The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has determined a rule violation related to rebar at new V.C. Summer reactors is less severe than inspectors first thought.After an inspection in February, the NRC had proposed a white finding of low-to-moderate safety significance for a violation involving the spacing and anchoring of headed shear reinforcement in the reactors' foundations. After a conference with South Carolina Electric and Gas, though, the agency has reduced that to a green finding of very low safety significance, while categorizing the issue as a non-cited violation.As noted by the Fairfield County, S.C., Herald Independent over the weekend, the NRC recently published its decision in a letter to SCE&G dated May 16. According to the letter, SCE&G made the case that the basemat and nuclear island wall structures in question would still perform their safety functions as required. After further review of the design and of SCE&G's actions to remedy the problem, the NRC came to a similar conclusion.Both units under construction at the South Carolina plant are Westinghouse AP1000 reactors owned by SCE&G and Santee Cooper.
Anonymous comments will be moderated. Join for free and post now!
