US MRC Blog: An Update of NRC Oversight at Browns Ferry

An Update of NRC Oversight at Browns Ferry by 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

Moderator | August 14