- The U.S. nuclear reactor facing the highest risk of a meltdown from an earthquake is not in California, but instead is Duke Energy's (NYSE:DUK) H.B. Robinson in South Carolina, according to an analysis from the Union of Concerned Scientists.
- To be sure, the chances of an earthquake leading to meltdowns are small: Robinson faces a one in 7,700 chance annually that a quake would cause a meltdown, says the analysis based on Duke's estimates submitted to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
- That risk is 5x higher than for each of PG&E's (NYSE:PCG) two Diablo Canyon reactors, the only ones left in California; the two reactors are scheduled to be shut in 2024 and 2025.
- Ameren's (NYSE:AEE) Callaway reactor in Fulton, Mo., faces a one in 13,800 chance of a meltdown annually, the analysis says.
- Duke says all its nuclear plants are in compliance with NRC requirements for earthquakes, and it has bolstered structures, systems and components.
- Ameren says the Fulton reactor invests millions of dollars on protections against earthquakes and other natural disasters.