"Southern California Edison and the maker of steam generators at San Onofre nuclear plant knew about problems with the generators even before they were installed, Boxer and a congressman assert."
"Southern California Edison was aware of problems with replacement steam generators at its San Onofre nuclear power plant but chose not to make fixes, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer charged Wednesday.
Boxer cited a leaked report from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the manufacturer of the steam generators, obtained by her office. It is the first indication from government officials that Edison and Mitsubishi knew the system had problems before it was even installed.
The nuclear plant, a prime supplier of power in Southern California, has been off line for more than a year after a small amount of radioactive steam leaked from the plant's tubing.
The report indicates that Edison and Mitsubishi 'were aware of serious problems with the design of San Onofre nuclear power plant's replacement steam generators before they were installed' and 'rejected enhanced safety modifications and avoided triggering a more rigorous license amendment and safety review process,' Boxer and U.S. Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) said in a letter to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission."
Abby Sewell reports for the Los Angeles Times February 6, 2013.
SEE ALSO:
"Retired Duke Reactor May Signal More U.S. Nuclear Shutdowns" (Reuters)
"Report: Edison Knew of Steam-Generator Flaws" (Orange County Register)
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