Feds to discuss problems at N.C. nuclear fuel plant

Earlier this year, we reported on an incident at the Global Nuclear Fuel plant in Wilmington, N.C. in which moisture was found in a vessel containing uranium, a situation that can lead to a dangerous radiation release known as a "burst." On Monday, May 19, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a meeting to discuss the incident. The gathering will be open to the public, and attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions.

According to the NRC press release about the meeting:

NRC inspectors identified four apparent violations during the special inspection in late January and early February, and during follow-up reviews and telephone conversations. The apparent violations were in the areas of maintaining double contingency control, emergency level declaration, approved procedures for maintenance activities, and approval by the criticality safety function of maintenance activities.

The purpose of the May 19 conference is to discuss the apparent violations and provide the company an opportunity to respond and to provide details of its corrective actions and other additional information to enable the NRC to determine what, if any, enforcement action is warranted.

Global Nuclear Fuel is a joint venture involving General Electric, Toshiba and Hitachi that manufactures and sells fuel for boiling water reactors.