Safety concerns about Westinghouse new nuclear reactor design

NRC raises concern about new reactor design

Google News By H. JOSEF HEBERT (AP) – 16 Oct 09

WASHINGTON — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission raised safety concerns Thursday with the design of a proposed next-generation reactor to be built by Westinghouse Electric Co., saying a key part of the reactor may not withstand a tornado, earthquake or even high winds.

The NRC staff directed Westinghouse to make changes in the reactor design so that its outer shell, which is supposed to protect the reactor’s concrete containment structure, is strengthened. The staff concluded the outer steel and composite structure does not meet the design requirements for safety.

The reactor, called the AP1000, is one of three next-generation reactor designs under NRC review. The others are being proposed by Areva Inc., the French nuclear company, and GE Hitachi Corp………… http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hc6n8iqEyIKVzXyV1ZwW38FZkxxAD9BBQ7BO4

October 16, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs | Leave a comment

Work stops with safety fears at French nuclear plant

Watchdog suspends work at French plutonium plant

PARIS, Oct 15 (Reuters) – The French nuclear safety watchdog ASN has suspended work dismantling a plutonium technology plant over worker safety fears, after almost three times as much plutonium was found at the site than expected. Continue reading →

October 16, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | France, safety | antinuclear, France, nuclear, radioactive | Leave a comment

Seabrook nuclear plant has recurring problems

NRC cites`problems at Seabrook nuke plant By Shir Haberman

seacoastonline.com October 08, 2009 “………..One of those recurring issues has to do with the diesel generators used to operate plant safety systems in the event of an off-site power outage…… NRC Region I spokesman Neil Sheehan said this most recent diesel generator problem had more to do with failures in following procedures by the company than equipment problems. Continue reading →

October 9, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs | Leave a comment

Safety doubts on Japan’s nuclear industry

Atomic power safety questions still unanswered BY KEISUKE KATORI AND AYAKO SUZUKITHE ASAHI SHIMBUN 5 Oct 09

Ten years after a nuclear accident killed two plant workers and shattered the “safety myth” surrounding atomic power generation, Japan still has much work to do in improving responses to cases of radiation exposure. Continue reading →

October 6, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, Japan, safety | antinuclear, nuclear, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

NRC finds problems in NJ nuke plant emergency

NRC finds problems in NJ nuke plant emergency Google News (AP) –1 Oct 09 LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Federal regulators say the emergency shutdown of the nation’s oldest nuclear power plant in July exposed two low-level problems.

The Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in southern New Jersey was shut down after a lightning strike knocked out electricity to the area.The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says an emergency diesel generator took too long to start up because plant operators failed to notice and fix degraded components.

The Associated Press: NRC finds problems in NJ nuke plant emergency

October 1, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, uranium, wastes | Leave a comment

India to use untested nuclear technology

India plans to cut carbon and fuel poverty with untested nuclear power

Prime minister Manmohan Singh announces 100-fold increase in nuclear energy output by 2050 with thorium technology Guardian.co.uk by Randeep Ramesh 29 September 09 Continue reading →

September 30, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, India, safety | antinuclear, nuclear, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Workers dropped bundles of uranium

2 SRS workers fired over dropping uranium

AugustaChronicle.com By Rob Pavey | Staff Writer

Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009 Savannah River Site officials have taken corrective actions — and fired two workers — after two incidents in H Canyon in which bundles of highly enriched uranium were dropped by a crane. According to a Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board report — dated Aug. 21 and made public Thursday — the incidents “had potential criticality safety implications” and halted reprocessing operations for a week. Continue reading →

September 25, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, radioactive, uranium | Leave a comment

Nuclear Waste Truck Overturns

Nuclear Waste Truck Overturns on I-81
16 WNEP

By Sarah Buynovsky

September 23, 2009 The truck overturned around 5 a.m. in Butler Township and crews were still working to safely clean up the mess 121 hours later.

The driver wasn’t hurt, but the contents of the truck spilled all over, causing concern.

“The problem that we have is it’s coming from a decommissioned nuclear facility that was owned by the department of energy,” said Stephen Bekanich of Luzerne County Emergency Management Agency. sing a meter, emergency officials said they found only low levels of radiation in the debris but they worried that cleanup could release higher levels of radiation………..

Nuclear Waste Truck Overturns on I-81 – WNEP

September 24, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Particularly dangerous wastes in new nuclear plant design

Expert fears problems with new area nukes

TimesLeader By Rory Sweeney 17 Sept 09

WILKES-BARRE – The French-designed nuclear reactor that PPL Corp. is proposing to build at its Bell Bend site in Salem Township is untested and could create more problems than it solves, according to a French nuclear consultant……. Continue reading →

September 18, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, AREVA, nuclear, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Locals concerned about planned nuclear waste site at Fermi complex

THE MICHIGAN MESSENGER Watchdog: ‘We think the casks themselves are sitting ducks. If one of them was targeted, radiation would become wind borne.’By Eartha Jane Melzer 9/15/09 Continue reading →

September 17, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, radiation, radioactive | Leave a comment

Energy company to pay up for waste violations at nuclear plant

Energy NW to pay $80,000 penalty
The News Tribune By Drew Foster, 09/09/09
Energy Northwest must pay an $80,000 fine to the state for waste management violations after a penalty against the Richland-based power supplier was recently upheld.

The state Pollution Control Hearings Board upheld the 2007 complaint, filed by the state Department of Ecology after waste management violations were found at the Columbia Generating Center nuclear power plant outside Richland. But the board reduced the amount of the penalties from $120,000 to $80,000.

Energy NW to pay $80,000 penalty | The News Tribune – Northwest | Seattle-Tacoma News, Weather, Sports, Jobs, Homes and Cars | South Puget Sound’s Destination

September 10, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes | 2 Comments

Opposition to nuclear plant in Quebec

Nuclear not good, even in remote Quebec: environmentalists
CBC News September 6, 2009
A proposed nuclear reactor that would power mining operations in Quebec’s remote regions carries more risks than benefits, according to an environmental group……. Continue reading →

September 7, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, Canada, safety | antinuclear, nuclear, radioactive | Leave a comment

(Photos) Trucking nuclear weapons and wastes around USA

Trucks Carrying Nuclear Weapons Around the Counttry Revealed (Photos)
Huffington Post 09- 3-09
The idea of nuclear weapons being carted around in our highways, cities and neighborhoods doesn’t really put one’s mind at ease. However, the government has been transporting seriously dangerous stuff like enriched uranium and plutonium secretly without public warning.

Friends of the Earth through the Freedom of Information Act has forced the Department Of Energy to release color photos of the trucks used to transport weapons. According to FOE, these are the first of such pictures that have been released in many years……………..

“The trucks carrying nuclear weapons and dangerous materials such as plutonium pass through cities and neighborhoods all the time and the public should be aware of what they look like. Release of these photos will help inform the public about secretive shipments of dangerous nuclear material that are taking place in plain view.” – Tom Clements, Southeastern Nuclear Campaign Coordinator with Friends of the Earth

Trucks Carrying Nuclear Weapons Around The Country Revealed (PHOTOS)

September 5, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, nuclear weapons, radioactive, wastes | Leave a comment

Regulatory decay allows more radioactive leaks from aging USA nuclear power plants

Beyond Nuclear Bulletin, 4 Sept 09 More radioactive leaks from reactors like Dresden, Oyster Creek, Vermont Yankee and Indian Point are calling attention to a largely ignored Nuclear Regulatory Commission document dating back to 1979 when the agency first asked operators to periodically inspect pipes and tanks to prevent uncontrolled leaks.

Reactor operators are not inspecting the miles of buried and corroding pipes and tanks. NRC is instead allowing reactors a “leak first fix later” approach rather than use preventive inspections to maintain integrity of these radioactive waste management systems through preventive inspections. In addition to frequent intentional radioactive releases, these accidental and unmonitored spills and leaks onsite are contaminating water resources away from the reactors, jeopardizing public health.

The October 19, 1979 NRC technical circular entitled “Prevention of Unplanned Releases of Radioactivity” advises the nuclear industry to periodically inspect buried pipes specifically using hydrostatic testing equipment and procedures with the focus on the “prevention” of uncontrolled and unmonitored radioactive release pathways.

Reactors are getting older and more decrepit. Twenty-year license extensions are breezing through NRC approval without regard for the environmental cost and impacts from these uninspected and deteriorating systems. How has protecting water by preventing uncontrolled and unmonitored radioactive releases become less important to NRC as the nuclear power plants degrade?

September 4, 2009 Posted by Christina Macpherson | safety, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, wastes | Leave a comment

Nuclear risks rise for French workers

French nuclear workers see risks as conditions worsen

* EDF subcontracts 80 percent of nuclear maintenance

* Nuclear workers say they are under mounting time pressure

* Safety margin is narrowing, expert says

* EDF denies it cuts corners, says subcontracts by choice

Forbes Reuters FEATUREBy Muriel Boselli

PIERRELATTE, France, Aug 31 (Reuters) – Worsening working conditions, inadequate pay rises, pressure to work faster and safety concerns — these are the familiar grievances of a disaffected work force.

When such complaints arise in France’s most sensitive industry — nuclear power — alarm bells start ringing.

Cyril Bouche and his colleagues at the Tricastin nuclear plant in the rolling hills of the Drome region say the state-owned utility EDF, which runs France’s 58 nuclear reactors and has been expanding into the United States and Britain, is not only cutting costs, but also cutting corners.

The 39-year old, who works for one of EDF’s many subcontracting firms, says working conditions at the plant — hit by a series of incidents that shook public trust in 2008 — have deteriorated over the past five to 10 years.

“Today France is selling reactors abroad but it should first put its own house in order,” said Bouche, the only one of 10 workers interviewed by Reuters who was prepared to be identified.

The French government has put forward state ownership of its nuclear sector as a guarantee of its safety, but former monopoly EDF subcontracts 80 percent of the maintenance at its nuclear reactors to firms such as Vinci, Areva ( ARVCF.PK – news – people ), GDF Suez or Bouygues ( BOUYF.PK – news – people )………….

Independent experts including Yves Marignac, executive director of the information agency Wise-Paris, say safety margins in French nuclear power plants are shrinking as plants age, economic pressure mounts and trained staff retire.