Much of the existing U.S. nuclear reactor fleet was built in the 1970s, and they
ID: 284644 • Letter: M
Question
Much of the existing U.S. nuclear reactor fleet was built in the 1970s, and they were commissioned for 40 years. Now these same reactors are applying for permits to renovate and extend their operating life another 20 years.
If you were a voting member of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), would you vote to extend the commission for these aging reactors? If yes, what factors could influence your decision one way or another? Include your thoughts on using current reactors versus building new ones, or retiring nuclear power altogether. Please answer in detail across one-two pages.
Explanation / Answer
If I get chance to become a member o f the Nuclear Regulatory commission (NRC), I would like to vote to extend the commission for these aging reactors provided there is a thorough study on nuclear power plants and certified by expert committee that all the systems are safe and in good conditions. This is because generally nuclear reactors life varies between 40 to 80 years. If conditions were good not effected by any environmental tragedies then extending the life nuclear reactors shouln’t be a problem.
In present scenario nuclear reactors are well monitored by expert professionals. They are taking long term precautions and to escape from natural or inbuilt tragedies. Except Russia and Japan nuclear tragedies all other nuclear reactors all over the World running well without any harmful effects due radiation of nuclear fuel.
Nuclear power is very cheap and have long term production without any delays. All most all nuclear reactor are built in safe places all over the world after assessing the long term effects. So if aging nuclear reactors are in good conditions and approved by expert committee latest study, then I can recommend for extending the renewal and extending life term of these nuclear reactors in North America.
The problem in extending the life of the nuclear reactors is lack of previous experiences. Because all most all nuclear reactors first generation and attaining first term life of the plant. Leasing second term life should be planned provided after meticulously study so that it should give confidence that all systems and structures are in perfect conditions. This experience may helpful to extending life term of other aging reactors.
Actually building new nuclear reactors are capital intensive and associated with many local and external problems. So if it is safe then extending the life of aging nuclear reactors more advisable then building new reactors.
The nuclear power reactors average life is increasing in IAEA’s member countries. More than 50 nuclear reactors are crossed their aging term and still running safely. But it is true that due ageing the nuclear reactors structures and systems develops problems. Giving attention to such problems and rectifying them immediately may serve the purpose. If in the plant timely actions taken care problems and helped in smooth running is best information to renew the life of the reactor. If some failures occurred in aging reactors in such cases further life time extension shouldn’t be carried out.
Many research programs are initiated on nuclear reactors life term extension. It may take few more years to come to the conclusion and terms and conditions to extend life time terminate it. All required precautionary measures at highest standards should be implemented to extend life term for nuclear power plant. This well help in safe running of the nuclear power plants after extending life term.
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