New Sellafield Reactor Poses Potential Risk

This news published by the Celtic League:

New Sellafield Reactor Poses Potential Risk

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Just days after we commented on the lack of firm opposition from the Manx and Irish governments to so called ‘new build’ nuclear plants a US Nuclear expert has warned about possible dangers.

In our report on opposition to the new plant planned for Wylfa, and opposed by a local campaign group there, we also referred to the proposals to site new reactors at Sellafield in Cumbria (see link):

https://www.celticleague.net/news/fukushima-anniversary-anti-wylfa-group...

Now US nuclear expert Arnie Gundersen has said he is concerned about safety deficiencies in relation to the new Sellafield reactors saying that one of the reactor types planned for the site, the Westinghouse AP1000 is susceptible to leaks.

The UK Office for Nuclear Regulation has downplayed the warning but admitted the reactors will require attention. They say that Westinghouse has submitted proposals to resolve 51 issues outstanding in relation to the design.

Meanwhile Westinghouse says:

“The AP1000 nuclear power plant design offers unequalled safety through innovative passive safety systems and proven technologies that are based on Westinghouse’s 50-year leadership in nuclear energy technology.”

That has not stopped an alarming headline in the Irish Independent saying; “Nuclear expert warns of ‘Chernobyl on Steroids’ risk from proposed plant..” (see link):

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/nuclear-expert-warns-of-chernobyl-o...

The Celtic League adopted a firm policy against new-build nuclear power at its AGM in Landerneau, Brittany in 2006 since that time we have continued to warn of the possible pitfalls of using this unstable source of electricity power generation. In view of the new warning the issue seems certain to be a debating point at the forthcoming AGM in Dublin next month.

J B Moffatt (Mr)

Director of Information
Celtic League

16/03/15

(Please note that replies to correspondence received by the League and posted on CL News are usually scanned hard copies. Obviously every effort is made to ensure the scanning process is accurate but sometimes errors do occur.)

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