Press Release-II-05-019, NRC to Discuss 2004 Performance at Harris Nuclear Power Plant

Press Release-II-05-019: NRC to Discuss 2004 Performance at Harris Nuclear Power Plant

ML051040115
Person / Time
Site:	Harris
Issue date:	04/14/2005
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region II
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-II-05-019
Download: ML051040115 (1)

Text

NRC NEWS UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGION II 61 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta GA 30303 Web Site: www.nrc.gov No. II-05-019 April 14, 2005 CONTACT: Ken Clark (404)562-4416 E-mail: OPA2@nrc.gov Roger Hannah (404)562-4417 NRC TO DISCUSS 2004 PERFORMANCE AT HARRIS NUCLEAR POWER PLANT The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff is scheduled to meet with Progress Energy officials April 21 to discuss the NRCs annual assessment of safety performance at the Harris nuclear power plant, located southwest of Raleigh. The period covered is the calendar year 2004.

The 1:00 p.m. meeting at the Holiday Inn Express in Apex is open to public observation.

Before the meeting ends, NRC staff will be available to answer public questions on the plants safety performance, as well as the agencys role in ensuring safe operation of the facility.

Each year the NRC staff rates the performance of the Harris plant and all of the nations other commercial nuclear power plants, NRC Region II Administrator William Travers said. This meeting gives us a chance to discuss our assessment with the company, with local officials and with residents near the plant. Our aim is to make this information available to the public and answer any questions people may have about our oversight.

Overall, the Harris plant operated safely during 2004. The NRC uses color-coded inspection findings and performance indicators to assess performance. The colors start with green and increase to white, yellow or red, commensurate with the safety significance of the issues involved.

For the final three quarters in 2004, the Harris plant had nothing classified beyond green.

However, during the first quarter of the period, a white performance indicator for unplanned shutdowns was in effect from the previous period.. Based on an NRC inspection finding corrective actions for that issue were adequate and performance since then, Harris will receive the baseline, or normal, level of inspections during 2005. The NRC also continues to review a previously unresolved item involving cable wrap fire barrier qualification tests and the way the material is installed.

A letter sent from the NRC Region II Office to plant officials addresses the performance of the plant during the period and will serve as the basis for the meeting discussion. It is available on the NRC web site at www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/LETTERS/har_2004q4.pdf .

Routine inspections are performed by NRC Resident Inspectors assigned to the plant and by specialists from the Region II Office in Atlanta, and the agencys headquarters in Rockville, Md.

Current information for the Harris plant is available on the NRC web site at:

www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/HAR1/har1_chart.html .