ML17125A217
| ML17125A217 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Vogtle  |
| Issue date: | 05/04/2017 |
| From: | William Jones NRC/RGN-II |
| To: | Howard C Public Citizen |
| Jamie Heisserer, RII 404-997-4451 | |
| References | |
| LTR-17-0145-RII | |
| Download: ML17125A217 (3) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGION II 245 PEACHTREE CENTER AVENUE NE, SUITE 1200 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-1257 May 4, 2017 Mr. Claude Howard
[HOME ADDRESS DELETED]
SUBJECT:
LETTER TO KRISTINE L. SVINICKI, CHAIRMAN OF THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REGARDING NRC SITE VISITS TO PLANT VOGTLE
Dear Mr. Howard:
Thank you for your letter dated February 15, 2017, addressed to Chairman Kristine Svinicki.
You requested that on behalf of the Concerned Citizens of Shell Bluff that the NRC provide more site visits to the Plant Vogtle construction site.
The NRC implements a robust oversight program at the Vogtle construction and operating sites.
The construction Reactor Oversight Program (described in Inspection Manual Chapter 2506, Construction Reactor Oversight Process) inspects, measures, and assesses the activities associated with the construction, testing and operation of the Vogtle construction units. These different areas include design/engineering, procurement/fabrication, construction/installation, inspection/testing, operational programs, and security programs for construction and operations.
The operating Reactor Oversight Process (described in Inspection Manual Chapter 2515, Light-Water Reactor Inspection ProgramOperations Phase) focuses inspections on areas of greatest risks, increases regulatory attention to nuclear power plants as performance declines, and uses objective measurements of performance. Both these programs give the public timely and understandable assessments of plant performance, and provide responses to violations in a predictable and consistent manner that corresponds to the safety significance of the problem.
The onsite presence of the NRC inspectors is an important aspect of the NRCs oversight program. The NRC maintains two resident inspectors at the Vogtle Units 1 and 2. The inspection program is supported by Region II regional inspectors and other NRC technical experts as needed. The NRC inspection reports and other background information is available at the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating.html The Vogtle construction project has five NRC resident inspectors that live in the vicinity of the plant and implement the inspection program on a daily basis. In addition, NRC regional inspectors conduct oversight inspections at Vogtle Units 3 and 4 on a regular basis to observe, for example concrete pours, rebar placement, module construction and the effectiveness of the corrective action program. The Region II Division of Construction Oversight branch chiefs are onsite site frequently and observe the inspectors implementation of the NRCs oversight program.
The new reactor construction background information including the NRC inspection reports are available on the NRC website at http://www.nrc.gov/reachttps://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating.htmltors/new-reactors/col-holder.html. The NRC also conducts public meetings in the Vogtle plant area.
C. Howard 2
On January 19, 2017, the NRC conducted the construction reactor oversight process public meeting at the Vogtle facility and on April 27 the cognizant branch chiefs and senior resident inspectors, as well as other NRC staff, were available at the Augusta Technical College in Waynesboro, Georgia to discuss the performance of the construction and operating Vogtle plants.
Should you have questions regarding the NRCs oversight of Vogtle Units 1 and 2, please contact Shane Sandal at 404-997-4513 or Shane.Sandal@nrc.gov and for Vogtle Units 3 and 4, please contact Jamie Heisserer at 404-997-4451 or Jamie.Heisserer@nrc.gov.
Sincerely,
/RA/
William B. Jones, Director Division of Construction Oversight
ML17125A217 SUNSI REVIEW COMPLETE FORM 665 ATTACHED