Charging that it was provided with incomplete design documents and unexpected plant conditions, Babcock & Wilcox has sued Energy Northwest over a delayed condenser replacement at the Columbia nuclear plant.The Tri-City Herald reported Saturday that B&W filed the suit in U.S. District Court, claiming the delays cost the firm $50 million. For its part, Energy Northwest promised to defend its position.The conflict stems from maintenance and partial refueling that began at the plant near Richland, Wash., in April and were scheduled to be complete in June. A $33 million contract with B&W called for replacing the condenser within that time, but multiple problems delayed the project and reactor restart until September. In its suit, B&W argues it faced incomplete design documents and unfavorable plant conditions that were not revealed when it bid for the work. Among them, the firm reported unexpected levels of radiological contamination requiring additional protective gear for workers, a ventilation system that frequently broke and structural distortions in the condenser shell. Additionally, B&W blamed Energy Northwest for a hydrogen flare up in a cut pipe that prompted a partial evacuation early in the project.While Energy Northwest declined to address specific topics in the suit, the Herald reported the utility had earlier suggested B&W was inadequately prepared for the work. The utility also said it forced stoppages totaling 20 days to address industrial safety concerns regarding contractor personnel. To speed up the work, Energy Northwest went so far as to hire an additional, faster contractor to complete some of the welding.
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