Reliability Technology and Nuclear Power

The threat to nuclear power as the cornerstone of energy independence has reached an unsettling high. Never has the need been greater to tell the public the nuclear story and tell it convincingly. We believe that when the facts are presented in a comprehendible manner, the public will make the right decision about nuclear power-and, to be sure, it is their decision. We further believe that reliability technology is key to telling this story. The Reactor Safety Study (WASH-1400) is a start and must be followed with an even broader application of probability methods. In this connection some ideas are presented on a unified approach, addressing not only risks but also costs, benefits, and environmental impacts. A broader look at the use of probability methods in the power field reveals considerable history and activity in planning, safety, and availability work. A backlog of ideas, techniques, and experience is building, and a strong basis for widespread use of probabilistic methods now exists.