SCE&G extends its deepest sympathies to those affected by the catastrophic events in Japan. We continue to monitor emergency response efforts in their country.
There are a number of key differences between our V.C. Summer Nuclear Station and proposed AP1000 plants in comparison to the plants in Japan that were affected by the earthquake and tsunami:
- V.C. Summer Nuclear Station is a 966-megawatt pressurized water reactor, unlike the boiling water reactors that are currently having issues in Japan. Pressurized water reactors use natural circulation for cooling during an emergency, such as an earthquake, rather than relying solely on electricity to cool the plant down.
- All nuclear power plants in the United States are built to withstand natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and tornadoes. The V.C. Summer site is not susceptible to tsunamis or earthquakes of the magnitude experienced in Japan.
- V.C. Summer Nuclear Station Unit 1’s design and construction are based on a defense-in-depth philosophy that uses multiple safety barriers to protect public health and safety. One of the ways we protect the public’s safety is by maintaining a robust emergency response plan, which is developed in accordance with federal requirements by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other oversight agencies.
- We remain committed to the construction of our two new nuclear units at the existing V.C. Summer site. The AP1000, the design for the new units, is seen as safer than the reactors experiencing problems in Japan and is designed to shut down safely without relying on electricity, diesel generators or pumps.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Trace radiation from Fukushima detected at VCS
The recent accident at the Japanese Fukushima Reactors has led to detection of slightly elevated radiation levels at V.C. Summer Station and other nuclear sites across the country. These levels are a very small fraction of federal limits and should not cause state or federal agencies to recommend any protective measures to the public.
V.C. Summer has a comprehensive radiological environmental monitoring program that is required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. We routinely sample water, air, fish, sediments, and vegetation within 10 miles of the plant to ensure that our nuclear plant is meeting its commitment to protect the health and safety of the public. On March 24, we identified trace amounts of Iodine-131, a radioactive byproduct of nuclear fission, from the Fukushima events in Japan at VCS. The radiation doses associated with these detected levels are thousands of times less than a standard chest X-ray. In fact, based on the average air concentrations we’ve seen at our monitoring stations, you’d have to breathe the air at those locations for more than 15 years to get even one-fourth the exposure of a chest x-ray.
A few things to note about radiation:
- Radiation exists in nature and all citizens are exposed to it daily.
- Radiation levels in the United States are measured continuously by government agencies and the nuclear energy industry.
- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a nationwide network to monitor air, precipitation, drinking water and milk.
- All 65 nuclear plant sites in 31 states monitor radiation levels in the environment.
Protecting the health and safety of the public and the environment is the top priority for VCS. We will continue to monitor the situation and to keep you informed with any updated information.
Additional information: SCE&G Emergency Preparedness Nuclear Energy in South Carolina Nuclear Energy Institute’s News CenterWestinghouse Statement Shaw Group Statement
