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Tank 102 project stalled once more
Potentially defective welding is holding up the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s court-ordered Tank 102 project.
Results from the x-rays of these weldings were expected yesterday but CUC disclosed some problems with test readings of these weldings.
At a status conference of stipulated order projects in the U.S. District Court yesterday, U.S. Department of Justice Environmental Enforcement Section senior attorney Bradley R. O’Brien said they would like to be given “firm dates” in regards to solving the “welding situation.”
CUC counsel Jame Sirok, speaking to U.S. District Court for the NMI designated judge David O. Carter via teleconference, said they expected by yesterday to have the results of a May 26 testing of the weldings, but were informed late Wednesday that there were some problems with the films as the x-rays could not be interpreted.
Of the 10 films developed, only two were interpreted, according to Sirok.
Sirok said they have reshot test coupons and an interpretation should be available within the day.
According to Tano Group Inc., the company contracted to build the tank, two of the weldings passed the tests and they hope to get the rest within the day.
Gilbane Federal vice president Daryl Greenway, who oversees the project, said through teleconference that their company would not be able to look at the films until Monday when one staff member comes to the island.
Fletcher said the shots would be ready today or tomorrow but the “critical” thing was that Gilbane Federal would not be there for third party review.
The conference was postponed until today as problems with feedback on the teleconference connection made communication to Carter unintelligible.
