[ RadSafe ] Reactor Parts Venture

[Mercado, Don]

Areva, Northrop Forge Nuclear-Vessel Venture:  France's Areva SA said it
is forming a joint venture with Northrop Grumman Corp. to build
nuclear-reactor vessels, steam generators and other heavy equipment at
Northrop's Newport News, Va., shipyard.  The deal is a sign that the
planned resurgence of nuclear power in the U.S. could help stimulate the
country's manufacturing sector.  The two companies plan to invest a
total of $360 million in Areva Newport News LLC to build a
300,000-square-foot manufacturing and engineering facility for Areva's
nuclear reactor, known as the Evolutionary Power Reactor, or EPR.  Areva
is seeking to get the reactor design certified by the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission for use in the U.S., a process that is likely to take several
years.  Areva, which is controlled by the French state, is competing in
an industry in which Japanese companies, such as Hitachi Ltd. and
Toshiba Corp., have come to play a major role. China, too, is building
up its nuclear-power technology with hopes of exporting it.  Anne
Lauvergeon, chief executive of Areva, said she wants 80% of the content
of the U.S. plant's Areva reactors to be built domestically. She said
she believes the Northrop partnership will give Areva a competitive
advantage in the U.S. over rivals who rely more on imported components.
(Wall Street Journal, 10/23) 
 

Donald P. Mercado

Radiation Safety Officer

Explosives Safety Officer

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company

O/9K-2S, B/157

1111 Lockheed Martin Way

Sunnyvale, CA 94089

Ph. (408) 742-0759

Fx. (408) 756-0504

Don.Mercado at lmco.com

 

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 
-- WOW!!! -- What a Ride!!!"