"Southern California Edison and the maker of steam generators at San Onofre nuclear plant knew about problems with the generators even before they were installed, Boxer and a congressman assert."
"Southern California Edison was aware of problems with replacement steam generators at its San Onofre nuclear power plant but chose not to make fixes, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer charged Wednesday.
Boxer cited a leaked report from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the manufacturer of the steam generators, obtained by her office. It is the first indication from government officials that Edison and Mitsubishi knew the system had problems before it was even installed.
The nuclear plant, a prime supplier of power in Southern California, has been off line for more than a year after a small amount of radioactive steam leaked from the plant's tubing.
The report indicates that Edison and Mitsubishi 'were aware of serious problems with the design of San Onofre nuclear power plant's replacement steam generators before they were installed' and 'rejected enhanced safety modifications and avoided triggering a more rigorous license amendment and safety review process,' Boxer and U.S. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) said in a letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission."
Abby Sewell reports for the Los Angeles Times February 6, 2013.
SEE ALSO:
"Retired Duke Reactor May Signal More U.S. Nuclear Shutdowns" (Reuters)
"Report: Edison Knew of Steam-Generator Flaws" (Orange County Register)
"Utilities Nationwide Could Share the Financial Pain of the Idled Crystal River Nuclear Plant" (Tampa Bay Times/Ivan Penn/12/30/2012
"Citrus County Faces Budget Crisis as Progress Energy Pays Only Part of Its Tax Bill" (Tampa Bay Times/Ivan Penn/11/29/2012)
"Secrets About Crystal River Nuclear Plant Could Be Revealed at Hearings This Week" (Tampa Bay Times/Ivan Penn/7/18/2012)
"Progress Energy Customers on Hook for $1.1B for Nuclear Plant That May Never Be Built" (Tampa Bay Times/Ivan Penn/3/11/2012)
"Progress Energy Warned Itself Not To Self Manage Crystal River Nuclear Plant Project" (Tampa Bay Times/Ivan Penn/12/11/2011)
"New Crack at Crystal River Nuclear Plant Casts Doubt on Repair Plan" (Tampa Bay Times/Ivan Penn/11/20/2011)
"Cleaning up a DIY Repair on Crystal River Nuclear Plant Could Cost $2.5 Billion" (Tampa Bay Times/Ivan Penn/10/9/2011)
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