After the crisis at Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant, the safety of domestic nuclear reactors is under serious scrutiny. Nuclear Regulatory Commission chairman Gregory Jaczko reassured Congress earlier this week that American nuclear reactors can survive major natural disasters, but some critics argue that U.S. reactors may be even more vulnerable than the ones in Japan. Nuclear reactors are engineered to withstand certain levels of disaster, based on projections beyond what the area has experienced. But should an unprecedented disaster take place, as with Japan, it's impossible to definitively establish whether the operating reactors in the U.S. would remain safe.
According to Biff Bradley, the director of risk assessment for the Nuclear Energy Institute, it's almost impossible to try to rank the absolute safety risk of a plant, due to the number of variables that would be involved in any sort of direct comparison. But given that some fundamental risks are obvious and plant safety records are public, relative risks can be measured. For instance, nearly half of the 104 nuclear reactors operating in the United States are close to major fault lines, including the Diablo Canyon and San Onofre plants located near California's San Andreas Fault. The Indian Point nuclear power plant in New York is less than two miles from the Pampano fault line, and sits within 50 miles of more than 17 million people.
Based on the input of more than a half-dozen experts in nuclear energy, nuclear engineering and risk assessment, The Daily Beast ranked the country's power plant sites based on three, equally weighted metrics: risk of natural disaster, safety performance assessments, and surrounding population. In other words, which nuclear power plants are located in the most dangerous physical locations, have the weakest relative operating conditions, and would affect the greatest number of people should an unforeseeable emergency occur? For the complete, detailed methodology, click here.
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1. Indian Point
Location: Buchanan, NY (24 miles north of New York City) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 2: 1020; Unit 3: 1025 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 2: 1973; Unit 3: 1975 Population within 50 Miles: 17,452,585 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
2. San Onofre
Location: San Clemente, CA (45 miles southeast of Long Beach, CA) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 2: 1070; Unit 3: 1080 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 2: 1982; Unit 3: 1982 Population within 50 Miles: 9,468,825 Relative Safety Rating: middle third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 4 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: approx. 225 miles Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
3. Limerick
Location: Limerick, PA (21 miles northwest of Philadelphia) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1134; Unit 2: 1134 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1985; Unit 2: 1989 Population within 50 Miles: 7,923,148 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 10
4. Dresden
Location: Morris, IL (25 miles southwest of Joliet, IL) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 2: 867; Unit 3: 867 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 2: 1991; Unit 3: 1971 Population within 50 Miles: 7,806,437 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 15 to 25
5. Diablo Canyon
Location: Avila Beach, CA (12 miles west-southwest of San Luis Obispo, CA) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1151; Unit 2: 1149 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1984; Unit 2: 1985 Population within 50 Miles: 437,333 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 5 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: approx. 250 miles Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
6. Salem
Location: Hancock Bridge, NJ (18 miles southeast of Wilmington, DE) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1174; Unit 2: 1130 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1976; Unit 2: 1981 Population within 50 Miles: 5,666,258 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
7. Watts Bar
Location: Spring City, TN (60 miles southwest of Knoxville, TN) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 1123 Year Operating License Issued: 1996 Population within 50 Miles: 1,041,466 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 3 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 20
8. Peach Bottom
Location: Delta, PA (17.9 miles south of Lancaster, PA) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 2: 1112; Unit 3: 1112 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 2: 1973; Unit 3: 1974 Population within 50 Miles: 5,446,128 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 10
9. Virgil C. Summer
Location: Jenkinsville, SC (26 miles northwest of Columbia, SC) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 966 Year Operating License Issued: 1982 Population within 50 Miles: 1,138,816 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 3 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 15
10. Sequoyah
Location: Soddy-Daisy, TN (16 miles northeast of Chattanooga, TN) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1148; Unit 2: 1126 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1980; Unit 2: 1981 Population within 50 Miles: 1,048,818 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 3 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 15 to 25
11. Seabrook
Location: Seabrook, NH (13 miles south of Portsmouth, NH) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 1295 Year Operating License Issued: 1990 Population within 50 Miles: 4,187,095 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
12. Braidwood
Location: Braceville, IL (20 miles south-southwest of Joilet, IL) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1178; Unit 2: 1152 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1987; Unit 2: 1988 Population within 50 Miles: 6,845,106 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 15 to 20
13. Hope Creek
Location: Hancock Bridge, NJ (18 miles southeast of Wilmington, DE) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 1061 Year Operating License Issued: 1986 Population within 50 Miles: 5,667,344 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
14. Columbia
Location: Richland, WA (20 miles north-northeast of Pasco, WA) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 1190 Year Operating License Issued: 1984 Population within 50 Miles: 404,163 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 3 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: approx. 140 miles Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
15. Waterford
Location: Killona, LA (25 miles west of New Orleans, LA) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 1250 Year Operating License Issued: 1985 Population within 50 Miles: 2,113,087 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 40 - 60 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 20
16. Arkansas Nuclear One
Location: London, AR (6 miles west-northwest of Russellville, AR) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 843; Unit 2: 995 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1974; Unit 2: 1978 Population within 50 Miles: 295,832 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 25 to 35
17. Vogtle
Location: Waynesboro, GA (26 miles southeast of Augusta, GA) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): 1109; Unit 2: 1127 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1987; Unit 2: 1989 Population within 50 Miles: 712,672 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 40 - 60 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 15
18. Edwin I. Hatch
Location: Baxley, GA (20 miles south of Vidalia, GA) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 876; Unit 2: 883 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1974; Unit 2: 1978 Population within 50 Miles: 426,725 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 40 - 60 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 15
19. Catawba
Location: York, SC (18 miles south of Charlotte, NC) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1129 ; Unit 2: 1129 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1985; Unit 2: 1986 Population within 50 Miles: 2,461,326 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 15
20. Pilgrim
Location: Plymouth, MA (38 miles southeast of Boston, MA) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 685 Year Operating License Issued: 1972 Population within 50 Miles: 4,610,713 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
21. McGuire
Location: Huntersville, NC (17 miles north of Charlotte, NC) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1100; Unit 2: 1100 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1981; Unit 2: 1983 Population within 50 Miles: 2,647,599 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 15
22. Shearon Harris
Location: New Hill, NC (20 miles southwest of Raleigh, NC) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 900 Year Operating License Issued: 1986 Population within 50 Miles: 2,337,716 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 15
23. Surry
Location: Surry, VA (17 miles northwest of Newport News, VA) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 799; Unit 2: 799 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1972; Unit 2: 1973 Population within 50 Miles: 2,354,094 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 40 -60 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 10
24. Joseph M. Farley
Location: Columbia, AL (18 miles south of Dothan, AL) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 851; Unit 2: 860 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1977; Unit 2: 1981 Population within 50 Miles: 397,337 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 40 - 60 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 15 to 25
25. LaSalle County
Location: Marseilles, IL (11 miles southeast of Ottawa, IL) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1118; Unit 2: 1120 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1982; Unit 2: 1983 Population within 50 Miles: 2,082,176 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 15 to 20
26. North Anna
Location: Louisa, VA (40 miles northwest of Richmond, VA) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 980.5; Unit 2: 972.9 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1978; Unit 2: 1980 Population within 50 Miles: 1,795,918 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 10
27. Callaway
Location: Fulton, MO (25 miles east-northeast of Jefferson City, MO) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 1236 Year Operating License Issued: 1984 Population within 50 Miles: 497,276 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 15 to 20
28. Vermont Yankee
Location: Vernon, VT (5 miles south of Brattleboro, VT) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 510 Year Operating License Issued: 1972 Population within 50 Miles: 1,489,553 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
29. Beaver Valley
Location: Shippingport, PA (17 miles west of McCandless, PA) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 892; Unit 2: 846 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1976; Unit 2: 1987 Population within 50 Miles: 3,168,589 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 10
30. River Bend
Location: St. Francisville, LA (24 miles north-northwest of Baton Rouge, LA) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 989 Year Operating License Issued: 1985 Population within 50 Miles: 895,543 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 15 to 25
31. Palo Verde
Location: Wintersburg, AZ (50 miles west of Phoenix, AZ) Reactors: 3 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1335; Unit 2: 1335; Unit 3: 1335 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1985; Unit 2: 1986; Unit 3: 1987 Population within 50 Miles: 3,528,251 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: approx. 200 miles Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
32. Grand Gulf
Location: Port Gibson, MS (20 miles south of Vicksburg, MS) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 1297 Year Operating License Issued: 1984 Population within 50 Miles: 376,227 Relative Safety Rating: middle third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 30 to 35
33. Clinton
Location: Clinton, IL (23 miles south-southeast of Bloomington, IL) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 1065 Year Operating License Issued: 1987 Population within 50 Miles: 753,423 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 15 to 25
34. Fermi
Location: Newport, MI (25 miles northeast of Toledo, OH) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 1122 Year Operating License Issued: 1985 Population within 50 Miles: 5,012,595 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 15
35. Comanche Peak
Location: Glen Rose, TX (40 miles southwest of Fort Worth, TX) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1200; Unit 2: 1150 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1990; Unit 2: 1993 Population within 50 Miles: 1,672,150 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 0 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 25 to 30
36. Donald C. Cook
Location: Bridgman, MI (13 miles south of Benton Harbor, MI) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1009; Unit 2: 1060 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1974; Unit 2: 1977 Population within 50 Miles: 1,299,675 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 15
37. Millstone
Location: Waterford, CT (3.2 miles west-southwest of New London, CT) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 2: 884; Unit 3: 1227 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 2: 1975; Unit 3: 1986 Population within 50 Miles: 2,967,673 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
38. Byron
Location: Byron, IL (17 miles southwest of Rockford, IL) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1164; Unit 2: 1136 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1985; Unit 2: 1987 Population within 50 Miles: 1,454,121 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 15 to 20
39. South Texas Project
Location: Bay City, TX (90 miles southwest of Houston, TX) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1410; Unit 2: 1410 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1988; Unit 2: 1989 Population within 50 Miles: 298,473 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 0 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 40 - 60 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 15
40. Monticello
Location: Monticello, MN (30 miles northwest of Minneapolis, MN) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 579 Year Operating License Issued: 1981 Population within 50 Miles: 2,977,003 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 0 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 20
41. Oyster Creek
Location: Forked River, NJ (9 miles south of Toms River, NJ) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 619 Year Operating License Issued: 1991 Population within 50 Miles: 4,022,131 Relative Safety Rating: middle third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 -40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
42. Three Mile Island
Location: Middletown, PA (10 miles southeast of Harrisburg, PA) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 786 Year Operating License Issued: 1974 Population within 50 Miles: 3,725,433 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 10
43. Perry
Location: Perry, OH (35 miles northeast of Cleveland, OH) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 1261 Year Operating License Issued: 1986 Population within 50 Miles: 2,363,980 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 10
44. Browns Ferry
Location: Athens, AL (32 miles west of Huntsville, AL) Reactors: 3 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1065; Unit 2: 1104; Unit 3: 1115 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1973; Unit 2: 1974; Unit 3: 1976 Population within 50 Miles: 927,485 Relative Safety Rating: middle third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 20 to 30
45. Quad Cities
Location: Cordova, IL (20 miles northeast of Moline, IL) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 867; Unit 2: 869 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1972; Unit 2: 1972 Population within 50 Miles: 663,099 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 15 to 25
46. Davis-Besse
Location: Oak Harbor, OH (21 miles east-southeast of Toledo, OH) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 893 Year Operating License Issued: 1977 Population within 50 Miles: 1,803,182 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 15
47. Cooper
Location: Brownville, NE (23 miles south of Nebraska City, NE) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 830 Year Operating License Issued: 1974 Population within 50 Miles: 60,427 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 0 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 25 to 30
48. James A. FitzPatrick
Location: Scriba, NY (6 miles northeast of Oswego, NY) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 852 Year Operating License Issued: 1974 Population within 50 Miles: 915,925 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
49. Crystal River
Location: Crystal River, FL (80 miles north of Tampa, FL) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 838 Year Operating License Issued: 1976 Population within 50 Miles: 974,647 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 0 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 40-60 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 10
50. St. Lucie
Location: Jensen Beach, FL (10 miles southeast of Ft. Pierce, FL) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 839; Unit 2: 839 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1976; Unit 2: 1983 Population within 50 Miles: 1,070,699 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 0 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 60+ Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
51. Brunswick
Location: Southport, NC (40 miles south of Wilmington, NC) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 938; Unit 2: 937 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1976; Unit 2: 1974 Population within 50 Miles: 420,186 Relative Safety Rating: middle third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 60+ Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 10
52. Susquehanna
Location: Salem Township, Luzerne Co., PA (70 miles northeast of Harrisburg, PA) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 1149; Unit 2: 1140 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1982; Unit 2: 1984 Population within 50 Miles: 1,785,904 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 10
53. R.E. Ginna
Location: Ontario, NY (20 miles north of Rochester, NY) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 498 Year Operating License Issued: 1969 Population within 50 Miles: 1,280,439 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
54. Turkey Point
Location: Homestead, FL (20 miles south of Miami, FL) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 3: 720; Unit 4: 720 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 3: 1972; Unit 4: 1973 Population within 50 Miles: 3,383,332 Relative Safety Rating: middle third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 0 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 60+ Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
55. Calvert Cliffs
Location: Lusby, MD (40 miles south of Annapolis, MD) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 873; Unit 2: 862 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1974; Unit 2: 1976 Population within 50 Miles: 3,367,816 Relative Safety Rating: middle third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 10
56. Wolf Creek
Location: Burlington, KS (3.5 miles north of Burlington, KS) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 1166 Year Operating License Issued: 1985 Population within 50 Miles: 188,458 Relative Safety Rating: middle third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 25 to 30
57. Prairie Island
Location: Welch, MN (28 miles southeast of Minneapolis, MN) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 551; Unit 2: 545 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1974; Unit 2: 1974 Population within 50 Miles: 2,906,946 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 0 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 20
58. Duane Arnold
Location: Palo, IA (8 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids, IA) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 640 Year Operating License Issued: 1974 Population within 50 Miles: 639,982 Relative Safety Rating: middle third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 0 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 20 to 30
59. Nine Mile Point
Location: Scriba, NY (6 miles northeast of Oswego, NY) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 621; Unit 2: 1140 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1974; Unit 2: 1987 Population within 50 Miles: 907,215 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 0 to 5
60. Palisades
Location: Covert, MI (5 miles south of South Haven, MI) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 778 Year Operating License Issued: 1971 Population within 50 Miles: 1,352,322 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 0 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 15
61. Oconee
Location: Seneca, SC (30 miles west of Greenville, SC) Reactors: 3 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 846; Unit 2: 846; Unit 3: 846 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1973; Unit 2: 1973; Unit 3: 1974 Population within 50 Miles: 1,320,156 Relative Safety Rating: top third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 15
62. Point Beach
Location: Two Rivers, WI (13 miles north-northwest of Manitowoc, WI) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): Unit 1: 512; Unit 2: 514 Year Operating License Issued: Unit 1: 1970; Unit 2: 1973 Population within 50 Miles: 766,875 Relative Safety Rating: bottom third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 0 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 15
63. Kewaunee
Location: Kewaunee, WI (27 miles east-southeast of Green Bay, WI) Reactors: 2 Electrical Output (megawatts): 556 Year Operating License Issued: 1973 Population within 50 Miles: 768,020 Relative Safety Rating: middle third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 0 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 5 to 15
64. Fort Calhoun
Location: Fort Calhoun, NE (19 miles north of Omaha, NE) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 500 Year Operating License Issued: 1973 Population within 50 Miles: 916,063 Relative Safety Rating: top third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 1 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 0 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 20 to 25
65. H. B. Robinson
Location: Hartsville, SC (26 miles northwest of Florence, SC) Reactors: 1 Electrical Output (megawatts): 710 Year Operating License Issued: 1970 Population within 50 Miles: 855,396 Relative Safety Rating: top third Risk of Natural Disasters:
Likelihood of Earthquake (scale 0-6): 2 Expected Number of Hurricanes in Next Century: 20 - 40 Miles to Potentially Active Volcano: not a factor Significant Tornadoes (1921-1995): 10 to 15
Clark Merrefield, Lauren Streib, and Ian Yarrett reported this ranking.
