Repairs at Four Nuclear Reactors Are So Expensive That They Should Not Be Restarted

Repairs at Four Nuclear Reactors Are So Expensive That They Should Not Be Restarted

Fairewinds examines continuing problems at four US nuclear reactors, each of which have been shutdown for more than two years.  Upstream dam failures continue to plague Ft. Calhoun, steam generator tube failures at San Onofre jeopardized Los Angeles.  Crystal River's containment repairs burden Floridians with excessive costs.  Finally, Arnie examines a new proposal by the Department of Energy to melt radioactive scrap metal and reuse it in consumer goods like knives and forks.

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Financial Pressures are Affecting Safety Decisions in the Nation's Nuclear Plants

Financial Pressures are Affecting Safety Decisions in the Nation's Nuclear Plants

Arnie explains that Oyster Creek is the only nuclear plant in the US that lacks a modern High Pressure Safety Injection System. This means that the recently discovered pipe crack in a 3 inch pipe at Oyster Creek would create a serious safety threat if it were to completely break. Arnie also discusses the cost of operating nuclear plants, and how many nuclear plants around the country are no longer a low cost electric producer. Finally, Arnie looks at the three nuclear plants with extended shutdowns (Ft. Calhoun, San Onofre and Crystal River) and concludes that the cost of maintaining large staffs when no electricity is being produced is not in the best interests of the ratepayers.

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