Press Release-III-11-037, NRC to Hold Meeting with Firstenergy to Discuss Davis-Besse Shield Building Cracks

Press Release-III-11-037: NRC to Hold Meeting with Firstenergy to Discuss Davis-Besse Shield Building Cracks

ML113630420
Person / Time
Site:	Davis Besse
Issue date:	12/29/2011
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region II
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-III-11-037
Download: ML113630420 (2)

Text

NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs Region III 2443 Warrenville Road Lisle IL 60532 Site: www.nrc.gov Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov No. III-11-037 December, 29 2011

Contact:

Viktoria Mitlyng (630) 829-9662 E-Mail: OPA3.RegionIII@nrc.gov Prema Chandrathil (630) 829-9663 NRC TO HOLD MEETING WITH FIRSTENERGY TO DISCUSS DAVIS-BESSE SHIELD BUILDING CRACKS The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a public meeting Jan. 5, to discuss its independent inspection of the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant shield building and its conclusion that the building is capable of performing its safety functions. At the meeting, FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Corp. (FENOC), operators of the plant, will also explain how they concluded the shield building is functional for continued use. The plant is located in Oak Harbor, Ohio about 40 miles southeast of Toledo.

The meeting on Jan. 5 will run from 6:30 to -9:30 p.m. EST at the Camp Perry Clubhouse, 1000 Lawrence Rd., Bldg. 600, Port Clinton, Ohio. The meeting will be open for the public to ask questions of both the NRC and FENOC after the presentations have been made.

Members of the public interested in participating in the meeting can attend in person or by calling the toll-free teleconference number 800-369-1122 and entering passcode 7687149.

An informational poster session will also be held before the meeting from 6 to -6:30 p.m.

EST at the same location. This session will provide agency information on poster boards and allow those in attendance to discuss topics on a one-on-one basis with NRC staff.

The NRC was informed by FENOC on Oct. 10 that, while conducting work to replace the Davis-Besse reactor vessel head, utility workers had identified cracks in the shield building. The shield building is a 2.5 foot thick reinforced concrete building surrounding a 1.5 inch thick steel containment vessel that encloses the reactor. The two buildings are separated by a 4.5 foot hollow space.

On Dec. 2 the NRC concluded its review of the shield building and determined that FENOC had provided reasonable assurance that the shield building is capable of performing its safety functions. However, the NRC also issued a Confirmatory Action Letter to FENOC. The letter details FENOCs commitment to take certain actions to monitor and ensure the cracks in the shield building do not adversely impact safety going forward.

NOTE: Anyone wishing to take photos or use a camera to record any portion of a NRC meeting should contact the Office of Public Affairs beforehand.

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