Bum steel creates dangers at Palisades nuclear plant, Massachusetts congressman warns

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A recent investigation by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission found that the failure of a water pump due to the corrosion of certain kinds of stainless steel components caused an August shutdown of the Palisades nuclear power plant in Covert.

In a news release from his office, Congressman Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, questioned why a substandard steel is still being used for certain plant components.

Here's what it says:
Despite scientific findings and industry experience reporting its vulnerability to cracks and corrosion, the types of stainless steel –known as 410SS and 416SS – continues to be used in water pumps used to provide cooling water to critical safety-related equipment such as component cooling water, diesel generators, and containment vessel air coolers for nuclear power plants throughout the U.S.

Markey sent a letter querying the NRC about the vulnerability of these metals to corrosion cracking and their continued use despite two decades of failures in nuclear power plants, according to the news release.

Here's more from the release:
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