Comment Re:Hack piece (Score 3, Informative) 126
I'm more concerned about the vessel steel problems mentioned in the article. If faulty, the vessel head could be replaced (at great expense), and the reactor vessel itself can be replaced during the construction phase (at even greater expense). I would hate to see the project put at risk over the issue.
Unfortunately, the articles are either vague or alarmist, so it's hard to be sure how serious of a problem it is. Being familiar with the nuclear industry, the 'problem' might be something like this:
1) Carbon content for the steel has been analyzed and tested as satisfactory between 0.50% and 1.25%.
2) Inspection reveals the carbon content at these two spots is 1.26%, outside the analyzed range.
3) New analysis and coupon testing is necessary to determine if 1.26% is safe.
It could even be general engineering knowledge that the steel is sufficient up to 2.00%, but since the properly documented analysis and tests haven't been done to that level, it doesn't count.
(I am not a metallurgist and my numbers are entirely made up)