by Brent Wilkes, Executive Director, LULAC

LULAC is united in concern and sadness following the tsunami and earthquakes that recently struck Japan. As the situation unfolds, we commend the men and women who are currently working to provide support for damaged Japanese communities.

As the United States moves forward in shaping a response to the situation in Fukushima, we must remain conscious of the role the nuclear energy industry plays in our nation’s economy and future. With more than one hundred nuclear reactors in place, the American nuclear energy industry employs tens of thousands of Americans and produces almost 20% of the power consumed by the United States annually. While safety must remain our first priority in shaping public policy, the United States should avoid a reactionary response to this emergency.

We support the efforts of the international community to stabilize the Daiichi power plant. We must not only partner in rebuilding communities, but we must also join in learning how we can build a safer, more reliable clean energy industry.

Paris, March 16, 2011

Following the earthquake and tsunami that struck northern Japan, AREVA is mobilizing its forces to provide support to residents of the affected area and to the rescue workers and personnel working near the Fukushima nuclear plant.

AREVA has chartered a plane that will depart for Japan as soon as possible to deliver 3,000 activated charcoal protective masks, 10,000 overalls and 20,000 gloves. The aircraft will also carry 100 tons of boric acid, a neutron absorber, made available by EDF.

French rescue workers left for Japan early this week with radioactivity detection equipment provided by AREVA’s subsidiary, Canberra, specializing in the manufacture of nuclear detection and measurement equipment. Equipment in AREVA’s Tokyo offices has already been made available to the Japanese security teams.

The Group also decided as of Monday to donate one million euros to the Japanese Red Cross.

From the NY Times on what is being called the “Fukushima 50.” Simply put: they are heroes.

A small crew of technicians, braving radiation and fire, became the only people remaining at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station on Tuesday….They crawl through labyrinths of equipment in utter darkness pierced only by their flashlights, listening for periodic explosions as hydrogen gas escaping from crippled reactors ignites on contact with air….

Nuclear reactor operators say that their profession is typified by the same kind of esprit de corps found among firefighters and elite military units.

“You’re certainly worried about the health and safety of your family, but you have an obligation to stay at the facility,” he said. “There is a sense of loyalty and camaraderie when you’ve trained with guys, you’ve done shifts with them for years.”

….Tokyo Electric has refused to release the names or any other information about the 50 workers who stayed behind, nor have utility executives said anything about how they are being relieved as they become tired or ill.

Some of those battling flames and spraying water at reactors at Daiichi are members of Japan’s Self-Defense Force, police officers or firefighters.

Over on NPR there is some rational thinking from Foreign Policy with one clear message:

“The case for nuclear power remains strong.”

In a piece from James M. Acton, associate in Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment of International Peace, he discusses why nuclear energy is still a safe, rational choice. He points out that the major hurdle will not be rebuilding the why nuclear plants operate, but rebuilding public trust.

Saying:

“This last point is crucial. New reactors, with enhanced safety features, would almost certainly not have befallen the same fate as those at Fukushima Daiichi, which is four decades old. Convincing the public of this argument will be extremely hard now, however.”