Blast from the past -- 2013, to be exact. But hey, aging #NuclearPlants aren't getting any younger... And who cares that #SusquehannaNuclear plant unit 1 is prone to #flooding. I'm sure that won't happen again, right?

Inspectors Dispatched To #Susquehanna #NuclearPlant After 3 Unexpected Shutdowns

January 14, 2013

BERWICK, Pa. (AP) — "Federal regulators began examining a nuclear plant in northeastern Pennsylvania on Monday following three unexpected shutdowns, but the facility's operator said it is safe and stable.

"A three-member team from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission [#NRC] arrived at the Susquehanna power plant near #BerwickPennsylvania to look into operator performance, equipment reliability and decision-making, the agency said.

"The move comes after three unplanned reactor shutdowns between Nov. 9 and Dec. 19. None of the incidents posed a safety threat, said Joe Scopelliti, a spokesman for Allentown-based PPL Corp., which operates Susquehanna.

"'We did a thorough investigation of the causes of the shutdowns,' said Scopelliti, noting the company is cooperating with the inspection.

"The most recent shutdown occurred after a valve failed to open during plant startup, temporarily interrupting the water supply to one of the facility's two reactors.

"The Nov. 9 shutdown was attributed to problems with a computer system that monitors water levels. A Dec. 16 malfunction happened during routine valve testing on Unit 2's main turbine system.

"Neil Sheehan, a spokesman for the nuclear agency, said it's not clear how long the inspection will take. A report containing findings and recommendations is due 45 days after the inspection is completed.

"Recommendations could include increased oversight, Sheehan said. He noted Susquehanna's Unit 1 reactor is already under a higher level of oversight because of a flooding event in 2010."

https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/inspectors-dispatched-to-susquehanna-nuclear-plant-after-3-unexpected-shutdowns/

#RethinkNotRestart #OldNukes #NoNukes #Pennsylvania #ClimateChange

Problems with the #PriceAndersonAct

"#Nuclear operators are not liable for the entire costs of their own nuclear accidents, and the financial burden for this risk is inappropriately transferred to #taxpayers. Since corporations under Price-Anderson are only responsible for around two percent of the estimated cost of a serious accident, nuclear power corporations can largely ignore (from a financial perspective) the dangers that reactors impose on American communities.

"The total effect of Price-Anderson is large opportunity to evade responsibility if there is an accident and victims require payment of damages. Thus, the Act has no fault liability for reactor operators, and injured victims s are precluded from directly suing vendors or manufacturers responsible for the accident.

"Price-Anderson Act indemnifies Department of Energy nuclear contractors even in cases of gross negligence and willful misconduct, which seems to discourage contractor accountability and a safety culture. No other government agency provides this level of taxpayer indemnification to non-government personnel."

https://www.citizen.org/wp-content/uploads/price_anderson_factsheet.pdf

#RethinkNotRestart #NoNukes #OldNukes #SeaLevelRise #ClimateChange #NuclearPlants