ML24052A333

News Release-II-23-035: NRC Finalizes White Safety Finding for Inoperable Diesel at V.C. Summer

ML24052A333
Person / Time
Site:	Summer
Issue date:	12/28/2023
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region II
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News Release-II-23-035
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No: II-23-035 December 28, 2023

Contact:

Dave Gasperson, 404-997-4417 NRC Finalizes White Safety Finding for Inoperable Diesel at V.C. Summer

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has finalized an inspection finding as white related to an inoperable emergency diesel generator at the V.C. Summer nuclear power plant in Jenkinsville, South Carolina. Under the NRCs reactor oversight process, a white inspection finding reflects low-to-moderate safety significance.

The finding stems from the discovery of a malfunctioning fuel oil piping for one of the emergency diesel generators during routine testing in November 2022. The NRC conducted a detailed review and found plant operator Dominion Energy had failed to make necessary maintenance or design changes, raising concerns about the plants preparedness for emergencies involving the loss of offsite power. The agency detailed its findings in an October 2023 inspection report.

During a regulatory conference, Dominion Energy provided new information, including an analysis demonstrating the emergency diesel generator could operate for six hours in an emergency.

As a result of this additional information about the generator s capacity, the NRC concluded that the issues safety significance was lower than initially assessed.

Maintaining the operational readiness of all safety-related equipment is crucial for the plant's ability to respond effectively in emergencies, said NRC Region II Administrator Laura Dudes. While not indicative of immediate risk, this finding underscores the need for continuous vigilance and improvement in the plants corrective action process.

The agency will conduct a supplemental inspection at the plant to ensure that Dominion Energy has thoroughly analyzed the root cause of the issue and has implemented effective corrective action to prevent recurrence. The results of this inspection will be made available in a publicly accessible report.