1424 16TH STREET NW SUITE 404 WASHINGTON, DC 20036
&
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12210
FEBRUARY 16, 2000
CONTACT: PAUL GUNTER 202-328-0002
Nuclear Information and Resource Service, Washington, DC
KYLE RABIN 518-462-5526 X238
Environmental Advocates, Albany, New York
GAP IN NUCLEAR
POWER ARMOR WARNS OF
ONGOING
FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATORY DEGRADATION
A chink in the armor protecting the public from the catastrophic release of radiation from aging nuclear power plants was once again exposed just 35 miles from New York City. As a result of age-related deterioration, Consolidated Edison’s Indian Point Unit 2 reactor experienced a steam generator tube rupture resulting in a hefty leak of radioactive core coolant water into the steam generating system. The utility admitted to a small release of radioactivity to the atmosphere. Once again, the nuclear utility regulators allied to play down the significance of the tube rupture at the nuclear power station in Buchanan, New York.
However, national and state environmental organizations warned that the accident, involving a vulnerable piece of equipment linking the highly radioactive core to the outside environment and the public, is more of a problem than the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the New York State Public Service Commission, are willing to admit.
“While this radiation release was small, the accident looms larger in context of current federal oversight of nuclear power where public safety is being stonewalled to benefit the financial interests of nuclear utilities,” said Paul Gunter, Director of the NIRS Reactor Watchdog Project, based in Washington, DC. “The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is allowing the nuclear industry to leave deteriorating components, such as these steam generator tubes, in service purely to save money for the industry,” continued Gunter. “The tube rupture at Indian Point is evidence of the advancing deterioration of operational and safety systems on a routine basis that equates to a rising cost for service, maintenance, testing, surveillance, repair and replacement,” said Gunter. “Despite strenuous objects from its own staff, NRC is considering relaxing its standard on steam generators to allow reactors to continue operating with through-wall cracks in these same tubes,” said Gunter. “This regulatory relaxation can only benefit the financial interests of the utility, not public safety,” he concluded.
“The exposure of nuclear power to market competition raises concerns regarding cutting costs, staffing and maintenance of reactor safety systems,” said Kyle Rabin, Air and Energy Program Associate for Environmental Advocates of Albany, New York.
“We’re convinced that this accident requires immediate policy guidance at the highest levels of state government,” continued Rabin. “New York needs to review the state’s current piecemeal approach to energy deregulation and competition and simply ask the question ‘Is expensive, dirty and dangerous nuclear power any longer in the public interest,” concluded Rabin.
A nuclear power station’s steam generators provide for the heat transfer and steam manufacture system from the reactor to the turbo-generator of the power plant. The steam generators utilize thousands of thin walled tubes from the reactor on a closed primary coolant loop under tremendous pressure and heat that transfer heat to a secondary closed loop system to manufacture steam for the generation of electricity. Studies published by the NRC show that routine operation will result in the wear and tear of these tubes as a result of exposure to radiation and the harsh operational environment. Rupture of a tube or tubes on the primary loop opens a pathway from the reactor to the environment through a pressure relief valve on the steam generator. A single tube break can result in the guillotine effect on neighboring tubes from the extreme water pressure. NRC studies indicate that as few as 15 simultaneous tube ruptures result in a loss-of-coolant accident that can outpace the emergency water makeup system. This more serious event would result in a melting of the core with the pathway from the reactor core to the atmosphere by-passing the large robust containment structure and radiation filtration systems.
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