Let's Get Clear on Nuclear by Geniusofdespair

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From a FP&L 9/17 Press Release: We've been generating safe, reliable nuclear power for 35 years.

You might all think I am against nuclear power. You would be wrong. I just want people to know that we are treading on some very thin ice with it. Yes, the alternatives we now have to nuclear power are pretty slim because there has been little research money allotted to exploring alternative energy sources over the past 20 years. But nuclear power is not without numerous problems. Little problems can turn into big problems, as you can see if you google: 3 Mile Island and, worst of all, Chernobyl. Chernobyl happened because normal reactor operations were suspended; an experiment was to take place in the reactor. As a result, normal safety guidelines were disregarded, and the accident occurred. As with most accidents of this type, it was a result of many small mistakes adding up to create a catastrophe. Shit happens. I want you to weigh the good and the bad and try to make an informed decision: Do we want 2 more reactors in our backyard?

Some of you might know that the St. Lucie Nuclear Reactor, run by FP&L, just had a shutdown on August 18th because of a coolant leak. Just a little radioactive water, not much.

One problem with Turkey Point, it is at “0” sea level. They have to raise the grade to 20 feet above sea level on 240 acres to build the new reactors. They will have to rock mine thousands of acres West of Biscayne National Park to raise the grade. And, when they raise the grade it will block necessary fresh water flow to Biscayne Bay. This is a bad place to fill 240 acres. I also can't understand how they are going to evacuate thousands of people from the Keys, when the only evacuation route is right past the plant.

Over and over again, Florida Power and Light say about Turkey Point: They have operated their nuclear power plant reactors for 35 years. Well, for 35 years with some problems along the way. Of course they still don’t know who drilled a hole in one of their pipes in March 2006 (see July 2nd blog). But here are some other notable mishaps:


Recently Issued Significant Enforcement Actions (National Regulatory Commission)

Florida Power and Light Company (Turkey Point Unit 3) EA-06-200

On November 22, 2006, a Notice of Violation was issued for a violation associated with a WHITE significance determination process finding involving the failure to adequately assess and manage the increase in risk of performing maintenance on the A-train 480-volt 3C load center while the facility was operating in decay heat removal mode with one operating A-train residual heat removal (RHR) pump. The violation was cited against 10 CFR Part 50.65(a)(4) for failure to adequately assess and manage the increase in risk before performing maintenance on the A-train 480-volt 3C load center.

On April 17, 2006, a Notice of Violation was issued for a violation associated with a White SDP finding involving the licensee's failure to restore the B auxiliary feedwater (AFW) pump to operable status within 30 days, to place the unit in at least Hot Standby during this time, and to identify and correct the condition adverse to quality even though pump bearing vibration levels and oil samples provided indication of the adverse condition. In this case, the B AFW pump was placed in service on September 10, 2003, in an inoperable condition due to a misaligned radial bearing, and the inoperable condition was not identified until November 7, 2005. The Notice of Violation cited the licensee’s failure to implement the requirements in Technical Specification 3.7.1.2 and 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix B, Criterion XVI.

On June 5, 2003, a Notice of Violation was issued for a Severity Level III violation for discriminating against an employee at the Turkey Point Nuclear Plant for engaging in protected activity.