ML052070160
| ML052070160 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Monticello  |
| Issue date: | 06/30/2005 |
| From: | Grubb J Nuclear Management Co |
| To: | Jennifer Davis NRC/NRR/DRIP/RLEP |
| Davis J, NRR/DRIP/RLEP, 415-3835 | |
| Shared Package | |
| ML052030005 | List: |
| References | |
| Download: ML052070160 (3) | |
Text
NM I IMontIcello Committed to Nuclear Excllen Nudear GeneratIng Plant 2807 West County Road 75 Monticello, MN 55362-9637 Operated by Nuclear Management CompanyLLC Nuclear Management Company Statement for NRC Environmental Scoping Public Meeting 1:30 p.m., June 30, 2005 John Grubb, Engineering Director, Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant Good afternoon. My name is John Grubb and I'm the Director of Engineering at Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant. I have overall responsibility for all aspects of engineering at the plant on behalf of Nuclear Management Company. I am here today to provide my support for our request to renew the operating license for Monticello.
The mission of everyone who works at and supports Monticello is clear: safe, reliable, and economical operation ... with the safety of the public and our employees being the number one priority. Two of our key values include being a good neighbor and steward of the environment in which we operate.
Our 500 employees are highly experienced, well trained, and committed to the safe, reliable, economic and continued operation ofMonticello. All of our employees go through rigorous training to continuously hone their skills and learn new procedures and information. Absolutely NO one is exempt from this training or testing to ensure that our entire workforce is at its best. We continuously improve our training based on advancements in technology, best practices through benchmarking from other NMC plants and the industry, and feedback from our employees, as they identify better ways to gain the skills and knowledge that they need.
An example of this high-quality training is our control room simulator that is used to train and update our operators and staff members. The NRC requires that employees undergo a yearlong qualification program utilizing this simulator to receive an NRC Operator's License, which I
qualifies an employee to work in the plant's control room. Our operators who have already received their license certification are required to spend five to six weeks in training each year.
We also have extensive processes and detailed procedures that are continuously reviewed and modified to cover every aspect of our operation. There are over 8800 procedures that cover operations, maintenance, engineering, training, security, and emergency response scenarios.
Our Emergency Response procedures and drills, for example, examine just how our employees react in theeventofan emergency. The emergencyplan has only one focus; safety. Safetyofthepublic, safety of our employees, and safety of the plant. Emergency response drills are conducted several times a year to test our abilities and carefully examine areas in which we can improve and prevent situations based on a formal plan, which is thoroughly reviewed and monitored by federal agencies.
The rigorous standards we abide by are set and reviewed thoroughly by the NRC and FEMA - the Federal Emergency Management Agency We have a collaborative approach to emergency planning at Monticello, which results in a team effort between employees, Wright and Sherburne Counties, the state of Minnesota, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. All totaled, over 1,000 people are part ofthese emergency response teams.
We have consistently demonstrated our ability to protect the health and safety of the public and our employees, and will continue to work with our partners and the NRC to maintain the highest standards for safety excellence.
The Monticello plant has been well maintained over its lifetime. Approximately every two years, we perform a refueling and maintenance outage, in which we typically carry out over 2,500 individual maintenance and inspection activities. This is in addition to the on-going maintenance, inspection, and rigorous testing activities that are performed during the period when the plant is operating at full power.
Over the years, we have continued to invest in a wide range of equipment improvements to take advantage of technology 'and materials to ensure future reliable and safe operation. As computer training methods evolve, we are able to broaden the range of training to our workforce. As we 2
move forward, we will continue to upgrade and improve the equipment and technology at Monticello.
Since Monticello began operating in 1971, there have been many changes that show the nuclear industry's dedication and commitment to improve its record of safety and security. I would add that the regulations set forth by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that we abide by and in which we are held accountable are the most stringent of any industry, and the inspections are more rigorous to maintain this record of safe and reliable operations.
One example is security at all U.S. nuclear plants. Security at nuclear plants across the nation has received increased emphasis and scrutiny since the tragic events of September 11,2001. Security at Monticello is no exception, and we have taken extensive precautions and implemented new policies and procedures to ensure that the safety and well being of the community and our employees is ensured. This includes several million dollars in additional resources and new equipment. We will continue to work with the NRC to review and evaluate our security procedures to make certain that the most effective methods are being used.
The operation of Monticello, today and in the future, requires commitment and diligence to the everyday tasks we all perform. Just last year we set a record for the most megawatt hours of electrical power produced by the plant since it began operations in 1971. As the performance standard for nuclear plants continue to rise, so does ours.
Monticello is a strong supporter of the environment; we take great care in our daily activities to ensure that the environment is well protected. Our employees feel fortunate that the location of Monticello rests on the banks of the Mississippi River and within the reaches ofMontissippi County Park and Lake Maria State Park. The site is home to numerous wildlife, aquatic species and plant life. Our efforts have made Monticello a safe and sound habitat for many years and it remains our commitment to maintaining that for years to come.
On a different note, Monticello is more than a power plant operated by highly skilled workers. It is part of our community. Not only does the plant rely upon many local companies for goods and 3
services, but our employees live in and contribute to the surrounding communities. We are proud to participate and give back to the community in a variety of ways including serving:
- on city and town boards
- as leaders in civic and community organizations
- as sports coaches
- on church committees, boards, and councils
- and as members of charitable organizations.
Our employees also help raise money for our local United Way organizations, Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, Rotary Club and STARS Hockey Association, to name a few.
We sponsor events in the community including Big Brothers/Big Sisters haunted hay ride, Monticello-Big Lake Hospital Auxiliary and Chamber of Commerce golf tournaments, and are extremely proud to have sponsored the Welcome Home ceremony for Monticello's Delta Battery military unit last month.
In conclusion, the Monticello Plant has been a productive contributor to the energy needs of the State of Minnesota and a valuable asset and good neighbor to the surrounding communities. We remain committed to operating safely, reliably, economically, and focused on being a good neighbor and a good steward of our environment.
I, and the rest of the employees of Monticello, look forward to serving you and meeting the needs of our community for many years to come.
Thank you.
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