Press Release-III-13-019, NRC Schedules Open House May 29 to Discuss Performance of Fermi Nuclear Power Plant

Press Release-III-13-019: NRC Schedules Open House May 29 to Discuss Performance of Fermi Nuclear Power Plant

ML13143A466
Person / Time
Site:	Fermi
Issue date:	05/23/2013
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region II
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Category:Press Release
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Press Release-III-13-019
Download: ML13143A466 (2)

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No: III-13-019 May 23, 2013 CONTACT: Viktoria Mitlyng 630-829-9662 Prema Chandrathil 630-829-9663 NRC Schedules Open House May 29 to Discuss Performance of Fermi Nuclear Power Plant The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a public open house May 29 to discuss the agencys annual safety performance of the Fermi nuclear power plant. The single-unit plant is operated by Detroit Edison Co., and is located in Newport, Mich., about 25 miles northeast of Toledo.

The open house is scheduled for 6-7 p.m. EDT at the Monroe County Board of Commissioners Chambers, in the Monroe County Courthouse, 125 E. Second St., in Monroe. Attendees can have one-on-one discussions with NRC staff members about the plants 2012 performance and the agencys oversight of the facility.

When the NRC evaluates Fermis performance for the previous year, we take a look at any and all issues that might be of concern, said Region III Administrator Charles Casto. Then we map out our inspection plans for that specific facility, issue inspection reports, and hold public meetings near the plant in order to discuss our oversight and answer questions from local residents.

The NRC review concluded that Fermi operated safely in 2012.

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, commensurate with the safety significance of the issues involved. Performance indicators are statistical measurements of plant and equipment performance.

During the first three quarters of last year, the plant was subject to increased oversight due to a security inspection finding, but the NRC determined that plant staff had adequately addressed the issue.

During the last quarter, the plant had one white performance indicator of low-to-moderate safety significance due to multiple unplanned reactor shutdowns compared to the number of operational hours.

This will result in an additional inspection to ensure effective corrective actions.

This year Fermi will continue to receive the detailed inspection regime used by the NRC for all plants. Routine inspections are performed by two NRC Resident Inspectors assigned to the plant and by inspection specialists from the Region III Office in Lisle, Ill., and the agencys headquarters in Rockville, Md.

The annual assessment letter sent from the NRC Region III office to the company addresses the performance of the plant during 2012 and is available on the NRC website.

The most current performance information for Fermi Unit 2 is available on the NRC website.

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