U.S. CNO Trip to Japan
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Transcript of U.S. CNO Trip to Japan
U.S. Chief Nuclear OfficersHistoric Visit to Japan
September 9-13, 2013
Chief Nuclear Officers from U.S. Nuclear Power Plants Participated in a Historic Exchange
Objectives
• See firsthand the consequences of the Fukushima accident, and interact with Japanese CNO counterparts
• Gain in-depth understanding of strategies that allowed some reactors to withstand the earthquake/tsunami while others did not
• Convey to Japanese CNOs the benefits U.S. industry has gained by working collaboratively to improve nuclear safety culture
• Enable each U.S. CNO the opportunity to prepare a personal message for his/her organization reflecting the Fukushima experience
• Establish an ongoing dialogue with Japanese industry
Overview
• Tour Fukushima Daiichi• Tour Fukushima Daini• Dialogue with Fukushima operators and
managers on shift on 3/11/11• Dialogue with Japanese CNOs
Memorable Event, Unforgettable Images
• March 11, 2011: Magnitude 9 earthquake occurs off East coast of Japan triggering multiple tsunamis, some approaching 50 feet in height, that overtake Daiichi, Daini sites
• Communities around Daiichi devastated by earthquake and tsunami; restricted due to radiological release
• Today, 12 miles of Japanese land is restricted. Daiichi decommissioning is a 40-year project
Fukushima Daiichi 4
Fukushima Daiichi Exclusion Zone
Contaminated Soil Disposition
CNOs at Fukushima Daiichi
Lessons Learned for U.S. Industry
• Leadership in a crisis, coupled with the trust and dedication of a well-trained staff, can determine the ultimate outcome of a crisis
• Understanding roles and responsibilities, especially in the areas of command and control and communications, is essential
• TEPCO’s analysis: “[Daiichi] personnel … were overwhelmed with handling reports and responding to outside inquiries, including those from the head office… The situation did not allow them to concentrate on their duties.”
Lessons Learned for U.S. Industry
• Daini staff laid more than 6 miles of cable to maintain power to vital safety systems and safely shut down all reactors- Without established procedure or pre-staged equipment - Despite multiple severe aftershocks and additional tsunami
threats- Often in total darkness
• The Daini story of recovery has not been widely communicated. Hundreds of Daini personnel remained on site around the clock for a month following the devastation. They saved their site and are heroes
Lessons Learned for U.S. Industry
• A well-conceived FLEX strategy works. The strategy developed by U.S. operators is sound
• FLEX strategies must be effectively drilled across every operating crew and emergency response team
• Spent fuel storage pools are robust. All pools at Daiichi and Daini have no problematic leakage
Lessons Learned for U.S. Industry
• U.S. CNO teamwork and collaboration is a strength of our industry.
• APS’ Randy Edington: “I have every U.S. CNO on my speed dial”
U.S. CNO Commitments
• We are our sites’ first safety officers• We are collaborators• We are one another’s biggest critics• We are accountable to our industry — starting
with commitment and accountability to one another