TVA Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant - The continuing Saga: When did the NRC and the TVA Know about the Defective Valves and Management Failures? Did the NRC Intentionally Deceive the Public

 

When and how long had the Tennessee Valley Authority's, TVA, Browns Ferry been experiencing degraded conditions as a result of failed valves? Was there an intentional cover-up by the TVA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC? Do nuclear Peer Review organizations such as WANO, World Association of Nuclear Operators, or INPO, Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, have a moral, ethical and legal responsibility to disclose the existence of serious issues which may jeopardize public health and welfare of the public relating to nuclear power operations?

 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

 

U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (NRC) 

BRIEFING ON BROWNS FERRY UNIT 1

OCTOBER 18, 2011

9:O0 A.M.

TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS

Public Meeting

Link: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/commission/tr/2011/20111018.pdf

 

All the players were present, the NRC Commissioners and TVA Senior Executives. Quote from page 1 of the report -

"CHAIRMAN JACZKO: Good morning, everyone. The Commission meets today to discuss the safety challenges experienced by the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant and the steps being taken to strengthen safety at the plant.  In particular, in May 2004, Brown's Ferry Unit 1 was placed in Column IV of the  Reactor Oversight Process Action Matrix after it received a "Red" finding when a  reactor core cooling valve failed." Is that an error?

 

In the next paragraph Commissioner Jaczko goes on to say:

"This is not the only significant issue the Browns Ferry plant has experienced in recent years. In 2003, all units at Browns Ferry were placed in Column III after receiving a "Yellow" finding for fire protection issues. Given this recent history of issues, I'm sure that we can all agree that we want to see the plant perform more safely. To achieve that, there needs to be a strong commitment from the licensee’s entire organization, from its senior leadership to its frontline engineers to do what needs to be done for safety."

 

Had the plant actually received "Red finding" in 2004, or was this an error on the part of the NRC Chairman, Commissioner Jaczko? Attention to detail is important for the nuclear industry. The report continues; BILL BORCHARDT's comments on page 4 of the PDF linked: "...Browns Ferry Unit 1 entered Column IV of the Action Matrix in the fourth quarter of 2010." VICTOR MCCREE's comments on page 5: "...Unit 1 was assessed as being in the multiple repetitive degraded cornerstone, or Column IV, of the Reactor Oversight Process Action Matrix. Unit 1 was placed in this cornerstone column due to a "Red" finding in the mitigating systems cornerstone...On October 23rd, 2010, operators of Browns Ferry Unit 1 attempted to place Loop II of the residual heat removal low pressure coolant injection, or, RHR LPCI system in service to support refueling activities."

 

Maybe Commissioner Jaczko misspoke about the 2004 "Red Finding. Meanwhile, according to the NRC, the "Red Finding" is lifted and Browns Ferry Unit 1 is returned to the "Green" operating column stating, "The results of the inspection indicated that Browns Ferry was being operated safely." NUCPRO's listing of the Browns Ferry Assessment Letter: March 10, 2014 http://www.nucpros.com/content/browns-ferry-annual-assessment-letter

 

When did TVA and the NRC know there were valve problems at Browns Ferry?

Nuclear facilities have the privilege of receiving Peer Review Inspections by two separate groups of nuclear engineers. One of the groups is WANO, World Association of Nuclear Operators. Another group is INPO, Institute of Nuclear Power Operations. Unfortunately for the public, when the INPO or WANO reports are issued  they have a statement that they are restricted from public view.  The TVA claims that the public is not entitled to see the reports nor entitled to a copy of the report for proprietary and financial reasons. TVA's position is highly suspect and reflective of TVA's attempt to continue with cover-ups and secrecy involving its nuclear program failures. However, the WANO and INPO groups themselves mark the reports as restricted.

 

The restrictive markings, when covering up serious safety issues which reflect negligent actions on the part of management of nuclear power plants, are effectively covering up issues which are of grave public concern. In the case of the Browns Ferry GE Mark 1 Nuclear plants the issues covered up, if not corrected, place the public at a higher risk of physical injury as a result of TVA negligence and a failure to correct the negligent actions by the regulator, the NRC.  

 

The WANO and INPO reports contain information that should be and must be made public. There is an ethical, moral and legal responsibility of the government agencies and the professional nuclear engineering organizations to make public those defective items identified which may in fact cause a catastrophic failure thus endangering the public. Such is the case of multiple defective valves which insure a nuclear reactor is cooled properly in the course of normal operations and emergency events.

 

The reports contain information regarding the safety of operating nuclear reactors. In the case of the Browns Ferry Nuclear Facility the INPO report dated July 2010 indicates the TVA, and presumably the NRC knew of the repetitive valve failures at all of the 3 Browns Ferry Units going back to 2006. On pages 30 and 31 (of 83pages) all 3 Browns Ferry Units experienced various valve failures.

The following photo of the pages are hereby listed as news, criticism and educational use, this posting is a not for profit listing under the Fair Use Rule of Section 107 of United States Law.

 

This listing also casts grave doubt on the inappropriate classification of such documents and the Federal Government's and the INPO/WANO institutions responsibilities to divulge such information to the public. The INPO report discloses long time safety failures at Browns Ferry and brings to light the regulators failure, NRC, as well as the TVA's failure as to safety culture and executive management. This failure extends to the NRC having access to such reports and keeping the reports restricted. The restriction of the reports are immoral, unethical, and possibly illegal, as they disclose serious public safety hazards regarding nuclear reactors at the TVA Browns Ferry nuclear facility. 

 

Nuclear Power Plant Safety and the protection of the publics health and welfare should be a TEAM PROCESS to protect the public. Not a process of cover-ups and secret documents to protect the nuclear power industry, executives, defective systems and incompetent managers. 

 

The INPO report began its description as Follows for the defective valves at Browns Ferry on page 28: "High and Low Pressure Injection systems have experienced repeat and age related failures." It goes on to describe management failures and "insufficient actions to prevent reoccurrence of equipment failures." The exact findings are hereby submitted as a "Fair Use Right" for the purpose of news reporting, education, criticism and the exposure of systemic negligence in a safety culture involving nuclear power use by the TVA.

 

Click on images for an expanded view.

 

 

Due to the seriousness of the issues involved and the appearance of a cover-up and or negligent activities on the part of the NRC and the TVA in this matter, the INPO report relating to valve failures at the TVA Browns Ferry GE Mark 1 Nuclear Facility is disclosed.

 

The July 2010 INPO report goes on to describe other equipment failures as a result of a failed safety culture and management neglect.

 

Nuclear Engineer Henry Jones discusses the existence of Peer Review Reports and their implications.

Savanah River Site and Small Modular Reactors

"Shh," says DOE.  "We have secrets, we are killing people but don't tell them the truth." (claims and costs: http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/weeklystats.htm )

Ionizing Radiation from nuclear plants, fuel facilities and weapons complexes-colorless, odorless, tasteless radiation death. In many instances you will not know the extent of cellular mutations until you are diagnosed with cancer. In some cases, many years later. For more info: http://radioactivepoison.blogspot.com/

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin - credits: Medical Pictures from uIowa.edu: UI Dermatology / Tom Ray.

 

""Under a Cloud" presents evidence that the Savannah River Site in South Carolina had a recent, unreported radioactive fallout event. That fallout threatens human and environmental health. This is a "wake-up call" for the communities neighboring the Savannah River Site: we must take action to secure site accountability and to protect our health and our environment."




The TVA is spending hundreds of millions of dollars of your money for a project you will never see any results. Welcome to the SMR (small modular reactor) story, a project which you the rate payer are paying so the nuclear industry will benefit. A project in which there are no orders for the atomic mechanism, no approvals; our government is spending hundreds of millions of your hard earned dollars in the experiment for which only the nuclear industry reaps the financial benefits.

SMALL MODULAR REACTORS, SMR,  PRESENTATION BY TOM CLEMENTS
"“While SRS may superficially appear to present certain attractive aspects for the location of SMRs, the site has not had experience with operation of nuclear reactors in over twenty years and has no current expertise in reactor operation,” said Clements.

  “While DOE is set to chose two SMR designs to fund for further development, SRS affirms that no construction funds will be provided, leaving vendors with the difficult and perhaps insurmountable task to find private funding for SMR construction.”"

"Two of the three separate “Memoranda of Agreement” for three different and still hypothetical SMR designs include deployment timelines which are already admitted by DOE to be inaccurate since they were signed less than six months ago."

"As SMRs are being promoted for overseas markets, SRS officials will not say what plans are for used reactor vessels or highly radioactive spent fuel which would be taken back to the production site." http://aikenleader.villagesoup.com/p/documents-reveal-time-line-and-plans-for-small-modular-reactors-smrs-at-the-savannah-river-site-sr/840884

TVA and SMR's http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/advanced/clinch-river.html

Tom Clements Small Modular Reactor Overview for tva meeting 6.26.2012 from MATRRorg
 

Nuclear waste piling up in region - timesfreepress.com

(photo-Times Free Press Dan Henry)

Nuclear waste piling up in region - timesfreepress.com

CONTAMINATION, FIRES, FAILED SAFETY SYSTEMS PLAGUE U.S. NUCLEAR PLANTS. Nuclear Safety Event Reports for Nuclear Reactors and Fuels Facilities

Nuclear Zombie'shttp://www.thenation.com/article/zombie-nuke-plants by Christian Parenti, art work by Edwin Vazquez

************************* Stop Bellefonte *************************

This is the second report I have compiled of this nature. The first: http://arklite.blogspot.com/2009/08/nuclear-power-is-not-safe-nor-clean.html There is a national concern that the formal press and media outlets do not report the frequency of Nuclear Facility Accidents and serious events within the United States. It has previously been found that aging nuclear power facilities have systems failures, redundant safety systems do fail. These reports indicate a serious problem with nuclear fuels fabrication facilities.

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There are incidents which have resulted in Radioactive Materials being released into the local environment. In many cases these releases are not reported.

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It has been recently reported that the nuclear manufactoring industry has poured over $620 million dollars into propaganda programs and politicians campaign funds in the last 10 years. A culture of deceit and propaganda in regards to nuclear safety is increasingly more and more alarming.

> The following information is compiled from the Event Reports of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NRC. NRC link for more detailed event reports: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/event-status/event/2009/index.html

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NRC Emergency and Serious Event Reports for 1st Quarter FY 2010, October-December 2009. Serious contamination events, fires, security breeches and failed safety systems reflect serious problems for U.S. nuclear reactors and nuclear fuels manufactoring facilities. (40 events)

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24 Reactor Scrams, in all cases the reactor's control rods inserted properly and the reactors were reported as stable. Events #:45391, 45394, 45404, 45409, 45412, 45421, 45433, 45440, 45445, 45474, 45482, 45483, 45484, 45499, 45520, 45537, 45547, 45549, 45556, 45557, 45577, 45583, 45588, 45597. Pump failures, electrical systems failures, high pressure fluid leaks, reactor core coolant level drops and valve failures were the primary cause of the reactor scrams.

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4 Fire Events #: 45407-Areva fuels plant, radioactive materials released, fire, failure to declare emergency. 45497-Nuclear Fuels Svc. Erwin, Tn., fire and explosion, contamination to employees possible but not reported. 45515-Summer, Sc., unit 1, fire in protected area more than 15 minutes, switch gear room, emergency declared. 45565- Farley, Al. unit 1, fire in CCW heat exchanger room more than 15 minutes.

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9 Contamination Events #: 45413-Paducah, Ky. fuels plant. 45492-Paducah Ky. fuels plant. 45510-Ginna, Ny. unit 1, Cesium 137 spill during pipe replacement. 45514- Three Mile Island, Pa. unit 1, radiation release, 150 workers contaminated, unlisted degree of contamination. 45517-Beaver Valley, Pa unit 1, EMERGENCY declared, reactor cooling system leak greater than 25 gallons per minute. Total quantity of coolant in spill not disclosed, contamination limited to containment building. 45527-nuclear fuels facility; 45533-SEE BELOW. 45593-Fitzpatrick, NY reactor unit 1, Tritium leak into storm drain, amount not disclosed. 45601-Erwin, Tn. fuel fabrications facility, suspension of processes due to repetitive safety failures.

45533, this event occurred while employee was working on the reactor coolant pump at the Ft. Calhoun, Ne. nuclear plant, this was a serious personal contamination event.

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2 Safety related Events #: 45522-Turkey Point, Fl. dropped fuel rods; 45527-Paducah Fuel Plant, failed safety equipment and continuous safety systems failure.

> 1 Security Event #: 45521-Turkey Point, Fl., 33 Cuban Nationals entered the facilities security area. One of the illegals contacted the Control Room via a cell phone to inform them that they were on the facility and had arrived via a boat.

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Related media stories: http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/01/15/rash-of-pipe-failures-at-nuclear-plants-threatens-safety-lawmakers-say-2/49465/

President Obama Supports Nuclear Power

President Obama participates in the Nuclear Deception. The nuclear construction industry wasted no time in capitalizing on the Obama Administration's ill advised support of further nuclear power plant construction as evidenced by this NEI blog post:http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2009/10/word-or-two-from-president.html More evidence that he is just another socialist pawn of multi-national corporations.
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President Obama's connection to nuclear energy--Exelon Energy--big campaign contributions: http://investigativereportingworkshop.org/investigations/nuclear-energy-lobbying-push/multimedia/exelons-links-president-obama/


My blog listing of nuclear accident information. http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Nuclear%20Accidents

"The U.S. Press: Top 10 Nuclear Lies:" http://www.culturechange.org/n_power.htm

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President Obama supports nuclear power, stating the French and Japanese nuclear programs are models for us.
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The President's statement in New Orleans yesterday: "There's no reason why technologically we can't employ nuclear energy in a safe and effective way. Japan does it and France does it and it doesn't have greenhouse gas emissions, so it would be stupid for us not to do that in a much more effective way."
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I guess no one briefed our President on recent French and Japanese accidents which have killed people and contaminated farmland and rivers, not to mention the intentional radioactive contamination of the English Channel by Areva, it has been recently reported the amount of radioactive contamination is decreasing in the English Channel. Just think, would it not be just "peachy keen" to read in our local paper, "The amount of radioactive contamination is decreasing in the Tennessee River at Scottsboro. A fine legacy we plan on leaving our children!
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Japan's Nuclear Accidents within the past 10 years: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamaoka_Nuclear_Power_Plant another http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/461446.stm another http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0810-02.htm
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French Nuclear Accidents past 10 years: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008060759_nukes19.html Attempts at secrecy (The French are such wonderful role models. They also sell their technology to Middle East tyrants, Libya.)http://theimpudentobserver.com/world-news/non-reported-french-nuclear-accident-raises-questions/ another (Feels like a sci-fi dream.) http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/jul/25/nuclear.industry.france another (French lies, from Nuclear Engineering International.) http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2053958

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UPDATE, Oct 16,2009: From Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy--The U.S. government will announce loan guarantees for nuclear plants “very soon,” Chu said. “Nuclear power is an important part of what the U.S. has to do to reduce emissions.”
The U.S. is “working aggressively to restart the nuclear industry,” he said. “I believe the nuclear waste problem is solvable on a scientific level and a political level.” http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=acZ_t_.bADeE

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UPDATE 2, Oct 17, 2009: http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=fdc_1255636974 ICECAP Link: http://icecap.us/index.php

A political trade off in the making, further nuclear construction for the passage of Cap and Trade, the backdoor Kyoto Protocol? Maybe a political trade off for concessions in a government sponsored national health care program?

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UPDATE 3, Oct 21, 2009: After researching the Obama Administrations plans it becomes evident this was planned 4 months ago and is a trade off. Nuclear Power for the passage of the Kyoto Protocol. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/08/nuclear-power-obama-us

More on Nuclear Safety, More Critical Events, More Nuclear Accidents‏

After review of today's NRC Event reports http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/event-status/event/2009/20091006en.html there are 2 more Critical Events to report. 1) Event # 45412, Nine Mile Point, N.Y. Unit 1 Power Reactor: MANUAL SCRAM AND HIGH PRESSURE COOLANT INJECTION FOLLOWING A LOSS OF FEEDWATER LEVEL CONTROL. Reactor is reported to be in mode 3. 2) Event # 45413, PADUCAH GASEOUS DIFFUSION PLANT, URANIUM ENRICHMENT FACILITY at Paducah, Ky. UNPLANNED CONTAMINATION DURING STARTUP. UF6, Uranium Hexaflouride, the amount of material released has not yet been determined, decontamination is underway.

Remember our nuclear workers, 160,000 claims under the 2000 Energy Workers Compensation Act, over 40,000 claims awarded, 1200 never received any money as they died prior to claims being paid. http://www.wildclearing.com/ice-ages/the-exposed.html

Nuclear Power is not safe, it is not clean, it is not cheap ($8-$9 billion for one nuclear reactor).

Update: As of May of 2009 there have been Nationwide, since the act was implemented in 2001, Department of Labor has paid 51,331 claimants more than $4.8 billion in compensation and medical benefits. Claimants toll-free number: 1-866-481-0411.

TVA, Brown's Ferry Reactor Scram

Unit 2 Reactor Scrams, safety equipment offline, coolant water level drops 50 inches before recovering. http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/09/browns_ferry_nuclear_plant_shu.html
Official Report from NRC http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/event-status/event/2009/20090930en.html Event 45391 This event occurred last night.

What would have happened if the cooling water had dropped a few more inches, hear about 3 Mile Island, how about Chernobyl? Nuclear Power is all so safe huh? How long did it take for the cooling water to return to the "safe level?"

Do you feel safe when the TVA and TVA's contractors punish their employees for reporting safety problems? http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090928/NEWS/909289992/1011/NEWS?Title=Tuscumbia-whistle-blower-wins-case-against-Browns-Ferry Unfortunately there is a history of punishing those who report nuclear safety violations within the TVA.

Nuclear power is not safe, it is not clean (Just ask the 160,000 nuclear workers who have filed claims and the 40,000 whose claims have been approved and the 1200 whose claims were never paid due to their deaths.)and it is sure is not cheap. One plant's cost, 8-9 billion dollars and rising.

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Update: The Browns Ferry Unit 2 Nuclear Reactor Scrammed due to equipment failure at 11:23 PM on the 29th of Sept. 2009. The TVA reported, "HPCI and RCIC actuated as expected to restore reactor water level. Reactor pressure control was maintained on the turbine bypass valves, and no Main Steam Relief Valves (MSRVs) were opened as a result of the transient."

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"At this time the unit is stable in mode 3. Reactor water level is being controlled using one Reactor Feedwater pump. HPCI and RCIC have been returned to standby readiness. Reactor pressure is being automatically maintained by the main turbine bypass valves." So they stated, but was this a true statement? Did the RCIC actually return to standby readiness?

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The subsequent event report, after review of the event data reads, " "The initial notification made at 0409 hours ET on September 30, 2009, reported that the RCIC system actuated as expected in conjunction with the HPCI to restore Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) water level. However, during a review of plant data, BFN [Browns Ferry Nuclear] determined that after receiving a valid actuation signal, RCIC failed to inject to the RPV. The cause of the failure is under investigation. " The RCIC is the reactor core isolation cooling system, a very important safety asset failed. This is what caused the reactor water level to drop 50 inches but was not reported in the initial report.

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The initial report mentioned above was in error and false. A violation of Atomic Safety Protocol even though it has been corrected in the subsequent report. Inaccurate reporting reflects a failure in the attention to detail, a personal reliability issue. A lack of attention to detail is not a desirable trait for the management of a nuclear power plant.

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Update: The NRC Event report was updated the next day to reflect an accurate report after a review of event data. http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/event-status/event/2009/20091001en.html The updated report reads, " * * * UPDATE FROM MIKE HUNTER TO JOE O'HARA AT 1508 ON 9/30/09 * * * "The initial notification made at 0409 hours ET on September 30, 2009, reported that the RCIC system actuated as expected in conjunction with the HPCI to restore Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) water level. However, during a review of plant data, BFN [Browns Ferry Nuclear] determined that after receiving a valid actuation signal, RCIC failed to inject to the RPV. The cause of the failure is under investigation. "The licensee informed the NRC Resident Inspector of the update and does not plan a press release." Notified R2DO(Ernstes)."

Nuclear Power Is Not Safe nor Clean, 45 Day Nuclear Accident/Event Reports

Political leadership in Scottsboro and Jackson County are not concerned with citizen safety. They have blindly supported a nuclear Bellefonte so they may reap the rewards of increased TVA in lieu of taxes.
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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reports in the last 45 days the following Serious Incidents or as some say "Nuclear Accidents." Event notification reports may be read at this NRC address: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/event-status/event/2009/index.html
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The NRC reports indicate 14 accidents/events within the past 45 days which in some cases resulted in radioactive contamination requiring the donning of protective equipment, extinguishing of fires in critical areas or reactor scrams. The 2 most serious being a fire and release of toxic gas at the Columbia, Wa. Nuclear Reactor (event #45245) and a release of toxic-radioactive uranium dust into a building where nuclear fuel was being manufactured at Metropolis, Il. (event #45195).
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The reports indicate several fires, drunk on duty, pressure leakages, failing equipment, failed communications, tritium leakage, failed cooling pumps and loss of critical safety controls. Event #'s 45245, 45255, 45183, 45013, 45193, 45195, 45196, 45200, 45203, 45207, 45208, 45210, 45228, 45328. There are several other events listed including those involving TVA personnel drunk on duty and less significant events not listed which reflect equipment failures. Less serious events did not require protective measures or reactor scrams. Redundant safety systems did appear to be in working order. However, in some cases it was reported backup safety systems and communications equipment had failed. In all cases of emergency conditions or the report of a critical event the reactors which were at 100% power did successfully trip to a 0% power state.
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Nuclear Power is not safe, it is not clean and it is very expensive. It is time the politicians and the nuclear industry stop lying to the public about the safety and cleanliness of nuclear power. Nuclear power is inherently dangerous, this is the reason for the many controls and redundant safety systems. Unfortunately the nuclear industries propaganda machine has consistently attempted to deceive the public concerning nuclear accidents and serious events.

Nuclear Power--Nuclear Meltdown for France

Location of French Nuclear Plants. 80% of Frances nuclear power is produced from these plants.

TVA's Bellefonte Dream. Artists conception of Nuclear Reactor Units 1,2,3, and 4. Units 1 & 2 are currently 50% complete. Units 3 & 4 are in the planning phase and not approved either as to the reactor design or site construction. The NRC has granted a "Terminated Status" concerning the stripped Reactors of Units 1 & 2. The NRC is being sued concerning the reinstatement of construction permits that were previously cancelled. The reinstatement of the cancelled construction permits without due process violated the NRC's Atomic Licensing policy.

The ghostly cooling towers of Bellefonte Units 1 & 2 set idle. Approximately $4-5 billion has been spent to date in the Bellefonte project with no power being generated since construction began in the late 1970's. To complete units 1 & 2 it is estimated that costs will be from $6-8 billion at current market values. Costs are estimated at $18 billion currently for the construction of units 3 & 4.

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Much has been said about the benefits of French Nuclear power. What is not said is the key to the rest of the story. The short of it, the French are in trouble financially over the French Nuclear program . They have placed all their "power eggs" into the "one nuclear basket" and they are being crushed by economic conditions and nuclear accidents. A truth that America's Nuclear industry is attempting to hide.

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"The myth of a successful nuclear power industry in France has melted into financial chaos.
With it dies the corporate-hyped poster child for a "nuclear renaissance" of new reactor construction that is drowning in red ink and radioactive waste."

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"Areva, France's nationally-owned corporate atomic facade, has plunged into a deep financial crisis led by a devastating shortage of cash." The rest of the story from "Counter Punch, America's best political newsletter." http://www.counterpunch.org/wasserman03192009.html

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The following fact sheet was compiled by Bill Reynolds of Chattanooga, Tn., a fellow Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team Member.

"French Nuclear Power – Hidden Problems Revealed"

What you hear and see in American mainstream media about nuclear power in France is created and controlled by the nuclear industry’s powerful, extremely well-organized and well-financed “public relations” campaign. They are out to sell you as many of their extremely expensive nuclear reactors [as] our government and largest electric power corporations will buy, with money collected from you and me. Their sales campaign has effectively brainwashed many of America’s elected officials into believing such things as French-style nuclear power is clean, safe, affordable, and has solved the problems of radioactive waste. So you hear this sales message of the nuclear industry not only from the mouths of the industry’s highly skilled and highly paid salesmen and lobbyists, but also from the mouths of a lot of America’s high ranking government officials. Meanwhile, the serious and dangerous problems in French nuclear power are covered up so you do not hear about those. Only research by real experts who look for the whole truth reveals the covered-up problems and dangers. The following accounts some big problems uncovered by those experts.

· On July 8, 2008, the AREVA1 subsidiary-operated Tricastin nuclear facility in France spilled uranium into two rivers that provided drinking and irrigation water to the local communities. On July 23, at least 100 workers were contaminated during an accident at one of the four reactors at the Tricastin site. On August 6, the French nuclear security agency (ASN) announced the same facility had also emitted unacceptable levels of Carbon-14 radioactive gas throughout June and July that year.

· In August, 2003, during a severe heat wave in France, Electricite de France (EDF) 2 was permitted to discharge cooling water at such high temperatures that it kills aquatic life by cooking it.

· The high level of French standardization in reactor design increases significantly the risk of costly and potentially dangerous generic faults. A recently discovered steam generator plugging issue is only one of the latest in a series of generic safety related problems.

· Tons of radioactive waste has accumulated in the area called La Hague on France’s west coast. The earliest [that] France’s government projects they will open a permanent nuclear waste repository is 2015. [We have substantial reason to doubt the reliability of this timeline projection because, after decades of trying, neither the U.S, France, nor any other nation in the world, has developed a single permanent disposal site.]

· France discharges 100 million gallons of radioactive waste per year into the English Channel. [!!] This waste has spread all the way from there to the Arctic. Twelve of fifteen western European countries have asked France to stop discharging this radioactivity into the sea and France refuses to comply.

· France has long been extracting plutonium from spent nuclear power plant fuel rods using the so-called “reprocessing” technology. France’s reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel does NOT “recycle” the spent fuel because only about 1% of the spent fuel becomes new fuel for reactors. The other 99% remains radioactive waste that must be kept in extremely secure storage to protect the public from being harmed. (Go to http://www.ieer.org/ for further technical info about French rad waste.)

· Reprocessing extracts plutonium & uranium from spent fuel. Plutonium is the fuel in atomic and hydrogen bombs. Only one-millionth of a gram of plutonium can cause cancer. Reprocessing operations release dangerous levels of radioactivity into the surrounding environment, contaminating workers at the plants. Reprocessing creates millions of gallons of intensely corrosive acidic radioactive liquid waste.

· A significant number of France’s population have been protesting against elements of their nation’s nuclear power industry since 1987. Access to information on nuclear issues has been restricted in France. A 2007 study revealed that 59% of French citizens were in favor of a reduction of nuclear in their national energy sources. In a 2008 poll, 82% of French citizens “totally agree” or “tended to agree” with the statement “THERE IS NO SAFE WAY OF GETTING RID OF HIGH LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE.”

1. AREVA, a world-leading nuclear power development corporation, is more than 90% owned by the French State. AREVA has a record of mismanagement and its financial security is plummeting.
2. EDF is the largest nuclear developer in the world. It is a French-state controlled conglomerate. EDF is the main electricity generation and distribution company in France.

Local Maskarovka in Scottsboro, Aquatic Nuisance Weeds and Bellefonte

Hydrilla. My disagreement with the City of Scottsboro approving $42,500 appropriation and subsequent discussion about this problem has resulted in me being banned once again from al.com, Scottsboro forum.

Can't have any disagreement with the TVA in Scottsboro concerning their lies about Bellefonte and their lack of responsibility concerning lake stewardship. As soon as today's Daily Sentinel was released I was banned from the al.com forum. There is a front page article today about the aquatic nuisance weed problem and the TVA's lack of responsibility in lake stewardship concerning my presentation to the Scottsboro City Council Monday evening. http://thedailysentinel.com/story.lasso?ewcd=0e0970d3f12b918d

Censorship continues on Advance Internets al.com Scottsboro forum.
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There has been much discussion concerning the Roseberry Creek and Dry Creek Aquatic nuisance species problem in Dry Creek & Roseberry Creek concerning the disbursement of $42,500 of taxpayer money to the Roseberry Rescue Group, a group of private citizen lakeside homeowners, from the Scottsboro City Council. I have presented an opposing viewpoint of this situation to the City Council last night, along with forum discussions of this issue on al.com, Scottsboro forum. My postings on al.com were removed.

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The following post thread is taken from al.com, Scottsboro forum. It is an example of the Maskarovka. Al.com moderators have participated in a distortion of the post threads by removing specific ad hominem abusive attacks, while leaving other ad hominem abusive posts. This distorts the post threads as the reply will remain resulting in a non-sensible reply. This is a new tactic not seen previously on al.com, Scottsboro forum. Previously a whole series of posts in a string would be removed.

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Other postings on al.com removed concerned Bellefonte and aquatic nuisance weeds.

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Post Title: gary by sboro3 4/7/09 10:02 ET
Why do you complain about people attacking you when that is the first thing you resort to when someone askes a question that you cant answer. There are several examples below. I will list a few...1) you pointed out a case that Mr. Harrelson presided over, which has nothing to do with this issue because someone else said he was a good man. That is an attack.2)you post a link to a video calling me an idiot3) you call anyone that doesnt agree with you a bourban democrat
Are you capable of having an debate without the attacks? I have asked you numerous questions that you wont answer. these are still listed if you care to answer.1)why wont you run for public office?2)what would you advertise about Scottsboro if the weeds make it so that the lake cant be used? The only answer i recieved was you calling me an idiot

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Reply post title: 6230.1. "Unfortunately" by ok224u 4/7/09 11:29 ET Re: gary by sboro3 4/7/09
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The forum thread strings have been tampered with. Several posts have been removed which distorts the pattern of attacks from you and others.
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The local forum moderators and you have participated in this charade. The distortion has been occurring since day one. It used to be when I would challenge a topic or political entity I would be removed from the forum, now the distortion and censorship takes on a different form which you are a participant.
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You and others go ahead and wallow in your political deception as this is the state of Scottsboro and Jackson County Politics at the hands of the media pawns of some local politicians who distort the truth to local citizens in order to remain in office and maintain political control thru deception.
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Your questions have been answered if I wanted to answer them. Your demanding, patronizing comments along with your previous attacks, since removed, are indicative of the worst of political charades that local politicians and their supporters undertake.
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I have never stated that I don't utilize the ad hominem attack, I will utilize the ad hominem attack and point out how deception leads to distortion of truth.
The tactics which you and the moderators have intentionally participated this time around is the tactic of the Maskarovka, it is censorship and political distortion of the worst type utilizing a media product to accomplish your goal. http://arklite.blogspot.com/2009/03/maskarovka.html

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The reason for the charade, distortion and propaganda, my difference of opinion concerning the Roseberry Creek issue and those influential individuals who have convinced the City Council to make a $42,500 appropriation to an influential private group of lakeside homeowners for the purpose of controlling aquatic weeds around their private property.
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The lengths you and others will go thru to distort reality of the situation is very remarkable.

(end of discussion threads since deleted)

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Update April 8, 2009:

The media censors and local politicians do their dirty deed once again. I have been banned once again for telling the truth on al.com, Scottsboro forum. Many postings removed discussing the Aquatic weed issue and the Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant issue. More of the same deceit, more of the repressive actions of local political leadership coupled with local media serving as their messengers of deceit. All the while personal attacks continue.

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It seems truth is more than lying scheming manipulative politicians and their media pawns can tolerate. However, others are allowed to issue forth personal attacks against me on the Scottsboro forum. Very telling, very revealing, very typical of local deceiving politicians and their media pawns.

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The practice of the Maskarovka is alive and well in Scottsboro, Alabama. Another practice that is alive and well is bold face censorship practiced by some media outlets. Seems some media outlets will utilize censorship and deceit in support of their political choices and issues while eliminating disagreement and dissenting political speech.

Bellefonte Nuclear, Suit Filed in Federal Court-Press Release, Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League

GROUPS TAKES BELLEFONTE FIGHT TO A HIGHER COURT

Yesterday the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League filed a Petition for Review in the US Court of Appeals of the Bellefonte nuclear power plant in Alabama. The League seeks judicial review of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s reinstatement of construction permits for two nuclear reactors, the so-called Bellefonte 1 and 2.

The League’s petition relies in part on a statement from a member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission who voted against the Bellefonte Construction Permit. In January Commissioner Jaczko wrote, “There is an inherent danger in ignoring this obvious fact. Licenses exist for a purpose. We use them to fulfill our statutory mandate of protecting the public health and safety.”

Local residents supporting the League’s petition criticized the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s action. Louise Gorenflo, of the Bellefonte Efficiency and Sustainability Team in Chattanooga, said, “NRC’s mission is to protect public health. But they’re bending over backwards to accommodate TVA and ignoring their role as regulators.”

The League’s Science Director, Louis Zeller, said, “TVA has cannibalized its original plant, rendering it useless. The off-again, on-again history of this plant, the uncertain management, and the unprecedented reinstatement add up to a situation which is both dangerous and illegal.”

James B. Dougherty authored the March 30th petition to the court. This month the League hired Mr. Dougherty to work with them on the Bellefonte challenge.

The Bellefonte construction permit was first issued in 1974; construction was halted twice, in 1985 and 1994, before the permit was withdrawn in 2005. Since then, salvage operations have removed valuable components such as stainless steel pipes.

Points of Contact:
Louis Zeller (336) 982-2691 office, (336) 977-0852 cell
Louise Gorenflo (931) 484-2633
James Dougherty (202) 488-1140

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Update April 1, 2009:
Interesting Article in this mornings Scottsboro Daily Sentinel newspaper. Headline Reads: "Group Tries To Block Bellefonte," true. What is not true is this statement in the article, refering to Units 1 & 2 Construction Permits, "The Commission voted 3-1 in February to reinstate construction permits..." that is not true and reflects the continuing stream of propaganda being pandered to the citizens about this project.
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The truth is, not one, none, zilch, zero, -0- votes of approval were given to reinstate the construction permits. The vote results of the 4 NRC Commissioners were: 1-disapproved and 3 voted both disapproved and approved. There was NO VOTE OF APPROVAL. The single disapproved voter stated, "...there is an inherent danger in ignoring the obvious fact. Licenses exist for a purpose. We use them to fulfill our statutory mandate of protecting the public health and safety." This statement was made due to the NRC's policy concerning terminated and deferred status which states, "... a terminated plant is a nuclear power plant at which the licensee has announced that construction has been permanently stopped, but which still has a valid construction permit." There is no valid construction permit for Bellefonte Units 1 & 2, it was cancelled by the TVA. This policy statement was highlighted in COMMISSIONER SVINICKI's comments and rulings. The Commissioners which voted with Commissioner Svinicki's "disapproved-approved" vote each stated an agreement with her position.
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It is significant that the NRC Staff Reviewer noted there could be no return to a terminated or deferred status of the Construction Permit as there is no Construction License in existence as required by NRC Policy as it was cancelled by the TVA.
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However, the NRC Staff and the 3 Commissioners voting "approved-disapproved," with no single vote of approval, went ahead over the objections of the Senior Staff Reviewer and Commissioner Jaczko's protest and moved to reinstate a non-existing construction permit and placed the TVA's non-existant, previously cancelled permit into a terminated status in violation of the NRC's Policy and Regulatory Guidance.

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This is the reason this case will be heard in the Federal Court System. It is also the reason the 3 Commissioners voted "approved-disapproved." There was no legal form or fashion they could vote Approved as there was no Construction Permit/License in existence, it had been cancelled.

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The 3 errant Commissioners schemed to violate NRC Policy and circumvent procedures in the Nuclear Licensing Process. The question now arises, did the 3 Commissioners actions violate the Atomic Energy Act?

Bellefonte and Nuclear Power, Truth and Deceit

The glow of the ghostly cooling towers of the Bellefonte Nuclear Power Plant. A plant which has never produced 1 KW of electrical power. Now the TVA, after canceling their construction permits have requested the permits to be reinstated for units 1&2. Units 1&2 have been stripped of equipment.

The issue of radioactive waste plagues the nuclear industry. President Obama cancelled further expenditures on the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository.

TVA's Bellefonte 4 Reactor Dream, estimated cost of construction for 4 units, 26 Billion Dollars (2013 cost-$36 billion). An amount equal to the TVA's current debt which is growing and approaches the $30 Billion Congressional mandated cap of TVA debt.

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Salvaging Bellefonte: Article in Sunday's Chattanooga Times Free Press. http://timesfreepress.com/news/2009/mar/29/alabama-salvaging-bellefonte/ ( Comment attached to article.) Say no to Nuclear and yes to Natural Gas Combined Cycle, a plan approved by the TVA in 1997 as the most economical, feasible and ecologically sound. This method would produce approximately 2600MW of electrical power. http://www.tva.gov/environment/reports/bellefonte/exsum.pdf

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USA Today Article on Nuclear Power. http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2009-03-29-nuclear-power-energy-return_N.htm
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This statement in the above article linked reflects the nuclear construction industry's propaganda in the article, it is false, it does not accurately reflect rate costs of nuclear or natural gas electrical power generation: "...nuclear plants are far less costly to operate, and the fuel, uranium, is cheaper than coal and natural gas. South Carolina Electric & Gas chose nuclear instead of natural gas to meet some of its power needs because it could produce electricity at retail rates of about 8 cents a kilowatt hour vs. about 10 cents with gas." This is typical of the ongoing deceit and propaganda promoted by the nuclear industry, nuclear lobbies and political supporters.
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The nuclear industry executives and proponents care not for citizen safety and financial well being. It is all about the nuclear construction industry's bottom line and their fear that the risks and truth will be told. Therefore preventing the industry from reaping the hundreds of billions of dollars in taxpayer money as there are no private corporations willing or able to finance construction.
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Costs of nuclear power as reflected by the Nuclear Resource Information Services, NIRS: "Generation costs/kWh for new nuclear (including fuel & O&M but not distribution to customers)are likely to be from 25 - 30 cents/kWh...current costs of nuclear power are from 17-22 cents/kWh when the nuclear facilities come on-line." Full report:http://www.nirs.org/neconomics/nuclearcosts2009.pdf
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Cost comparisons for power generation: http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Cents_Per_Kilowatt-Hour#Comparisons

NRC, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Violating Own Rules and Proceedure??

TVA's $20 Billion Bellefonte Dream, 4 Reactors. Seems the safety of radioactive waste storage and enforcement of NRC's current licensing requirements has been called into question along with allegations the NRC is circumventing the legal process of licensing thru secretive process.

"Yesterday in a flurry of legal activity the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League filed new arguments opposing nuclear reactor licenses in Virginia, South Carolina and Alabama." Part of the brief filed on March 9th read, “The NRC’s secrecy is unnecessary, corrosive to the NRC’s system of accountability through open decision-making, and potentially dangerous because the decision-making process was not only secret but was restricted to the NRC and a limited group of individuals with a vested interest in minimizing the cost of mitigative measures, i.e., reactor licensees”

A sub-title, when will bureaucrats learn they have a responsibility to the law and their own policy. Press release from the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League. http://www.bredl.org/press/2009/newnukesmustwait031009.htm

Shocking Scientific Reports, Deaths From Nuclear Radiation

Could it be that the advocates of Nuclear Energy do not give a damn for you, your children, grandchildren or anyone else for that matter? Are the corporations and advocates of nuclear energy colossal liars of the caliber of a mass murderer? Has the public been intentionally scammed and lied to in a colossal national deceit program about the safety of nuclear power? This report reflects the severity of the lie: http://newsmine.org/content.php?ol=nature-health/65-million-nuclear-deaths.txt

Cover ups, releases of radioactive materials: http://www.truthout.org/article/tennessee-nuclear-fuel-problems-kept-secret more about cover ups and lies: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2465/is_3_31/ai_73040730 The 3 Mile Island lie: http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/11/19/5325/ , other nuclear accidents: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_civilian_nuclear_accidents#2000s Nuclear Accidents in progress: http://www.davistownmuseum.org/cbm/Rad16.html Then there is this, http://www.wildclearing.com/ice-ages/the-exposed.html 41,869 "Poisoned Nuclear Workers" either sick or dieing. These are people just like you and I, citizens of the Southeastern United States of America. Their only difference is they had a job handling radioactive materials.

The real question is, after all this information why do we still continue to build nuclear power plants? There can only be 1 of 2 answers, 1) all the information, links listed, is not true; 2) the nuclear industry via our government has deceived the public at large with a colossal lie for money.