ML052620072
| ML052620072 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Salem, Hope Creek  |
| Issue date: | 03/22/2004 |
| From: | Blough A NRC Region 1 |
| To: | Division Reactor Projects I |
| References | |
| FOIA/PA-2004-0314 | |
| Download: ML052620072 (1) | |
Text
s-'S A 1)
From:
A. Randolph Blough oz To:
DRP All - Nuclear safety Professionals Date:
3/22/04 12:13PM
Subject:
Re: march 18 meeting w/ PSEG on Salem/hope creek work environment Below are excerpts of one of the several articles about last week's meeting with PSEG.
I have bolded some sections to show you how Hub presented the overall perspective.
I've also shortened the article for easy reading, by eliminating some detail of what the company said, as well as quotes of one local activist who called for immediate S/D.
- regards, randy NRC, PSEG Meet To Discuss Safety Issues Bridgeton News Friday, March 19, 2004 By BILL GALLO JR.
Staff Writer LOGAN TWP. - The operator of the three nuclear power plants at Artificial Island is taking immediate action to help create an atmosphere in which its employees are comfortable in raising safety concerns, federal regulators were told Thursday.
The meeting here between representatives from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and PSEG Nuclear, the operator of the three plants at the Island in Lower Alloways Creek Township, came as a result of an extraordinary letter sent Jan. 28 by the NRC warning the utility that it needed to take steps to prevent a "chilled environment" that could lead to problems at the facility.
At the heart of the NRC's concerns is the process at the Island for finding and fixing problems at the plant, the second largest nuclear complex in the U.S.
"Let me just say at the outset Salem and Hope Creek units are operating safely. However, events, results of inspections and other assessments that the NRC has performed have revealed weaknesses that require PSEG's attention," said Hubert J. Miller, regional administrator for the NRC and author of the letter.
The Jan. 28 letter to the head of PSEG Nuclear's parent company, Public Service Enterprise Group, was described as a proactive step by the NRC, designed to prevent any potential problems at the plants because of what has been described as "safety culture" Issues at the Island. The NRC referred to equipment problems and the apparent reluctance or fear among employees to raise safety concerns with PSEG management.
"Nuclear power plants are complex machines and all plants have problems. The best plants are the best plants because they are very good at Identifying problems and fixing them at an early stage," Miller said. "The best plants are the best plants because they are good at maintaining equipment."
Miller said it is critical for employees to have a willingness to report problems, then find them and fix them.
The letter from the NRC came as the agency was winding down its own special review of the work environment at the Island which began last fall.
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