Press Release-IV-20-001, NRC to Conduct Special Inspection at Cooper Nuclear Power Plant

Press Release-IV-20-001: NRC to Conduct Special Inspection at Cooper Nuclear Power Plant

ML20002A022
Person / Time
Site:	Cooper
Issue date:	01/02/2020
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region IV
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-IV-20-001
Download: ML20002A022 (1)

Text

No: IV-20-001 January 2, 2020

Contact:

Victor Dricks, 817-200-1128 NRC to Conduct Special Inspection at Cooper Nuclear Power Plant The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will conduct a special inspection at the Cooper nuclear power plant to review the circumstances that contributed to a recent problem with one of the plants two service water systems. The plant, operated by the Nebraska Public Power District, is located in Brownville, Neb.

The Cooper nuclear power plant was operating at full power on Dec. 6, when the licensee was unable to establish water flow through a large pipe that discharges water used to cool some of the plants safety-related equipment. A second service water system remained operable.

The licensee subsequently determined that a large buildup of silt from Missouri River flooding had blocked the outlet of the pipe. Upon discovery, the licensee removed the silt.

On Dec. 18, NRC Region IV sent an inspector to the site to gather information in preparation for the inspection that will begin on Jan. 13. Three NRC inspectors will spend approximately one week at the site developing a chronology of the event and evaluating the licensees cause analysis and adequacy of corrective actions. An inspection report documenting the teams findings will be publicly available within 45 days of the end of the inspection.