NRC: Nuclear Power Plant "Fully Functional" Despite Degradation

Despite concerns about safety at Seabrook Station due to recently reported deterioration at the nuclear power plant, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has deemed in its annual assessment the facility meets current safety standards.

Residents raised some of those concerns Wednesday at the NRC's annual public meeting to discuss the assessment, a meeting held at the Best Western's Galley Hatch Conference Center, although NRC Branch Chief Art Burritt defended the station's safety.

He said his agency deemed Seabrook Station has been operated "safely" and could withstand external events like small New England earthquakes despite the fact that his agency recently reported they found cracking in the plant's concrete foundation, groundwater infiltration, and several other structural problems.

"What is important here is that the building can still perform its design function even though there is degradation," said Burritt. "It still can meet all design functions. It's still fully functional."

The NRC released a report on May 23 outlining several issues -- including a "21.7 percent reduction in the compressive strength" of the below-ground-level concrete, as well as calcium carbonate deposits and corroded steel supports -- as well as plans to continue inspecting the plant over the course of this year.

Seacoast Anti-Pollution League Executive Director Doug Bogen and others raised concerns Wednesday about the long-term viability of the plant because of the issues, which the NRC has classified as a "green" or very low level violations because they don't pose "significant" risks at this time, according to Burritt.

Some residents also raised concerns about a reactor trip or meltdown due to a natural disaster in light of the problems caused at nuclear plants in Japan due to an earthquake earlier this year.

Buritt said Seabrook Station was built to withstand the worst earthquake this area has seen over the past 200 years as well as other external events. He also said there will be baseline inspections over the course of the year to help determine long-term actions and safety changes in light of the Japan disaster.

The owners of Seabrook Station, NextEra Energy, are currently attempting to renew the plant's license through 2050, and one man questioned Wednesday "why that is even on the table" because he said he felt there are too many structural issues that need addressing at the plant.

"To me that seems like such a ridiculous kind of thing to do," he said.

While the NRC's assessment had nothing to do with licensing, Senior Resident Inspector Bill Raymond said the plant, if approved, would still need to make improvements and repair issues over time.

"(A new license) doesn't mean they'll be immune to further improvements down the road," said Raymond, adding that the license could be revoked if current issues deem too great a problem or new issues arise in the future.

More information about the NRC and its report on Seabrook Station is available on the agency's website.