The earthquake in Japan is having ripple effects as far away as Tennessee, where Tennessee U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander is challenging calls for nuclear power reforms.
Mr. Alexander of Tennessee, a strong proponent of building more nuclear reactors, tried to reassure the nation about the power source in an address Monday on the Senate floor.
The floor speech comes after the Tennessee Valley Authority executives said the utility’s reactors in East Tennessee and North Alabama are in areas “not prone to frequent or extremely large earthquakes” and have numerous safety features.
“The reactor safety systems so far seem to have done their job,” Mr. Alexander said Monday.
A number of members of Congress are reconsidering their stance on nuclear power following the fallout from an unfolding nuclear crisis in Japan.
