Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

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QUESTION 10. (Continued) - 6 -
range of adverse systems interactions. These actual experiences
are not supportive of the notion that a severe accident in the
U.S. equal to or more severe than the Three Mile Island accident
is an unlikely event over the next 20 years.
»
Further, many believe that the largest single factor affecting the
likelihood of a severe core damage accident rests with the human
factor -- the people who manage, operate and maintain nuclear
power plants. Whether the contribution is very high or very low
depends upon the utilities' commitments, attitudes, actions, and
capabilities. Because of the extreme complexity of the plants,
mediocrity and complacency on the part of the utilities are not
acceptable over the long term. The utilities must have the
ability to anticipate problems, react properly to unanticipated
events, and adequately maintain and operate their plants.
Unfortunately, many utilities do not now meet this test.
As the Commission has recently acknowledged to the Congress, the
current generation of nuclear power plants in this country can
best be characterized as a complex technology that is not fully
mature. Resolution of safety issues over the past thirty years
has been left to what one industry executive has called the rough,
tough, surly competitive elements. Safety systems are limited
because of cost considerations. Containment capabilities are
minimized to reduce costs. For example, to keep the containment
size down, crucial pumps, heat exchangers, and emergency water