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Subscribe to RSSThe General Electric-designed nuclear reactors involved in the Japanese emergency are very similar to 23 reactors in use in the United States, according to Nuclear Regulatory Commission records.
The NRC database of nuclear power plants shows that 23 of the 104 nuclear plants in the U.S. are GE boiling-water reactors with GE's Mark I systems for containing radioactivity, the same containment system used by the reactors in trouble at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant. The U.S. reactors are in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Vermont.
In addition, 12 reactors in the U.S. have the later Mark II or Mark III containment system from GE. These 12 are in Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington state. See the full list below.
GE via NRC
GE's Mark I containment system.
(General Electric is a parent company of msnbc.com through GE's 49 percent stake in NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal and Microsoft are equal partners in msnbc.com.)
Msnbc.com sent questions Saturday to GE, asking whether the Japanese reactors differed from those of the same general design used in the U.S.
A GE spokesman, Michael Tetuan, referred all questions to the Nuclear Energy Institute, an industry trade and lobbying group. Tetuan said GE nuclear staff members in Wilmington, N.C., are focused on assisting GE employees in Japan and standing by to help the Japanese authorities if asked to help. The NEI on Sunday confirmed that the figure of 23 is correct.
Updates:
- On Monday, GE Hitachi Nuclear sent the following statement, in full: "The BWR Mark 1 reactor is the industry’s workhorse with a proven track record of safety and reliability for more than 40 years. Today, there are 32 BWR Mark 1 reactors operating as designed worldwide. There has never been a breach of a Mark 1 containment system."
- On Friday, GE posted rebuttals to the most common criticisms of the Mark I containment system.
The six reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant, which had explosions on Saturday and Monday, are all GE-designed boiling-water reactors, known in the industry as BWRs. Five have containment systems of GE's Mark I design, and the sixth is of the Mark II type. They were placed in operation between 1971 and 1979.
A fact sheet from the anti-nuclear advocacy group Nuclear Information and Resource Service contends that the Mark I design has design problems, and that in 1972 an Atomic Energy Commission member, Dr. Stephen Hanuaer, recommended that this type of system be discontinued.
"Some modifications have been made to U.S. Mark I reactors since 1986, although the fundamental design deficiencies remain," NIRS said. The group has a commentary online describing what it says are hazards of boiling-water reactors: human invervention needed to vent radioactive steam in the case of a core meltdown, and problems with aging.
Since the earthquake struck Japan on Friday, the early statements by the industry's Nuclear Industry Institute have emphasized that only six plants in the U.S. have precisely the same generation of reactor design (GE boiling-water reactor model 3) as the first reactor to have trouble in Fukushima Daiichi. Problems then developed at different reactors of GE model 4.
But aside from the generation of reactor design, the following 23 U.S. plants have GE boiling-water reactors (GE models 2, 3 or 4) with the same Mark I containment design used at Fukushima, according to the NRC's online database:
• Browns Ferry 1, Athens, Alabama, operating license since 1973, reactor type GE 4.
• Browns Ferry 2, Athens, Alabama, 1974, GE 4.
• Browns Ferry 3, Athens, Alabama, 1976, GE 4.
• Brunswick 1, Southport, North Carolina, 1976, GE 4.
• Brunswick 2, Southport, North Carolina, 1974, GE 4.
• Cooper, Brownville, Nebraska, 1974, GE 4.
• Dresden 2, Morris, Illinois, 1970, GE 3.
• Dresden 3, Morris, Illinois, 1971, GE 3.
• Duane Arnold, Palo, Iowa, 1974, GE 4.
• Fermi 2, Monroe, Michigan, 1985, GE 4.
• FitzPatrick, Scriba, New York, 1974, GE 4.
• Hatch 1, Baxley, Georgia, 1974, GE 4.
• Hatch 2, Baxley, Georgia, 1978, GE 4.
• Hope Creek, Hancock's Bridge, New Jersey, 1986, GE 4.
• Monticello, Monticello, Minnesota, 1970, GE 3.
• Nine Mile Point 1, Scriba, New York, 1969, GE 2.
• Oyster Creek, Forked River, New Jersey, 1969, GE 2.
• Peach Bottom 2, Delta, Pennsylvania, 1973, GE 4.
• Peach Bottom 3, Delta, Pennsylvania, 1974, GE 4.
• Pilgrim, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 1972, GE 3.
• Quad Cities 1, Cordova, Illinois, 1972, GE 3.
• Quad Cities 2, Moline, Illinois, 1972, GE 3.
• Vermont Yankee, Vernon, Vermont, 1972, GE 4.
And these 12 newer GE boiling-water reactors have a Mark II or Mark III design:
• Clinton, Clinton, Illinois, 1987, GE 6, Mark III.
• Columbia Generating Station, Richland, Washington, 1984, GE 5, Mark II.
• Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Mississippi, 1984, GE 6, Mark III.
• LaSalle 1, Marseilles, Illinois, 1982, GE 5, Mark II.
• LaSalle 2, Marseilles, Illinois, 1983, GE 5, Mark II.
• Limerick 1, Limerick, Pennsylvania, 1985, GE 4, Mark II.
• Limerick 2, Limerick, Pennsylvania, 1989, GE 4, Mark II.
• Nine Mile Point 2, Scriba, New York, 1987, GE 5, Mark II.
• Perry, Perry, Ohio, 1986, GE 6, Mark III.
• River Bend, St. Francisville, Louisiana, 1985, GE 6, Mark III.
• Susquehanna 1, Salem Township, Pennsylvania, 1982, GE 4, Mark II.
• Susquehanna 2, Salem Township, Pennsylvania, 1984, GE 4, Mark II.
Other resources:
Details on each U.S. reactor are in the NRC list.
The NRC has an explainer on boiling-water reactors and the various GE containment designs.
Here's an earthquake hazard map of the lower 48 United States from the U.S. Geological Survey showing the areas with the greatest risks. More detailed state-by-state maps from the USGS are here.
Scientific American looks at the technical situation facing the engineers in Japan. And The Wall Street Journal describes how this emergency calls into question the redundancies that nuclear plant designers rely on.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Tokyo Electric tested the Fukushima plant to withstand an earthquake less severe than the one that struck last week:
Separately, company documents show that Tokyo Electric tested the Fukushima plant to withstand a maximum seismic jolt lower than Friday's 8.9 earthquake. Tepco's last safety test of nuclear power plant Number 1—one that is currently in danger of meltdown—was done at a seismic magnitude the company considered the highest possible, but in fact turned out to be lower than Friday's quake. The information comes from the company's "Fukushima No. 1 and No. 2 Updated Safety Measures" documents written in Japanese in 2010 and 2009. The documents were reviewed by Dow Jones.
The company said in the documents that 7.9 was the highest magnitude for which they tested the safety for their No. 1 and No. 2 nuclear power plants in Fukushima.
Simultaneous seismic activity along the three tectonic plates in the sea east of the plants—the epicenter of Friday's quake—wouldn't surpass 7.9, according to the company's presentation.
The company based its models partly on previous seismic activity in the area, including a 7.0 earthquake in May 1938 and two simultaneous earthquakes of 7.3 and 7.5 on November 5 of the same year.
Video from NBC Nightly News:
NBC's Lester Holt speaks with nuclear energy expert Joe Cirincione.
Leave a Comment:
GE loves MOX fuel
10 years of constant lies from US government,
10 years of constant lies from controlled media
The only thing that surprises me is why the left wing anti-American anti-produce-our-own-energy thugs waited so long before trying to extrapolate this incident to the USA. Not remotely similar. What kind of 9.0 earthquake and tsunami will hit OHIO, or even NY for that matter? Sick of the left aren't you?
All of the GE Mark I containments identified above have provisions to fill Containment with what ever Raw Water is available.
What we are seeing in Fukushima, is absolutely the worst case that we Drill for in the industry. I have been on expert panels to address Extended Damage scenarios. We came up with recommendations, however - Face facts - This was an extraordinary Quake with a Tsunami Direct Hit.
We have plans with surrounding Pumper Trucks, and Mobile Generators, however this is predicated on some of the roads and bridges being intact. Also, barge and ships are considered IF there is a useable waterway and dock facility.
All said, Station Blackout (SBO) can be dealt with BUT all bets are off with SBO with damage from an External Event such as this. Internal Events are not as great a concern because the facility well analyzed.
Plants are licensed to cope with a set of conditions that are historic. Seismic activity over the last 500 years is considered and is well documented within the License (FSAR). It appears that our assumptions can no longer be validated. External Events are the driving force for new design and additional coping strategies if we are to continue in this endeavor.
Clearly more planning needs to occur.
Begin right now with diesel engine water pumps at a large volume water source, off property, and new pipe laid toward our nuclear facilities. Begin careful training of all fire fighters in the area who would likely be first on scene. Cadre of glow boys readily available - something like minutemen. Older engineers may be a good group to recruit from.
We would now have remedy, although after the fact, for serious events caused by natural events, corrosion events, control failure events, and the 2 more likely causals.
From what I am hearing the usual suspects are running around with their hair on fire. The more sober voices are stating that yes this is bad, but not to the point that millions will die from radiation poisoning and people need to get a grip. This was a natural disaster that was unprecedented and not your run of the mill earthquake, reports are now stating 9.+ on the Richter scale.
There are already calls to scrap our own reactors... And people should understand that these reactors in Japan are older second generation units, not the newer and much more advanced 3rd and 4th generation reactors. The 4th generation reactors from what I have read are very cutting edge and extremely compact. They would have rode this earthquake out quite well from my understanding.
Also, the left is now playing the global warming card, it is said to be the cause of the earthquake and tsunami. Don't let the left have another day in the sun with their typical hysteria and hyperbole, as they will have us shoveling cow dung to heat our houses if we let them get away with this. God, I hope and pray the adults prevail.
GE has inferior designs. Westinghouse reactors are better.
These are very old reactors, one was slated for replacement with one of the new 4th generation Hitachi reactors. Puts out 2.5x more power and has an extremely small footprint. Said to be near bullet proof and does not suffer from the faults of these 20 to 40 year old units that are now going teets up.
Actually this should tell people just how safe nuclear energy is. It took a 9.0 quake to cause problems and the only place in the United States that this would be possible is in California. Otherwise, this is a testiment to GE.
Thanks, rbcintexas, for your comment. One factual correction: If you follow the link to the national earthquake-risk map from USGS, you wouldn't say that California is the only place in the U.S. with seismic risk.
I don't believe though that he stated 'seismic risk', he stated 9.0 quake.
Now having said that, I don't believe that any comparisons would be considered valid because it isn't the reactor itself, but the containment structure and the overall building structure that needs to withstand the quake, and that would more than likely be customized/tailored for the location of the reactor.
Thank you SRO for the level headed comment. First analysis I've read in awhile that makes sense.
Of course the fear mongers and nuclear haters will have a field day with this! It's not the reactors you morons! A 9.0 earthquake and 30 foot tsunami will wipe out anything. Just wait until it happens in California! Then the whiners will really have something to complain about....and it will be EVERYTHING!
If these reactors have survived this long after being on top of an 8.9 quake, hit by a all that water and STILL they have not melted down. THIS IS A GREAT ARGUMENT TO BUILD HUNDREDS OF THESE IN THE USA. If they can survive this for this long...how safe are they in middle America? BUILD MORE HERE PLEASE!!!!!!!!
The alarmism on full display once again by the media, just like after the shootings in Arizona, is disgusting. It's like these networks and outlets are run by kindergarten children.
We have 23 over here too? Maybe if they all experience an 8.9 Richter scale quake immediately followed by a 30 foot tsunami, we might have an issue also.
Or maybe a meteorite might land right on top of one.
Or maybe a volcanic eruption might occur right under one.
Or maybe...
These reactors are over 40 years old. Thank a wacko environmentalist group for stopping any upgrades on Nuclear Power Plants.
G.E. They bring good things to Death.
OMG OMG
doesn't matter if you are liberal or conservative, right wing nut or left wing nut, engineer or layman, at Fukushima, there are a large number of dry, hot fuel rods right now...
The firm, of which I was employed, manufactured a device that severed the containment rod's supportive cable for the GE Reactors. In case of an emergency this would allow the control rods to be instantly separated from the reactor, and 'drop' into a cooling tank; and at the same time sealing off the possibility of any contamination leakage. As a matter of curosity, were these ever placed into the systems?
Water cooled plants are an old concept taken from the days of nuclear submarines. They are definately more dangerous and out-dated.
The problem is the US cannot de-commision these plants because we have not built any new plants in 40 years. And we need the energy. The clean energy of nuclear. We don't need to burn any more coal and natural gas has lots of environemental problems.
We need more Nuclear infrastructure in our country... especially education.
And the press needs to get educated instead of trying to sell news on fear.
If we do that we can develop Fast Breeders with liquid Sodium cooling.... much safer and much better with the waste issue.
Combined with Solar and Wind.... we can have a bright future and maybe make a difference on global warming.
Continue on the do nothing path.... we can watch India and France lead the world in energy efficiency and innovation.
Forget sodium cooled and fast breeders, a PBR (pebble bed reactor) or MSRE (Molten Salt Reactor) are even better, and produce .1% the amount of waste and contamination than any other current design. Plus- extremely low heat and pressure with high power output.
I don't get why you peddle that fear of nuclear energy is ridiculous when there are better MUCH less risky ways of converting energy from natural resources. I'm with ya on Solar, wind and global warming issues, but if there's a calculated risk to be had, no matter to whose generation, ours or the next ones depending on when disaster srikes when it comes to nukes. Why have these issues at all?!
Technology exists without plutonium and uranium risking so much to the well-being of man. TO me, those who propose its worthiness are the primitive thinkers here. What we are seeing with the meltdown is man's arrogance which always reigns higher than the well-being of mankind. These plants were to be closed but got another 10 years lease on life due to arrogance. Don't say its just the Japanese that are arrogant. Profiteers are arrogant and they risk OUR asses to better their own. ALWAYS!
WE need nuclear. Mentioning AGW in the same sentence reduces your credibility by quite a bit. Who cares about AGW? No one really. WE need energy TODAY and EVERY DAY, and we need LESS POLLUTION, which is what nuclear provides. Bringing AGW into this is silly. AGW if it exists will be theoretically bad for us thousands of years from now.
I care a lot about GW and mankind's imprint on this planet, now and for the future. Nuclear energy might be cleaner than say coal, but be wiser than this man. It's deadly and nothing you can say will change that fact.
First- for all you idiots comparing this to three mile island- 3 mile's containment unit did EXACTLY what it was supposed to do, Ive read the reports directly from the NRC and independent researchers, contain the reactor and fuel rod assemblies... The amount (directly from the reports, and indepent veification) of radiation released was less than an x-ray, and that ammount was pulled from the complex itself.
Second- These BWR's are 1st gen designed systems. All the reactors having issues right now were built in the late 50's. GE has upgraded the older plants in the US on a regular basis.
Third- The problem wasnt with the reactor itself. The problem was with the location and installation of the backup generators to keep the pumps running. Most US reactors now are no longer BWR types that require constant pump use to cool. Most now use natural convection as a backup, and dont generate the steam in the primary reactor loop (look up pressurized water reactor aka PWR. for those of you who compare this to chernoybl, that reactor was a RBMK design, made to produce plutonium as well as energy, which is a totally different design)
Get your facts straight people before you comment... And the failure rate of GE's reactors is not 90% as a poster stated earlier... If that were the case, every nuclear sub and ship in the US navy would glow in the dark...
Microscopic plutonium fallout inhalation.
10 years of constant lies from US government,
10 years of constant lies from controlled media
10 years of billions of megawatts of energy being burned. Seems everyone likes the energy, but dont want to help create it. And if the leftist progressive terrorists keep us from modernizing nuclear infrastructure and something bad happens and now its the energy producers fault.
Given the number and size of the nuclear blasts tested above ground, I think the threat is being overstated by leftist-progressive-eco-terrorists
"Yellow Journalism" at its best - MSNBC. Scare everyone when their is no reason to do so. BTW. any of the "sisters" located on an active quake vault like those in Japan? Should we not depopulate all coastal areas just in case of a mega tidal wave caused by a quake in some far off place? How about the known dead from windmills? They have "sisters" too. How about tour buses and their "sisters"? The NY incident where 20 were killed proved buses are unsafe. "Yellow Journalism"
Well, the eco-terrorists have made maintaining and rebuilding and making new nuclear infrastructure impossible but the eco-terrorists burn gas and energy like mad. So we have 40 year old reactors that cant survive a 9 magnitude (they did admirably so far containing a total failure) - but we have the technology with pebble bed and generation iV+ reactors to get rid of more of the risks.
Take your pick. Coal, Natural Gas, Nuclear, Oil. Nuclear is the least damaging due to the fact waste stays in one place (rather than being put into the atmosphere) and with new designs even more risk is averted. But the eco-terrorists want to use this to make "green" seem more appealing. Its a sad time where disasters are used by these sick people to push their eco-terrorist agenda.
Its ridiculous since no one was worried about radiation on the west coast after Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic blasts and they shot radiation well over 30,000 feet and there was no evidence of that radiation coming here. And if you read about Bikini and Enewetak Atoll (or Eniwetok Atoll) blasts - we even did a 15 megaton blast in open air called the castle bravo shot. The mushroom cloud reached a height of 47,000 feet (14 km) and a diameter of 7 miles (11 km) in about a minute; it then reached a height of 130,000 feet (40 km) and 62 miles (100 km) in diameter in less than 10 minutes and was expanding at more than 100 m/s.
Some local radiation resulted. The point is, nuclear weapons aren't as bad as the media is making nuclear power to be yet the media and the rat eco-terrorists have no real solutions other than grab a pitchfork and live like the Amish.
Again, the radical progressives and environmentalists cause all these disasters. We could have new pebble bed reactors but Obama, Pelosi and Reid gave Unions 800 billion dollars.
Bull@!$%# detectors are meltingdown. You're full of it dude.
Isn't this just great we have 23 of the vary piles of General Electric JUNK in this country that is spewing radioactivity haphazardly all over Japan. This was never supposed to have happen and just ask those SOB's at GE and they will tell you that this will never happen...Well it did!
Our country has natural gas and coal coming out of our eye balls, we are swimming in it, we do not need Atomic Power, it's dangerous, requires an extraordinary amount of added security and I for one do not want to live next door to one of these monstrosities. We as a nation need to start phasing these 40 year old ticking time bombs out and replacing them with natural gas and clean coal fired plants before this happens again; over here.
What's the point of this article? Fear mongering to generate some clicks I suppose. Who cares if the same design is in the US? Are we supposed to be afraid of a 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami ravaging Illinois?
A reactor with a containment system design that has succeeded in doing what it is engineered to do despite a 1-2 punch from one of the worst natural disasters in the last century also is in America... Oh. My. God.
Why not report on how the explosions at the reactor are predictable and aren't an indication of failure or loss of integrity to the containment?