EFMR Monitoring Group

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Safety Concerns Delay Approval of the First U.S. Nuclear Reactor in Decades

From Scientific American

A new era for nuclear power is taking shape as third-generation reactors, designed to be simpler and safer, inch through the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) design certification process. Much of nuclear's revival hinges on the ability of new reactors to outshine those of yore in terms of safety, economics, construction time and life span. Of the 26 new reactor applications under current NRC scrutiny, 14 are for Westinghouse Electric Co.'s AP1000 pressurized water reactor. What sets the reactor apart is its modular design and passive safety system: Instead of relying on an operator or electronic feedback to shut down the reactor should it overheat, it employs the natural forces of gravity, convection and air circulation.

Susquehanna: Fitness for Duty Report

Facility: SUSQUEHANNA

Event Number: 46135

FITNESS FOR DUTY REPORT A licensed operator was determined to have violated the licensee's Fitness for Duty Policy related to self-reporting a legal action. The employee's access to the Protected Area has been revoked. Contact the Headquarters Operations Officer for additional details.

Beaver Valley & Perry Nuclear: Request to Extinguish Parental Guaranty

Beaver Valley Power Station, Unit Nos. 1 and 2, and Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Unit No. 1 - Request for consent to Extinguish Parental Guaranty – ADAMS Accession no. ML101930016

Download ML101930016

Pilgrim to dig new wells to find radioactive source

From the Boston Globe:

The Pilgrim nuclear power plant in Plymouth will dig new monitor wells to try to pinpoint the source of a radioactive substance found in ground water on the site of the facility. But critics, who blame the radioactive pollution on the plant’s system of buried pipes and tanks, say much more has to be done to protect the public.