# 5407
The head of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Gregory Jaczko - speaking in front of the House energy and commerce subcommittee today - gave a far more somber assessment of Japan’s nuclear crises than have Japanese officials over the past couple of days.
While stating that their information is `limited’, he said that the U.S. believes that the water is nearly, or perhaps even totally, gone from the spent fuel pool at Fukushima reactor # 4.
He stated that the radiation levels there were very high, and that “could possibly impact the ability to take corrective measures”.
He also posed the possibility that there is a crack in the spent fuel pool in reactor three "which could lead to a lost of water in that pool.”
First a report from Reuters on Jaczko’s comments, then a report from ABC news which claims that officials are `alarmed’ over the Japanese handling of the crisis, and believe there may be only 24-48 hours to prevent a much greater catastrophe.
UPDATE 1-Bigger evacuation area needed for Japan reactors-NRC
Wed Mar 16, 2011 7:21pm GMT
* Emergency workers may face lethal doses of radiation
* Reactor #3 spent fuel pool may also have crack, leak (adds comments from NRC chairman, spent fuel pool at reactor three may be leaking)
By Tom Doggett
WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - The top U.S. nuclear regulator told Congress on Wednesday the United States will not be hit by harmful radiation from Japan's crisis-hit reactors and that the evacuation area around them is smaller than what it would recommend.
U.S. Officials Alarmed By Japanese Handling of Nuclear Crisis
U.S. Officials Fear Fukushima Could Become 'Deadly For Decades'
By MARTHA RADDATZ
March 16, 2011
U.S. officials are alarmed at how the Japanese are handling the escalating nuclear reactor crisis and fear that if they do not get control of the plants within the next 24 to 48 hours they could have a situation that will be "deadly for decades."
Both reports offer surprisingly critical (and contradictory) remarks by U.S. officials on the actions being taken by the Japanese in dealing with this crisis.
Meanwhile, Japanese officials are hopeful that a freshly laid power line will soon supplied badly needed electricity to these overheating reactors, and that the cooling pumps can be started again.
While this would be a major step towards easing the crisis, that will not solve all of the problems facing these damaged reactors.
Here is the Associated Press report on that critical operation.
New power line may ease crisis at Japan nuke plant
By MARI YAMAGUCHI
The Associated Press
FUKUSHIMA, Japan — A nearly completed new power line could restore cooling systems in Japan's tsunami-crippled nuclear power plant, its operator said Thursday, raising some hope of easing the crisis that has threatened a meltdown and already spawned dangerous radiation surges.
