U.S. nuke regulators weaken safety rules

[classicman]

(AP)

LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Federal regulators have been working closely with the nuclear power industry to keep the nation's aging reactors operating within safety standards by repeatedly weakening those standards, or simply failing to enforce them, an investigation by The Associated Press has found.

Time after time, officials at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission have decided that original regulations were too strict, arguing that safety margins could be eased without peril, according to records and interviews.

The result? Rising fears that these accommodations by the NRC are significantly undermining safety — and inching the reactors closer to an accident that could harm the public and jeopardize the future of nuclear power in the United States.

Examples abound. When valves leaked, more leakage was allowed — up to 20 times the original limit. When rampant cracking caused radioactive leaks from steam generator tubing, an easier test of the tubes was devised, so plants could meet standards.

Failed cables. Busted seals. Broken nozzles, clogged screens, cracked concrete, dented containers, corroded metals and rusty underground pipes — all of these and thousands of other problems linked to aging were uncovered in the AP's yearlong investigation. And all of them could escalate dangers in the event of an accident.

Yet despite the many problems linked to aging, not a single official body in government or industry has studied the overall frequency and potential impact on safety of such breakdowns in recent years, even as the NRC has extended the licenses of dozens of reactors.

Industry and government officials defend their actions, and insist that no chances are being taken. But the AP investigation found that with billions of dollars and 19 percent of America's electricity supply at stake, a cozy relationship prevails between the industry and its regulator, the NRC.

Records show a recurring pattern: Reactor parts or systems fall out of compliance with the rules. Studies are conducted by the industry and government, and all agree that existing standards are "unnecessarily conservative."

Regulations are loosened, and the reactors are back in compliance.

"That's what they say for everything, whether that's the case or not," said Demetrios Basdekas, an engineer retired from the NRC. "Every time you turn around, they say 'We have all this built-in conservatism.''

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[ZenGum]

You silly pansy pantywaist. Deregulation worked just fine with the banks oil companies widget industry.

[tw]

Originally Posted by classicman

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The dateline of Lacey Township says more. First Energy wanted to keep the Davis Besse nuclear plant running even though it had a serious Three Mile Island problem. Rather than do what other two other more responsible companies did, First Energy sponsored a $400,000 Bush-Cheney fund raiser. Therefore only First Energy could keep operating another three months. Then discovered, due to management subverting a previous mineral removal, that the containment dome was gone. Completely eaten down to the last quarter inch.

Who owns that nuclear plant in Lacey Twp? First Energy. Let's see. Either we do what is required for safety? Or are $20,000 sexting parties planned for the regulators? First Energy, the company that intentionally created a 2003 Northeast blackout. And other More Firsts for First Energy.

Blaming the entire nuclear industry for problems most often found in the industry's bad Apples may be misguided. Literally every government oversight agency that deals with First Energy finds major problems or has been subverted from enforcing regulations due to interference by higher powers.

First Energy has repeatedly threatened to shut down Oyster Creek saying the plant is too small to be productive. Then quietly rescind the threat when regulations are relaxed or other 'better conditions' appear.

This is a company so corrupt that the NJ governor even found them running equipment at 110% capacity. Then blamed others for equipment failure or regional blackouts. They would not even fix grounds until towns passed ordinances - $5000 per day fines for every day people were being shocked in their swimming pools. Only then did First Energy suddenly find solutions to defective earth grounds.

Does the industry have serious regulatory problems. Worry more about nuclear power plants operated by the same company that also intentionally created an August 2003 Northeast Blackout.

A lesson from Japan. The plants are not dangerous. Failures are directly traceable to plant management. Lacey Twp is home to a nuclear power plant with so many examples of the industry's worst management.