Laka Foundation

Publication Laka-library:
The aging of nuclear power plants: a citizen's guide.... (1988)

AuthorNIRS
Date1988
Classification 6.01.3.10/61 (NUCLEAR SAFETY - REACTORS - GENERAL)
Front

From the publication:

INTRODUCTION

As the last of the current generation of commercial nuclear power plants are being 
placed in operation, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is confronted with an 
industry that has moved beyond the developmental stage and is rapidly approaching 
maturity. As the nuclear industry in the United States has developed, two types of 
reactors have primarily been used for commercial generation of electricity: the 
boiling water reactor (BWR) and the pressurized water reactor (PWR, see Appendix 
A). As these nuclear power plants have operated1 the nuclear industry has witnessed 
signs of accelerated component degradation due to aging and a concomitant rise in 
operation and maintenance costs.

In July 1985, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced efforts to 
examine the issue of nuclear power plant aging. Through the Nuclear Plant Aging 
Research (NPAR) program, the Commission hopes to: 1) identify effects of aging 
that impair plant safety; 2) identify methods of inspection that will be effective in 
detection of significant aging prior to loss of safety function; 3) identify acceptable 
maintenance practices which can mitigate the effects of aging and reduce the rate of 
nuclear power plant degradation. While the stated goals of this program are laudable, 
it remains to be seen whether the resulting information will be used to address age-
related safety hazards or merely argue for extension of current nuclear power plant 
licenses.

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