Tag: nuclear power plants

Two Important Reports about Steam Generators at SONGS Go Public

Victor Dricks
Senior Public Affairs Officer
 

The NRC made public today redacted versions of two reports prepared by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries concerning the steam generator replacement at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS).

The Steam Generator Root Cause Analysis Report and a Supplemental Technical Evaluation Report  were prepared by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as part of its effort to determine what contributed to the unusual wear in the steam generators after they were installed in 2010 and 2011 at Units 2 and 3, respectively.

The NRC is using a variety of regulatory actions, such as inspections and investigations, to ensure that it is comprehensively addressing the issues that have arisen at the SONGS nuclear power plant.

On Sept. 28, 2012, the NRC began an expansive investigation on the completeness and accuracy of information that Edison provided to the NRC regarding the steam generator degradation under the NRC’s regulatory requirements.

These reports are included in an array of documents being reviewed by the NRC as we investigate whether Edison demonstrated sufficient due diligence in its oversight of the redesign of the steam generators; how design changes that were made or rejected may have affected the safety of the steam generators; and the truthfulness and accuracy of all the information Edison has provided to the NRC regarding the redesign and replacement of the steam generators.

Separately from the ongoing investigation, the NRC is evaluating Edison’s responses to questions the NRC has raised about their request to restart Unit 2 at the plant.

Additionally, the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board is reviewing issues related to the Confirmatory Action Letter issued by the NRC staff to Southern California Edison.

NRC’s 25th Regulatory Information Conference Kicks Off Next Week; A Look Back at Its History Goes Live Today

Lorna P. Kipfer
RIC 2013 Conference Program Specialist
 

The NRC’s 25th annual Regulatory Information Conference is being held in Maryland next week, from March 12-14, with an exciting agenda. Attendees will be able to attend technical sessions on a variety of topics associated with operating reactors, new and advanced reactors, fuel cycle facilities, nuclear security, safety research, and safety culture policies.

What’s new this year? You’ll find a Force-on-Force Inspection Program display of tactical equipment used during NRC Force-on-Force inspections and for our tech-savvy attendees we’re offering a mobile optimized agenda page. Other events include tours of the NRC’s Operations Center. Visit here for information on these and other new items offered this year.

Representatives from government, industry, international agencies and other stakeholders are among this year’s registrants.

The first RIC registration in 1989.
The first RIC registration in 1989.

Usually just called the RIC, the conference began in 1989 as a small gathering on nuclear safety regulation. Today, it is the one annual public event where regulators, industry officials, and concerned citizens come together for a collective dialogue on nuclear reactor and materials safety.

In a video posted to YouTube today, NRC Historian Tom Wellock interviews NRC staff and former employees who have been important to the start and development of the RIC.

At this year’s RIC, NRC Chairman, Allison M. Macfarlane will deliver the keynote remarks to open the first session. Bill Borchardt, NRC’s Executive Director for Operations will follow with his presentation. Plenary sessions with Commissioners Kristine L. Svinicki, George Apostolakis, William D. Magwood, and William C. Ostendorff are included throughout the program.

The RIC is open to industry representatives, stakeholders and members of the public and admission is free. You can register onsite. More information is available on the RIC website.

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