ML20043F052
| ML20043F052 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/26/1990 |
| From: | Carr NRC COMMISSION (OCM) |
| To: | Bevill HOUSE OF REP., APPROPRIATIONS |
| References | |
| BEVILL-900326, CCS, NUDOCS 9006140123 | |
| Download: ML20043F052 (1) | |
Text
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MR. BEVILL:.
With the_ continued increase in the average availability of nuclear reactors in this country, why is it necessary for the NRC to insert itself in the industries' maintenance programs?
CHAIRMAN CARR:
The Comission believes that good maintr. nance is a. key factor in achieving and-maintaining a'high level cf safety in plant operations throughout the life of a nuclear power plant by helping to ensure that equipment will perform its intended function when required. Because maintenance plays such an important and integral' role with plant operations in assuring public safety, the Comission is convinced that continued industry attention and improvement in the maintenance area is needed not only to improve maintenance at some nuclear power plants today, but to ensure performance'of effective maintenance at all nuclear power plants in the future.
As I said earlier, the Commission recognizes that.the industry and individual licensees have made improvements in their maintenance programs and-in plant availabil.ity. The Commission 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 main-ten 6nce. Nevertheless, NRC maintenance team inspections have confirmed that further improvements are necessary, especially with regard to effective imple-mentation of md ntenance programs.
In view of the progress made to date, as well as-t'ie industry's expressed commitment to continue to improve maintenance, the Commission 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.
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9006140123 900326 00 1
- 37 Question 37/Bevill/NRR ej g
PDC 03/26/90