Like a phoenix rising from ashes, nuclear power has seen a renaissance in recent years after decades of bad publicity. And while the accident at Fukushima cast an ominous shadow over its future, experts are now applying some important lessons to new designs. To further improve safety, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission recently approved a design which features a massive water tank on top of a cylindrical, concrete and steel shielded building. In case of an incident similar to Fukushima, water would flow down and cool the steel container that holds the reactor’s radioactive fuel. Since experts say the new design could also safely handle a direct impact from a falling aircraft, here’s hoping atomic energy continues to radiate more of this progress and good news.
February 21, 2012 by Craig Rucker,
Craig Rucker is the executive director and co-founder of CFACT.