Removal of the steam generators and pressurizer at the Yankee Nuclear Power Station
- Yankee Atomic Electric Co., Bolton, MA (United States)
Nuclear Steam Supply System (NSSS) components can be safely and economically removed from shutdown nuclear facilities. In many cases, intact removal of contaminated components is less costly and results in less radiation exposure to personnel than segmented removal. Component removal activities can be conducted prior to Decommissioning Plan approval, provided that the activities are within the bounds of the 10CFR50 operating license and 10CFR50.59, the removal work does not increase the total cost of decommissioning, and does not foreclose the release of the site for unrestricted use. The average citizen appears to be comfortable with the decommissioning process for nuclear power plants, provided the facts are made known. Many anti-nuclear activists, however, do not want nuclear plants to be dismantled right away. Their preference is to place these plants in a SAFSTOR mode for 50 years or more to lower exposure risks to workers and the public. In the case of Yankee Rowe, SAFSTOR will do little to reduce worker and public risk. It could, however, dramatically drive up the cost of decommissioning -- costs which the public pays. The commercial nuclear industry must continue to address the public`s legitimate concerns and respond to misleading antinuclear attacks with facts and information. State and local governments are becoming more interested in nuclear plant decommissioning planning. This trend is likely to continue as more nuclear plants face the end of operation. As several states move toward construction of low-level waste disposal facilities, this may have a positive effect on that process. The need exists for consensus on these facilities which must include provisions for large waste forms such as NSSS components.
- OSTI ID:
- 103739
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950414-; TRN: 95:020050
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 57. annual American power conference, Chicago, IL (United States), 18-20 Apr 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of American Power Conference: Proceedings. Volume 57-II; PB: 914 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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