Press Release-IV-11-007, NRC Sends Special Inspection Team to Callaway Nuclear Plant

Press Release-IV-11-007: NRC Sends Special Inspection Team to Callaway Nuclear Plant

ML110800604
Person / Time
Site:	Callaway
Issue date:	03/21/2011
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region IV
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-IV-11-007
Download: ML110800604 (1)

Text

NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs Region IV 612 E. Lamar Blvd., Suite 400 Arlington, TX 76011-4125 Telephone: (817) 860-8128 Site: http://www.nrc.gov Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov No. IV-11-007 March 21, 2011

Contact:

Victor Dricks Phone: (817) 860-8128 E-Mail: OPA4.Resource@nrc.gov Lara Uselding Phone (817) 917-0321 NRC SENDS SPECIAL INSPECTION TEAM TO CALLAWAY NUCLEAR PLANT The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has begun a special inspection at the Callaway nuclear plant to review the circumstances surrounding the lubrication of an auxiliary feedwater pump. The plant, operated by Ameren Missouri, is located near Fulton, Mo.

Inspectors, who began their work today, will identify the circumstances surrounding an oil sample taken on Feb.8 indicating that the pump might have been inadequately lubricated. In addition, they will review the licensees response to the event and its evaluation of the operability of the pump. The pump is used to supply water to the plants steam generators during some accident conditions.

The oil sample was discolored and contained particulate indicating that the oil level may have been too low to properly lubricate the pump bearing. The pump may not have been able to run for a sufficient length of time to meet its safety function during an accident scenario.

NRC staff decided that a special inspection was appropriate due to a previous event in 2009 involving inadequate lubrication in the same system.

The NRC inspectors will write an inspection report on their findings within 45 days of the end of the inspection that will be publicly available.

NRC news releases are available through a free list serve subscription at the following Web address:

http://www.nrc.gov/public-involve/listserver.html. The NRC homepage at www.nrc.gov also offers a SUBSCRIBE link. E-mail notifications are sent to subscribers when news releases are posted to NRC's website.