Chernobyl Nuclear Accident Congressional Hearings Transcript

276
gUESTX0N_J.2^ The Plant involved in the Davis-Besse Accident has
a Babcock and Wilcox Reactor. That reactor has
been involved in several serious accidents,
including Three Mile Island and Rancho Seco. Even
'the NRC admitted it has concerns about the safety
of the Babcock and Wilcox Reactors.
With such serious warning signals, why does the NRC
conclude that plants with these reactors pose no
undue risk and should be allowed to keep running
without major modifications?
ANSWER,
The utilities have made a significant number of improvements in
their plants since the TMI accident to enhance their performance.
The staff is concerned that even though utilities have been making
these improvements, the number and complexity of events in the B&W
plants has not decreased as expected. As a result, we have
initiated a reassessment of the B&W plants. This activity will
include an assessment of the thermal -hydraul i c design,
instrumentation, control and power supplies along with a review of
operating experience and operator training and response.
The staff believes that the B&W reactors can safely continue to
operate while the NRC reassess the B&W plant design requirements,