Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

no
speculation in the press that it was the same type reactor that was
at Chernobyl, other speculation that it is not.
The question is, Do we know what types of reactors are being
built and are we faced with the same casual attitude toward safety
that apparently triggered the Chernobyl accident?
Dr. Bunch. It is my understanding that the reactors in Cuba are
what are called VVER-400; namely, 400 megawatt class, pressurized
water reactors. It is also my understanding that the particular
designs are the Soviet export models, with containments, somewhat
analogous to U.S. PWR's of that size.
I am finally given to understand that the particular concept
chosen is one similar to that already being operated in Hungary.
The Soviets claim that it has substantial safety features not found
in the RBMK, the Chernobyl type of design. Whether or not its
construction quality and the details of the safety systems are what
we would expect in this country I think is doubtful, but I don't
have the details of the Cuban design at this point.
Senator Wallop. Have we ever had any access to the Soviet reactors
and their buildings and design so we have some confidence in
how
Dr. Bunch. There have been a number of United States citizens
who have been granted tours of Soviet reactors in the past. There
have been extensive discussions, for example, with the Fins, who
have a Soviet style machine. The Fins, and the Germans have had
full access to many of the design documents of some of these systems
and have been asked to evaluate them.
One of the benefits of a multinational, international nuclear society
is that we do in fact, have broad access to information about
these systems.
Senator Wallop. Do we have broad access yet to the information
of all the details of the Chernobyl accident?
Dr. Bunch. As Mr. Denton and I both were trying to convey, we
have exhaustively examined the Soviet literature that has been
published. There is much that we don't have.
Senator Wallop. That is not precisely mv question.
Dr. Bunch. I was giving you a long "no,' sir.
Senator Wallop. That is what I was afraid you were giving me.
Mr. Denton. Senator, we have attempted to carry on a dialog on
safety with all countries, but when they invaded Afghanistan, as a
matter of national policy, we terminated that discussion with the
Soviets. We have not had a safety discussion with them since that
time.
Senator Wallop. Has anyone?
Mr. Denton. I can only speak for the NEC. We were in the process
of trying to reestablish that communication link when Chernobyl
occurred.
Senator Wallop. Mr. Meyers, can you add anything to that? Presumably
if they are not talking to us—not presumably at all, but
maybe me if they are not talking to us they are talking to somebody
else and presumably we could have access to that information.
Mr. Meyers. Well, they clearly have spoken to the IAEA management
who, as you know, have been there. They apparently have
made certain agreements with them to release information. We