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An Update of NRC Oversight at Browns Ferryby Moderator |
The Browns Ferry nuclear plant in Alabama
A public meeting held last week near the three-unit Browns Ferry nuclear plant
in
Alabama discussed the Tennessee Valley Authority’s preparations for the
next phase in the NRC’s supplemental inspection associated with a “red”
inspection finding, the most serious category for those findings. How
did we get to this point and what lies ahead?
In
October 2010, Browns Ferry employees and NRC resident inspectors saw
the failure of a valve in a Unit 1 system counted on for cooling the
reactor core during certain accident scenarios. That failure could have
led to core damage had an accident involving a series of unlikely events
occurred. Fortunately, there were no actual events at the plant related
to this issue.
The
valve was repaired and returned to service in November 2010, but after
evaluating the inspection finding and receiving information from TVA,
the NRC staff determined that there was a significant reduction in the
level of safety and issued a “red” finding. “Red” means that the issue
has high safety significance and the potential risk of an accident is
higher than acceptable.
As
with all U.S. commercial nuclear power plants, the NRC staff evaluates
performance at Browns Ferry to make sure TVA operates the facility
safely. This evaluation includes the failed valve and TVA’s follow-up
actions. The Browns Ferry plant is under increased oversight until NRC
inspectors complete a series of detailed inspections and the agency is
confident that performance is improving and will continue to improve.
These inspections are in addition to the NRC inspections and reviews
that every plant receives.
NRC
inspectors have completed the initial phases of the supplemental
inspection but continue increased oversight of the Browns Ferry plant.
The NRC and TVA will continue to meet to discuss the status of TVA’s
preparations until they are ready for the next phase of the NRC
inspection.
After
TVA says it is ready, the NRC will assemble a team of inspectors for an
in-depth inspection at Browns Ferry. The NRC estimates that the large
team and comprehensive nature of the inspection could result in about
3,000 total inspection hours.
That
inspection will include all major site program areas including a review
and independent assessment of the site’s safety culture. The NRC
defines safety culture as the core values and behaviors resulting from a
collective commitment by leaders and individuals to emphasize safety
over competing goals to ensure protection of people and the environment.
Roger Hannah
Senior Public Affairs Officer
Region II
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