One Year Later, What Have We Learned? Ever since a massive
earthquake and tsunami led to the nuclear accident at Fukushima
Daiichi, operators of nuclear energy facilities in the United
States have taken steps to make safe plants even safer. Even
before Fukushima, Fort Calhoun Station was better prepared for
emergencies because of the tragedy of 9/11. Following that
terroristic act, OPPD took further actions to procure diesel-
powered pumps capable of providing water to remove heat from the
reactor, as well as enhancing firefighting capability and
providing water to the spent fuel pool. |OPPD put in place
additional procedures and training for the use of this
equipment, some of which was used during last summer’s flooding.
Although that flooding was different than a tsunami, OPPD
employees know what it takes to protect a nuclear power plant
from water. Responding to that flooding also brought additional
protective equipment and processes into the plant’s
capabilities. OPPD is continuing to prepare by ordering a