Press Release-II-05-027, NRC to Discuss 2004 Performance at Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant

Press Release-II-05-027: NRC to Discuss 2004 Performance at Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant

ML051250471
Person / Time
Site:	Turkey Point
Issue date:	05/05/2005
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region II
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-II-05-027
Download: ML051250471 (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-05-027 May 5, 2005 CONTACT: Ken Clark (404)562-4416 E-mail: OPA2@nrc.gov Roger Hannah (404)562-4417 NRC TO DISCUSS 2004 PERFORMANCE AT TURKEY POINT NUCLEAR POWER PLANT The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff is scheduled to meet with Florida Power & Light officials May 18 to discuss the NRCs annual assessment of safety performance for 2004 at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant, located near Homestead, Fla.

The 1:30 p.m. meeting in the City Council Chambers at the Homestead City Hall 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 St. Lucie 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, local officials and 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.

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.

Overall, the Turkey Point plant operated safely during 2004, and all performance indicators and inspections findings were green, requiring no additional NRC oversight. As a result of that performance, the NRC plans to conduct only routine inspections at the plant with the exception of activities related to reactor head replacement, containment welds and concrete repairs. In addition, a followup inspection on some unresolved fire protection issues is expected later this year.

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/tp_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 St. Lucie plant is available on the NRC web site at:

www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/TP3/tp3_chart.html and www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/TP4/tp4_chart.html .