Las Vegas Sun

November 9, 2009

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Editorial: In all things nuclear, safety is top priority

Monday, Jan. 6, 2003 | 9:19 a.m.

A nuclear power plant near Toledo, Ohio, came close to having an accident last year. That news was bad enough. But now it turns out that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission knew of the accident potential but allowed the Davis-Besse plant to continue operating. The plant was among 12 that were ordered shut down for inspections because of cracks or corrosions. While the others complied, Davis-Besse prevailed upon the NRC to allow it to remain open, citing the cost of a shutdown and possible power outages in northwest Ohio. Nearly four months later an inspection revealed that acid had corroded almost all of a 6-inch steel cap covering the reactor vessel. The NRC's Office of Inspector General is now warning of the potential for disaster if anything is allowed to take priority over safety.

We share in the universal relief that an accident was averted. We also hope that the NRC Office of Inspector General is paying close attention as the NRC studies Yucca Mountain. Cost concerns, expediency, or other reasons should never be put ahead of safety there.

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