Regulator questions nuclear reactor plans

A British safety regulator said it has concerns about the leading plans for
new nuclear reactors in the United Kingdom.

The Guardian reported Friday the Health and Safety Executive refused to
recommend design plans for nuclear reactors that would help the United
Kingdom replace its aging atomic and coal plants.

The safety regulator's concerns came after a review of France's proposed
European Pressurized Reactor model and the United States' AP1000 nuclear
reactor design.

The European model is supported by the French utility company, Electricita
de France, and French nuclear engineering specialist Areva SA. The AP1000
design comes from the Westinghouse Electric Co. in the United States.

"We have identified a significant number of issues with the safety features
of the design that would first have to be progressed. If these are not
progressed satisfactorily, then we would not issue a design acceptance
confirmation," said the agency, which must approve the designs before any
reactors can be built in Britain.

The Guardian said the agency voiced concerns about a lack of separation
between the EPA design's safety protection and control systems, while saying
the AP1000 design falls short on safety measures regarding internal hazards.