That confession is troubling.. considering.



Fukushima inspires safety features for Georgia nuclear reactors
[link to edition.cnn.com]

[snip]

During October's annual France-Atlanta 2012 conference, Collins explained how the newly designed Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia, will feature safety measures meant to prevent a Fukushima sequel.

They include the reactors' not needing electrical power to shut down safely and relying less on pumps and valves and more on natural heat.

Also, because of digital operation, a human controller won't be required for 72 hours, and the main core will remain cool because of a containment cooling system.

These design changes, Collins said, are meant to protect employees and the surrounding community in the event of a natural disaster.

Collins noted that while Southern keeps safety atop its list of priorities, it can't "control the weather," and it's hard to prepare for natural disasters such as the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan or 2005's Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast.