SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif- The Nuclear Regulator Commission is in town to discuss plant safety, just one week apart from the Coastal Commission's recent decision that said no to seismic studies at Diablo Canyon.
Last month the NRC issued its letter stating Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant is safe from any potential earthquakes. "The NRC is continuing to ask for more information about the seismic plan at Diablo Canyon power plant," said Lara Uselding from the NRC.
Even though more research is needed, the NRC said they never required PG&E to perform advanced seismic testing. Wednesday's meetings were focused on the shoreline fault that lies 600 meters from the plant. "It took a very independent look at the shoreline fault and concluded that the plant and all its structures can withstand the ground motion that would come from the faults that are located off the coast," said Uselding.
An attorney for a group, "Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility" was at the meetings and said he doesn't believe the analysis is going far enough, and said the NRC isn't considering a multiple fault rupture. "I think congress needs to look into this, I think there has got to be a more faithful placement then the Nuclear Regulatory Commission if these earthquakes are going to be properly evaluated," said John Geesman, an Attorney for Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility.
The NRC contends they have continued to research all the fault lines, in fact Diablo Canyon is the most researched power plant in the country.
"There is a lot of information for the Diablo Canyon power plant, we have more data for the seismic hazard of this plant than we do at any other plant in the U.S.," said Annie Kammerer, a Seismologist for the NRC.
The NRC has required PG&E to complete additional seismic hazard evaluations in addition to its ongoing studies by 2017.
