Obama Calls for Review of Nuclear Plants

In light of the nuclear crisis in Japan, President Obama is asking the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to take a look at U.S. nuclear power plants. “When we see a crisis like the one in Japan, we have a responsibility to learn from this event and to draw from those lessons to ensure the safety and security of our people,” Obama said Thursday, calling on the NRC to make a “comprehensive review” of the nation's 104 nuclear reactors. Obama also told the country not to worry about radiation from Japan's stricken reactors reaching the U.S. “I want to be very clear,” he said. “We do not expect harmful levels of radiation to reach the United States, whether it’s the West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska or U.S. Territories.” He did, however, stand by the decision to urge American troops and personnel to stay 50 miles away from the reactor, calling it “a prudent and precautionary measure to take.”