nuclear-news

In a letter sent to NRC Chairman Greg Jaczko this morning, Markey noted that inspections at Seabrook uncovered structural weaknesses in concrete surrounding a safety-related tunnel only two decades into the plant’s 40-year license. Seabrook applied for relicensing last year and is hoping to receive approval soon to operate another two decades once its license expires in 2030.– “If safety structures that are supposed to help cool the Seabrook nuclear power plant are experiencing such alarming degradation during the reactor’s ‘adolescence,” there is simply no way that the NRC can guarantee that it will remain safe until it enters its “golden years” almost 40 years from now,” Markey wrote. The letter was also signed by Congressman John Tierney, who represents northeastern Massachusetts communities…….http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/greenblog/2011/06/nuclear_plants_can_be_relicens.html