The torus water temperature is critical to the proper functioning of the containment. The containment must work properly under all accident situations in order to protect the public from lethal doses of radiation. 50 degrees F. Normally, the water is above 50 between May and October. Each time, they declared the issue resolved, only to have it re-emerge with the same issues in question, or with new issues identified. Daley noted that the NRC has already issued a number of violations related to the errors, including one for operating the plant with the torus temperature above the allowed maximum on several occasions.
Fines are pending.
Vermont Yankee is taking another crack at the issue now. Vermont Yankee is currently shut down for refueling. When he learned that Vermont Yankee did not plan to have the issue resolved before the re-start of the reactor and that Vermont Yankee could unilaterally lift the present restriction, the Coalition decided it must demand that the Commission step in and maintain the restriction until such time as the NRC can independently verify any decisions made by Vermont Yankee. Public safety cannot be left in their hands. YAEC has falsified containment analyses at Maine Yankee.