A classic photo by BEST member Tom Moss.
Photograph of rear gate, Bellefonte Nuclear zombie plant.
Construction began in 1974
and stopped at about 60% completion in 1986.
The construction license was withdrawn
by TVA in 2006,
and NRC inspections and oversight halted.
From 2006 until 2009
critical components, piping, and turbines
were cannibalized (torn-out and sold)
with no NRC oversight.
In 2010, the NRC granted re-instatement
of the original 1973
TVA nuclear construction license
which circumvented modern environmental and
nuclear construction requirements.
nuclear construction requirements.
Many environmental hazards have been identified
for the Bellefonte site since 1973,
including proximity to earthquake faults,
sink holes, and river current reversals
at both the outflow and cooling intake locations.
The Tennessee Valley has seen an increase
in severe thunderstorms and
highest intensity tornadoes,
Categories EF-4 and EF-5,
with the onslaught of global warming.
There has also been a substantial
population increase
within the six mile radius
of the Bellefont Nuclear Power Plant.
The lack of quality control
and the process of natural aging
have resulted in the deterioration
and breakage of several reactor containment
support tendons,
an ongoing problem
even before the NRC reinstated
the antiquated 1973 construction license.
(see nuclear engineer, Arnie Gunderson's report on Bellefonte)
