U.S. NRC engineers urge fix for nuclear power stations

[bananas]

http://www.reuters.com/article/usa-nuclear-regulator-idUSL2N1692BF

CORRECTED-U.S. NRC engineers urge fix for nuclear power stations

(Changes time frame to late February instead of late January in paragraph 2)

By Timothy Gardner
Tue Mar 1, 2016 6:17pm EST

A group of engineers within the U.S. nuclear power regulator is concerned that a design flaw in nearly all U.S. nuclear plants could endanger emergency core cooling systems. The group has urged the regulator to order power station operators to either fix the problem or face mandatory shutdowns.

Seven engineers in late February petitioned the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to order immediate enforcement actions against licensees of U.S. nuclear power plants, in a little-noticed, but public move.

<snip>

The petition said 13 open phase events have occurred at U.S. and international nuclear plants over the last 14 years.

Dave Lochbaum, a nuclear expert at nonprofit group the Union of Concerned Scientists, said it was encouraging that the engineers stepped forward without fear of retribution. But he said those concerns show "something is not right with the safety culture at the agency." The NRC could have eased concerns years ago by forcing plants to take action, he said.

<snip>

Via http://nuclear-news.net/2016/03/02/engineers-concerned-at-design-flaw-in-us-nuclear-reactors/