Press Release-II-07-014, NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance at Hatch Nuclear Plant

Press Release-II-07-014: NRC to Discuss 2006 Performance at Hatch Nuclear Plant

ML071010141
Person / Time
Site:	Hatch
Issue date:	04/11/2007
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region II
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-II-07-014
Download: ML071010141 (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-07-014 April 11, 2007 CONTACT: Ken Clark (404)562-4416 E-mail: OPA2@nrc.gov Roger Hannah (404)562-4417 NRC TO DISCUSS 2006 PERFORMANCE AT HATCH NUCLEAR PLANT The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff is scheduled to meet with Southern Nuclear Operating Company officials on Tuesday, April 17, to discuss the NRCs annual assessment of safety performance for 2006 at the Hatch nuclear power plant, located near Baxley, Ga.

The meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Southeastern Technical College, 3001 East First Street in Vidalia, Ga. The NRC staff will present the results of the assessment and be available to respond to questions or comments from the public before the close of the meeting.

The NRC continually reviews the performance of the Hatch plant and the nations other commercial nuclear power facilities, NRC Region II Administrator William Travers said. This meeting is a chance for us to discuss that safety performance with the company, with local officials and with people living near the plant.

A letter sent from the NRC Region II Office to plant officials addresses the performance of the Hatch plant during the period and will serve as the basis for that meetings discussion. It is available on the NRC web site at www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/LETTERS/hat_2006q4.pdf .

The NRC uses color-coded inspection findings and performance indicators to assess nuclear plant performance. The colors start with green and then increase to white, yellow or red, depending on the safety significance of the issues involved.

The NRC said the Hatch plant operated safely during 2006 with all inspection findings being green, or very low safety significance, and all performance indicators also indicating performance at levels requiring no additional NRC oversight.

As a result, the NRC plans to conduct only routine baseline inspections at the Hatch plant for the rest of 2007. The NRC staff will also conduct inspections of the independent spent fuel storage installation and conduct initial reactor operator examinations.

Current information for both units at Hatch is available on the NRC web site at:

www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/HAT1/hat1_chart.html and www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/HAT2/hat2_chart.html .