Feds Duck Nagging Problems with #1 Safety Rule at Shearon Harris and All U.S. Nuclear Plants – Announcement from NC WARN

DURHAM, NC – Officials from five local governments near the Shearon Harris nuclear plant, and three watchdog groups, asked for a federal investigation into possible wrongdoing by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission involving the top safety issue at the nation’s reactors.  They say the NRC is ignoring its own safety regulations – and criticisms by numerous fire science experts – while attempting to bring scores of nuclear plants into compliance after over two decades of regulatory failure.

See the links below for the complete press release and supporting documents.

Document Links:

Press Release, May 5, 2010

Request to the NRC Inspector General for Show Cause Investigation

Letter to NRC Inspector General from local officials

Letter to NRC Chairman Jaczko, March 29, 2010

Documentation of Failed Fire Modeling Provided to NRC Chairman Jaczko

Letter to Rep. David Price from local officials

Delaying with Fire – A 2006 Report on NRC Non-Enforcement by Gunter, Lochbaum and Warren

Attachments to Delaying with Fire:

  1. Chronology of Shearon Harris Fire Protection
  2. News & Observer, Nuclear plants keep watch, 1992
  3. Partial List – Fires at Progress Energy Plants
  4. Inside NRC on 1989 Major Fire at Shearon Harris
  5. Shearon Harris Licensee Event Report, October 28, 2005
  6. Local Manual Operator Action Steps
  7. New York Times, NRC ponders rule change

Filed under: Fire Protection Scandal |Key Problems in the U.S., Abroad |Plants in North & South Carolina |Projects |Reactor Safety