Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Premature to relicense Seabrook N-plant

Premature to relicense Seabrook N-plant

To the editor:
I am writing to express my concern about the relicensing of Seabrook nuclear power plant. It seems very premature.
I recently learned of a document published by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, dated May 2011. The report stated that Seabrook is experiencing foundation problems. The concrete foundation has moderate to severe degradation problems due to groundwater infiltration. The report indicates a severe decrease in the strength and integrity of the concrete. The problem is specifically located in tunnel B, which houses electrical cables that support the cooling system should a meltdown occur. The situation was found in tunnel B, but the NRC also reported that they do not know the extent or scope of the degradation throughout the whole foundation.
Why the NRC would relicense a power plant 18 years before the plant's current license expires is worrisome.

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