Press Release-III-14-007, NRC Schedules Public Meeting March 18 to Discuss Performance of Perry Nuclear Power Plant

Press Release-III-14-007: NRC Schedules Public Meeting March 18 to Discuss Performance of Perry Nuclear Power Plant

ML14069A062
Person / Time
Site:	Perry
Issue date:	03/07/2014
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region II
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-III-14-007
Download: ML14069A062 (1)

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No: III-14-007 March 7, 2014 CONTACT: Viktoria Mitlyng 630-829-9662 Prema Chandrathil 630-829-9663 NRC Schedules Public Meeting March 18 to Discuss Performance of Perry Nuclear Power Plant The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold a public meeting with representatives of FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Co., on March 18 to discuss the agencys assessment of safety performance for last year at the Perry Nuclear Power Plant. The plant is located in Perry, Ohio, approximately 35 miles northeast of Cleveland.

The meeting is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. EDT at the Quail Hollow Resort, 11080 Concord-Hambden road, in Painesville. The NRC will present its assessment of the plants 2013 performance, talk about agency activities, and be available to respond to questions or comments from the public.

NRC inspectors spend a significant amount of time monitoring a wide range of plant activities to ensure the plant operates safely. Our hands-on approach is a key factor in protecting the public and environment, said NRC Region III Administrator Cynthia D. Pederson. We hold public meetings near the plant every year to make our inspectors available and accessible to answer questions and have open discussions about NRC oversight with those who live near the plant.

The annual assessment letter sent from the NRC Region III office to plant officials addresses the performance of the plant during 2013 and will serve as the basis for the discussion.

Overall, the NRC found that the Perry facility operated safely in 2013.

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. The NRCs action matrix reflects overall plant performance and agency response. There are five columns in the matrix with Column 1 requiring a baseline level of inspections. A move to the other columns results in an increased level of NRC oversight and inspections.

The NRCs assessment of Perrys performance for the first and second quarters of 2013 had the plant in Column 3, which resulted in increased inspection hours and oversight. This was due to weaknesses in the plants radiation exposure control practices. After conducting a supplemental team inspection, the NRC found the plant understood the issues and had taken effective short- and long-term

corrective actions to prevent recurrence. The improved performance placed the plant in Column 1 for the third and fourth quarters of 2013.

Perry will continue to receive the normal oversight inspection efforts used by the NRC for plants in Column 1.

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 most current performance information for Perry is available on the NRC website.

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