Managing nuclear power emergencies is significantly different from managing other types of emergencies, including fire, flood, and other disasters because nuclear disaster management requires special technical skills and a rigid protocol which outlines detailed steps and procedure before an evacuation announcement could be made. It was evident that the impacts from a nuclear power core-meltdown accident were immerse, irreversible, and inevitable, as evident by evaluating the three historic core-meltdown accidents, namely Three Mile Island in 1997, Chernobyl in 1986, and Fukushima Daiichi in 2011. The three options for minimizing the risks associated with NPPs are suggesting elimination of all NPPs in operation in the United States, transforming inevitable risks to evitable risks, and transforming the current radiological plan into an effective emergency management plan. Being the latter option is the only viable one, this book provides a comprehensive understanding on effectively managing nuclear power emergencies in the U.S. The book presents detailed analysis on effectively managing nuclear power emergencies. In an attempt to illustrate minimizing the risks, factual answers to the key questions surrounding managing nuclear disasters are outlined. What are the risks associated with the nuclear power plants (NPP)? What are the problems associated with managing nuclear power core-meltdown accidents in the three historic accidents? Where are the geographical locations of the 99 commercial reactors in the U.S? Who are those exposed to potential risks associated with the NPPs? How could a projection of radioactive plume dispersion pathway be carried out using a spatial computer code, such as the Radiological Assessment Systems for Consequence Analysis (RASCAL) in case of a core-meltdown accident? Where would the radioactive plume go given weather conditions? Who are more likely to be exposed to the high level radiation dose during the core-meltdown accident? What are the issues with the current radiological emergency plan?

The March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami sparked a humanitarian disaster in northeastern Japan. They were responsible for more than 15,900 deaths and 2,600 missing persons as well as physical infrastructure damages exceeding $200 billion. The earthquake and tsunami also initiated a severe nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Three of the six reactors at the plant sustained severe core damage and released hydrogen and radioactive materials. Explosion of the released hydrogen damaged three reactor buildings and impeded onsite emergency response efforts. The accident prompted widespread evacuations of local populations, large economic losses, and the eventual shutdown of all nuclear power plants in Japan. "Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident for Improving Safety and Security of U.S. Nuclear Plants" is a study of the Fukushima Daiichi accident. This report examines the causes of the crisis, the performance of safety systems at the plant, and the responses of its operators following the earthquake and tsunami. The report then considers the lessons that can be learned and their implications for U.S. safety and storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste, commercial nuclear reactor safety and security regulations, and design improvements. "Lessons Learned" makes recommendations to improve plant systems, resources, and operator training to enable effective ad hoc responses to severe accidents. This report's recommendations to incorporate modern risk concepts into safety regulations and improve the nuclear safety culture will help the industry prepare for events that could challenge the design of plant structures and lead to a loss of critical safety functions. In providing a broad-scope, high-level examination of the accident, "Lessons Learned" is meant to complement earlier evaluations by industry and regulators. This in-depth review will be an essential resource for the nuclear power industry, policy makers, and anyone interested in the state of U.S. preparedness and response in the face of crisis situations.