TVA: No Problems Found in Nuclear Plant Safety Tests

May 10, 2013

Tennessee Valley Authority officials say tests of safety systems at its newest nuclear reactor have not detected any problems despite issues with the documentation of certain parts.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that the update came during a status meeting in Atlanta with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Last year, the commission cited TVA for installing thousands of parts at the Watts Bar Unit 2 reactor near Spring City that were not documented as nuclear-grade quality.

TVA officials say they are reviewing more than 550 parts or safety systems and have overhauled the equipment verification process. The review is 80 percent complete and should be finished by the summer.

TVA says it expects to complete Unit 2 by 2015 at a cost between $4 billion and $4.5 billion.