AP study: U.S. nuclear regulators weaken safety rules

[Generic Other]

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.

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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.

http://www.pjstar.com/free/x1781765020/AP-study-U-S-nuclear-regulators-weaken-safety-rules

[snagglepuss]

1. As we witness events unfold in Japan, this is surreal. nt

[plumbob]

2. Best government money can buy.

About says it.

[gratuitous]

3. Well gee whiz, what could go wrong?

I suppose all you alarmists are going to go back to candles now, huh? What's the worst that could happen, anyway?

[iemitsu]

4. this does not surprise me in the least.

15 years ago i had the pleasure? of being a chaperon for a group of science students visiting the hanford nuclear reservation. what an experience? i will never forget eating lunch while the Geiger-counter frantically clicked away.
anyway, the interior of that plant was not in great shape then. the memory of rivers of green slime on the interior walls will stick with me as long as the glowing lunch.
all parts of our infrastructure have been neglected while the hostile merger model of american business has held sway.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Generic Other]

6. So someone has negative things to say about exposing lack of safety?

In the nuclear industry? What the hell could anyone have said that got the post deleted?

A mystery to me!