House Dems press nuclear regulator on earthquakes

Two House Democrats called on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on  Tuesday to provide more information on the ability of U.S. nuclear power plants to withstand the effects of earthquakes.

It’s the latest attempt by lawmakers to take a closer look at the safety of the U.S. nuclear fleet since an earthquake and tsunami ravaged Japan and led to a nuclear crisis in the country.

In a letter to NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko, Reps. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Lois Capps (D-Calif.) requested detailed information on seismic activity and the country's nuclear reactors.

“We are concerned that these reactors may not have the features necessary to withstand the sort of catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that has crippled several reactors in Japan, and caused a meltdown and the release of the highly radioactive materials within them,” the lawmakers said in the letter.

The letter comes one day after Democrats, including Markey, called on Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold hearings and conduct an investigation into the nuclear crisis in Japan.

Obama administration officials have said that the country’s nuclear reactors can withstand major natural disasters like an earthquake, and have underscored their commitment to nuclear energy.