- +18
James M. Acton, Saskia Brechenmacher, Cecily Brewer, …
{
"authors": [
"James M. Acton"
],
"type": "legacyinthemedia",
"centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
],
"collections": [],
"englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"programAffiliation": "NPP",
"programs": [
"Nuclear Policy"
],
"projects": [],
"regions": [
"East Asia",
"Japan"
],
"topics": [
"Nuclear Policy",
"Nuclear Energy"
]
}Source: Getty
Unclear Whether Exposed Spent Fuel Rods Will Catch Fire
Conditions at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear reactors, damaged by the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami, remain tense, as water levels around the spent fuel rods in one reactor continue to drop, exposing the rods to the air.
Source: NBC
In the wake of the devastating earthquake and subsequent tsunami on March 11, Japan’s Fukushima nuclear reactor crisis took serious damage, although the extent of the damage remains unclear. Of particular concern is the spent fuel pool in reactor four. Water surrounding these rods is intended to both shield the spent fuel rods from releasing radiation and to cool them, explained Carnegie’s James Acton to Matt Lauer on NBC’s Today Show. However, water levels have gone down and the rods are now exposed. It remains unclear why water levels have dropped or what will happen as the fuel rods grow more exposed. Acton explained that evaporation is unlikely to have caused the depleted water levels, suggesting that there is a reasonable chance the pool was damaged by the tsunami. Nuclear experts disagree on whether the rods will start burning when exposed, Acton added.
With so much uncertainty and a situation that has escalated far beyond what the nuclear plants were designed to handle has required the Japanese government to improvise, Acton said. Helicopters have dumped tons of water onto reactor three in an effort to keep it cool. Throughout the Fukushima nuclear power plant, radiation levels have been fluctuating wildly and workers there are operating at great personal risk. Acton suggested that the depth of this crisis indicates a need for a wholesale review of whether nuclear plants are capable of withstanding the full range of disasters to which they may be exposed.
About the Author
Jessica T. Mathews Chair, Co-director, Nuclear Policy Program
Acton holds the Jessica T. Mathews Chair and is co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
- Unpacking Trump’s National Security StrategyOther
- Trump Has an Out on Nuclear Testing. He Should Take It.Commentary
James M. Acton
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- China’s Police and Security Cooperation AgreementsPaper
China’s Ministry of Public Security is often portrayed as a domestic law enforcement agency, but it is also a global security actor. This paper explores how MPS has used international law enforcement and security cooperation agreements—over 200 since 2006—to advance China’s vision of security in a changing global environment.
Sophie Zhuang, Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Cameron Waltz
- Europe Should Not Let Nuclear Nonproliferation DieCommentary
Amid uncertainty caused by the Iran war, the global drive for nonproliferation has stalled. With Europe diplomatically marginalized and countries reassessing their nuclear options, efforts to curb the spread of nuclear weapons risk becoming irrelevant.
Jane Darby Menton
- Post U.S.-China Summit: Managed InstabilityCommentary
The U.S.-China Summit produced a welcome commitment to build a constructive, strategically stable relationship. However, the United States has a full agenda, including the USMCA review beginning this week, that will likely target Chinese practices of concern. If China views these efforts as inconsistent with the agreements reached in Beijing, it may slow or halt progress in response.
Barbara Weisel
- Are Russia-Japan Relations Really Warming Up?Commentary
The truth is that Japan’s government is seeking a degree of reengagement but at a vastly reduced level than under Abe. Most significantly, Japan has shown no willingness to ease sanctions.
James D.J. Brown
- Corrupted by Absolute PowerCommentary
In an interview, Marc Lynch discusses his new book decrying the post-1990 U.S.-dominated order in the Middle East.
Michael Young