Working on New Madrid project, I read DOE reports which indicated no problems for nuclear plants in the shake zone.  Scientific reports were one thing and I tend to follow data, but I also like to apply a touch of common sense.  An earthquake predicted to effectively cut the country into an east and a west seems capable of doing some interesting things to any man-built structure.

After the event in Japan and doing a little research into seismic standards in place when the plants were constructed, it became apparent a second look was a prudent activity. I am glad to see this government action. The challenge will be in the NRC actually implementing any enhancements.  “… The effort to enact those changes, however, could be hampered by a federal requirement that any costly upgrades be justified by commensurate, tangible improvements in safety. Since earthquakes are hard to predict, that could become contentious.”

This should be interesting to follow. Will we mitigate risk? Or, as has been our default action lately, defer it to the next generation?