Press Release-IV-06-013, NRC to Discuss 2005 Performance at Columbia Generating Station

Press Release-IV-06-013: NRC to Discuss 2005 Performance at Columbia Generating Station

ML061440400
Person / Time
Site:	Columbia
Issue date:	05/24/2006
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region IV
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-IV-06-013
Download: ML061440400 (1)

Text

NRC NEWS U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs Region IV 611 Ryan Plaza Drive - Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011-4005 No. IV-06-013 May 24, 2006

Contact:

Victor Dricks E-Mail: opa4@nrc.gov Phone: 817-860-8128 NRC TO DISCUSS 2005 PERFORMANCE AT COLUMBIA GENERATING STATION Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will meet with Energy Northwest officials on June 1, to discuss the NRCs annual assessment of safety performance at the Columbia Generating Station during 2005.

The 6 p.m. meeting at Energy Northwests Business Services Center, 3000 George Washington Way, Richland, Wash., is open to public observation. Before the session ends, NRC staff will be available to answer questions on the plants safety performance, as well as the agencys role in ensuring safe plant operation.

Each year, the NRC assesses the performance of all of the nations commercial nuclear power plants, said Region IV Administrator Bruce S. Mallett. The meeting gives us an opportunity to discuss our findings with the company, local officials and members of the public.

We look forward to meeting with members of the community and answering any questions they may have about our oversight.

A letter sent from the NRC Region IV Office to plant officials addresses the performance of the plant during 2005 and will serve as the basis for the meeting discussion. It is available on the NRC web site at:

http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/LETTERS/wnp_2005q4.pdf .

Overall, Columbia Generating Station operated safely during the period. The NRC uses color-coded inspection findings and performance indicators to assess nuclear power plant performance. The colors start with green and then increase to white, yellow or red, commensurate with the safety significance of the issues involved. In addition to the baseline (or routine) level of inspections during 2006, the NRC will focus attention on weaknesses in problem identification and resolution.

Two supplemental inspections were conducted earlier this year and have verified that corrective actions have been taken to address a number of safety system failures and unplanned reactor shutdowns that occurred in the past.

Routine inspections are performed by two NRC Resident Inspectors assigned to the plant and by inspection specialists from the Region IV Office in Arlington, Texas. Among the areas of plant operations to be inspected during the next year by NRC specialists are emergency preparedness and radiological safety.

Current performance information for Columbia Generating Station is available on the NRC web site at: http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/WASH2/wash2_chart.html .