ML22223A125

News Release-II-22-021: NRC Launches Special Inspection at Farley Nuclear Power Plant

ML22223A125
Person / Time
Site:	Farley
Issue date:	08/10/2022
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region II
To:
References
News Release-II-22-021
Download: ML22223A125 (1)

Text

No: II22-021 August 10, 2022

Contact:

Dave Gasperson, 404-997-4417 NRC Launches Special Inspection at Farley Nuclear Power Plant The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has launched a special inspection at Unit 1 of the Joseph M. Farley nuclear power plant due to a partial loss of off-site power and subsequent issues with a turbine-driven auxiliary feed pump.

The two-unit Farley plant is located in southern Alabama and is operated by Southern Nuclear Operating Company. Unit 2 was not affected.

On Aug. 3, Unit 1 automatically shut down due to the partial loss of offsite power. One of the emergency power buses, which provides electricity to safety equipment, also lost power. The plants emergency diesel generator automatically started, restoring power to the emergency bus, and the auxiliary feed system provided reactor cooling, as designed, placing the plant in a safe condition.

A short time later, while operators were shutting down the turbine-driven auxiliary feed pump, which was no longer needed, the pump automatically restarted and subsequently tripped.

Operators then declared the pump inoperable.

While this event didnt present a threat to public health and safety, because redundant systems ensured the plant was safely shutdown, we want to independently gather additional information on what happened and why it happened, said Region II Administrator Laura Dudes.

Well also assure the company is taking comprehensive steps to prevent recurrence.

NRC resident inspectors, permanently stationed at the Farley plant, responded to the control room during the event and independently monitored plant conditions, reviewed the companys initial corrective actions, and monitored the plant restart several days after the automatic shutdown.

The inspection report will be issued about 45 days after the inspection is completed and will be available on the NRC website.