Nuclear Regulatory Commission Orders Big Change

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission ordered big changes in safety procedures for U.S. nuclear generators. The orders came on the one-year anniversary of the earthquake that severely damaged coastal reactors in Japan. U.S. operators must install new equipment to limit core damage in a serious accident. They also have to beef up protection of safety equipment. U.S. plants have until 2016 to comply. NRC Chairman Gregory Jaczko said he was disappointed the commission couldn't agree to faster compliance. An industry spokesman put the compliance tag at $100 million.