An advanced nuclear reactor design, touted for its "passive" safety systems that can operate without human intervention, has been sent back to the drawing board because of safety defects.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which oversees reactor safety in this country, said Thursday that the design of the Westinghouse AP 1000 reactor does not meet federal safety standards and will need to be modified and retested. Seven power companies have applications pending with the NRC to build the new AP 1000 reactors, including Raleigh-based Progress Energy and Charlotte-based Duke Energy.