Press Release-III-14-016, NRC Schedules Open House May 14 to Discuss Performance of LaSalle Nuclear Power Plant

Press Release-III-14-016: NRC Schedules Open House May 14 to Discuss Performance of LaSalle Nuclear Power Plant

ML14128A313
Person / Time
Site:	LaSalle
Issue date:	05/07/2014
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region II
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-III-14-016
Download: ML14128A313 (1)

Text

No: III-14-016 May 7, 2014 CONTACT: Viktoria Mitlyng 630-829-9662 Prema Chandrathil 630-829-9663 NRC Schedules Open House May 14 to Discuss Performance of LaSalle Nuclear Power Plant The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will hold a public open house on May 14 to discuss the agencys annual assessment of safety performance for the LaSalle nuclear power plant. The two-unit plant is operated by Exelon Generation Co., and is located in Marseilles, Ill., approximately 55 miles southwest of Naperville.

During the open house, which is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. CDT at the Brookfield Township Hall, 2099 E. 27th Road in Seneca, Ill, attendees will have an opportunity to hold one-on-one discussions with NRC staff members about the plants 2013 performance and the agencys oversight of the facility. NRC staff on hand will include the inspectors assigned to the plant on a full-time basis and staff from the Region III office in Lisle, Ill.

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 Exelon addresses the performance of the plant during 2013 and will serve as the basis for the discussion.

Overall, the LaSalle 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.

At the conclusion of last year, all performance indicators and inspection findings for LaSalle Unit 1 were green and the unit remained in Column 1 of the action matrix. As a result, LaSalle Unit 1

will continue to receive the NRCs normal level of oversight during 2014. LaSalle Unit 2 had one white performance indicator due to two unplanned shutdowns with complications. Unit 2 also had one white finding of low to moderate risk significance for failing to follow existing procedural steps. This finding resulted in Unit 2 being moved to Column 2 of the action matrix. The NRC conducted a supplemental inspection to follow up on the issue and the report, once completed, will be available to the public.

Inspections are performed by two NRC Resident Inspectors assigned to the plant, inspection specialists from the Region III, and specialists from the agencys headquarters in Rockville, Md. Among the areas of performance to be inspected this year by NRC inspectors are activities associated with radiological safety, equipment designs, and emergency preparedness.

The most current performance information for LaSalle Unit 1 and Unit 2 is available on the NRC website.

Page l 2