Nuclear's Comeback Showcase Hits Another Snag

A reactor built to demonstrate that nuclear power is making a comeback has hit another round of problems, this time with a pair of on-site safety incidents.

According to the report, a contractor fell into a reactor cavity, and a bundle of fuel rods came close to toppling. The source does not say how seriously the worker was hurt, what caused either event, or whether the fuel handling problem has been fixed. Those details should be checked against the original reporting before anyone draws firm conclusions.

The project matters because it is being held up as proof that new reactors can be designed, built and run. Every setback gives critics a fresh example to point to when they question the industry's schedules, budgets and safety record. Supporters often respond that large engineering projects routinely run into early trouble, and that what matters is how quickly the problems are identified and corrected.