ML15168B114
| ML15168B114 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | Indian Point  |
| Issue date: | 06/16/2015 |
| From: | NRC/Chairman |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML15168B114 (16) | |
Text
UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20555-0001 June 16, 2015 CHAIRMAN The Honorable Nita M. Lowey United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Congresswoman Lowey:
On behalf of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), I am responding to your letter of May 13, 2015, concerning a transformer fire at the Indian Point Energy Center on May 9, 2015. Specifically, you asked for a thorough investigation of the cause of the fire and the safety risks it posed, an examination of the environmental health impacts, and a list and justification for all safety exemptions the NRC has granted at the Indian Point facility.
At 5:50 p.m. on May 9, 2015, with Unit 3 operating at 100 percent power, one of its two main transformers failed. The cause of the failure has not yet been identified. The failure resulted in an automatic shutdown of the reactor and an oil fire occurred in the vicinity of the main transformer. Plant operators declared an "Unusual Event"-the lowest of four levels of emergency classification for nuclear power plants used by the NRC-at 6:01 p.m. because of the explosion associated with the transformer failure. A fire suppression system for the transformer automatically doused the fire. In addition, the plant's onsite fire brigade, with assistance from the Montrose and Verplank fire departments, sprayed water and foam onto the transformer to help put out the fire. NRC resident inspectors responded to the site, observed Entergy's initial response to the fire event, and verified that the reactor was safely shutdown without complications. The Unusual Event was terminated at 9:03 p.m. after the fire was fully extinguished.
Main transformers are covered by the NRC's fire protection requirements, which establish a "defense-in-depth" approach to prevent, detect, control, and extinguish fires.
Specifically, fire protection systems must protect safe shutdown equipment from the impact of large transformer fires. Transformers typically are protected by automatic water spray systems, as is the case at Indian Point.
As part of its ongoing baseline inspection program, NRC Region I inspectors will review Entergy's evaluation of the cause of the transformer failure and the plant's response, including performance of the automatic shutdown systems, safety systems, and the activation of the fire brigade. Because there have been multiple transformer fires at Indian Point over the past several years, the inspectors also will evaluate possible common elements among these events, such as transformer monitoring and maintenance practices. These results will be published in future publicly available inspection reports.
Additionally, the NRC initiated a Special Inspection at Indian Point Unit 3 shortly after the transformer failure event to better understand the unexpected presence of water in an electrical equipment room during the event on May 9. This room contains electrical equipment that provides power to plant safety systems. Among other things, the NRC inspectors will be
reviewing whether the efforts to extinguish the transformer fire caused the accumulation of the water observed in the electrical equipment room.
With regard to environmental health impacts of the transformer fire, (i.e., the impacts of an oil and/or chemical release to the river), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for examining those impacts.
As requested , enclosed with this letter is a listing of all exemptions, including fire protection-related exemptions, granted by the NRC to Indian Point Units 2 and 3. The list is publicly available in the NRC's Agencywide Documents Access and Management System at Accession No. ML12172A370. The list also is on the nrc.gov website, Indian Point page (http://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactor/ip2.html). While the list was compiled on June 20, 201 2, it remains current as no exemptions have been granted since the list was created. The justification for each exemption is contained in the documents (letter or Grant of Exemption) referenced with each listed exemption. The NRC staff has reviewed the Indian Point exemptions listed in the enclosure and has determined that none of those exemptions played a role in the transformer failure of May 9.
I have directed the NRC's Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA) to provide you with a copy of the referenced inspection reports when they become available. If you have any questions, please contact me or Eugene Dacus, Director of OCA, at (301) 415-1776.
Sincerely,
Enclosure:
As stated
List of Indian Point exemptions, 1968-present Updated 6/20/12 ADAMS Accession No. ML12172A370 Accession Number ML003778728 Document Date 11/15/1968 Document Type Letter Title Reply to request dated 07/23/68, for an exemption pursuant to 10 CFR 50.12 which would permit pouring the concrete for base mat, installing bottom liner plates and transition knuckle plates, and installing reinforcing steel for Indian Point Unit 3.
Author Affiliation US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
Author Name Price H L Pages 4 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML100250821 (was 8111140577)
Document Date 12/12/1975 Document Type CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS, NRC TO UTILITY OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE Title Grants util 751107 request for exemption from certain 10CFR50,App J requirements re performance of reduced pressure leak test.Exemption will not endanger life.property or common defense & security & serves public interest.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name RUSCHE BC Pages 3 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003779347 (was 8205130498)
Document Date 05/05/1982 Document Type CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS, NRC TO UTILITY OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE Title Advises that exemption request re fire protection rule schedular requirements granted.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name VARGAS A Pages 5 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Enclosure Page 1 of 12
Accession Number ML003779284 (was 8402170506)
Document Date 02/02/1984 .
Document Type CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS, NRC TO UTILITY OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE Title Forwards exemption from requirements of 10CFR50, App R, Sections 111.G.2 & 3 re upper electrical penetration areas & cable tunnels & sump.pump & control rooms.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name EISENHUT D G Pages 8 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003776267 (was 8410240494)
Document Date 09/29/1984 Document Type CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS, NRC TO UTILITY, OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE Title Forwards one-time-only exemption approving request for schedular extension from annual emergency exercise requirements of 10CFR50,App E.Exercise now required by 841030.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name VARGA SA Pages 1 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003776266 (was 8410290219)
Document Date 10/16/1984 Document Type CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS, NRC TO UTILITY, OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE Title Forwards exemption granting 15 requests for exemption from requirements of 10CFR50 App R,Sections 111.G.,lll.J & 111.0.
Request re HVAC exhaust fans & emergency lighting still under review.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name EISENHUT D G Pages 2 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Page 2of12
Accession Number ML003776119 (was 8509190267)
Document Date 09/16/1985 Document Type CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS, NRC TO UTILITY, OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE Title Forwards SER re control room penetration seals.NRG decision to grant App R exemption request for control room penetration seals remains valid based on info in 850220 & 0523 ltrs.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name VARGAS A Pages 4 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003776459 (was 8511250496)
Document Date 11/13/1985 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption granting 830713 request for exemption from 10CFR50, App R, Section 111.J requirements re 8 h battery- powered emergency lighting units in areas needed for operation of safe shutdown equipment.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name THOMPSON H L Pages 3 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003779008 (was 8701140391)
Document Date 01/07/1987 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirements of 10CFR50, App R, Sections 111.G
& 111.J re fire protection program.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name NOVAKT M Pages 6 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Page 3of12
Accession Number ML003776449 (was 8703110139)
Document Date 03/04/1987 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirements of 10CFR50,App R,Section 111.G.2 for charging pump room, RHR pump room & auxiliary boiler feedwater pump room redundant HVAC exhaust fans to extent that HVAC circuits not separated & protected.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name NOVAK TM Pages 5 Official Record? No Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003777971 (was 8810120076)
Document Date 10/04/1988 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Temporary exemption from schedular requirements of property insurance rule 10CFR50.54, effective 881004.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name VARGA SA Pages 4 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML100431432 (was 8812120228)
Document Date 12102/1988 Document Type CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS, NRC TO UTILITY, OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE Title Approves 881104 request for exemption from licensed operator requalification program cycle.Understands that facility will commence 24 month requalification program cycle in Feb 1989.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I)
Author Name GALLO RM Pages 2 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Page 4of12
Accession Number ML003778258 (was 9104020366)
Document Date 03/25/1991 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirements of 10CFR55.45(b)(2)(iii) & (iv) for operating tests on plant simulators.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name GREENMAN E G Pages 8 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML093420782 (was 9205200294)
Document Date 5/6/1992 Document Type CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS, OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE Title Forwards exemption from 10CFR50.46(a)(1)(i), 10CFR50.44(a) &
app k to 10CFR50 re use of ZIRLO clad fuel at facility.
Author Affiliation NRC/NRR Author Name Capra RA Pages 2 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML093420786 Document Date 5/6/1992 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREMENTS, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemptions from 10CFR50.46(a)(1)(i), 10CFR50.44(a) & app K to 10CFR50 re use of ZIRLO clad fuel at facility.
Author Affiliation NRC/NRR Author Name Varga SA Pages 10 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Page 5of12
Accession Number ML003780054 (was 9302260324)
Document Date 02/19/1993 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirements of 10CFR50,App J,Paragraph 111.D.3 re interval to perform Type C local leak rate tests.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name VARGAS A Pages 8 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003777066 (was 9406280099)
Document Date 06/20/1994 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirements of 10CFR50, App J, Paragraph 111.D.3 re interval for Type C tests.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name VARGA SA Pages 7 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003780501 (was 9411160172)
Document Date 11/04/1994 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirements of 10CFR50, App J, paragraph 111.D.3.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name HEBDON F J Pages 6 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003780510 (was 9501120132)
Document Date 01/05/1995 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirements of 10CFR50, App R, Section 111.G.2.
re protection of redundant equipment from fire damage at plant.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name BERKOW H N Page 6 of 12
Pages 9 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003778396 (was 9503160113)
Document Date 03/08/1995 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirements of 10CFR, App J, re delay of performance of type A until 1997 refueling outage.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name VARGA SA Pages 7 Official Record? No Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003780509 (was 9504040095)
Document Date 03/29/1995 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirement of 10CFR50, App R, Section 111.J, issued to util on 870117, remains in effect.Exemption re emergency lighting requirements for operation of safe shutdown equipment.
Author Affiliation NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR REGULATION (NRR)
Author Name VARGA SA Pages 7 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003780547 (was 9510040200)
Document Date 09/28/1995 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption granting util one time schedular exemption from requirement of 10CFR50.71(e)(4), to extent that current FSAR update submittal due date has been extended from 950722-1227.
Author Affiliation NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
Author Name VARGA SA Pages 5 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Page 7of12
Accession Number ML093520455 (was 9511160301)
Document Date 11/1/1995 Document Type CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS, OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE Title Forwards exemption from certain requirements of 10CFR73.55 re issuance, storage & retrieval of combined picture badges/
keycards for certain non-employees granted unescorted access into protected areas of plant.
Author Affiliation NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
Author Name Williams F J Pages 3 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML093520457 Document Date 11/1/1995 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREMENTS, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirements of 10CFR73.55 re individuals w/unescorted access to protected areas must keep picture badges/keycards in possession when departing plant.units 1 & 2.
Author Affiliation NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
Author Name Varga SA Pages 6 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003780555(was 9702030211)
Document Date 01/28/1997 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from extension to allow one-time extension of four &
half months to type C interval. TS & exsisting exemption allow licensee to operate w/24 month fuel cycle.
Author Affiliation NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
Author Name MIRAGLIA F J Pages 6 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Page 8of12
Accession Number ML003780885 (was 9704010452)
Document Date 03/27/1997 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirements of 10CFR70.24, "Criticality Accident Requirements." Util exempt from requirements of 10CFR70.24(a), 10CFR70.24(a)(1) & 10CFR70.24(a)(3) for plant, unit 3.
Author Affiliation NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
Author Name MIRAGLIA F J Pages 6 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003778540 (was 9802240244)
Document Date 01/27/1998 Document Type CORRESPONDENCE-LETTERS, OUTGOING CORRESPONDENCE Title Forwards exemption from requirements of 10 CFR 50.60, "Acceptance Criteria for Fracture Prevention for Lightwater Nuclear Power Reactors for Normal Operation."
Author Affiliation NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
Author Name HAROLDJ F Pages 4 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003780861 (was 9804170107)
Document Date 04/10/1998 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirements of 10 CFR 50.60, "Acceptance Criteria for Fracture Prevention Measures for Lightwater Nuclear Power Reacators for Normal Operation," to allow use of Code Case N-514.
Author Affiliation NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
Author Name COLLINS SJ Pages 5 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Page 9of12
Accession Number ML003780860 Document Date 4/10/1998 Document Type Exemption from NRC Requirements, Letter Title Exemption From The Requirements of 10 CFR 50.60 "Acceptance criteria for fracture prevention measures for lightwater nuclear power reactors for normal operation" Author Affiliation NRC/NRR Author Name Wunder G F Pages 10 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML003780770 (was 9812220165)
Document Date 12/10/1998 Document Type GRANTS OF EXEMPTION FROM & EXTENSION TO NRC REQUIREME, LEGAL TRANSCRIPTS & ORDERS &
PLEADINGS Title Exemption from requirements 10CFR70.24 re criticality accident requirements, for plant, Unit 3.
Author Affiliation NRC (Affiliation Not Assigned)
Author Name COLLINS SJ Pages 4 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML020380067 Document Date 2/15/2002 Document Type Exemption from NRC Requirements, Letter Title Indian Point Nuclear Generating, Unit No. 2 - Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR, Part 50, Section50.60(a) (Tac No.
MB2420).
Author Affiliation NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD1 Author Name Milano PD Pages 14 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Page 10 of 12
Accession Number ML022550559 Document Date 9/12/2002 Document Type Exemption from NRC Requirements, Letter Title Arkansas Nuclear One, Units 1 & 2; Grand Gulf, Indian Point, Units 1, 2 & 3; Fitzpatrick, Pilgrim, River Bend & Vermont Yankee, Exemption from Requirements of 10 CFR Part 20, Section 20.1003 Definition of Total Effective Dose Equivalent (TEDE).
Author Affiliation NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD4 Author Name AlexionTW Pages 23 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML030710372 Document Date 41212003 Document Type Exemption from NRC Requirements, Federal Register Notice, Letter Title Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit 3, Exemption Request, Post Accident Containment Ventilation System.
Author Affiliation NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD1 Author Name Milano PD Pages 10 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML033360889 Document Date 12/2/2003 Document Type Exemption from NRC Requirements, Letter Title Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit No. 3, Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Section 50.60(a} (TAC No.
MB9132).
Author Affiliation NRC/NRR/DLPM/LPD1 Author Name Milano PD Pages 13 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML072410254 Document Date 9/28/2007 Document Type Exemption from NRC Requirements, Letter Title Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit No. 3 - Exemption from the Requirements of 10 CFR Part 50, Appendix R (TAC MD2671 ).
Author Affiliation NRC/NRR/ADRO/DORULPLl-1 Author Name Boska JP Pages 18 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Page 11of12
Accession Number ML100539643 Document Date 3/26/2010 Document Type Letter Title Indian Point Units 1-2-3, ME3257-ME3258-ME3259, Letter to Licensee - Transmittal of Exemption - FR Granting Exemption to Extend Implementation Date for 10 CFR Part 73 Final Rule for Physical Security Plans.
Author Affiliation NRC/NRR/DORULPLl-1 Author Name Boska JP Pages 8 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML112140509 Document Date 2/1/2012 Document Type Letter, Exemption from NRC Requirements Title Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit No. 2 - Exemption From the Requirements of 10 CFR 50, Appendix R, Paragraph 111.G.2 (TAC No. ME0798).
Author Affiliation NRC/NRR/DORL Author Name Evans, MG Pages 98 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Accession Number ML112200442 Document Date 2/1/2012 Document Type Letter, Exemption from NRC Requirements Title Indian Point Nuclear Generating Unit No. 3 - Exemption From the Requirements of 10 CFR 50, Appendix R, Paragraph 111.G.2 (TAC No. ME0799).
Author Affiliation NRC/NRR/DORL Author Name Evans, MG Pages 80 Official Record? Yes Availability Publicly Available Sensitivity Non-Sensitive Page 12of 12
lowoy.house.gov COMMITIEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, W ASH INGTQ.N RANK ING MEMBER 2365 RAYBURN HOU SE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON, DC 205 15 (202) 22~6506 SUBCOMMITIEE ON STATE, FORE IGN FAX: (202) 225--0546 OPERATIONS, AND RELATED PROGRAMS, WfllCfilill!!
RANKING MEMBER 222 MAMARONECK AVENUE jlita ,iM. 1Lotuep SUITE 312
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~ongress of tbe mlniteb ~tates !!QCKLAND 67 NDRTtl MAIN STREET SUllE 101 l7tb tlllistrict, jl}ell.l !>orlt NEVI CITY, NY 10956 (8451 639- 3485 FAX: (845) 634-4079 May 13, 2015 Stephen G. Burns Chairman Nuclear Regulatory Commission 11 555 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
Dear Chairman Burns,
As you may be aware, on May 9 a transformer caught fire at the Indian Point Energy Center in Buchanan, NY, causing the shutdown of one of Indian Point' s reactors. Entergy, the planf s operator, issued a Notification of an Unusual Event, which is the lowest emergency classification, to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Th is is merely the latest in a long history of safety lapses. Some of the most egregious examples include:
- In 2000, a leak in a steam generator released radiation and officia ls forced Con Edison, the previous operator, to shut down the reactor and declare an alert. Con Edison had knowledge that the steam generator leaked radiation for several weeks but did not take corrective action.
- In April 2003 , a fire broke out in the main turbine of the non-nuclear area of the plant w ithin hours of a power failure and caused the shutdown of both reactors.
- In December 2003 , the NRC reported that Indian Point had tlu ee times as many unplanned shutdowns in a 12-month period as any other plan in the nation. The report cited insufficient quality control and poor contractor oversight.
- In April 2007, the NRC downgraded the safety assessment oflndian Point 3 after a transformer fire forced the second shutdown in a one week period and the fourth in a one year period.
- In August 2007, new sirens repeatedly failed to sound during tests. T he following year, a report by outside experts hired by Entergy stated that the "entire siren upgrade program was not conducted with the rigor demanded of a regulatory-driven major nuclear plant project."
- In November 20 I 0, a transformer at Indian Point 2 exploded, causing a fire and automatic shutdown of the reactor.
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Despite these problems, which now include three transformer fires, the NRC has provided Indian Point with exemptions for certain fire safety standards. I implore the NRC to work with its relevant partners to conduct a thorough investigation to study the factors that led to the May 9 fire and the safety risks the fire created, including environmental health impacts, as well as provide a detailed list and justification for all safety exemptions the NRC has provided Indian Point.
As the NRC considers relicensing both Indian Point reactors, it is vital that everything possible be done to ensure the safety of the surrounding area.
Sincerely, Nita M. Lowey Member of Congress