USA -Nuclear Reactor Vessel Can’t Move from Port of Savannah

“…Williams says the vessel won’t be needed at the construction site until March. However, Clements says that’s because the project is behind schedule. He says it’s already over budget as well by about $900 million dollars. (Georgia Power disputes many of the cost overruns.)

Still Clements says the issue of not being able to move the reactor vessel is just another example of the problems that have plagued this project from the begnning, with rate payers footing the bill. He says if there is a plan to move it, the public needs to know and how the delay may be impacting the cost. “They just need to explain it in my opinion to the public and if it’s costing the Georgia ratepayer any more money,” he said….”

By: JOANN MERRIGAN | WSAV News 3
Published: January 21, 2013

Savannah, GA) The Alliance for Nuclear Accountability is concerned about what it says is a 300 ton problem. It’s talking about the nuclear reactor vessel that came from Korea last month as part of the new project at Plant Vogtle near Waynesboro. The concrete vessel was made in Korea and came by ship to the Port of Savannah. Once there, it was loaded onto a specially built rail car for the trip to Plant Vogtle (about 100 miles.)

nuclear reactor vessel at port of Savannah

But the Alliance says it didn’t get very far. “The NRC says it made it about a quarter of a mile and there was this big “shift” and the train stopped. And they came back to the Port and it’s been sitting there since December 15,” says Tom Clements from the Alliance.

“Georgia Power customers that are paying for the new nuclear plant are basically in the dark,” he says. “We don’t know what the plan is on moving this thing. Can they move it? Is the delay costing us.”

We found the rail car for ourselves and took our own video. We were told by Clements that the reactor vessel is underneath the blue tarp.

“They haven’t demonstrated they can carry it to Plant Vogtle,” said Clements.
Westinghouse ,one of the construction partners, designed the rail car to distribute the weight of the reactor vessel which is about the equivalent of 200 automobiles. Clements questions if the car needs repairs or if the rail lines can ultimately support the weight of 300 tons.

Mark Williams from Georgia Power says the vessel will be moved but that westinghouse has to complete the transport. “They own the rail car and they will oversee the transport, we work closely with them and are kept updated on the progress,” he told us. “There’s no problem.”

“If somebody says that’s not safe as far as transporting it, that would be incorrect, it’s going to be moved shortly and it doesn’t impact the project,” said Williams.

Williams says the vessel won’t be needed at the construction site until March. However, Clements says that’s because the project is behind schedule. He says it’s already over budget as well by about $900 million dollars. (Georgia Power disputes many of the cost overruns.)

Still Clements says the issue of not being able to move the reactor vessel is just another example of the problems that have plagued this project from the begnning, with rate payers footing the bill. He says if there is a plan to move it, the public needs to know and how the delay may be impacting the cost. “They just need to explain it in my opinion to the public and if it’s costing the Georgia ratepayer any more money,” he said.

VIDEO HERE…

http://www2.wsav.com/news/2013/jan/21/nuclear-reactor-vessel-stranded-port-savannah-ar-5417709/