Key Issues
Nuclear Plants’ Structural Strength, Emergency Plans Perform Well Through Hurricane Katrina
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Utilities Restore Power Quickly
Emergency plans activated by Entergy and Southern Company, working cooperatively with those of the companies’ nuclear plants, helped the companies restore power quickly after the storm. In a little more than a week after Katrina’s fury, the two companies returned electric service to more than half of those customers whose power was curtailed by the storm.
USA Today reported Sept. 6 that Entergy “has by most accounts exceeded expectations.” The publication credited the effectiveness of Entergy’s response to the fact that it had conducted drills in April that envisioned a similar scenario. Others have recognized Entergy’s extraordinary response, including the New York Times, New Orleans Times-Picayune and National Public Radio.
Nuclear power plants are among the few power sources unaffected by destruction of surrounding infrastructure, interruptions in the transportation of fuel supply and other factors. Because nuclear power plants refuel every 18 to 24 months, they can operate despite prolonged interruptions that impact fuel supplies for other sources. This capability underscores the need for a diverse energy portfolio.
Nuclear power plants provide 20 percent of America’s electricity. More than 100 reactors produce reliable, affordable power that contributes to the stability of the electrical grid.
Utilities Restore Power Quickly
Emergency plans activated by Entergy and Southern Company, working cooperatively with those of the companies’ nuclear plants, helped the companies restore power quickly after the storm. In a little more than a week after Katrina’s fury, the two companies returned electric service to more than half of those customers whose power was curtailed by the storm.
USA Today reported Sept. 6 that Entergy “has by most accounts exceeded expectations.” The publication credited the effectiveness of Entergy’s response to the fact that it had conducted drills in April that envisioned a similar scenario. Others have recognized Entergy’s extraordinary response, including the New York Times, New Orleans Times-Picayune and National Public Radio.
Nuclear power plants are among the few power sources unaffected by destruction of surrounding infrastructure, interruptions in the transportation of fuel supply and other factors. Because nuclear power plants refuel every 18 to 24 months, they can operate despite prolonged interruptions that impact fuel supplies for other sources. This capability underscores the need for a diverse energy portfolio.
Nuclear power plants provide 20 percent of America’s electricity. More than 100 reactors produce reliable, affordable power that contributes to the stability of the electrical grid.
