Chemical engineers welcome Fukushima report

A new report addressing the state of the UK nuclear industry has been welcomed by Chartered Chemical Engineer and IChemE nuclear expert Paul Haigh.

The report, commissioned by the government following Japan’s Fukishima nuclear crisis in March, was overseen by Mike Weightman, the UK’s chief nuclear inspector. It says that the Fukushima disaster provides no reason to restrict UK nuclear reactors or stop building new ones and that no fundamental weaknesses in the current licensing regime or safety principles have been identified.

Haigh says that the report findings are welcome: “We've long held the view that nuclear energy is an essential component of the UK's push for a low carbon energy balance. By endorsing the regulatory overview of the UK nuclear industry, new nuclear build can be planned and built without delay and our existing power plants can continue to operate. Chemical engineers in the nuclear industry must maintain a strong culture of continuous improvement and a constant commitment to safety.“

Honorary Fellow Sue Ion also welcomed the report, telling the UK Guardian newspaper: “ This report also emphasises the issues associated with the long-term management of the UK's historic legacy sites where there are significant engineering challenges and where 'utmost vigour and determination' should be taken to ensure their clean up and decommissioning.”