Palisades proposes method to retrieve 'tipped nuclear fuel assembly', but concerns remain
A battle is brewing over how to retrieve a tipped fuel assembly at the soon-to-be-restarted Palisades nuclear reactor in Michigan. The reactor, which closed in 2022 but was purchased by Holtec International, has become a poster child for an AI and data centre-induced nuclear energy renaissance in the US. Efforts to restart the reactor in Covert, Michigan, hit a snag on August 30, when, according…
A controversy is unfolding around the planned method to retrieve a misaligned fuel assembly at the Palisades nuclear reactor in Michigan. The reactor, which halted operations in 2022 and is now under Holtec International's ownership, has become a symbol of a resurgence in nuclear energy in the US, driven by artificial intelligence and data center applications.
The restart of the plant in Covert, Michigan, encountered a setback on August 30 when one of the fuel assemblies was discovered to be tipped during the fueling process, leading to the halting of restart efforts. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) reported that no radiation was released during the incident. Nonetheless, the event has raised concerns about the unconventional approach of restarting a decommissioned nuclear reactor, also known as "zombie reactors."
According to documents and communications between Palisades workers and the NRC, Holtec International has suggested a method for retrieving the tilted fuel. The company asserts that the fuel rods have "retained their integrity as primary fission product barrier" and that the assembly is tilted at a 30-degree angle from the core plate.
In their application to the NRC, Holtec proposed using a specially designed recovery tool to lift the tilted assembly and a protective canister to support and contain it during its transfer from the reactor vessel to the spent fuel pool. However, environmental activists from Don t Waste Michigan have expressed skepticism about Holtec's proposal.
They argue that this is a first-of-its-kind operation and that Holtec has no prior experience operating a nuclear power plant. The activists also contend that the proposal poses a significant risk, as the highly irradiated fuel would be suspended out of water in the plant atmosphere for up to 133 hours, resulting in a highly radioactive undertaking.
Despite these concerns, Holtec maintains that all measures will be taken in accordance with regulatory limits, stating that there will be no significant increase in the probability of an accident. Holtec's restart plans have been under scrutiny due to the reactor's history of controversies. In 2012, an NRC report raised concerns about the work culture at Palisades, where safety concerns were often dismissed.
In 2016, security staff were placed on leave for failing to follow fire-prevention protocols. Additionally, a worker at the facility fell into a pool of water while refueling, though unharmed. Arnie Gundersen, a nuclear engineer and expert advisor for Don t Waste Michigan, expressed concerns about Holtec's intentions and lack of transparency.
Gundersen believes that Holtec is eager to remove the tipped fuel bundle to expedite refueling, without providing a root cause analysis or evaluating any potential damage caused by the incident. Holtec, however, claims that they are diligently investigating the cause of the fuel assembly tipping and will implement any necessary corrective actions.
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