Oconee Nuclear Station Design Flaw Questioned

Paraphrased by:
Steve Waldrop
September 9, 2003

Federal regulators are questioning a design flaw in a backup cooling system at the Oconee Nuclear Station near Seneca, South Carolina.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the backup system could get clogged with debris, and choke the flow of water needed to cool the reactor.

Duke Energy operates the Oconee Nuclear Station and says the chances of such an incident are remote.

Spokeswoman Sandra Magee says Duke is making several technical and procedural changes it will try to implement before the end of this year. She says that includes more inspections,"flushing" the system more often and additional training for operators.

No Duke nuclear facility has ever had to rely on the backup system, says Magee.

Duke's plan is being examined by regulators.