Chinese Components in U.S. Nuclear Reactors?

[amborin]

snip

"A made-in-China Texas wind farm project last year was slated for federal assistance. Fortunately, a public outcry and outrage from Congress will likely ensure that more of its wind energy components are manufactured in the U.S. But, a potentially bigger battle lies ahead.


With the Obama administration’s announcement of $8.33 billion in federal loan guarantees for two proposed reactors in Burke, Ga., tax dollars may in fact be headed to Asia to support the manufacture of nuclear components. Already, Japan — home of recall-plagued Toyota — may approve financing for the nuclear project, an indication that some high-value components will be made there. And, given China’s keen interest in rapidly developing its own nuclear power generating and manufacturing capability, it is highly likely that Chinese manufacturers of steel and other nuclear components have some skin in the game, as well.

To be fair, other countries with significant nuclear generating capacity have developed manufacturing capabilities for these components, in large part with the assistance of their governments, while the U.S. is still playing catch-up. But for those who believe that nuclear power generation is viable in the U.S., the place of manufacture should be a critical concern. It just does not make sense to manufacture components overseas, where our regulators have less ability to monitor safety. More directly, it makes absolutely no sense to allow the manufacture of critical nuclear power components in China, which has a very spotty track record on product safety — think faulty welds on bridge girders, lead-coated steel, defective tire treads, lead-painted toys, and tainted pet food, Heparin and toothpaste.

So far, Southern Company, the utility involved, has not publicly answered these sourcing questions. Clearly, we should demand some answers. Congress, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and taxpayers — working families who will actually pay this bill — all have a right to know.

The NRC will consider whether or not the reactors fulfill requirements for construction and operating licenses. United Steelworkers union President Leo Gerard has already fired off a letter to the NRC raising some of these concerns.

If the administration is willing to pony up more than $8 billion for two nuclear reactors, Congress had better make sure they are safe and made in America. Combining outsourcing with nuclear safety is dangerous chemistry — and risky politics.

snip

http://manufacturethis.org/?p=8103

[Bobbieo]

1. Unless brought under strict controls, uruanium will be the death of everything on earth!!!!

[TheWraith]

8. Please tell me that statement was made sarcastically.

Otherwise, you fail high school science forever.

[HeresyLives]

2. I love the attempt to tie China to the Toyota.

[NoNothing]

3. This is what happens

When you let an industry languish while other countries race ahead. We have not built any new reactors in years, while other countries have. It isn't un-patriotic to want to take advantage of their experience.

[AdHocSolver]

4. It is the responsibility of American corporations who import to ensure the quality and safety...

of the products that they import.

The track record of American corporations which import products is not very good. The main interest of most corporate executives is maximizing profit, irrespective of how many of their customers are harmed. Ensuring product quality and safety of imported goods has proven to be of little interest to management if it interferes with maximizing profits.

At the same time, the previous administration gutted the regulation agencies and staffed them with people hostile to regulation. Many of those people are still staffing and managing those agencies.

Moreover, many in congress are beholden to the "investor" class whose only interest is investing in these companies for maximum profit above all else. Maximizing profit is another way of saying "get away with as much as you can."

That said, you know that much of the manufacturing of components is going to be offshored, quality is going to be poor, there are going to be cost overruns, and after the first "accident", the powers that be will cry in dismay, "How could we have anticipated this happening?"

Congress will call for committee hearings to investigate what happened, and after a 12 month investigation, conclude that the taxpayer has to pay for a clean up and give several billion dollars in bailout funds to the corporations involved to keep them from failing.

Since the U.S. is practically broke from the nuclear plant construction outsourcing added to all the already existing outsourcing, the government reluctantly will have to cancel Social Security and Medicare and use what is left in those trust funds to do the clean ups and the bailouts.

However, the situation is not all that bad. Since the nuclear accident, there has been a massive die off of older Americans from radiation poisoning, so Social Security and Medicare are not needed anymore. At the same time, the stock market has rallied, and the Dow Jones is up 25 points.

[amborin]

6. plus, there's this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x232571

[OhioChick]

7. Good post. n/t

[JohnWxy]

5. TERRIFIC! A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. as if nuclear wasn't dangerous enough?!

[HeresyLives]

9. As compared to what?

Three Mile Island?