Kirk addresses Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Task Force Report
Highlights Lessons Learned in Wake of Japanese Nuclear Crisis
Proposes Six Immediate, Long-Term Safety Improvements
Need to Move Nuclear Waste from Lake Michigan Shoreline
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Washington, DCÂ – Following the release of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) Task Force report, which was unveiled 90 days after the Fukushima nuclear crisis, United States Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) today spoke to NRC Chairman Greg Jaczko and Task Force members to offer comments on the report and deliver a strong message that nuclear power production must continue in light of the events at Fukushima. With the state of Illinois relying on nuclear power for nearly half of its electricity and being home to more nuclear power plants than any state in the country, Sen. Kirk urged the NRC and the nuclear industry to implement immediate and long-term safety improvements.
“We should apply the lessons learned from Fukushima to protect the people of Illinois,” Senator Kirk said.  “The disaster at Fukushima is an opportunity to upgrade the safety of nuclear reactors in America.”Â
Sen. Kirk proposed/endorsed six improvements to American nuclear power production including:
1) Increasing safety measures and integrating emergency operating procedures
2) Implementing sensible measures to increase flood protections
3) Enhancing containment venting capabilitiesÂ
4) Installing remote monitoring controls of spent fuel pool conditions
5) Advancing capabilities to cope with prolonged station black out conditions for an initial 8 hours and an additional 72 hours utilizing preplanned and pre-staged resources
6) Expanding Emergency Planning Zones around U.S. nuclear plants from the current 10 mile radius to approximately 12.5 miles, as used in Japan
Sen. Kirk urged the NRC to move nuclear waste from the Lake Michigan shoreline. Â At the decommissioned Zion nuclear power plant, 1,000 tons of highly radioactive waste are stored just 200 yards from the shoreline. Â The Great Lakes are the source for over 90 percent of America’s fresh water. Â Sen. Kirk urged the NRC to approve the Yucca Mountain facility to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem.Â
Senator Kirk spoke about the need for nuclear safety improvements in a speech on the Senate floor Tuesday. The video of that speech can be seen here.
