Press Release-II-07-019, NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance at Surry Nuclear Plant

Press Release-II-07-019: NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance at Surry Nuclear Plant

ML071030351
Person / Time
Site:	Surry
Issue date:	04/13/2007
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region II
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-II-07-019
Download: ML071030351 (2)

Text

NRC NEWS UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGION II 61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta GA 30303 Web Site: www.nrc.gov No. II-07-019 April 13, 2007 CONTACT: Ken Clark (404)562-4416 E-mail: OPA2@nrc.gov Roger Hannah (404)562-4417 NRC TO DISCUSS 2006 PERFORMANCE AT SURRY NUCLEAR PLANT The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff is scheduled to meet with Dominion officials on Monday, April 23, to discuss the agencys assessment of safety performance last year at the Surry nuclear power plant, located near Surry in southeastern Virginia.

The meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the Surry Government Center, 45 School Street in Surry. The NRC staff will present the results of the assessment and be available to respond to questions or comments from the public before the close of the meeting.

The NRC continually reviews the performance of the Surry plant and other commercial nuclear power facilities, NRC Region II Administrator William Travers said. This meeting allows us to discuss that performance with the company, with local officials and with people near the plant.

A letter sent from the NRC Region II Office to plant officials addresses the performance of the plant during the period and will serve as the basis for the meeting discussion. It is available on the NRC web site at www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/LETTERS/sur_2006q4.pdf .

The NRC uses color-coded inspection findings and performance indicators to assess nuclear plant performance. The colors start with green and then increase to white, yellow or red, depending on the safety significance of the issues involved.

The NRC said the Surry plant operated safely during 2006, but plant performance for all four quarters was within the regulatory response column based on a white inspection finding in early 2006 related to classification of emergency actions levels during a full scale exercise. A supplemental NRC inspection identified no significant findings and the issue is considered closed.

As a result, the NRC plans to conduct only routine baseline inspections at the plant for the rest of 2007. The NRC staff will also conduct several non-routine inspections, including the independent spent fuel storage facility and containment emergency recirculation sump blockage modifications. In addition, initial reactor operator licensing examinations are scheduled.

Current information for the Surry plant is available on the NRC web site at:

www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/SUR1/sur1_chart.html and www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/SUR2/sur2_chart.html .