nuclear-news

Safety violations at US nuclear plants

News 2 investigates violations at SC nuclear power plants, News 2, 29 April 11,  “……..Since 1990, the Catawba Nuclear Station in York, SC has 8 Severity Level 3 violations, resulting in a total of $250,000 in fines.

The Oconee Nuclear Station in Seneca had 9 Severity Level 3 violations, and 2 Severity Level 2 violations totaling $765,000.

The H.B. Robinson plant in Hartsville had 10 Severity Level 3 violations and 1 Severity Level  2 violation totaling $443,000.

The V.C. Summer plant in Jenkensville had 3 Severity Level 3 violations, with no associated fines.

When it comes to violations and fines, Knight says that not all issues are associated with the danger ofradiation exposure to employees or the public, but “Many such violations, points to a culture of maybe a lack of concern and that’s where I say vigilance and having that safety culture is so critical.”

A further study of the Severity Level 2 violations shows that in 1997 at the Oconee plant there was problem with a 2 pumps over-heating for failing to correctly measure water levels.

In 1998 Oconee had a second Severity Level 2 violation due to faulty instrument calibration which the NRCcalled “a very significant regulatory concern.”….http://www2.counton2.com/news/2011/apr/28/6/news-2-investigates-violations-sc-nuclear-power-pl-ar-1775561/

April 29, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA