nuclear-news

In a letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Democrat said information in a previously unreleased report shows operator Southern California Edison and the company that built the plant’s ailing steam generators, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, were aware of design problems before the equipment was installed.

Edison spokeswoman Maureen Brown did not immediately respond to an email and phone message seeking comment. Mitsubishi spokesman Patrick Boyle did not immediately respond to an email or phone message seeking comment…….

Boxer, who chairs the Environment and Public Works Committee, said the unreleased report raises concerns that Edison and Mitsubishi rejected safety modifications and sidestepped a more rigorous safety review.

Her letter came as Edison is pushing a plan to restart one of the hobbled twin reactors then run it at reduced power in an attempt to stop the vibrations that have damaged tubes.

“Safety, not regulatory short cuts, must be the driving factor in the design of nuclear facilities, as well as NRC’s determination on whether (San Onofre) can be restarted,” Boxer said in a letter co-signed by Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass…..

Overall, records show investigators found wear from friction and vibration in 15,000 places, in varying degrees, in 3,401 tubes inside the plant’s four generators, two in each reactor.

The future of heavily damaged Unit 3 is not clear…. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/06/barbara-boxer-san-onofre_n_2633202.html