Press Release-I-13-018, NRC to Hold Open House on May 7 in Londonderry Twp., Pa., to Discuss Three Mile Island 1 Nuclear Plant Annual Assessment

Press Release-I-13-018: NRC to Hold Open House on May 7 in Londonderry Twp., Pa., to Discuss Three Mile Island 1 Nuclear Plant Annual Assessment

ML13119A553
Person / Time
Site:	Three Mile Island
Issue date:	04/29/2013
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region I
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Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-I-13-018
Download: ML13119A553 (2)

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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-13-018 April 29, 2013 Contact: Diane Screnci (610) 337-5330 Email: opa1.resource@nrc.gov Neil Sheehan (610) 337-5331 NRC TO HOLD OPEN HOUSE ON MAY 7 IN LONDONDERRY TWP., PA.,

TO DISCUSS THREE MILE ISLAND 1 NUCLEAR PLANT ANNUAL ASSESSMENT The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will hold a public open house on May 7 to discuss the agencys annual review of safety performance at the Three Mile Island 1 nuclear power plant.

During the open house, which is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Londonderry Township Municipal Building, at 783 S. Geyers Church Road, attendees will have an opportunity to hold one-on-one discussions with NRC staff members about the plants 2012 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 their supervisors.

Overall, the Three Mile Island 1 plant -- consisting of a single pressurized-water reactor located in Middletown (Dauphin County) and owned by Exelon Generation Co. LLC -- operated safely during 2012. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2012, Three Mile Island 1 did not have any inspection findings that were greater than green (rising to the level requiring additional NRC oversight) or any performance indicators that were other than green (exceeding the threshold for the indicator and requiring additional NRC oversight). Typically, this would result in Three Mile Island 1 continuing to receive the NRCs normal level of oversight during 2013. However, the NRC is currently evaluating an inspection finding that may result in additional NRC oversight.

The NRCs decision on this issue will be sent to the company in the near future.

Plants that meet criteria set out by the NRC receive the normal level of oversight, which consists of a detailed regime involving thousands of hours of inspection. In 2012, the agency devoted approximately 6,000 hours0 days <br />0 hours <br />0 weeks <br />0 months <br /> of inspection to the Three Mile Island 1 plant.

When the time comes to evaluate a plants performance for the previous year, we take a fresh look at any and all issues that might be of concern. We then adjust our plans for assessing the facility accordingly, NRC Region I Administrator Bill Dean said. As we map out our inspection plans for the remainder of 2013, we remain focused on ensuring that safety is the foremost objective for all plant operators.

The NRC uses a combination of color-coded inspection findings and performance indicators to assess plant performance. The colors begin with green and then increase to white, yellow or red, commensurate with the risk significance of the issues involved. The agency issues

reports on performance at each plant twice a year: during the mid-cycle, or mid-point, of the year, and at the conclusion of the year. Inspection findings and performance indicators are also updated on the NRCs website each quarter. Following the release of the annual reports every March, the NRC meets with the public in the vicinity of each plant to discuss the results. The sessions are in keeping with the agencys commitment to transparency with respect to its activities.

The annual assessment letter for Three Mile Island 1 is available on the NRC website.

Current performance information for Three Mile Island 1 is also available on the NRC website.

Routine inspections are carried out by the two NRC Resident Inspectors assigned to each plant and by inspection specialists from the agencys Region I Office in King of Prussia, Pa.

Among the areas of performance to be inspected at Three Mile Island 1 this year by NRC specialists are activities associated with emergency preparedness; permanent plant modifications; radiological waste handling, storage and transportation; and underground piping and tanks.

News releases are available through a free listserv subscription or by clicking on the EMAIL UPDATES link on the NRC homepage (www.nrc.gov). E-mail notifications are sent to subscribers when news releases are posted to NRC's website. For the latest news, follow the NRC on www.twitter.com/NRCgov.