Duke Energy Progress shut down the Shearon Harris nuclear plant near Jordan Lake in southern Wake County Wednesday after an inspection revealed early signs of corrosion and cracking in the reactor vessel – which contains the plant’s nuclear fuel.
Reactor Safety
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‘Flaw’ forces shutdown of Harris nuclear plant — WNCN
“It’s premature for the company to assure the public that there was no safety hazard at this point. This is a reactor vessel that has very high pressures pushing outward,” said NC WARN’s Jim Warren. Warren said the plant being shut down could cost Duke Energy $1 million a day. Warren believes Duke Energy will put the bill on its customers.
Crack forces shutdown of nuclear reactor at Shearon Harris — WRAL
“It’s the water, stupid!”: Nuclear power won’t work in global warming world – Nuclear Energy Information Service
Clean energy groups call for expanded evacuation zones, improved emergency planning around U.S. nuclear reactors – Nuclear Information and Resource Service and NC WARN
Fukushima triggers challenges of nuclear licensing by 25 groups
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is legally required to slow down reactor licensing and relicensing in order to address major changes urged by the agency’s own experts who have reviewed the Fukushima accident, according to 19 separate legal challenges filed today by a total of 25 public interest groups.
Also see this article about the legal challenges:
Groups step up call for NRC delay after Fukushima – Reuters, August 11, 2011
U.S. regulators opening up on flawed nuclear power plant policing – The Center for Public Integrity
Fukushima: It’s much worse than you think – Al Jazeera
NRC Cheats the Public on Safety
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 or ignoring those standards.
Associated Press Exposé
Tritium leaks found at many nuke sites, June 21, 2011
U.S. nuke regulators weaken safety rules, June 20, 2011
Three Minute AP Video Summary, June 20, 2011
Populations around US nuke plants soar, June 27, 2011
Other News Items
U.S. regulators opening up on flawed nuclear power plant policing – Center for Public Integrity, June 21, 2011
NRC waives enforcement of fire rules at nuclear plants – ProPublica, May 11, 2011
A more likely nuclear nightmare – Center for Public Integrity, May 10, 2011