Safety
Nuclear power plants are among the safest and most secure industrial facilities in the United States.
Multiple layers of physical security, together with high levels of operational performance, protect plant workers, the public and the environment.
Nuclear plants have operated safely and securely in the United States for decades and in Georgia since 1975.
Plant Vogtle
U.S. nuclear plants are well-designed, operated by trained personnel, defended against attack and prepared in the event of an emergency.
Stringent federal regulation, automated, redundant safety systems and the industry's commitment to comprehensive safety procedures keep nuclear power plants and their communities safe.
A nuclear power plant is equipped with four major types of safety systems to prevent accidents and reduce their effects if one should occur:
- A system to quickly shut down a reactor and stop the fission chain reaction.
- Numerous systems to control reactor pressure and to continue cooling the reactor fuel -- that is, to carry away the heat that continues to be generated even after the reactor is shut down.
- Electrical, control, and instrument systems for safety systems and for monitoring reactor conditions.
- A system of barriers to contain radioactivity if it should escape from the reactor fuel in an accident.
Operators receive rigorous training and must hold valid federal licenses. All nuclear power plant personnel are subject to background and criminal history checks before they are granted access to the plant.
Each nuclear power plant has extensive security measures in place to protect the facility from intruders. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the nuclear energy industry has substantially enhanced security at nuclear plants.
Every nuclear power plant in the country has a detailed plan for responding in the event of an emergency. Operators test that plan regularly, with the participation of local and state emergency response organizations.
