"California Nuke Plant Key in Quake Safety Review"

"WASHINGTON — Federal regulators have been too slow and lax when it comes to ensuring the safety of California's last operating nuclear plant, according to Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, who clashed repeatedly with members of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission during a Senate committee hearing Wednesday.

Boxer said that the lessons of Japan's Fukushima nuclear disaster more than three years ago have not been taken to heart nearly enough at Diablo Canyon, where new seismic faults have been discovered since the plant was constructed decades ago. Boxer pointed out that a senior federal expert has urged the NRC to shut down the plant until the agency can determine whether the reactors can withstand shaking from any of the nearby faults.

Boxer said lax enforcement of seismic safeguards extends to other nuclear plants, too. She said the agency has yet to fully complete any of 12 key safety recommendations that a task force made in response to Fukushima more than three years ago."

Kevin Freking and Michael R. Blood report for the Associated Press December 3, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Boxer: Nuclear Regulators Haven’t Learned From Fukushima" (The Hill)

"Senators Clash Over Nuclear Regulator’S Confirmation" (The Hill)