliminate the possibility of gas explosions such as those that destroyed buildings housing reactors at Fukushima, Mr Weightman concludes UK operators should also review ventilation systems.
However, he notes that all UK reactors with the exception of Sizewell B use gas for coolant rather than water - meaning that loss of coolant should not result in a build-up of hydrogen.
The design of fuel ponds should be revisited to minimise the risk of damage from incidents inside a reactor nearby.
Mr Weightman also endorses government plans, published last month, to establish an independent Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR) outside the Health and Safety Executive where the office currently resides.
He will shortly visit Japan, leading a fact-finding mission on behalf of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Findings from that trip, he said, would inform the final report that he will deliver to the UK government in September.
Environmental groups say that with the situation at Fukushima still not completely under control, and with revelations still emerging about Japanese companies having resisted warnings about earthquake damage down the years, it is too soon to make a final judgement.
"With brave emergency workers still battling to bring Fukushima under control, and no analysis yet from international nuclear authorities, it will take many months or even years before the lessons can be properly learned," said Doug Parr of Greenpeace.
"The interim safety report can only begin to ask the questions; it's inconceivable that a credible comprehensive report can be delivered by September."