B&W mPower release from the Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia

Below is a press release APR has received courtesy of Jeff Caldwell at the Governor's office, Virginia.

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Commonwealth of Virginia

Office of Governor Bob McDonnell


Governor McDonnell Applauds Opening of B&W mPowerTM Fuel Technology Center in Virginia

Facility will Create Twelve New Jobs and Generate Additional Local Manufacturing Business in Lynchburg Area

LYNCHBURG – Governor McDonnell is pleased to join The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W), one of America’s foremost developers of clean energy technology, in announcing the opening of the B&W mPowerTM Fuel Technology Center (FTC), an advanced nuclear fuel fabrication technology development facility in Lynchburg, VA. B&W’s Fuel Technology Center in Lynchburg will bring a dozen new direct jobs to the region, and benefit the local economy by fabricating most of the custom equipment for the facility locally. Importantly, it will help lay the foundation for significant potential investment and job growth in Virginia in the future, to serve both the U.S. and global energy markets. Senior Economic Advisor Bob Sledd represented Governor McDonnell at the official opening ceremony.

“Today’s ribbon-cutting marks an important step forward in Virginia’s position on the cutting edge of the development of nuclear energy,” said Governor McDonnell. “This Fuel Technology Center will create direct and indirect jobs and opportunities for Virginians, and holds great potential for future growth in the Lynchburg area. I congratulate The Babcock & Wilcox Company and the many Virginians who have worked together to open this facility and I thank B&W for its continued commitment to the Commonwealth.”

The center marks the third major development in Virginia related to B&W’s small modular reactor (SMR) program since 2010, including a dedicated design facility and Integrated Systems Test (IST) facility. These developments, supported in part by grant funding for the IST facility from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Revitalization Commission, have already created about 150 technology jobs in the state. In addition, 29 Virginia supplier companies are poised to supply the B&W mPower reactor program as it moves from design to manufacturing.

Advances in reactor technology, along with the widespread demand for clean, affordable, and domestic energy resources, have motivated the development of a new generation of commercial nuclear power around the world. Much of that research and development is happening here in Virginia, a state committed to energy technology development.

Governor McDonnell remarked, “This unique facility in Lynchburg is working to develop our domestic energy resources. To local Virginians, it promises a new era of high-tech jobs. And to America, it means a significant step forward in the development of affordable, reliable energy sources.”

Recently, the B&W team in Virginia and several other states applied for a new federal partnership program with the U.S. Department of Energy to support the development of SMRs. Governor McDonnell added, “The work being done by this team in Lynchburg is important to the nation. I hope that the Department of Energy will support their efforts to further expand development of the next generation of advanced nuclear power.”

Reflecting the importance of this new facility and its research, Governor McDonnell asked his senior economic advisor Bob Sledd to help cut the ribbon on the new facility. His delegation joins U.S. Congressman Bob Goodlatte, several local officials and Chris Mowry, the President of Babcock & Wilcox mPower, Inc. to celebrate this milestone.

Office of the Governor
Contact: Jeff Caldwell
Phone: (804) 225-4260
Email: Jeff.Caldwell@Governor.Virginia.Gov

The Babcock & Wilcox Company
Contact: Jud Simmons
Phone: (434) 522-6462
Email: hjsimmons@babcock.com

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3:55 PM Eastern 7/30/2012
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Babcock & Wilcox ribbon cutting at mPower Fuel Technology Center

Below is a press release direct to APR from Babcock & Wilcox.

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Ribbon Cutting Event Held at B&W mPower™ Fuel Technology Center

(LYNCHBURG, Va. – July 30, 2012) –The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W) (NYSE:BWC) was joined by Representative Bob Goodlatte (VA-6) and Bob Sledd, Senior Economic Advisor to the Governor of Virginia, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony today at the new B&W mPower™ Fuel Technology Center (FTC) in Lynchburg, Va. The advanced manufacturing technologies B&W will use to produce nuclear fuel for its B&W mPower small modular reactor (SMR) will be developed and qualified at the FTC. Longer term, the technologies developed at the FTC give B&W the ability to support the manufacture of fuel for other reactors.

This newly dedicated facility marks the third major infrastructure development project in Virginia related to the B&W mPower reactor, including the establishment of a dedicated design office in 2010 and an Integrated System Test facility in 2011.

The FTC has three primary missions:

· Develop and demonstrate key fabrication technologies and processes needed for the planned manufacture of B&W mPower reactor fuel and fuel-related components

· Fabricate production-representative prototype fuel assemblies and individual components in order to support the fuel design, testing and licensing process

· Serve as the materials test facility for engineers to evaluate the mechanical performance of both complete fuel assemblies and individual assembly components

Christofer M. Mowry, President of Babcock & Wilcox mPower, Inc., said, “Bringing a viable, proven SMR design to market requires an investment in facilities needed to qualify and manufacture reactor components. B&W is proud to add this dedicated facility to our robust B&W mPower development infrastructure. Our operational testing and manufacturing facilities, design maturity and unparalleled depth of industry partnerships are important reasons why the B&W mPower reactor is receiving strong interest from customers both domestically and abroad.”

Representative Goodlatte said, “B&W has a long history of nuclear manufacturing innovation, and today’s ceremony demonstrates how the company continues to stay on the cutting edge of energy technology development and deployment. The fact that this new facility will add more than a dozen high-tech jobs to the hundreds already created by B&W to develop their SMR program clearly demonstrates how a U.S. company can keep good-paying jobs at home and further develop our nation’s advanced manufacturing infrastructure.”

To date, B&W has invested more than $5 million in the FTC. The facility includes state-of-the-art robotics, inspection and welding equipment. No nuclear material is used at the facility.

About B&W

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., The Babcock & Wilcox Company is a leader in clean energy technology and services, primarily for the nuclear, fossil and renewable power markets, as well as a premier advanced technology and mission critical defense contractor. B&W has locations worldwide and employs approximately 12,700 people, in addition to approximately 10,400 joint venture employees. Learn more at www.babcock.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

B&W cautions that statements in this release that are not historical fact may constitute forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the use of the B&W mPower™ Fuel Technology Center. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, delays in or adverse changes relating to the funding B&W mPower research and development efforts and adverse changes in the supply of or demand for nuclear power. If one or more of these or other risks materialize, actual results may vary materially from those expected. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, please see B&W's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. B&W cautions not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Media Contact: Jud Simmons, Public Relations Manager, B&W
434.522.6462 » hjsimmons@babcock.com
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3:45 PM Eastern 7/30/2012
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Carnival 115: The Carnival of Nuclear Bloggers

Atomic Power Review is proud to again host the rotating Carnival of Nuclear Bloggers - a feature that week in, week out showcases the very best of the pro-nuclear blogging world. I've said many times that following this feature around the blogs is the best way to find out what is really on the top of the nuclear energy world's mind and that holds true this week as well.

We all know by now that access to the Carnival entries whenever this event takes place on APR is blocked by some sort of obscure image from the APR vault, which you're asked to identify later on. So let's get to it! Hint: The plant to which this piece of equipment relates was in the news this month, although not incredibly widely. So... What is this?

And now, Carnival 115.

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Meredith Angwin

Meredith submits two entries this week - one at Yes Vermont Yankee and one at the ANS Nuclear Cafe blog.

Gundersen / San Onofre - Yes Vermont Yankee

San Onofre Generating Station (SONGS) installed new steam generators, and the generators have serious problems. Arnie Gundersen has been hired by Friends of the Earth to write reports (pessimistic of course) on the extent of those problems. On radio in California,Gundersen asserted that he isn't an anti-nuclear activist because he signed a report approving of continued operation of Vermont Yankee. Gundersen as a Vermont Yankee supporter came as a surprise to Meredith Angwin of Yes Vermont Yankee.

Vermont State Nuclear Advisory Panel - ANS Nuclear Cafe

At ANS Nuclear Cafe, Meredith Angwin describes a recent meeting of the Vermont State Nuclear Advisory Panel. The panel's main topic was nuclear safety, despite the fact that a recent lawsuit re-affirmed that the state has no jurisdiction over nuclear safety. It was deja vu all over again.

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Leslie Corrice - The Hiroshima Syndrome

NAIIC report’s biggest mistake...

The Diet’s NAIIC report’s executive summary seems largely spot-on, drawing only a few questionable conclusions (e.g. keeping the earthquake-as-cause notion open). However, one serious mistake cries out to be exposed. Concerning the IC condenser stoppage on unit #1, the report calls Tepco's actions "irrational". The F. Daiichi unit #1staff’s actions and Tepco’s explanations were entirely correct. On the other hand, questioning the actions of the staff and calling Tepco’s explanations irrational is an exercise in ignorance.

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Gail Marcus - Nuke Power Talk

Decommissioning Fukushima

Gail Marcus, writing at Nuke Power Talk, praises a publication by Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF) President Takuya Hattori urging the Japanese government to conduct the decommissioning of the damaged Fukushima units openly, transparently, and with international involvement. His comments come amidst concern that the Japanese government may be exhibiting reluctance to work together with the international community on this critical effort. Among other points Hattori-san makes are that the effort will benefit from the united wisdom of the world, and the world will benefit from the shared knowledge to be gained. His specific proposals call for a platform for international R&D and an international decommissioning research center to be established.

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Dan Yurman - Idaho Samizdat

Race for SMR money heats up

The race for DOE's $452 million in SMR money heats up in Ohio. B&W inks MOU with First Energy for economic, siting, and licensing studies.

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Brian Wang - Next Big Future

Brian this week has submitted a number of interesting articles on reactor restarts or first startups.

Japan restarted a second nuclear reactor

Canada Point Lepreau has been licensed to restart

South Korea's Shin Kori 2 has begun commercial operation, Canada Bruce A Unit 1 has been permitted to restart, US nuclear uprate status and Russia And Belurus sign a $10 billion deal for new nuclear reactors.

It appears that China is in the lead to build the new nuclear reactors in the UK.

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Eric McErlain sends along a number of submissions from NEI Nuclear Notes this week covering a range of topics.

Westinghouse SVP Dan Lipman talks to the Global America Business Institute about the growing relationship between the two nations in civilian nuclear energy.

Political leaders in Missouri excited over prospect of DOE grant on small modular reactors.

Brad Plumer of the Washington Post tried to find something sinister in nuclear plant uprates, but NEI's Mark Flanagan snuffs him out.

In April 2011, the Worldwatch Institute predicted a rocky future for nuclear energy, but the most recent report from the OECD shows the predicited slowdown never occurred.

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Margaret Harding - 4Factor Consulting

Nuclear Quality Regulations

After a conversation with a colleague who is also a qualified lead NQA auditor, Margaret Harding muses about the idea of updating the quality regulations to a more modern approach that acknowledge other industry standards as opposed to the “go it alone” approach that the NRC takes today.

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Paul Bowersox has submitted a Suzanne Hobbs Baker article at ANS Nuclear Cafe:

"Climate Change and Nuclear Energy: We Need to Talk"

Nuclear power advocate Suzy Hobbs Baker speaks out on behalf of the threatened biosystems in the earth's acidifying oceans, and the people who are bearing the brunt of intensifying global climate change -- and in favor of the nuclear community emphasizing the essential role of nuclear technologies in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

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Rod Adams has entries from Atomic Insights and The Atomic Show:

Atomic Insights - Science Controversies and Print Edition Limitations – Jacobson versus radiation biology specialists

Last week, Professor Mark Z. Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University, stepped way outside of his area of expertise by publishing a paper titled Worldwide health effects of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident that claimed to quantify the number of cancers that may be caused by the radioactive material released by the Fukushima nuclear reactor plant core damage events. He is a respected atmospheric modeler who has specialized in creating multi variable modeles for the dispersal of particulate matter, but he has little or no background in radiation biology or in studying the health effects of radiation.

The Atomic Show #185 – Is Thorium Superior to Uranium?

On July 23, 2012, Rod Adams talked with Richard Martin, the author of SuperFuel: Thorium, the Green Energy Source for the Future and Kirk Sorensen, the co-founder and chief technology officer of Flibe Energy, a start-up company formed to “develop small modular reactors based on liquid-fluoride thorium reactor (LFTR) technology.” Kirk is also the founder of Energy from Thorium.

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That's it for this week's entries. I would like to note again the wide range of topical material covered this week - from rad health issues, to alternative reactor technologies, to startups of both brand new and shut down plants and more. There's even a provocative piece on global warming and how that relates to nuclear energy advocacy. It's probably not possible to get such a wide range of realistic views on energy generation and related issues every week anywhere else.

And NO, we didn't forget -- the photo! This photo is a February 1965 AP Wirephoto depicting the delivery of the reactor pressure vessel to Dairyland Power Co-Op's Genoa No. 2 plant, perhaps better known in nuclear energy circles as the LaCrosse Boiling Water Reactor. This was the last Allis-Chalmers nuclear plant to remain in operation (there were only three - Elk River, which really was started by ACF Nuclear; Pathfinder, one of only two nuclear superheat BWR's; and LaCrosse.) Here is the caption from the photo:

"Genoa, Wis., Feb 17- REACTOR ARRIVES - This 100 ton nuclear reactor pressure vessel for the La Crosse Boiling Water Reactor power plant dwarfs Owen Hockensmith, left, Maxon Construction of Dayton, Ohio, and E. L. Corrances, construction manager, Atomic Energy Division, Allis-Chalmers. The reactor was built by A-C under contract with the Atomic Energy Commission for the Dairyland Power Co-Op."

This plant was recently in the news because the owners have finally begun moving spent fuel from the spent fuel pool inside the reactor building to new storage on site but outside the plant; a move anticipated for many years. Here are some links:

LaCrosse Tribune, with great photos and details.

Post Crescent - AP Wire Story

Wisconsin State Journal - brief article with good photo.

The plant was officially rated at 155 MWt, 60 MWe gross and 50 MWe net. It was ordered under the AEC's demonstration program in the second round as an "Improved Cycle BWR." The plant had forced circulation, operated on the direct cycle with a single-pass single-zone (all identical fuel load) core.

The plant contracts between the AEC, Dairyland Power and Allis-Chalmers were signed in 1962, with a planned initial criticality of late 1965 but which had been postponed until August 1966 within a short time, and subsequent scheduled full power operation in November 1966. However, the plant did not achieve initial criticality until July 11, 1967 and first generated power on April 26, 1968.

Many problems were encountered during the years 1968 and 1969, and for the first third of 1970 so that the plant did not begin to generate significant amounts of electricity for the grid until around May of 1970. In contrast, above linked articles indicate that plant operators thought the design good and in later years the plant was quite reliable.

In case you're wondering, the reactor vessel shown in the photo earlier had an inside diameter of 8 feet 3 inches and was 37 feet tall. The vessel itself was 4 inches thick with an internal cladding of stainless steel .188 inches thick.

Finally we'll show a couple photos of the plant that long time readers of APR have seen before, but which I'll include for completeness. The first is a photo of the LaCrosse BWR plant (Dairyland Power Co-Op No. 2) under construction in May, 1964.

The last shot is a post card view of the completed plant as it appeared for many years; next to it is the larger Genoa No. 3 fossil fired plant.

That's it for Carnival 115! We all hope you've enjoyed the ride.

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LACBWR data from Battelle BNWL-326 and AEC WASH-1203-73.

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9:51 AM Eastern 7/30/2012
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B&W, FirstEnergy sign MOU for study of SMR construction

Below is a press release direct to APR from Babcock & Wilcox, courtesy Jud Simmons of Babcock & Wilcox.

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B&W and FirstEnergy Announce MOU Regarding Economic, Site Selection and Licensing Studies for B&W mPowerTM Small Modular Reactor

Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman Voice Support for Plans

(CHARLOTTE, N.C. – July 25, 2012) –The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W) (NYSE: BWC) and FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) announced today that FirstEnergy and a B&W subsidiary, Generation mPower LLC (GmP), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding studies on the potential deployment of the B&W mPowerTM small modular reactor in FirstEnergy’s service territory.

FirstEnergy and GmP plan to work together to perform an independent financial review of mPower economics, evaluate several alternative potential sites for construction of B&W mPower plants, complete a preliminary pre-licensing analysis, and assess the need and timing for prospective deployment of B&W mPower plants in the FirstEnergy generation fleet.

The B&W mPower SMR is an advanced 180 MWe utility-scale nuclear reactor that incorporates robust, inherently safe protection systems and a fully underground containment structure. The mPower design maximizes the use of proven, mature systems and components within an innovative plant architecture that reduces construction risks and minimizes ownership costs.

“Our agreement today is an outgrowth of the company's involvement with B&W's consortium to promote the development of small modular reactors," said James H. Lash, president of FirstEnergy Generation and Chief Nuclear Officer. “Completing these studies will help us determine how B&W small modular reactors may be part of our long term generation planning.”

Christofer M. Mowry, President and Chief Executive Officer of GmP said, “This cooperative effort with FirstEnergy demonstrates growing interest in our B&W mPower SMR as a clean, efficient and affordable power generation option. B&W has a long history of working in Ohio, and our employees in the state have an important role in the development of safer, more secure nuclear technology. We appreciate FirstEnergy’s industry leadership, and look forward to working closely with them to complete these studies.”

“This agreement between FirstEnergy and Generation mPower represents another significant step towards making Ohio a hub for advanced manufacturing and next-generation energy,” Sen. Sherrod Brown (OH) said. “This agreement, which will draw on highly skilled Ohio workers from design and manufacturing to deployment, is critical to sustained job creation and international competitiveness in clean energy. I applaud FirstEnergy and Babcock & Wilcox, two companies with a significant presence in Ohio, for moving forward on American-made advanced power generation options for Ohio, the rest of the nation, and the world.”

“Sustained economic growth and job creation in the United States will require a domestic supply of safe, reliable, and cost-effective energy,” said Sen. Rob Portman (OH). “One or more small modular reactors in our state could not only provide this energy need, but would continue to support advanced energy careers in Ohio. I applaud FirstEnergy and Generation mPower for their commitment to advanced energy development and our nation's energy security."

About B&W

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., The Babcock & Wilcox Company is a leader in clean energy technology and services, primarily for the nuclear, fossil and renewable power markets, as well as a premier advanced technology and mission critical defense contractor. B&W has locations worldwide and employs approximately 12,700 people, in addition to approximately 10,400 joint venture employees. Learn more at www.babcock.com.

About FirstEnergy

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies comprise one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems. Its diverse generating fleet features non-emitting nuclear, scrubbed baseload coal, natural gas, and pumped-storage hydro and other renewables, and has a total generating capacity of nearly 23,000 megawatts.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

B&W cautions that this release contains forward-looking statements related to the Memorandum of Understanding and GmP’s plans with FirstEnergy thereunder. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, that transactions currently contemplated by GmP and FirstEnergy may change materially during further good faith efforts to negotiate a mutually acceptable definitive agreement or that a definitive binding agreement may not be entered into if GmP and FirstEnergy fail to reach agreement on any material term. If one or more of these or other risks materialize, actual results may vary materially from those expressed. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, please see B&W's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. B&W cautions not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except to the extent required by applicable law.

# # #

FirstEnergy Media Contact: Todd Schneider, Director, External Communications
330-384-5500 / tmschneider@firstenergycorp.com

FirstEnergy Investor Contact: Irene M. Prezelj, V.P. Investor Relations
330-384-3859 / imprezeli@firstenergycorp.com

B&W Media Contact: Jud Simmons, Public Relations Manager
434-522-6462 » hjsimmons@babcock.com

B&W Investor Contact: Michael P. Dickerson, V.P. and Investor Relations Officer
704-625-4944 » investors@babcock.com

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10:15 AN Eastern 7/25/2012
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Westinghouse AP1000 project in Canada

Below is a press release from Westinghouse. Some comment from APR follows.

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News Release Issued: July 23, 2012 10:30 AM EDT

Westinghouse To Prepare Detailed Construction Plans And Cost Estimates For Potential AP1000® Units At Darlington

Opens Westinghouse Electric Canada Office to Meet Growing Business Opportunities and Strengthen Ties with Customers and Suppliers

PITTSBURGH, July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Westinghouse Electric Company today announced that it would prepare for Ontario Power Generation Inc. (OPG) detailed construction plans, schedules and cost estimates for two potential AP1000 nuclear reactors at OPG's Darlington site. The plans and estimates would provide significant input in helping the Province of Ontario determine the baseload generation option that is best for Ontario's ratepayers.

"Westinghouse is pleased to participate in the Province's information-gathering process," said Joe Zwetolitz, president, Westinghouse Americas. "Should the Province select our AP1000 as the preferred option, we believe that Ontario's infrastructure could become even more energy self-sufficient, creating local Canadian jobs during construction and opportunities for involving Canadian suppliers on this and future nuclear projects elsewhere in the world."

As further evidence of a commitment to the Canadian new build market, and to better serve existing customers, strengthen ties with suppliers, and align Westinghouse more appropriately with the regulations and requirements of Canada to meet growing business opportunities, Westinghouse is also pleased to announce the opening of the Westinghouse Electric Canada, Inc. office in Toronto.

"The formation of a Canadian entity earlier this year was consistent with our strategy to increase business in the country," said Zwetolitz. "With the opening of the Westinghouse Canada office in Toronto, we now have become more a part of Canada's viable nuclear energy industry."

Approximately 100 Canadian suppliers currently provide a wide range of products and services for the Westinghouse product lines of Fuel, Services, Automation, and Nuclear Power Plants. Additionally, a large percentage of the scope for the potential construction of AP1000 reactor units at Darlington would be sourced from Ontario or elsewhere in Canada, resulting in the opportunity to work with and qualify additional Canadian businesses and manufacturers to participate in the potential new build at Darlington and in other global nuclear projects.

Four AP1000 units are currently under construction at two sites in China and four units are under construction at two sites in the U.S. At each of these four sites, upwards of 3,500 construction workers are employed during the peak of construction activities. Once construction is complete, operation of a two-unit AP1000 nuclear plant requires up to 700 employees.

Westinghouse Electric Company, a group company of Toshiba Corporation (TKY:6502), is the world's pioneering nuclear energy company and is a leading supplier of nuclear plant products and technologies to utilities throughout the world. Westinghouse supplied the world's first pressurized water reactor in 1957 in Shippingport, Pa., USA. Today, Westinghouse technology is the basis for approximately one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants, including 60 percent of those in the United States.

www.westinghousenuclear.com
SOURCE Westinghouse Electric Company

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This is a very interesting prospect. As the press release notes, there are eight AP1000 plants under construction worldwide right now; there may or may not be two more under construction here in the United States in the predictable future, making ten. Adding two Canadian plants would make twelve. Someone, somewhere, must be thinking about the Westinghouse SNUPPS design and the cost benefits that it was supposed to confer because of the large number of units to be constructed at one time. (Only two were ever finished.) Although it's highly speculative, it would be fascinating to see what projected costs for various components do as the number of plants ordered continues to increase.

10:14 AM Eastern 7/24/2012
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NEI Videos on Nuclear Construction Costs

NEI has posted three new brief videos on its YouTube channel (these are also "favorited" on the APR YouTube channel) which answer some of the recent charges and questions about the cost of the new nuclear plants being built in the United States.

All three videos feature Steve Byrne of South Carolina Electric & Gas.

Briefly;

The first video addresses the charges that the new nuclear plants are over budget as a result of recent statements by the companies involved in their construction and newly released cost estimates.

The second video addresses the reduction in total cost made possible by CWIP provisions applied to the four plants presently under construction.

The third video briefly explains why we can expect present and future nuclear plant construction projects to come in under budget when compared with older nuclear builds which did not.

I applaud NEI for posting these; they give brief, concise reasons why no one should panic about the construction costs of the present working projects and how they might doom future nuclear builds - at least, on the large commercial scale - for the future.

10:00 AM Eastern 7/24/2012
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SoCal Ed receives NRC Inspection report on San Onofre

Below is a press release from Southern California Edison.

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Southern California Edison Receives Nuclear Regulatory Commission Inspection Report on San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station


ROSEMEAD, Calif., July 19, 2012 — Southern California Edison (SCE) has received the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Augmented Inspection Team report regarding the unusual degradation of steam generator tubes in the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) Units 2 and 3.

The report provides comprehensive information on the issue, including the response actions by the SCE plant operators to the tube leak in Unit 3, the causes of the wear and the outstanding issues that the inspection team is still reviewing. SCE understands that the tube-to-tube contact arises from excessive vibration of the tubes in certain areas of the steam generators. The excessive vibration is believed to be caused by a phenomenon called fluid elastic instability which results from the interaction of a combination of factors, including steam velocity, moisture content of the steam and effectiveness of the supports in the areas where the vibration occurs. The report notes that SCE plant operators responded in a manner that protected public health and safety and that the commission’s onsite inspectors observed conservative decision-making and the appropriate questioning attitude displayed by the operators during the event.

“We are committed to continuing to work with the NRC on the steam generator issues and will continue to use conservative decision making as we work on repairs and planning for the future,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer Pete Dietrich. “The number one priority is the safety of the public and our employees.”

Additionally, the commission report states that the steam generator design changes were appropriately reviewed in accordance with the 10 CFR 50.59 requirements, which govern design changes between original and replacement steam generators, noting that the changes at SONGS are common in replacement steam generators today. The report also stated that, with the exception of the wear found at the tube retainer bar locations, the wear related to support structures is similar to wear found at other replacement steam generators after one cycle of operation.

SCE continues to work on its response to the commission’s Confirmatory Action Letter, the formal step in the process of restarting Units 2 and 3. The company will not restart the units until the utility and the commission are satisfied it is safe to do so.

Both SONGS units are currently safely shut down for inspections, analysis and testing. Unit 2 was taken out of service Jan. 9 for a planned outage. Unit 3 was safely taken offline Jan. 31 after station operators detected a leak in a steam generator tube.

About Southern California Edison
An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of nearly 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.


-###-

Jennifer Manfrè
Senior Manager, Media Relations
Southern California Edison
626-302-7964

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The full report from the NRC can be found by clicking here.

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6:55 PM Eastern 7/19/2012
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