E2-Wire

House Dems press nuclear regulator on earthquakes

by Andrew Restuccia - 03/15/11 5:29 PM ET

“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.

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