View source for Press Release-I-13-019, NRC Finalizes White Finding for Three Mile Island 1 Nuclear Power Plant Over Flooding Protection Issue

{{Adams
| number = ML13121A116
| issue date = 04/30/2013
| title = Press Release-I-13-019: NRC Finalizes White Finding for Three Mile Island 1 Nuclear Power Plant Over Flooding Protection Issue
| author name = 
| author affiliation = NRC/OPA/RGN-I/FO
| addressee name = 
| addressee affiliation = 
| docket = 05000289, 05000320
| license number = 
| contact person = 
| document report number = Press Release-I-13-019
| document type = Press Release
| page count = 2
| newsletter region = NRC Region I
| newsletter year = 2013
| newsletter integer = 19
}}

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{{#Wiki_filter:NRC NEWS U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Office of Public Affairs, Region I 2100 Renaissance Blvd., King of Prussia, Pa. 19406-2713 E-mail: opa1@nrc.gov Site: www.nrc.gov Blog: http://public-blog.nrc-gateway.gov No. I-13-019                                                                                April 30, 2013

==Contact:==
Diane Screnci (610) 337-5330                                     Email: opa1.resource@nrc.gov Neil Sheehan (610) 337-5331 NRC FINALIZES WHITE FINDING FOR THREE MILE ISLAND 1 NUCLEAR POWER PLANT OVER FLOODING PROTECTION ISSUE The Three Mile Island 1 nuclear power plant will receive additional oversight from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission based on an inspection finding involving the protection of safety equipment from flooding. The finding, which has now been finalized, was identified by NRC inspectors during one of the agencys numerous post-Fukushima reviews of U.S. reactors.
Three Mile Island 1 is located in Middletown, Pa., and operated by Exelon Generation Co. LLC.
The NRC uses a color-coded system to classify inspection findings, which range from green, for a safety issue of very low significance, to red, for a safety issue of high significance. In this case, the NRC has determined the inspection finding should be categorized as white, or a safety issue of low to moderate safety significance. The finding will result in the plant moving from the Licensee Response Column of the agencys Action Matrix to the Regulatory Response Column. This will result in additional scrutiny until the agency is satisfied the relevant issues have been properly evaluated and satisfactory corrective actions have been developed and implemented. While the NRCs annual assessment of 2012 performance indicated the agency would carry out the normal level of inspection at the facility, todays letter adjusts the agencys regulatory oversight of the unit.
During a walkdown, or visual inspection, of Three Mile Island 1s protections against flooding last fall, NRC inspectors identified an external flood barrier deficiency. Specifically, the inspectors determined that the company had failed to identify and correct, during external flood barrier assessments, a problem involving electrical cable conduits - that is, pipes holding such cables. The conduits, located in the plants air intake tunnel, were not adequately sealed to maintain the integrity of the flood barrier. In the event of severe flooding, the problem had the potential to pose a threat to plant safety equipment.
Subsequent to the identification of the issue, Exelon took action to seal the conduits and restore the integrity of the external flood barrier.

Exelon was given an opportunity to attend a regulatory enforcement conference to further discuss the NRCs finding or to respond to the finding in writing. The company declined to do so.
The NRC has made clear that ensuring U.S. nuclear power plants are adequately protected against flooding issues remains a priority. This is especially important in light of the March 2011 events at the Fukushima Daiichi facility in Japan, NRC Region I Administrator Bill Dean said. Based on our inspectors finding of a deficiency in this area at Three Mile Island 1, we will perform additional reviews at the plant to make certain the companys response is both thorough and comprehensive.
The NRC will conduct a supplemental inspection at a future date to evaluate the companys root cause analysis and corrective actions with respect to the problem.
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