"Nuclear Plant Safety Proposals Stir Debate Within Agency"

"Members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission appeared divided Tuesday over how to proceed with a staff proposal that calls for nuclear power plants to be better prepared for blackouts and natural disasters.

NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko and Commissioner George Apostolakis both said it made sense to require operators to be able to cope with a loss of power for longer than current rules require—a key recommendation of a staff task force that evaluated U.S. nuclear safety in light of events at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex. The Japanese reactors lost power for several days after a March earthquake and tsunami .."

Ryan Tracy reports for the Wall St. Journal July 19, 2011.

SEE ALSO:

"Who Has Final Say Over the Fate of Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant?" (Christian Science Monitor)

"Staff Tells N.R.C. That U.S. Rules Need Overhaul After Fukushima" (Green/NYT)

"Japan Links More Cattle to Cesium-Tainted Feed" (Wall St. Journal)

"Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Has Stabilized, Officials Say" (Los Angeles Times)

"Tepco Works to Cover Fukushima Building as Storm Nears Japan" (Bloomberg)