© archive.fortune.comDiablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant
Friends of the Earth has filed a petition to intervene in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission proceeding that would allow Pacific Gas & Electric's controversial Diablo Canyon nuclear reactors to run for an additional twenty years.
The new seismic data released in September by the utility reveals that the 1960s-era Diablo Canyon reactors are
surrounded by larger, interconnected faults capable of producing earthquakes that far exceed the plant's licensed design. Friends of the Earth argues that the plant's ability to withstand such earthquakes should be considered in a public hearing on the seismic safety of the PG&E reactors before the license extension to operate Diablo Canyon into the mid-2040s can be decided.
"This new, alarming seismic data clearly shows that faults surrounding Diablo Canyon could produce earthquakes far more powerful than those for which the plant is designed - this is a recipe for disaster," said Damon Moglen of Friends of the Earth "It's now clear that Diablo Canyon could never get a license to be built at its current Central Coast site. The NRC must consider this seismic data as part of public licensing hearings."
© www.sfgate.comShoreline Fault adds additional threat to DCPP.
Friends of the Earth filed its petition to intervene in the PG&E Diablo Canyon license renewal Friday, October 10, prompted by the seismic report.
The state-mandated PG&E report reveals that the newly discovered Shoreline fault is
twice as long as the utility had maintained in its prior report of 2011.Located just
600 meters offshore from the plant, the fault runs
45 kilometers and is capable of far greater ground motion than the Diablo reactors were licensed to withstand. In addition, the new report reverses prior claims by PG&E, and
establishes that the Hosgri, San Simeon and Shoreline faults are connected and therefore capable of far greater ground motion than the plant was designed and licensed to withstand.
© www.copswiki.orgRadioactive plume: will be worse than Fukushima due to onshore wind direction.
PG&E filed for a license renewal for Diablo Canyon in 2009, but the hearing process was suspended in the immediate aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. A 2011 NRC study indicated that Diablo Canyon is the nuclear power plant in the U.S. most likely to fail in response to an earthquake larger than it was designed to withstand. Despite this, PG&E has remained committed to its pursue of license renewal.
Friends of the Earth is the U.S. voice of the world's largest grassroots environmental network, with member groups in 77 countries. Since 1969, Friends of the Earth has fought to create a more healthy, just world.
Comment: Decrepit reactors (designed in the 1960s and built in the 1970s) on an array of active seismic faults in close proximity, what are the odds on nothing happening (especially in lieu of the Pac-Rim uptick of late)? Recent 3-D studies detecting three new faults, provide unprecedented scientific analysis of the seismic characteristics near Diablo Canyon. Faults include: Hosgri, San Simeon, Shoreline, Los Osos and San Luis Bay faults. Nearby is the dreaded San Andreas Fault - only 45 miles inland, and the Rinconada - 20 miles inland.
It has become increasingly clear that Diablo Canyon is surrounded by faults capable of creating ground motion beyond that for which the reactors and their components were tested and licensed. The Hosgri Fault, about 3 miles offshore, is capable of producing a major earthquake of magnitude 7.5. Upgraded information and studies on the faults near Diablo Canyon have revealed the percentages of more ground vibration and surface shaking that will occur during an earthquake: The Los Osos Fault - 50% more, San Luis Fault - 75% more, Shoreline Fault - 55% more. It has taken six years for PG&E to acknowledge the risks of the Shoreline Fault, first identified in 2008. While short segments can work together to produce stronger earthquakes as in the Fukushima disaster, there are factors that suggest the Shoreline Fault is one continuous segment, amplifying its potential by several magnitudes.
Hundreds of thousands of Californians live in the wake of this potential disaster, with approximately 500,000 persons living within a 50 mile radius of the plant. The persistent drought, now being experience in California, is potentially capable of setting off more earthquakes. Diablo Canyon is rated number one in the magnitude of potential (and preventable) devastation in the USA.
Here is a quick PBS special (run time 15 minutes) - informative and non-biased, illustrating the NRC and PG&E's long history of deceit about safety of Diablo Canyon:
http://video.pbs.org/video/205
Like moths to a flame? It seems 'man' is inherently attracted to building his homes and civilization ever near areas of mutually shared destruction, be it EQ zones, rivers that flood, lakes that subside or whatnot. Perhaps that is an inherent design function? As in self-destruction if certain lessons in life aren't learned?