Frequently Asked Questions About Seabrook Station Operations

Seabrook Station's safety performance | About security | Seabrook Station in the community

How does a nuclear power plant work? The fuel in a nuclear power plant is uranium, which is a natural ore found in the ground. Unlike coal, gas and oil, we don't burn uranium in a nuclear power plant. We get the heat needed to create steam from a process known as fission, or the splitting of atoms -- the smallest parts of any element. Like all pressurized water reactors, Seabrook Station has distinct loops of water that do not intermix. A closed loop of water is heated by fission in the reactor. We then transfer this heat to a second loop of water. The steam drives the turbine-generator that produces electricity.

Where does Seabrook Station get the water used in plant operations? Water used in the reactor and most other plant systems is piped in from the municipal water supply. We then purify the water at the plant to reduce mineral deposits that could otherwise reduce equipment efficiency and we test the water quality routinely in the plant's on-site laboratory. A separate supply of water that cools used steam for re-use comes from -- and is returned to -- the Atlantic Ocean through pipes located offshore. This water does not come into contact with the reactor system and is also monitored to ensure it meets all safety standards.

Do we really need the power from Seabrook? Yes. Seabrook Station provides enough electricity to meet the annual energy needs of about 900,000 residential customers. The Seabrook nuclear unit is safe and efficient and provides an affordable source of electricity.

Seabrook Station's safety performance

What is Seabrook Station's performance record? Seabrook Station is one of the best performing nuclear power plants in the country, as well as in the world. The World Association of Nuclear Operators has rated Seabrook Station as one of the top-performing U.S. nuclear power plants.

How safe are nuclear power plants? Nuclear power plants are very safe. Seabrook Station maintains very high operating standards and also meets or surpasses regulatory requirements. Employee and public health and safety are of highest priority in everything we do. Our plant workers are thoroughly trained and are experts in their fields. To further protect the public, our nuclear units are designed to use automatic safety systems and multiple safety barriers as part of our "safety first" policy.

Who regulates or oversees the operation of Seabrook Station to make sure it's safe? First, our employees are our most expert safety guardians. Each employee understands that nuclear safety is his or her primary responsibility. Our plants are also monitored closely by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, a federal government agency that oversees all U.S. nuclear power plants. Daily and special inspections -- some unannounced -- are conducted on site at Seabrook Station to make sure we meet federal regulations in place to protect public health, safety and the environment.

What kind of maintenance is done on plant equipment? We have a rigorous maintenance program at Seabrook Station to make sure the plant runs reliably. Our employees are skilled in using preventive maintenance techniques to test and repair or replace equipment on regular schedules. As a result of this ongoing maintenance, our plant can operate safely and reliably now and in the future.

About security

What kind of security is in place to protect the plant? FPL has always had a comprehensive security program at its nuclear power plants, and extensive measures are in place to ensure the security of our Seabrook facility. Our security plan is very detailed in how our security force is organized and what actions would be taken to protect the plant. Although we are not allowed to discuss the specifics of our plan, our comprehensive security measures at Seabrook Station are carefully designed to protect public health and safety.

Does FPL communicate with other law enforcement agencies? FPL nuclear security programs and personnel are part of a larger local and national security network and are tested routinely to ensure the safety of our employees, our customers and the communities in which our plants operate. Plant security personnel coordinate with local law enforcement agencies, which also participate in onsite security exercises. We also keep in close communication with the FBI, Coast Guard and other government agencies relating to security.

How do you test your security program? Each of our nuclear power plants conducts tactical security drills periodically, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission evaluates these drills. Drills are quite rigorous, and Seabrook has successfully completed each drill.

What physical barriers and emergency equipment protect the Seabrook nuclear reactor? The Seabrook nuclear reactor is housed in a massive steel-reinforced concrete reactor containment building that is designed to withstand earthquakes, floods and extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes and tornadoes. Seabrook's containment building is actually a unique dome-within-a-dome design, which is made up of 6 ½ feet of steel-reinforced concrete.

The reactor vessel itself is made of solid steel and is housed within the containment building. Additionally, the uranium fuel pellets inside the reactor are all encased in zircaloy, an extremely strong metal alloy. Redundant safety shutdown systems are also available to respond in the event of an emergency.

The Electric Power Research Institute, an independent, non-profit energy research group, also recently analyzed aircraft impacts on nuclear plant structures that house reactor fuel. The study results determined that the structures would not be breached, the fuel would be protected and there would be no radiation release.

Seabrook Station in the community

What benefits are provided to our local community by Seabrook Station? The plant is not only located in the community it serves, but is an integral part of that community. Our employees are actively involved in United Way, scout organizations, Little League Baseball, chambers of commerce and other local organizations. We are one of the area's largest employers, while providing a solid base of community support through local purchases, service contracts and tax payments. Our plant also does its part in providing a reliable source of electricity from safe, affordable and pollution-free nuclear power.

What services are provided by the plant's visitor center? The center, called the Seabrook Science & Nature Center, provides an opportunity for visitors to experience interactive exhibits on electricity, nuclear energy and the environment. It also provides unique educational programs to area schools. Admission is free, and visitors currently must schedule their visit in advance.