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Spotlight
NRC Actions in Response to the Japan Nuclear Accident
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Current Fukushima Status
- Japan Task Force Report
- NRC Response Fact Sheet
- FOIAs and Operations Center Transcripts
- Related Blog Postings Additional Recommendations
TEPCO Status Reports
Unit 4 Spent Fuel Pool
Stability
Issue Resolution
Stakeholder
ACRS
This page addresses the following topics related to actions taken by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in response to the Japan nuclear accident in March 2011:
- Japan Event Overview
- NRC Assessment of Event
- NRC Actions in Response to Event
- Additional Information and Resources
Japan Event Overview
On Friday, March 11, 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck Japan and was soon followed by a tsunami, estimated to have exceeded 45 feet (14 meters) in height, resulting in extensive damage to the six nuclear power reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi site. Upon learning of the event that morning, the NRC began monitoring the situation. Later that afternoon, the NRC activated and staffed its Emergency Operations Center at headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, to closely monitor the Japan events and assess the potential impact on U.S. nuclear plants and materials, particularly those on the West Coast and in Hawaii, Alaska, and U. S. Territories in the Pacific. The agency also began interacting with its Japanese regulatory counterparts and dispatched two experts to Japan to help at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. By Monday, March 14, the agency had dispatched a total of 11 NRC staff to provide technical support to the American Embassy and the Japanese government. The NRC was there to assist the Japanese government and respond to requests from its Japanese regulatory counterparts. The agency also provided support to the U. S. ambassador and the U.S. government assistance effort.
NRC Assessment of Event
Since that time, the NRC has been working to understand the events in Japan and relay important information to U.S. nuclear power plants. In particular, the NRC established a task force of senior agency experts to determine lessons learned from the accident and to initiate a review of NRC regulations to determine if additional measures needed to be taken immediately to ensure the safety of U.S. plants. The task force issued its report on July 12, 2011, which concluded that there was no imminent risk from continued operation and licensing activities. The Task Force also concluded that enhancements to safety and emergency preparedness are warranted and made a dozen recommendations for Commission consideration. The staff subsequently prioritized and expanded upon the task force recommendations (see SECY-11-0137) and continues to make additions and modifications, as appropriate:
NRC Actions in Response to Event
On March 12, 2012, based on the prioritized task force recommendations, the NRC issued the first regulatory requirements for the nation’s 104 operating reactors based on the lessons-learned at Fukushima Dai-ichi. The NRC continues to evaluate and act on the lessons learned to ensure that appropriate safety enhancements are implemented at nuclear power plants here in the U.S. In accordance with Commission direction, the NRC’s activities are being led by a steering committee comprised of senior NRC management. Additionally, the NRC established the Japan Lessons Learned Project Directorate, a group of more than 20 full-time employees focused exclusively on implementing the lessons learned.
Additional Information and Resources
For additional information and resources, see the following pages:
- Timeline
- Plant-Specific Actions in Response to the Japan Nuclear Accident
- News Releases/Speeches
- Public Meetings/Presentations
- Commission Briefings
- Congressional Testimony
- Congressional Correspondence
- Additional and International Reports
- Related Documents
- Other Sources of Information
- Contact Us