ML20043F047
| ML20043F047 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/23/1990 |
| From: | Carr NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Bevill HOUSE OF REP., APPROPRIATIONS |
| References | |
| BEVILL-900323, CCS, NUDOCS 9006140119 | |
| Download: ML20043F047 (1) | |
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MR. BEVILL:
With the virtual elimination of new licensing-issues, the NRC is increasing its efforts in the review of operating reactors.
Please explain and justify the Comission'.s program to est6b11sh a rule for reactor maintenance.-
- CHAIRMAN CARR:
Analyses of operational events have shown a number of instances.of nuclear power plant equipment failures that had been caused by inadequate maintenance.
NRC examination of nuclear power plant maintenance programs also revealed a wide variation in the effectiveness of maintenance programs.
Because inadequate maintenance can contribute to the' failure of equipment needed to prevent or mitigate accidents or can be the cause of initiating events, good maintenance is a key factor in achieving a high level of safety in plant operations. The Commission believes that public health and safety can be-significantly enhanced by strengthening the effectiveness of maintenance prograrn throughout the nuclear industry for the lifetime of plants. This was the besis for initiation of rulemaking-on maintenance.
The Comission recognizes that the industry and individual licersees have made improvements in their maintenance programs.
Indeed, the Comission has.seen noticeable progress by the industry over the past 4 years in the area of nuclear ~ power plant maintenance. The Comission also recognizes that the industry is committed to continue to improve maintencnce.
Nevertheless, NRC maintenance team inspections have confirme:1 that further improvements are necessary, especially with regard to effective implementation of maintenance programs.
In view of the progress made to date, as well as the industry's expressed comitment to continue to improve maintenance, the Comission decided to hold rulemaking in abeyance for an 18-month period (until June 1991) to monitor industry initiatives and progress and, at the end of this period will assess the need, if any, for regulatory action.
- Idd[90032s 1LL'036 808/
PDC ej Question 36/Bevill/NRR I
March 23, 1990