Jimbo
Plumber
Don't know if you have been following the saga at San Onofre NGS. Both reactors have been shut down for a year. They replaced the steam generator tube assemblies, in the process re-designing them to increase power output capacity by 10% to 15%. Within a year of retubing, they started to have leaks in the tubes, including at least one case resulting in minor release of radiation to the atmosphere! Turns out the redesign compromised the separation of tubes, and vibration caused tubes to rub against each other. My laymens take on this from the get-go: SOMEONE pulled the wool over SOMEONE'S eyes in this whole process. Today, the NRC stated that the problem was caused by "faulty computer modeling of steam velocities, in the design process" . Sounds just like what I said, and you would think some engineer-types would be sporting new pink slips today, but no such luck!
Unit 3 is so badly damaged it may never restart, but Souther Cal. Edison has requested permission to restart unit 2 with a whole lot of tubes plugged, and operating power limited to 70%.
Better late than never...the NRC has been holding public hearings, seems disinclined to grant this request until the proper engineering studies are completed.
As a submariner, I do not "fear" nuclear power, and support continued use of the plant, but ONLY if and when safety rises to its proper priority in the grand scheme of things. We survived the hottest summer on record in S. Calif. with San Onofre off-line. If they never restart, it will not be the end of the world.
Naturally, all parties are fighting over who pays for the delays, the restart, or the decomissioning. Ratepayers? Shareholders? Looks like I am screwed either way!!!!!
This was really just a rant. Wonder if you have any comments!
Unit 3 is so badly damaged it may never restart, but Souther Cal. Edison has requested permission to restart unit 2 with a whole lot of tubes plugged, and operating power limited to 70%.
Better late than never...the NRC has been holding public hearings, seems disinclined to grant this request until the proper engineering studies are completed.
As a submariner, I do not "fear" nuclear power, and support continued use of the plant, but ONLY if and when safety rises to its proper priority in the grand scheme of things. We survived the hottest summer on record in S. Calif. with San Onofre off-line. If they never restart, it will not be the end of the world.
Naturally, all parties are fighting over who pays for the delays, the restart, or the decomissioning. Ratepayers? Shareholders? Looks like I am screwed either way!!!!!
This was really just a rant. Wonder if you have any comments!