Czech Temelin N-plant resumes operational testing

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

Czech Temelin N-plant resumes operational testing
  
PRAGUE, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The controversial Czech nuclear power 
plant Temelin, fiercely opposed by neighbouring Austria, has 
restarted testing operations after a month-long shutdown, a spokesman 
said on Saturday. 

Temelin spokesman Milan Nebesar said the plant was given permission 
to launch operations by the state nuclear regulator (SUJB) late on 
Friday evening, and that it would take about 30 hours before nuclear 
reactions would resume. 

The latest shutdown started ahead of planned revisions due to 
vibrations and a crack on steam piping on Temelin's turbine, in the 
non-nuclear, power-generating part of the station. 

The recent failure has delayed by one month at least the planned 
launch of a full trial operation, originally planned for May. 

The $2.6 billion plant, built just over 50 km (30 miles) from 
Austrian borders, has had a rocky start. Austrian protesters have 
staged border blockades demanding its closure, and a series of minor 
failures forced repeated shutdowns since it was first launched last 
October. 

Austria says the station, which combines a Russian VVER-1,000 reactor 
with a U.S.-made control system by Westinghouse, may be unsafe. Its 
operator, the government-controlled power company CEZ insists it is a 
state-of-the-art project. 

The Czech government has agreed to conduct an environmental impact 
study at the station to appease the Austrians, who have threatened in 
the past to block Prague's path toward EU membership over the plant. 

U.S. lawyer Ed Fagan, who made a name representing compensation-
seeking Nazi victims and is now representing Austrian opponents of 
the plant, demanded that Westinghouse submit documents on the 
delivery of control and safety systems to Temelin. 

Earlier this week he said that he would "cause pain in the senior 
management ranks" if Westinghouse failed to comply by March 20. He 
did not elaborate on what further measures would be taken. 

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Sandy Perle					Tel:(714) 545-0100 / (800) 548-5100   				    	
Director, Technical				Extension 2306 				     	
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Personal Website: http://sandyfl.nukeworker.net
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