December 2, 2014
Elizabeth Stevens Duane, Esquire
Assistant Corporate Secretary
PPL Services Corporation
Two North Ninth Street
Shareholder Approval for PPL Energy Supply Spin Off
(1) I, Eric Joseph Epstein, am a shareholder of PPL Corporation, and reside at 4100 Hillsdale Road, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
(2) I own 110.671 shares valued at $3,663,21.
(3) I will be holding the shares through the upcoming 2015 Shareholder Meeting.
(4)
The enclosed statement verifies the value of my shares, and is
consistent with PPL’s proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14 (a) of SEC
Act of 1932.
(5) This resolution is less than 500 words, and was submitted before December 9, 2014.
(6) I will be introducing the following resolution at the Annual Meeting relating to the proposed spinoff:
Supporting Statement
PPL
Corporation and Riverstone Holdings LLC, announced an agreement to
combine their merchant power generation businesses into a new
stand-alone, publicly traded independent power producer - without
shareholder approval.
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Monday, December 15, 2014
PA DEP News Release : DEP Finds Record-High Radon Level in Lehigh County Home
The Latest News from
Tom Corbett
GovernorDEP Press Office Contact:
Press Office
Department of Environmental Protection
P.O. Box 2063
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2063
(717) 787-1323
Be sure to visit DEP's Website at
www.depweb.state.pa.us
Dana Aunkst
Acting Secretary
This message is to notify you that a news release has been added to the PA DEP Website at
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287?id=20657&typeid=1
If you wish to visit the DEP News Room or remove your name from this list, then go to
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/newsroom/14287
Comments submitted on EPA Clean Power Plan -- filed tonight
The comments (as well as the much shorter NIRS comments) are now all posted on the front page of NIRS’ website (www.nirs.org). Please feel free to link to them!
Here are the URLs for each of the pieces of the comments:
Main, overview comments: http://www.nirs.org/climate/background/commentsonepacppby32orgs12114.pdf
Arjun’s Exhibit A comments: http://www.nirs.org/climate/background/ieercommentsregardingepacpp12114exhibita.pdf
Mark Cooper’s Exhibit B comments: http://www.nirs.org/climate/background/cooperepacppcommentexhibitb12114.pdf
Chris Shuey’s Exhibit C uranium mining health literature survey: http://www.nirs.org/climate/background/shueyuraniummininghealthliteraturesummaryexhibitc12114.pdf
NIRS comments, signed by 148 organizations: http://www.nirs.org/climate/epacppsignonletter12114.pdf
Press release on NIRS comments: http://www.nirs.org/climate/epacpppr12114.pdf
Here are the URLs for each of the pieces of the comments:
Main, overview comments: http://www.nirs.org/climate/background/commentsonepacppby32orgs12114.pdf
Arjun’s Exhibit A comments: http://www.nirs.org/climate/background/ieercommentsregardingepacpp12114exhibita.pdf
Mark Cooper’s Exhibit B comments: http://www.nirs.org/climate/background/cooperepacppcommentexhibitb12114.pdf
Chris Shuey’s Exhibit C uranium mining health literature survey: http://www.nirs.org/climate/background/shueyuraniummininghealthliteraturesummaryexhibitc12114.pdf
NIRS comments, signed by 148 organizations: http://www.nirs.org/climate/epacppsignonletter12114.pdf
Press release on NIRS comments: http://www.nirs.org/climate/epacpppr12114.pdf
NRC Meeting Dec. 17 to Cover Industry Proposals to Reduce Emergency Planning Zones for Small Modular Reactors
No: 14-086 December 3, 2014
CONTACT: Scott Burnell
NRC Meeting Dec. 17 to Cover Industry Proposals to Reduce Emergency Planning Zones for Small Modular Reactors
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will meet Wednesday, Dec. 17, to discuss proposals from the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for a reduced emergency planning zone for small modular reactors.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 2B1 of the NRC’s Two White Flint building at 11555 Rockville Pike in Rockville. The meeting will discuss NEI’s proposed generic approach, as well as an expected site-specific approach by TVA as part of its Early Site Permit application for small modular reactors at the Clinch River site in Tennessee.
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CONTACT: Scott Burnell
NRC Meeting Dec. 17 to Cover Industry Proposals to Reduce Emergency Planning Zones for Small Modular Reactors
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will meet Wednesday, Dec. 17, to discuss proposals from the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for a reduced emergency planning zone for small modular reactors.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. in Room 2B1 of the NRC’s Two White Flint building at 11555 Rockville Pike in Rockville. The meeting will discuss NEI’s proposed generic approach, as well as an expected site-specific approach by TVA as part of its Early Site Permit application for small modular reactors at the Clinch River site in Tennessee.
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Three Mile Island News Release
Contact:
Ralph DeSantis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three Mile Island Emergency Siren Test Scheduled for Dec. 4
Sirens to sound for three minutes at 12:15 p.m.
LONDONDERRY TWP., PA. (Dec. 2, 2014) – Exelon Generation will conduct its semi-annual, full volume test of the Three Mile Island emergency warning sirens on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 12:15 p.m. During the test the sirens will sound for three minutes.
The emergency warning siren system consists of 96 sirens located in parts of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties that are located within a 10-mile radius of TMI. The purpose of the sirens is to alert residents to tune to an Emergency Alert Broadcast Station for information from Pennsylvania state officials. During the test the Emergency Alert Broadcast system will not be activated.
Three Mile Island Generating Station is located approximately 12 miles south of Harrisburg. The plant generates enough carbon-free electricity for 800,000 homes.
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Ralph DeSantis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Three Mile Island Emergency Siren Test Scheduled for Dec. 4
Sirens to sound for three minutes at 12:15 p.m.
LONDONDERRY TWP., PA. (Dec. 2, 2014) – Exelon Generation will conduct its semi-annual, full volume test of the Three Mile Island emergency warning sirens on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 12:15 p.m. During the test the sirens will sound for three minutes.
The emergency warning siren system consists of 96 sirens located in parts of Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties that are located within a 10-mile radius of TMI. The purpose of the sirens is to alert residents to tune to an Emergency Alert Broadcast Station for information from Pennsylvania state officials. During the test the Emergency Alert Broadcast system will not be activated.
Three Mile Island Generating Station is located approximately 12 miles south of Harrisburg. The plant generates enough carbon-free electricity for 800,000 homes.
Download Document
ECCS Computer Codes wrong for Davis Besse and TMI and Oconee and ANO
Part 21 Event Number: 50636 Rep Org: AREVA, INC.
Licensee: AREVA, INC.
Region: 1
City: LYNCHBURG State: VA
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: GAYLE ELLIOTT
HQ OPS Officer: JOHN SHOEMAKERNotification Date: 11/25/2014
Notification Time: 10:10 [ET]
Event Date: 10/19/2014
Event Time: [EST]
Last Update Date: 11/25/2014Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
21.21(d)(3)(i) - DEFECTS AND NONCOMPLIANCEPerson (Organization):
JAMES NOGGLE (R1DO)
FRANK EHRHARDT (R2DO)
ERIC DUNCAN (R3DO)
VIVIAN CAMPBELL (R4DO)
PART 21 GROUP (EMAI)
HAROLD CHERNOFF (EMAI)Event Text
PART 21 - DEFECT IN LOCA ANALYSIS FOR B&W PLANTS
The following information was summarized from the report obtained from the vendor via facsimile:
"The defect is related to the thermal conductivity model in the codes TACO3 and GDTACO which are used in the AREVA LOCA model for B&W plants. The thermal conductivity model does not adequately represent the change in conductivity with burnup for the fuel. The correction of the thermal conductivity model results in the peak cladding temperature limit in 10 CFR 50.46 (2200 degrees F) being exceeded.
"The defect exists for the following plants: Oconee Nuclear Station Unit 1, Oconee Nuclear Station Unit 2, Oconee Nuclear Station Unit 3, Arkansas Nuclear One Unit 1, Three Mile Island Unit 1, and Davis-Besse Unit 1"
If there are any technical questions or concerns, please contact:
Gayle Elliott
AREVA, lnc., 3315 Old Forest Road
Lynchburg, VA 24501
Ph. # 434-841-0306.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Susquehanna Steam Electric Station - NRC Integrated Inspection Report 05000387/2014004 and 05000388/2014004 and Exercise of Enforcement Discretion
Susquehanna Steam Electric Station - NRC Integrated Inspection Report
05000387/2014004 and 05000388/2014004 and Exercise of Enforcement
Discretion
Download ML14318A169
Download ML14318A169
PEACH BOTTOM ATOMIC POWER STATION: NRC INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 05000277/2014004 AND 05000278/2014004
PEACH BOTTOM ATOMIC POWER STATION: NRC INTEGRATED INSPECTION REPORT 05000277/2014004 AND 05000278/2014004
Download ML14311A851
Download ML14311A851
Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station: Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation Security Inspection Report No. 07200029/2014008 and Notice of Violation
Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station: Independent Spent Fuel Storage Installation Security Inspection Report No. 07200029/2014008 and Notice of Violation
Download ML14307A797
Download ML14307A797
Saturday, November 15, 2014
NRC Extends Construction Deadline for MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant
NRC Extends Construction Deadline for MOX Fuel Fabrication Plant
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission signed an order Nov. 13 extending the completion deadline for a mixed-oxide fuel fabrication facility in South Carolina. Shaw AREVA MOX Services will have an additional 10 years, or until March 30, 2025, to finish building the facility at the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site in Aiken.
MOX Services asked for the extension in May after a number of factors delayed construction, including lower than requested annual funding from Congress and delays in the delivery of components and key construction activities. The NRC issued the original 10-year construction authorization March 30, 2005. The extension does not expand the scope of work.
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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission signed an order Nov. 13 extending the completion deadline for a mixed-oxide fuel fabrication facility in South Carolina. Shaw AREVA MOX Services will have an additional 10 years, or until March 30, 2025, to finish building the facility at the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site in Aiken.
MOX Services asked for the extension in May after a number of factors delayed construction, including lower than requested annual funding from Congress and delays in the delivery of components and key construction activities. The NRC issued the original 10-year construction authorization March 30, 2005. The extension does not expand the scope of work.
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Department of Health to Offer Free Potassium Iodide on Nov. 20 for Pennsylvanians who have Tablets Expiring in December 2014
Department of Health to Offer Free Potassium Iodide on Nov. 20 for Pennsylvanians who have Tablets Expiring in December 2014
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Health will provide free potassium iodide, or KI, Thursday, Nov. 20, to Pennsylvanians who currently have tablets with a December 2014 expiration date who live within 10-miles of one of the state's five nuclear power plants. The department will properly dispose of expired KI that residents bring with them to the distribution sites.
KI can help protect the thyroid gland against harmful radioactive iodine when taken as directed during radiological emergencies. Individuals should only take KI when told to do so by state health officials or the governor.
Each adult will receive four 65-milligram tablets. Children will be given smaller doses based on their age. Individuals can pick up KI tablets for other family members or those who are unable to pick them up on their own. Directions detailing when to take the tablets and how to store them will be provided with the KI.
Anyone can take the tablets as long as they are not allergic to KI. They are safe for pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding, people on thyroid medicine, children and infants. Individuals who are unsure if they should take KI should ask a healthcare provider.
KI tablets are also available throughout the year at county and municipal health departments or state health centers.
Read Article
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Health will provide free potassium iodide, or KI, Thursday, Nov. 20, to Pennsylvanians who currently have tablets with a December 2014 expiration date who live within 10-miles of one of the state's five nuclear power plants. The department will properly dispose of expired KI that residents bring with them to the distribution sites.
KI can help protect the thyroid gland against harmful radioactive iodine when taken as directed during radiological emergencies. Individuals should only take KI when told to do so by state health officials or the governor.
Each adult will receive four 65-milligram tablets. Children will be given smaller doses based on their age. Individuals can pick up KI tablets for other family members or those who are unable to pick them up on their own. Directions detailing when to take the tablets and how to store them will be provided with the KI.
Anyone can take the tablets as long as they are not allergic to KI. They are safe for pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding, people on thyroid medicine, children and infants. Individuals who are unsure if they should take KI should ask a healthcare provider.
KI tablets are also available throughout the year at county and municipal health departments or state health centers.
Read Article
Submittal of Request for Hearing on PPL/Talen Energy XFER of Susquehanna
BEFORE THE UNITED STATES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
_____________
Douglas B. Ritter’s
Request for a Public Hearing on the Application for Approval of the
Indirect License Transfer of Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2
Facility Operating License No’s. NPF-14 and NPF-22;
NRC Docket No’s. 50-387, 50-388, and 72-28
__________________________
October 24, 2014
Secretary of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001
Dear Secretary:
Enclosed please find for filing an original of “Douglas B. Ritter’s Request for a Public Hearing on the Application for Approval of the Indirect License Transfer of Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Station, Units 1 and 2, Facility Operating License No’s. NPF-14 and NPF-22, NRC Docket No’s. 50-387, 50-388, and 72-28” pursuant to 52 Pa. Code S 5.71, to intervene under the 10 CFR NRC, Section 50: 80 § 2.309.
Respectfully submitted,
Douglas B. Ritter
DATED: October 24, 2014
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_____________
Douglas B. Ritter’s
Request for a Public Hearing on the Application for Approval of the
Indirect License Transfer of Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Units 1 and 2
Facility Operating License No’s. NPF-14 and NPF-22;
NRC Docket No’s. 50-387, 50-388, and 72-28
__________________________
October 24, 2014
Secretary of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Attn: Document Control Desk Washington, DC 20555-0001
Dear Secretary:
Enclosed please find for filing an original of “Douglas B. Ritter’s Request for a Public Hearing on the Application for Approval of the Indirect License Transfer of Susquehanna Steam Electric Station Station, Units 1 and 2, Facility Operating License No’s. NPF-14 and NPF-22, NRC Docket No’s. 50-387, 50-388, and 72-28” pursuant to 52 Pa. Code S 5.71, to intervene under the 10 CFR NRC, Section 50: 80 § 2.309.
Respectfully submitted,
Douglas B. Ritter
DATED: October 24, 2014
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Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Apple VP and former EPA chief Lisa Jackson to speak at Penn State Nov. 6
Friends and colleagues -
The Penn State Institutes of Energy and Environment, The Office of Physical Plant, and the Sustainability Institute are excited to announce that Lisa P. Jackson, Vice President of Environmental Initiatives at Apple Inc., will be the keynote speaker at the annual Colloquium on the Environment, Thursday November 6 at 6 p.m. in Schwab Auditorium on the University Park campus.
This event is free and open to the public, doors open at 5:30. More details, directions, etc. are at www.psiee.psu.edu.
A flyer is attached. You can also share the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/754045444631385/
For any questions, please contact Amanda Snyder at ajs52@psu.edu.
Thank you, and we hope to see you there!
Download Flyer
The Penn State Institutes of Energy and Environment, The Office of Physical Plant, and the Sustainability Institute are excited to announce that Lisa P. Jackson, Vice President of Environmental Initiatives at Apple Inc., will be the keynote speaker at the annual Colloquium on the Environment, Thursday November 6 at 6 p.m. in Schwab Auditorium on the University Park campus.
This event is free and open to the public, doors open at 5:30. More details, directions, etc. are at www.psiee.psu.edu.
A flyer is attached. You can also share the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/754045444631385/
For any questions, please contact Amanda Snyder at ajs52@psu.edu.
Thank you, and we hope to see you there!
Download Flyer
Bell Bend Nuclear Power Plant Combined License Application Environment Review Schedule Revision
Bell Bend Nuclear Power Plant Combined License Application Environment Review Schedule Revision
Download ML14239A290
Download ML14239A290
Eiko: A Body in a Station and A Body in Fukushima
Eiko: A Body in Fukushima
October 3, 2014 - April 5, 2015
Location:
Maguire Gallery, Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building
The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is pleased to present Part I of A Body in Places by Eiko, which consists of two related works: A Body in a Station and A Body in Fukushima. A Body in a Station is a series of four three-hour durational performances created by Eiko to be performed alone in the North Waiting Room of Amtrak 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. A Body in Fukushima is an exhibition of still photographs by William Johnston of Eiko alone in a radically different terminal, the abandoned rail station in Fukushima, Japan.
A Body in Fukushima recounts a visit made by Eiko and William Johnston, photographer and Wesleyan University Professor of Japanese history, to the irradiated communities that were evacuated in March 2011 after the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plants in Japan suffered massive damage in the wake of an earthquake and tsunami. The resulting explosions caused a wide swath of the countryside to be evacuated. The plants continue to emit radiation and the cleaning process is slow and difficult leaving the residents in temporary housing while entire towns are left desolate. Eiko and Johnston traveled through areas that have only recently been opened to visitors, following the path of a train line where the service has been discontinued. Many of the stations were partially or completely destroyed or contaminated by radiation, the buildings crumbled and the tracks overgrown with dried vines and weeds. By walking into each station and placing her body within, Eiko sought to remember the people and day-to-day lives that passed through the stations and towns before the disaster.
Read Article
October 3, 2014 - April 5, 2015
Location:
Maguire Gallery, Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building
The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts is pleased to present Part I of A Body in Places by Eiko, which consists of two related works: A Body in a Station and A Body in Fukushima. A Body in a Station is a series of four three-hour durational performances created by Eiko to be performed alone in the North Waiting Room of Amtrak 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. A Body in Fukushima is an exhibition of still photographs by William Johnston of Eiko alone in a radically different terminal, the abandoned rail station in Fukushima, Japan.
A Body in Fukushima recounts a visit made by Eiko and William Johnston, photographer and Wesleyan University Professor of Japanese history, to the irradiated communities that were evacuated in March 2011 after the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plants in Japan suffered massive damage in the wake of an earthquake and tsunami. The resulting explosions caused a wide swath of the countryside to be evacuated. The plants continue to emit radiation and the cleaning process is slow and difficult leaving the residents in temporary housing while entire towns are left desolate. Eiko and Johnston traveled through areas that have only recently been opened to visitors, following the path of a train line where the service has been discontinued. Many of the stations were partially or completely destroyed or contaminated by radiation, the buildings crumbled and the tracks overgrown with dried vines and weeds. By walking into each station and placing her body within, Eiko sought to remember the people and day-to-day lives that passed through the stations and towns before the disaster.
Read Article
NRC Issues Security-related Inspection Finding for Limerick Nuclear Plant, Resulting in Increase in Agency's Oversight at Facility
No: I-14-040 October 23, 2014
NRC Issues Security-related Inspection Finding for Limerick Nuclear Plant, Resulting in Increase in Agency’s Oversight at Facility
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will increase its level of oversight at the Limerick nuclear power plant following the finalization of a security-related inspection finding that has been classified as “greater than green.” The twin-reactor plant is located in Limerick (Montgomery County), Pa., and is operated by Exelon.
The NRC uses a color-coded assessment system for inspection findings and performance indicators. The colors range from “green,” for very low safety or security significance, to “white,” “yellow” or “red,” for high safety or security significance. In the case of security-related inspection findings or performance indicators, the NRC notifies the public when the “greater than green” threshold has been crossed. However, the agency does not provide specifics because of the sensitivity associated with such findings and indicators.
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NRC Issues Security-related Inspection Finding for Limerick Nuclear Plant, Resulting in Increase in Agency’s Oversight at Facility
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will increase its level of oversight at the Limerick nuclear power plant following the finalization of a security-related inspection finding that has been classified as “greater than green.” The twin-reactor plant is located in Limerick (Montgomery County), Pa., and is operated by Exelon.
The NRC uses a color-coded assessment system for inspection findings and performance indicators. The colors range from “green,” for very low safety or security significance, to “white,” “yellow” or “red,” for high safety or security significance. In the case of security-related inspection findings or performance indicators, the NRC notifies the public when the “greater than green” threshold has been crossed. However, the agency does not provide specifics because of the sensitivity associated with such findings and indicators.
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U.S. EPA 'Climate Change Indicators in the United States, 2014' Report Available
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the third
edition of a report, ‘Climate Change Indicators in the United States.’
The report pulls together observed data on key measures of our
environment, including U.S. and global temperature and precipitation,
ocean heat and ocean acidity, sea level, length of growing season, and
many others. With 30 indicators that include over 80 maps and graphs
showing long-term trends, the report demonstrates that climate change is
already affecting our environment and our society.
The third edition of the Indicators report, which was last published in 2012, adds additional years of data and four new indicators: Lyme disease, heating and cooling degree days, wildfires, and water level and temperature in the Great Lakes. In addition, the report adds four new features that connect observed data records to local communities and areas of interest, including cherry blossom bloom dates in Washington D.C., timing of ice breakup in two Alaskan rivers, temperature and drought in the Southwest, and land loss along the mid-Atlantic coast.
EPA compiles decades of observed data in cooperation with a range of federal government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and other institutions. The Indicators report focuses on long-term trends for key measures of our environment for which high-quality data exist. Each indicator and the report itself were peer-reviewed by independent experts, and extensive technical documentation accompanies the report.
To order a FREE copy of the report, send a request with your mailing address included toclimateindicators@epa.gov
More information about the Climate Change Indicators report: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/indicators.html
Kevin Rosseel
Climate Change Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC
The third edition of the Indicators report, which was last published in 2012, adds additional years of data and four new indicators: Lyme disease, heating and cooling degree days, wildfires, and water level and temperature in the Great Lakes. In addition, the report adds four new features that connect observed data records to local communities and areas of interest, including cherry blossom bloom dates in Washington D.C., timing of ice breakup in two Alaskan rivers, temperature and drought in the Southwest, and land loss along the mid-Atlantic coast.
EPA compiles decades of observed data in cooperation with a range of federal government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and other institutions. The Indicators report focuses on long-term trends for key measures of our environment for which high-quality data exist. Each indicator and the report itself were peer-reviewed by independent experts, and extensive technical documentation accompanies the report.
To order a FREE copy of the report, send a request with your mailing address included toclimateindicators@epa.gov
More information about the Climate Change Indicators report: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/indicators.html
Kevin Rosseel
Climate Change Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC
NRC Renews Operating Licenses of Limerick Nuclear Plant for an Additional 20 Years
No: 14-070 October 20, 2014
CONTACT: Scott Burnell, 301-415-8200
NRC Renews Operating Licenses of Limerick Nuclear Plant for an Additional 20 Years
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed the operating licenses of the Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 and 2, for an additional 20 years of operation. The new licenses will expire Oct. 26, 2044, for Unit 1 and June 22, 2049, for Unit 2.
The Limerick plant has two boiling water reactors and is located in Limerick Township, Pa., about 21 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Exelon Generation Co. LLC submitted the license renewal application on June 22, 2011. The NRC staff’s review of the application proceeded on two tracks. A safety evaluation report was issued Jan. 10, 2013, and supplemented on Aug. 12, 2014. A supplemental environmental impact statement was published Aug. 27, 2014. These documents, as well as other information on the Limerick license renewal, are available on the NRC website.
Renewal of the Limerick licenses brings to 75 the number of commercial nuclear power reactors with renewed licenses. Applications for an additional 17 renewals are currently under review. Information about those reviews can be found on the NRC website.
Download PDF
CONTACT: Scott Burnell, 301-415-8200
NRC Renews Operating Licenses of Limerick Nuclear Plant for an Additional 20 Years
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed the operating licenses of the Limerick Generating Station, Units 1 and 2, for an additional 20 years of operation. The new licenses will expire Oct. 26, 2044, for Unit 1 and June 22, 2049, for Unit 2.
The Limerick plant has two boiling water reactors and is located in Limerick Township, Pa., about 21 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Exelon Generation Co. LLC submitted the license renewal application on June 22, 2011. The NRC staff’s review of the application proceeded on two tracks. A safety evaluation report was issued Jan. 10, 2013, and supplemented on Aug. 12, 2014. A supplemental environmental impact statement was published Aug. 27, 2014. These documents, as well as other information on the Limerick license renewal, are available on the NRC website.
Renewal of the Limerick licenses brings to 75 the number of commercial nuclear power reactors with renewed licenses. Applications for an additional 17 renewals are currently under review. Information about those reviews can be found on the NRC website.
Download PDF
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
KEEA Conference Federal Policy Panel
KEEA ENERGY EFFICIENCY 2014: The Utility of the Future Crowne Plaza Harrisburg Hotel AGENDA: November 13, 2014
Download Agenda
Download Agenda
NEC, 17 GROUPS URGE NRC TO HALT LICENSING, RELICENSING OF 23 REACTORS DUE TO FAILURE TO ADDRESS 2012 COURT RULING
Inadequate Response to 2012 "Waste Confidence" Court Action Means Legal Challenge is Inevitable ... Unless NRC Halts Process.
WASHINGTON, D.C.///September 29, 2014///Firing a shot over the bow of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), 17 groups today took a necessary first step to seeking federal court intervention if the NRC does not stop on its own the licensing and relicensing of 23 reactors at 14 sites across the United States.
In urging the NRC to halt its process, the groups note that the federal agency has failed to address a major 2012 court action and longstanding prior decisions requiring the NRC to make "Waste Confidence" findings that the highly radioactive spent reactor fuel used in reactors can be disposed of safely. In 2012, a federal court vacated NRC's safety and environmental rules regarding spent fuel storage and disposal and remanded them to the agency for an environmental study. The NRC recently dismissed the notion that it needed to reasonably anticipate a national repository for nuclear reactor waste in order to proceed with reactor licensing and relicensing.
Read article
Download Petition to Suspend FINAL (1)
Download 2014-09-29 Motion to File New Contention
Download NRC Waste Confidence Brief except
WASHINGTON, D.C.///September 29, 2014///Firing a shot over the bow of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), 17 groups today took a necessary first step to seeking federal court intervention if the NRC does not stop on its own the licensing and relicensing of 23 reactors at 14 sites across the United States.
In urging the NRC to halt its process, the groups note that the federal agency has failed to address a major 2012 court action and longstanding prior decisions requiring the NRC to make "Waste Confidence" findings that the highly radioactive spent reactor fuel used in reactors can be disposed of safely. In 2012, a federal court vacated NRC's safety and environmental rules regarding spent fuel storage and disposal and remanded them to the agency for an environmental study. The NRC recently dismissed the notion that it needed to reasonably anticipate a national repository for nuclear reactor waste in order to proceed with reactor licensing and relicensing.
Read article
Download Petition to Suspend FINAL (1)
Download 2014-09-29 Motion to File New Contention
Download NRC Waste Confidence Brief except
Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 - Acceptance Letter Regarding Relief Request RR-14-01 Concerning Alternative Root Mean Square Depth Sizing Requirements (Tac No. MF4873)
Three Mile Island Nuclear Station, Unit 1 - Acceptance Letter Regarding Relief Request RR-14-01 Concerning Alternative Root Mean Square Depth Sizing Requirements (Tac No. MF4873)
Download ML14267A476
Download ML14267A476
Twitter 3 Comments ... Home Exelon Nuclear’s Limerick Generating Station leaks 100 gallons of bleach in to the Schuylkill River
LIMERICK >> A faulty valve at Exelon Nuclear’s Limerick
Generating Station caused about 100 gallons of bleach to leak into the
Schuylkill River Tuesday night.
The company issued a four-sentence statement announcing the spill Wednesday afternoon.
In an email, Neil Sheehan, a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Agency, wrote that the spill occurred around 9 p.m. and “had no impact on nuclear safety at the plant.”
Read article
The company issued a four-sentence statement announcing the spill Wednesday afternoon.
In an email, Neil Sheehan, a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Agency, wrote that the spill occurred around 9 p.m. and “had no impact on nuclear safety at the plant.”
Read article
NRC Reorganizes Materials and Waste Programs
NRC Reorganizes Materials and Waste Programs
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has combined its two nuclear materials and waste program offices into one, completing a restructuring directed by the Commission in July to help the agency position itself to complete its work most effectively in the materials, waste and environmental areas.
Effective Oct. 5, programs housed in the Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs and the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards are merged. The new office will retain the name of the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards or NMSS, an office established by Congress when it created the NRC in 1974. The merger reflects changes in the NRC’s materials and waste management workload and an effort to integrate regulation of the front and back ends of the nuclear fuel cycle, as well as the agency’s goal to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
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The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has combined its two nuclear materials and waste program offices into one, completing a restructuring directed by the Commission in July to help the agency position itself to complete its work most effectively in the materials, waste and environmental areas.
Effective Oct. 5, programs housed in the Office of Federal and State Materials and Environmental Management Programs and the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards are merged. The new office will retain the name of the Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards or NMSS, an office established by Congress when it created the NRC in 1974. The merger reflects changes in the NRC’s materials and waste management workload and an effort to integrate regulation of the front and back ends of the nuclear fuel cycle, as well as the agency’s goal to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
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Certainty about uncertainty
Good Day:
This morning, my commentary was posted to the UCS blog about decision-making using incomplete and potentially inaccurate information. See http://allthingsnuclear.org/nuclear-risk-assessments-and-regulatory-bias/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+allthingsnuclear%2Ffeed+%28All+Things+Nuclear%29
Bias fills in missing information gaps with rosy or dire projections, clearly affecting decisions made.
Bias had the NRC paint a far more dire picture of the situation at Fukushima than did the Japanese regulator.
Bias had the NRC paint a rosy picture of the current situation at Diablo Canyon. Wonder what the Japanese regulator would recommend about the known earthquake and fire protection shortcomings at this plant? Bet they'd not be as nonchalant as the NRC has been.
Thanks,
Dave Lochbaum
UCS
This morning, my commentary was posted to the UCS blog about decision-making using incomplete and potentially inaccurate information. See http://allthingsnuclear.org/nuclear-risk-assessments-and-regulatory-bias/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+allthingsnuclear%2Ffeed+%28All+Things+Nuclear%29
Bias fills in missing information gaps with rosy or dire projections, clearly affecting decisions made.
Bias had the NRC paint a far more dire picture of the situation at Fukushima than did the Japanese regulator.
Bias had the NRC paint a rosy picture of the current situation at Diablo Canyon. Wonder what the Japanese regulator would recommend about the known earthquake and fire protection shortcomings at this plant? Bet they'd not be as nonchalant as the NRC has been.
Thanks,
Dave Lochbaum
UCS
Publication of Final Rule - Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel
Greetings,
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has published the final rule, “Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel” (RIN 3150-AJ20; NRC-2012-0246). As discussed in a previous e-mail dated September 10, 2014, the NRC prepared a final generic environmental impact statement that provides a regulatory basis for this final rule: NUREG-2157, “Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel.”
The final rule is available in the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) under Accession No. ML14262A011: http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1426/ML14262A011.pdf. The final rule is also available on the Federal Register website: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/09/19/2014-22215/continued-storage-of-spent-nuclear-fuel.
NUREG-2157 is also available in ADAMS:
· NUREG-2157, Vol. 1 (Accession No. ML14196A105) http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1419/ML14196A105.pdf
· NUREG-2157, Vol. 2 (Accession No. ML14196A107) http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1419/ML14196A107.pdf
For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC’s Public Document Room reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, at 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to pdr.resource@nrc.gov.
If you have any questions regarding the final rule or NUREG-2157, please contact Sarah Lopas, however, please note that this is the last e-mail notification that will be sent from WCOutreach@nrc.gov.
Thank you,
Staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Waste Confidence Directorate
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has published the final rule, “Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel” (RIN 3150-AJ20; NRC-2012-0246). As discussed in a previous e-mail dated September 10, 2014, the NRC prepared a final generic environmental impact statement that provides a regulatory basis for this final rule: NUREG-2157, “Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel.”
The final rule is available in the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS) under Accession No. ML14262A011: http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1426/ML14262A011.pdf. The final rule is also available on the Federal Register website: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/09/19/2014-22215/continued-storage-of-spent-nuclear-fuel.
NUREG-2157 is also available in ADAMS:
· NUREG-2157, Vol. 1 (Accession No. ML14196A105) http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1419/ML14196A105.pdf
· NUREG-2157, Vol. 2 (Accession No. ML14196A107) http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1419/ML14196A107.pdf
For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC’s Public Document Room reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, at 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to pdr.resource@nrc.gov.
If you have any questions regarding the final rule or NUREG-2157, please contact Sarah Lopas, however, please note that this is the last e-mail notification that will be sent from WCOutreach@nrc.gov.
Thank you,
Staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Waste Confidence Directorate
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
NEW REPORT Exposes Nuclear Power Agenda to Block Climate Action, Stop Renewables, and Subsidize Old Reactors
Today,
NIRS published a report exposing the nuclear industry’s attempt to
rescue itself through a renewed effort to stop renewable energy and
climate action, subsidize old reactors, and prop up nuclear as an
“offset” for fossil fuels. You can download the report here:
We
were proud to be joined by Dr. Mark Cooper of the Institute for Energy
and the Environment, Public Citizen, and several of our amazing
grassroots partners on the front lines of this fight to stop the
nuclear/fossil industry from stealing our carbon-free, nuclear-free,
sustainable energy future.
No Nukes!
Tim Judson, Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tim Judson, Exec. Director
September 11, 2014 (301) 270-6477 timj@nirs.org
WATCHDOGS EXPOSE INDUSTRY EFFORT TO BLOCK CLIMATE ACTION & CLEAN ENERGY, PROP UP NUCLEAR, COAL
Report
details industry plans to subvert clean energy programs, rig energy
markets and climate regulations to subsidize aging nuclear reactors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Major
utilities have hatched a plan to save nuclear power by blocking solar
and wind power, and efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions with them,
say environmentalists and consumer advocates. A coalition of five
organizations was joined by a renowned energy economist to release a new
report by Nuclear Information & Resource Service (NIRS) exposing
the scheme. Titled “Killing the Competition: The Nuclear Power Agenda to
Block Climate Action, Stop Renewable Energy, and Subsidize Old
Reactors,” the report documents efforts by the country’s largest
utilities and power generators to prop up old nuclear plants with new
subsidies and electricity price hikes, while lobbying against programs
to grow clean energy and efficiency.
In
February, the country’s largest nuclear plant owner, Exelon, committed
to fund a high-priced public relations campaign—dubbed “Nuclear
Matters”—to create fears of a national energy crisis if the country
doesn’t rally to save nuclear power. If old nuclear plants go out of
business, the campaign predicts, economic devastation, electric grid
failures, and climate catastrophe will ensue. Exelon has now been joined
by several of the largest utilities and power generators, such as
Entergy, Duke, Southern, and FirstEnergy, who have mobilized their own
lobbying machines, PR firms, and front groups to the cause. As owners of
fossil fuel as well as nuclear plants, and with major carbon emission
regulations on the way, the companies have decided to dig into their
deep political coffers to save their old plants rather than adapt to new
technologies and environmental rules.
“The public deserves to know what these companies are really up to,” said report author Tim Judson, Executive Director of NIRS.
“Exelon and Nuclear Matters are running a deceptive campaign to scare
the American people into accepting their scheme to save old nuclear
plants, no matter how much it costs or what the collateral damage is. We
uncovered a disturbing pattern,” continued Judson, “a scheme to
undermine our most promising energy options and job-creating
industries—and stick ratepayers with rising energy bills—all to keep
polluting, uneconomical, increasingly dangerous power plants running,”
Judson concluded.
Last
year, the closure of several reactors highlighted the worsening
economics of nuclear energy. Five reactor shutdowns were announced, and
eight new reactors cancelled. The industry’s rising costs—with new
plants too expensive to build and old plants more and more costly to
maintain—came head to head with a brewing energy revolution: low natural
gas prices, rising energy efficiency, and affordable wind and solar
power. As a result, Wall Street firms reassessed the industry,
discovering an industry at risk and predicting more shuttered reactors
in the coming years. Energy economist Dr. Mark Cooper, of Vermont Law
School’s Institute for Energy and the Environment, published a paper
outlining the factors contributing to nuclear energy’s poor prospects
and highlighting the vulnerability of dozens of reactors.
“Nuclear
power simply cannot compete with efficiency and renewable resources and
it does not fit in the emerging electricity system that uses
intelligent management of supply and demand response to meet the need
for electricity,” Cooper said. “Doubling down on nuclear power as the
solution to climate change, as proposed by nuclear advocates, is a bad
bet since nuclear power is one of the most expensive ways available to
cut carbon emissions in the electricity sector,” continued Cooper. “The
nuclear war against clean energy is a last ditch effort to stop the
transformation of the electricity sector and prevent nuclear power from
becoming obsolete.”
NIRS’s
report details the industry’s attacks on clean energy and climate
solutions and the key battlegrounds in this new fight over the U.S.’s
energy future. With large political war chests and armies of lobbyists,
the power companies have opened up aggressive fights across the country
this year:
· Blocking tax breaks for renewable energy in Congress.
· Killing renewable energy legislation in Illinois by threatening to close nuclear plants.
· Passing a resolution calling for nuclear subsidies and emissions-trading schemes in Illinois.
· Suspending renewable energy and efficiency standards in Ohio for two years.
· Ending energy efficiency programs in Indiana.
· Demanding above-market contracts for nuclear and coal plants in Ohio and NewYork.
One
of the main frontlines is the Environmental Protection Agency’s new
carbon pollution rule, which includes incentives for nuclear, and
encourages several costly, counterproductive measures. The regulation
includes subsidies of $50 million per year or more to keep uncompetitive
reactors from closing, and authorizes states to set up programs for
nuclear plants to sell emission allowances to coal and natural gas-fired
plants.
"Under
pressure from Exelon, the Illinois Legislature actually went so far as
to pass a resolution petitioning the EPA to order Illinois to use
nuclear plants to meet its pending carbon limits,” notes Dave Kraft,
director of the Chicago-based Nuclear Energy Information Service.
“To allow nuclear plants to sell or trade credits with fossil fuel
plants defeats the very purpose of regulating emissions. This is not
climate policy; it's political payback," Kraft believes.
The
companies are also seeking special energy market rules rigged to favor
nuclear and coal as “baseload” generators. The report spells out a slew
of the proposed reforms, the net effect of which would be to raise
energy costs for consumers and make it more difficult for providers of
wind energy and conservation programs to find customers. This would
reverse the entire way energy markets are set up. Currently, markets are
price-based and neutral on the type of energy source: the lowest-cost
energy sells first, higher-cost generators are cut out when there is
enough power. For instance, wind generators sell first because they have
no fuel costs and can bid the lowest prices. Because inflexible
baseload plants like nuclear and coal cannot cut their output when there
is too much power, the industry complains they must pay the wind owners
to turn their generators off. By
rigging the markets to favor increasingly expensive nuclear and coal
plants, the scheme would raise the cost to consumers while making it
harder for cleaner, low-cost energy sources to compete.
“Just
a few years ago, the industry had no complaints when some merchant
nuclear plants earned 100% annual rates of return,” said Tyson Slocum,
Energy Program Director atPublic Citizen.
“But now that conditions have changed, they want a rewrite of market
rules to guarantee payments to many of these same plants. Enough is
enough: household consumers cannot continue to subsidize inefficient
generators, especially when abundant, cleaner and safer alternatives
abound.”
New
York and Ohio residents have gotten a glimpse of how much it will cost
to prop up uneconomical nuclear plants. Exelon submitted a petition to
the New York Public Service Commission seeking a guaranteed contract for
one of the country’s smallest and oldest reactors, the Ginna Nuclear
Plant near Rochester. Just to meet the reactor’s operating costs,
ratepayers would be hit with prices more than 40% above the going market
rate—roughly $83 million/year. Similarly, FirstEnergy submitted a
petition to the Ohio Public Utility Commission, seeking a contract for
its troubled Davis-Besse reactor and three coal plants at an estimated
price of $65 per megawatt-hour – nearly 70% above market rates.
Environmental and consumer groups argue such costs are unwarranted,
especially with more affordable clean energy alternatives.
“New
Yorkers are rapidly adopting renewable energy, and the state’s policy
makers are pushing distributed electricity generation and energy
efficiency measures as a way to keep down costs and meet climate
goal,”said Jessica Azulay, Program Director of the Alliance for a Green Economy in
New York. “At a time of unprecedented momentum toward a smart,
efficient, renewable energy system, the nuclear industry is trying its
best to thwart the energy revolution and pull us back into the past with
scare tactics and spin.”
The
industry campaign was hatched after Entergy’s decision to close its
Vermont Yankee reactor in August 2013. Despite having won a legal fight
with the state of Vermont over the legislature’s decision the plant
should close, Entergy found the costs of operating of the reactor were
rising and the region’s grid operator had already decided the plant was
no longer needed. With all the rest of its reactors in the Northeast in
danger of closure due to economic pressure and licensing problems, the
company began publishing opinion pieces and lobbying elected officials
and market regulators for special treatment. Yet, the situation in
Vermont belies the industry’s message that old reactors are “necessary”
to protect consumers and workers, and prevent greenhouse emissions.
Vermont already has plans to replace all of the plant’s electricity with
low-cost carbon-free energy, expanded its renewable energy programs
this year, and Entergy cut a deal to keep half the Vermont Yankee
workforce employed in environmental cleanup and managing radioactive
waste.
“Until
the day Entergy announced Vermont Yankee's closure, it maintained that
Vermont Yankee was a benefit to the state and economically viable,” said
Deb Katz, Executive Diretor of Citizens Awareness Network in
New England. “Upon closure, it acknowledged that it would lose over
$200 million if VY continued to operate. In 2012 the state replaced
Vermont Yankee with contracts at substantially lower rates and expanded
its commitment to sustainable energy and efficiency.”
Contact the Presenters
Tim Judson (301) 270-6477 tim@nirs.org
Jessica Azulay (315) 480-1515 Jessica@allianceforagreeneconomy.org
Dr. Mark Cooper markcooper@aol.com
Dave Kraft (773) 342-7650 neis@neis.org
Tyson Slocum (202) 454-5191 tslocum@citizen.org
Availability and Distribution of Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel
Greetings,
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has published final NUREG-2157, “Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel.” NUREG-2157 addresses the environmental impacts of continued storage of spent nuclear fuel beyond the licensed life for operations of a commercial nuclear reactor and provides a regulatory basis for the NRC’s final rule, “Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel” (RIN 3150-AJ20; NRC-2012-0246).
NUREG-2157—in two volumes—is available in the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS):
· NUREG-2157, Vol. 1 (Accession No. ML14196A105) http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1419/ML14196A105.pdf
· NUREG-2157, Vol. 2 (Accession No. ML14196A107) http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1419/ML14196A107.pdf
For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC’s Public Document Room reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, at 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to pdr.resource@nrc.gov.
NUREG-2157 can also be accessed on the NRC’s website: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/.
After its publication in the Federal Register later this month, you will receive one last e-mail with a link to the final rule, “Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel.” If you have any questions regarding NUREG-2157, or to request a hardcopy of the document, please contact Sarah Lopas.
Thank you,
Staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Waste Confidence Directorate
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has published final NUREG-2157, “Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel.” NUREG-2157 addresses the environmental impacts of continued storage of spent nuclear fuel beyond the licensed life for operations of a commercial nuclear reactor and provides a regulatory basis for the NRC’s final rule, “Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel” (RIN 3150-AJ20; NRC-2012-0246).
NUREG-2157—in two volumes—is available in the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System (ADAMS):
· NUREG-2157, Vol. 1 (Accession No. ML14196A105) http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1419/ML14196A105.pdf
· NUREG-2157, Vol. 2 (Accession No. ML14196A107) http://pbadupws.nrc.gov/docs/ML1419/ML14196A107.pdf
For problems with ADAMS, please contact the NRC’s Public Document Room reference staff at 1-800-397-4209, at 301-415-4737, or by e-mail to pdr.resource@nrc.gov.
NUREG-2157 can also be accessed on the NRC’s website: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/.
After its publication in the Federal Register later this month, you will receive one last e-mail with a link to the final rule, “Continued Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel.” If you have any questions regarding NUREG-2157, or to request a hardcopy of the document, please contact Sarah Lopas.
Thank you,
Staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Waste Confidence Directorate
NRC Launches Special Inspection at Millstone 3 Nuclear Power Plant In Response to Continuing Problems with Pump
No: I-14-034 September 15, 2014
CONTACT:
Diane Screnci 610-337-5330
Neil Sheehan 610-337-5331
NRC Launches Special Inspection at Millstone 3 Nuclear Power Plant In Response to Continuing Problems with Pump
Problems affecting a pump that is part of a reactor safety system will be the focus of a Nuclear Regulatory Commission Special Inspection at the Millstone Unit 3 nuclear power plant. The Waterford, Conn., plant is operated by Dominion Nuclear.
The Special Inspection team will have three members and will begin its work today (Sept. 15). The component of interest is the plant’s turbine-driven auxiliary, or back-up, feedwater pump. That pump is one of several that can be used to help cool down the reactor after a shutdown by pumping water into the secondary side of the plant’s steam generators. The steam generators are essentially large heat exchangers that convert heat generated by the reactor into steam, which in turn is used to spin the turbine and produce electricity.
The basis for this Special Inspection is the failure of the turbine-driven auxiliary feedwater pump to pass quarterly surveillance tests on July 15 and Sept. 10. During both tests, the pump started and then unexpectedly stopped. It then restarted without operator intervention and reached rated speed approximately 15 minutes later. The pump has since undergone repairs and been restored to service.
“A key objective of this inspection will be to learn more about this latest malfunctioning of this safety-related component,” NRC Region I Administrator Bill Dean said. “The repetitive problems affecting the pump continue to give the NRC concern.”
Areas to be reviewed during the Special Inspection will include the adequacy and completeness of testing on the pump and causal evaluations of the problems. The results of the Special Inspection will be discussed in a report expected to be issued within 45 days after the completion of the review.
The NRC conducted a Special Inspection earlier this year into what appear to be unrelated issues with the same pump. That inspection report was issued Aug. 28.
Download PDF
CONTACT:
Diane Screnci 610-337-5330
Neil Sheehan 610-337-5331
NRC Launches Special Inspection at Millstone 3 Nuclear Power Plant In Response to Continuing Problems with Pump
Problems affecting a pump that is part of a reactor safety system will be the focus of a Nuclear Regulatory Commission Special Inspection at the Millstone Unit 3 nuclear power plant. The Waterford, Conn., plant is operated by Dominion Nuclear.
The Special Inspection team will have three members and will begin its work today (Sept. 15). The component of interest is the plant’s turbine-driven auxiliary, or back-up, feedwater pump. That pump is one of several that can be used to help cool down the reactor after a shutdown by pumping water into the secondary side of the plant’s steam generators. The steam generators are essentially large heat exchangers that convert heat generated by the reactor into steam, which in turn is used to spin the turbine and produce electricity.
The basis for this Special Inspection is the failure of the turbine-driven auxiliary feedwater pump to pass quarterly surveillance tests on July 15 and Sept. 10. During both tests, the pump started and then unexpectedly stopped. It then restarted without operator intervention and reached rated speed approximately 15 minutes later. The pump has since undergone repairs and been restored to service.
“A key objective of this inspection will be to learn more about this latest malfunctioning of this safety-related component,” NRC Region I Administrator Bill Dean said. “The repetitive problems affecting the pump continue to give the NRC concern.”
Areas to be reviewed during the Special Inspection will include the adequacy and completeness of testing on the pump and causal evaluations of the problems. The results of the Special Inspection will be discussed in a report expected to be issued within 45 days after the completion of the review.
The NRC conducted a Special Inspection earlier this year into what appear to be unrelated issues with the same pump. That inspection report was issued Aug. 28.
Download PDF
Act 129 2015 Technical Reference Manual Update
All,
At its Sept. 11, 2014 Public Meeting, the Commission adopted for public comment the proposed 2015 Technical Reference Manual (TRM). Comments are due within 30 days of the entry date of the Tentative Order. Reply comments are due within 40 days of the entry date of the Tentative Order. These documents, as well as a redlined version of the manual, will be posted to the Technical Reference Manual page of the Commission’s website in the near future. I have also included below links to the documents. I should note that we are having technical difficulties making Appendix D, the Motor and Variable Frequency Drive Tool, publicly available. We hope to have this resolved soon. I will notify you when it is available. I apologize for the delay.
2015 TRM Tentative Order
Proposed 2015 Technical Reference Manual
Proposed 2015 TRM Appendix C - Lighting Audit and Design Tool
Proposed 2015 TRM Appendix E - Lighting Audit and Design Tool for New Construction
Please contact me with any questions.
Thanks!
Megan
Megan G. Good
PA Public Utility Commission
Bureau of Technical Utility Services
Policy & Planning
At its Sept. 11, 2014 Public Meeting, the Commission adopted for public comment the proposed 2015 Technical Reference Manual (TRM). Comments are due within 30 days of the entry date of the Tentative Order. Reply comments are due within 40 days of the entry date of the Tentative Order. These documents, as well as a redlined version of the manual, will be posted to the Technical Reference Manual page of the Commission’s website in the near future. I have also included below links to the documents. I should note that we are having technical difficulties making Appendix D, the Motor and Variable Frequency Drive Tool, publicly available. We hope to have this resolved soon. I will notify you when it is available. I apologize for the delay.
2015 TRM Tentative Order
Proposed 2015 Technical Reference Manual
Proposed 2015 TRM Appendix C - Lighting Audit and Design Tool
Proposed 2015 TRM Appendix E - Lighting Audit and Design Tool for New Construction
Please contact me with any questions.
Thanks!
Megan
Megan G. Good
PA Public Utility Commission
Bureau of Technical Utility Services
Policy & Planning