WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has sent a notice to all nuclear power plants in the nation, alerting them to a potential concrete problem first discovered at the plant in Seabrook.
Sent by the NRC in the form of an "Information Notice" on Nov. 18, the alert concerns possible concrete degradation caused by alkali-silica reaction as a result of continued concrete exposure to moisture or groundwater, such as that discovered at NextEra Energy Seabrook's nuclear power plant.
According to the Information Notice, power plant owners are expected to review the information for applicability to their facilities and consider actions to avoid similar problems. However, the notice continued, "suggestions contained in this (Information Notice) are not NRC requirements; therefore, no specific actions or written response (from notice recipients) is required."
The sentence drew quick and harsh response from two Massachusetts congressmen.
U.S. Reps. John F. Tierney, D-Salem, member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and Edward J. Markey, D-Malden, member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, sent a letter to the NRC calling on the agency to take immediate steps to address the concrete issue.
"This is a failure to take decisive regulatory action to address known safety vulnerabilities at nuclear power plants," Tierney and Markey wrote in their letter to NRC Chairman Greg Jaczko. "Instead of taking mandatory action to address this issue, the NRC has chosen to merely issue what amounts to an 'FYI' to its licensees that does not require any 'specific action or written response.'"
Tierney continued to say that risks cannot be taken "when it comes to the security and durability of our nuclear power plants and the safety of our families."
According to Neil Sheehan, spokesman for the NRC's Region 1, the alkali-silica concrete degradation problem was discovered first and reported by NextEra Energy Seabrook officials. The problem was found in one wall of one of the underground electrical tunnels built into Seabrook's bedrock foundation.
The problem is attributed to an alkali-silica reaction within the concrete due to the water. At the time of construction, Sheehan said, the concrete foundation was wrapped in a waterproof membrane that didn't work as well as it expected.
Further study indicated the reaction has negatively affected part of a concrete wall in an underground tunnel, weakening it by 22 percent, Sheehan said. However, he said, although the concrete lost strength, it still meets all federal design standards and is still able to maintain support, with steel-reinforced rebar within the concrete providing a high degree of structural support.
After discovery, the NRC issued a "non-cited" violation on the alkali-silica reaction problem, a low-level violation on the NRC's scale, but told NextEra Energy Seabrook owners more investigation is required by the plant and information compiled before the NRC can complete the final Safety Evaluation Report, required for the license renewal application.
Seabrook is the first plant to address akili-silica reaction-induced concrete degradation as part of a license renewal review, Sheehan said.
After operating for 20 years in June 2010, Seabrook nuclear power plant qualified to, and applied for, a 20-year extension of its operating license that would extend its life from 2030 to 2050. The lengthy process takes at least 20 months, often longer, and in some instances requires three or more years.
The NRC has issued its Nov. 18 Information Notice (No. 2011-20) to all U.S. nuclear power plant operators concerning the alkali-silica reaction-induced concrete degradation issue, prompted by Seabrook's experience, Sheehan said.
"NRC Information Notices are generic communications designed to make all plants aware of issues, with the expectation they will review the information for applicability to their facility and consider actions, if necessary to avoid similar problems," Sheehan said.
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
