"NRC: Japan Nuke Crisis Does Not Warrant US Changes"

"ROCKVILLE, Md. – The nuclear crisis in Japan, while severe, appears to be stabilizing and does not warrant any immediate changes in U.S. nuclear plants, a top U.S. nuclear official said Monday.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's executive director for operations, Bill Borchardt, said officials have 'a high degree of confidence' that operations at the 104 nuclear reactors in 31 states are safe. He said inspectors at each of the plants have redoubled efforts to guard against any safety breaches.

Borchardt gave NRC commissioners a detailed look at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plan, damaged in the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and the U.S. response thus far."

Matthew Daly reports for the Associated Press March 21, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Nuclear Power Report: 14 'Near Misses' at US Plants Due to 'Lax Oversight'" (Christian Science Monitor)

"NRC To Review Safety Of All US Nuclear Plants" (AP)

"UN Nuke Chief: Revamped Emergency Responses Needed" (AP)

"Japan Quake May Alter Where U.S. Builds Nuke Plants" (Reuters)

"No Urgent Changes Seen for U.S. Nuclear Plants" (New York Times)

"U.S. Nuclear Plants Are Safer Than Japan's, but Operational Quality Needs Work" (ClimateWire)

"Is the Government's Nuclear Regulator Up to the Job?" (Mother Jones)

"Critics Question Safety of Leading Plant Model for Nuclear Expansion" (McClatchy)

"AG Tells Feds indian Point Relicensing Process Must Account for Seismic, Other Safety Risks" (Mid-Hudson News)

"Japan Crisis Sparks Nuclear Waste Questions In U.S." (NPR)

"Some Radiation-Tracking Air Monitors May Not Be Working Properly, EPA Says" (Bloomberg)