Nuclear commission cites MOX violation issues

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has again cited Shaw Areva MOX Services for violation issues related to the design and construction of the $4.8 billion Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility (MOX).

In a report made public Tuesday, four specific, minor violation were noted from the most recent round of inspections.

From July 1 to Sept. 30, on-site and regional inspectors conducted a review of the progress of the facility. The violations were all graded as severity level IV, the lowest level of infraction. Most deal with specific technical procedures and design.

Despite the violations, most of the comments on the facility by inspectors were positive.

"(They) observed rebar and embedded plates were properly installed, cleanliness was adequate, concrete testing activities were adequate and concrete placement activities were appropriate," according to the report.

The inspections involved the observation and evaluation of programs for facility construction of principle structures, systems and components and included quality assurance activities related to design verification and documentation control; problem identification, resolution and corrective actions; structural steel and support activities; structural concrete activities and geotechnical foundation activities.

See Thursday's Aiken Standard for more on the citation.