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In a decision (52-006) that could push back plans to build up to 14 new nuclear reactors, the NRC on Oct. 15 told Toshiba Corp. subsidiary Westinghouse Electric Co. LLC it has now officially determined the company failed to demonstrate that a key part of its new reactor design, known as the AP1000, can withstand natural hazards, such as tornadoes, earthquakes or even high winds.
Westinghouse officials are downplaying the decision, however, saying it should not impact any existing construction schedules because the company is already well on its way to addressing the agency's concerns. Even the NRC acknowledged that the impact of its decision on the overall AP1000 certification review schedule, and on proposed plants featuring the new design, is unknown.
The AP1000 reactor design is based on an earlier Westinghouse AP600 design, but includes many improvements aimed at optimizing power output while simplifying plant systems by requiring fewer valves, pipes, cables and pumps.
Of particular note, the new design houses the reactor and its concrete containment dome in a 10-story-high cylindrical "shield building," consisting of 35 inches of concrete sandwiched between two sheets of steel, each of which is a half-inch thick. It also offers a major safety improvement by placing the emergency...