Probe of nuke waste casks is set

Benjamin Grove

Thursday, June 26, 2003 | 11:08 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's inspector general said this morning that he will investigate whether the agency appropriately responded to charges that a nuclear waste container used in five states is flawed.

The issue is relevant to the dispute over Yucca Mountain because waste containers would be used in the transportation and storage of nuclear waste if the site 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas becomes the nation's high-level nuclear waste repository.

Two public interest groups requested the probe last week, based on a 3-year-old audit by Exelon Corp., the nation's leading nuclear plant operator.

Former Exelon auditor Oscar Shirani discovered nine flaws in a waste container used by Exelon and designed by New Jersey-based Holtec International and fabricated by U.S. Tool & Die. Holtec is a likely bidder for the Yucca waste container contract.

The alleged flaws included possible welding problems in the waste cask. The same type of casks are currently in use at plants in Illinois, Oregon, New York, Georgia and Washington.

Shirani said Exelon transferred him from the nuclear division to a finance division and eventually squeezed him out of the company because of his findings. He alleges that the company did not adequately respond to his audit findings, which indicated the waste casks might not stand up under stress or strain. Shirani brought his concerns to the NRC in December 2001.

Holtec and Exelon representatives say the companies responded properly to the audit findings, and Exelon officials say they did not retaliate against Shirani. Shirani said Exelon falsified records, which the company denies.

"All the casks that are (currently) loaded are there in violation of the codes," Shirani told the Sun.

The NRC's inspector general's office plans to launch an investigation of whether the NRC properly performed its oversight duties, NRC inspector George Mulley said today. The NRC is responsible for licensing and regulating nuclear facilities, including plants and on-site waste storage areas.

"We'll look at what did the NRC do to assure itself that there was follow-up by the companies (Holtec and Exelon)," Mulley said.

Lisa Gue of Public Citizen, which along with the Nuclear Information and Resource Service requested the IG probe, said she was encouraged to hear the NRC would look into the matter.

"We're hopeful there will be a thorough investigation," Gue said.