nuclear-news

UK govt letting EDF, Centrica, AREVA plan nuclear safety?

it’s very much in the hands of EDF, Centrica, RWE, E.ON, Areva, Westinghouse and the rest to propose the form of modifications….I can’t see any of those parties putting forward suggestions that will significantly increase the cost of their reactor designs and plant lay-outs for the first new nuclear power stations.

Why are we trusting the nuclear giants to suggest safety improvements? Rowena Mason, Telegraph UK,  May 18th, 2011 “…….Today Mike Weightman Britain’s solemn chief inspector of nuclear concluded that nuclear power in Britain is largely safe. Or “has no need to be curtailed”, as he put it…….. he’s willing to let the industry make some suggestions about how their systems could be better, rather than dictate specific modifications.
It all begs the question: is the inspectorate and the Government going the right way about assessing the situation? And is someone who has for many years been responsible for the safety current reactors and designs of new ones the right person to stand back make an unbiased judgement on their reliability?

More than a few journalists at today’s press briefing were concerned about whether it was sensible to put so much power in the hands of the nuclear companies to choose the direction of safety improvements.
It’s the same principle as asking the Financial Services Authority to look into the near-collapse of the banking system and allowing the financial institutions to make themselves less risky.

Of course, any changes will be interrogated by the nuclear inspectorate. But it’s very much in the hands of EDF, Centrica, RWE, E.ON, Areva, Westinghouse and the rest to propose the form of modifications.

I might be wrong, but I can’t see any of those parties putting forward suggestions that will significantly increase the cost of their reactor designs and plant lay-outs for the first new nuclear power stations.

What’s more, the openness of the 26 recommendations are likely to make the nuclear industry very happy indeed, since most simply advise “reviewing” the current arrangements and reporting back in a month’s time. Even before this has been completed, Mr Weightman believes it “unlikely” there will need to be any major structural changes needed to the new reactor designs of Areva and Westinghouse…….Why are we trusting the nuclear giants to suggest safety improvements? – Telegraph Blogs

May 19, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, UK