Aging reactors' safety significant replacement parts failing prematurely

A tube rupture in a brand new replacement steam generator at San Onofre Unit 3 last week, and a defective brand new replacement reactor head at Palisades, show that safety significant structures at atomic reactors are of questionable integrity and quality assurance. Three Mile Island and Arkansas Nuclear One have also experienced premature degradation of new replacement steam generators, manufactured by Areva of France. Of these, Paliades, Arkansas Nuclear One, and Three Mile Island have already had their 20 year license extensions rubberstamped by NRC.