Union of Concerned Scientists:

Urge the NRC to Enforce Fire Safety Regulations

A fire at a nuclear power plant could lead to a serious accident and a release of deadly radiation.
Today, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the nation’s nuclear plant operators are woefully ignoring critical fire safety regulations adopted by the NRC in 1980 after a near catastrophic accident in 1975 at the Browns Ferry nuclear plant in Alabama. Write to the NRC and urge the commissioners to protect the public and enforce these critical fire protection regulations.

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Dear [Decision Maker],

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In 1975, catastrophe was barely averted when fire erupted at the Browns Ferry nuclear plant. Today, 33 years later, the risk of a fire at a U.S. nuclear power plant remains unacceptably high--with potentially deadly consequences. I urge you to immediately and vigorously enforce the fire protection regulations adopted in 1980 that are being woefully ignored by plant operators and your agency.

As you well know, the industry's own risk assessment considers fire to be the greatest risk in a nuclear plant's operations. Yet, not one of the nation's operating nuclear power plants is known to be in compliance with the 1980 regulations. It is disturbing that NRC and independent tests have found that the fire retardant material used to protect electrical cables (also known as cable wraps) most prevalently used in the nation's nuclear plants are deficient and fail within minutes of being exposed to fire, as opposed to the one-hour requirement.

Protecting the public is the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's primary responsibility and your agency's unwillingness to enforce its own regulations is simply unacceptable. A fire at a nuclear power plant could lead to a serious accident and a release of deadly radiation, potentially killing or injuring thousands of people.

It is your duty and responsibility to enforce the NRC fire protection regulations.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]