Repower America News Releases

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held a public meeting today to release the 60-day findings of the NRC task force reviewing NRC processes and regulations in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear meltdowns. The review found faults in plant preparedness systems and the regulations that prescribe the extent of those systems. For example, the review highlighted the fact that ‘Severe Accident Management Systems’ are inconsistently implemented across the country. The NRC has continued its licensing and re-licensing of nuclear reactors without any new protections against disasters.

On the 25th anniversary of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, the world is yet again faced with widespread radioactive contamination from damaged nuclear plants. After an earthquake and tsunami hit the coast of Japan, four reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant are partially melted down and have been leaking dangerous radioactive elements for more than a month. The disaster’s severity has been rated at the highest international level and stands alone with Chernobyl in the history of nuclear power as a ’major accident,’ with ‘widespread health and environmental effects.’Areas around Chernobyl are still contaminated with levels of radioactive elements that are dangerous to public health and the environment.

Up and down the Atlantic coast, states and offshore wind developers are making significant progress in advancing offshore projects, according to a new report. The report finds up to six gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind projects have been proposed along the Atlantic coast - the equivalent of about five coal-fired power plants and enough to power about 1.5 million average U.S. homes. Based on government analysis, the Atlantic Ocean has significant offshore wind potential, with over 212 GW of wind resources in shallow waters where current technology is best suited.

American families could save almost $1,300 every year on their energy bills by 2030 if the government invests in the energy efficiency of our buildings today, according to a new report by Environment America. Saving energy in our buildings would also help America’s fight against global warming by reducing projected greenhouse gas emissions from buildings by 37 percent.