QuantumPion - Slashdot User

Submission + - Surry nuclear reactors to extend lifespan to 80 years (richmond.com)

Submitted by QuantumPion on Friday November 06, 2015 @02:24PM

QuantumPion writes: Dominion Virginia Power today will formally seek a second license extension for its Surry nuclear power plant, becoming the first utility in the U.S. to try to push the operating range for nuclear reactors to 80 years. If successful, the utility's pair of reactors in Surry County would be eligible to operate past 2050. The Surry plant, along with its North Anna sister site in Louisa County, were initially granted 40-year permits and operate today on 20-year renewals. Those two plants prove about 40 percent of Virginia's electricity.

Submission + - Obama's EPA Makes A Rad Decision (forbes.com) 1

Submitted by QuantumPion on Tuesday May 21, 2013 @10:15AM

QuantumPion writes: The Environmental Protection Agency released draft guidelines last month that could significantly relax radiation hazard standards in the case of a radiological event in the United States by using risk-based decisions.

“Think of it this way. The situations covered by these new guidelines are similar to someone dying of thirst who has the chance to drink fresh water having 2,000 pCi per gallon of radium in it. While the safe drinking water levels are 20 pCi/gal for Ra, 2,000 pCi/gal is of no threat, especially if you’re going to die from imminent dehydration. Of course, a bag of potato chips has 3,500 picocuries, so go figure.”

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