Westinghouse responds to Russia's warnings on nuclear fuel: It's 'ridiculous'

The flags of the Russian Federation, left, and Ukraine, fly side by side in Kiev.

Westinghouse Electric Co. is pushing back against the Russian government's criticism of its nuclear-fuel deal with Ukraine, calling the Russians' worries over a potential disaster "ridiculous and inaccurate."

Cranberry Township-based Westinghouse announced Dec. 30 it would be expanding its nuclear-fuel contract with Energotoam, the Ukraine energy company. That rankled the Russian foreign ministry, which according to the Itar-Tass news agency said Westinghouse's fuel "could threaten safety both at the domestic level and in Europe as well."

The criticism raises the specter of Chernobyl, the April 1986 nuclear disaster in Ukraine that killed at least 30 workers and emergency responders and led to radiation in the region.

But there's nothing to worry about, a Westinghouse spokeswoman said Monday.

"The warning about the use of Westinghouse fuel is ridiculous and inaccurate. Westinghouse fuel currently is operating safely and efficiently at the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant without any defects in performance," spokeswoman Sheila Holt said Monday. "The Ukrainian nuclear safety authority approved this additional scope due to the flawless operation of Westinghouse fuel already working alongside TVEL (Russian-sourced) fuel in South Ukraine Units 1 and 2."

Paul J. Gough is digital producer at the Pittsburgh Business Times. Contact him atpgough@bizjournals.com or 412-208-3827. You can also follow him on Twitter.