In
total 10 NRC inspectors performed a wide range of inspections to ensure
the leak in a refueling water tank, the reason for the shutdown, was
fixed.
Entergy employees identified a leak from the tank on May 5.The
leak exceeded the level Entergy had committed to the NRC, which
required the plant to shut down to ensure structural integrity of the
tank.
The
tank is used during refueling outages and to supply water to the
reactor during emergencies. It has leaked before. That’s one reason why,
in a July 2012 letter,
the plant made a commitment to measure and trend daily leakage from the
tank, and shut down the plant if the leak exceeded certain limits.
The NRC responded quickly once the leak was reported. The resident inspectors headed into the plant that Sunday, May 5,
to closely follow Entergy’s actions to shut down the plant and inspect
their efforts to identify the leak. We also sent a specialist with a
background in materials engineering to further inspect the plant’s
detailed actions to identify and repair the leak.
And
we had additional inspectors review and assess the plant’s test and
repair plan, look into the area beneath the tank, understand and analyze
the stresses on the tank, review the root cause of the leak, and
observe the actual welding and testing of the tank components.
NRC’s
Region III also continued our commitment to openness and transparency
by publicly documenting phone call discussions between Entergy and NRC
management on this issue. Additionally, the region held a webinar on
radioactive releases during which Region III staff addressed the
public’s questions and concerns about the tank leak. More than 70 people
participated in the webinar.
Going
forward, the NRC will continue to make sure the tank remains safe. We
will independently inspect the areas around the tank where leaks can be
identified and will follow Entergy’s actions to monitor the tank. If
small leaks are discovered we expect Entergy to evaluate them according
to the NRC’s rules, and take appropriate action.
We
have received dozens of calls and inquiries about this issue. We want
to assure you that the public and plant workers continue to be safe. We
remain committed to being open and transparent about issues of concern
to the local public. To that end, we will hold an internet event to
discuss NRC regulations regarding this tank and why Palisades was safe
to restart. Once a date has been determined details will be posted on
the NRC website.
No comments:
Post a Comment