Press Release-III-15-010, NRC Schedules Meeting April 20 to Discuss Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant

Press Release-III-15-010: NRC Schedules Meeting April 20 to Discuss Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant

ML15103A644
Person / Time
Site:	Point Beach
Issue date:	04/13/2015
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region II
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Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-III-15-010
Download: ML15103A644 (2)

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No: III-15-010 April 13, 2015 CONTACT: Viktoria Mitlyng 630-829-9662 Prema Chandrathil 630-829-9663 NRC Schedules Meeting April 20 to Discuss Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold an open house April 20 to discuss the agencys annual safety performance review for the Point Beach nuclear power plant. The two-unit plant is operated by NextEra Energy Point Beach LLC, and is located in Two Rivers, Wisc., approximately 13 miles northwest of Manitowoc.

The open house is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. CDT at the Lester Public Library, 1001 Adams St.,

in Two Rivers. Attendees will have an opportunity to talk with NRC staff members about the plants 2014 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 NRCs assessment of Point Beachs performance for the past year had Unit 1 in Column 3 due to two white or low to moderate safety significant findings and Unit 2 in Column 2 because of one white finding. One white finding affected both units and is associated with the plants failure to implement external flooding wave run-up protection design features. The second white finding involved only Unit 1 and is associated with the plants failure to ensure alignment of the turbine-driven auxiliary feed water pump. This would have resulted in a failure of the equipment to work when called upon.

The NRC recently completed its supplemental team inspection for the white findings to assess the plants understanding of the issues and the effectiveness of the short- and long-term corrective actions to prevent recurrence. The NRC concluded the plant has taken appropriate actions to resolve the issues. As a result both units are in Column 1 of the action matrix.

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 NRC uses color-coded

inspection findings and performance indicators to assess nuclear plant performance. The colors start with green and then progress to white, yellow, or red, commensurate with the safety significance of the issues involved. Performance indicators are statistical measurements of plant and equipment performance.

Overall, the NRC found that the Point Beach facility operated safely in 2014 and the plant 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 2014 and is available on the NRC website. The most current performance information for Point Beach Unit 1 and Unit 2 is available on the NRC website.

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