Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Press Release

No: II-17-044 September 8, 2017

Contact: Roger Hannah, 404-997-4417

Joey Ledford, 404-997-4416

NRC Preparing for Hurricane Irma

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has dispatched additional inspectors to the Turkey Point nuclear plant south of Miami and the St. Lucie nuclear plant on the east coast of Florida in advance of Hurricane Irma. The NRC expects to activate its regional incident response center in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday as the agency prepares for the effects of the hurricane on those nuclear plants and other NRC- licensed facilities near the path of the storm.

The Turkey Point plant staff declared an unusual event, the lowest of the NRC emergency classifications, late Thursday evening when a hurricane warning was issued for South Florida. The NRC expects the St. Lucie plant staff to also declare an unusual event when that plant site is included in an expanded hurricane warning area.

In preparing for Hurricane Irma, the staff at Turkey Point, St. Lucie and other plants in the Southeast are working through severe weather procedures, including ensuring that all loose debris and equipment has been removed or secured and conducting walk-downs of important systems and equipment.

The NRC is satisfied that these actions will adequately protect the public during this hurricane.

NRC inspectors are verifying that all of the preparations have been completed, and the plants’ emergency diesel generators are available to be used if the storm affects off-site power supplies.

The NRC has additional inspectors in Florida now, and is also prepared to dispatch region- based inspectors or inspectors from unaffected plants to other sites in the region, should it become necessary.

From the NRC Region II incident response center in Atlanta, NRC staff members will monitor Hurricane Irma while remaining in contact with plant operators, NRC on-site inspectors, the NRC’s headquarters operations center, and state emergency officials in Florida and other potentially affected states.

The NRC inspectors will remain at the nuclear plant sites and the incident response center will remain staffed until the agency is assured that the storm no longer poses a risk to these facilities.

For more information on NRC’s response to Hurricane Irma please visit NRC’s Blog.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - Press Release

No: 17-039 September 6, 2017

CONTACT: Ivonne Couret, 301-415-8200

New Edition of NRC Information Digest Now Available Online

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has published its 2017-2018 edition of the Information Digest, which describes the agency's responsibilities and activities and provides general information on nuclear-related topics. This edition, NUREG-1350, Volume 29, is intended to serve as a quick reference to major facts about the agency and the industry it regulates, in an easy-to-use format that includes visual aids.

The Information Digest is published annually and is available electronically on the

NRC website. The electronic version of the Digest has embedded hyperlinks for easy access to more information on major topics. The NRC graphics, figures, maps, and data sets are also available online.

In addition, a print or CD copy will be available in November 2017, upon written request to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Administration, Publications Branch, Washington, D.C. 20555-0001. Requests can also be sent by email to distribution.resource@nrc.gov, or by fax to 301-415-2289.

Peach Bottom: Security Inspection Report 05000277/2017403 and 05000278/2017403

Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station, Units 2 and 3 - Security Inspection Report 05000277/2017403 and 05000278/2017403

ADAMS Accession No.  ML17248A190

TMIA to Screen the "Atomic States of America" at the Midtown on September 19, 2017

Three Mile Island Alert

315 Peffer Street

Harrisburg, PA 17102

 

 N E W S   R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release        Eric Epstein, (717)-635-8615

             epstein@efmr.org

   The Atomic States of America to Play at the      

Midtown Cinema in Harrisburg

The directors of a documentary that garnered rave reviews 

at the Sundance Film Festival will bring their film to Harrisburg’s 

Midtown Cinema on Tuesday September 19, 2017. The event

is sponsored  by Three Mile Island Alert (tmia.com).

The Atomic States of America journeys to nuclear reactor 

communities around the country to provide a comprehensive 

exploration of the history and impact of nuclear power and to 

investigate the truths and myths about  nuclear energy. The film 

introduces people who have been on the front lines of this issue

for decades, including community advocates, journalists, physicists, 

nuclear engineers, NRC inspectors, and former government officials. 

Among those planning to attend include co-directors Don Argott

 and Sheena M. Joyce, and David A. Lochbaum, Director of the Nuclear 

Safety Project for  the Union of Concerned Scientists. 

Seating is limited. Tickets are available from the Midtown Cinema.

here's the ticketing link for the film.

 

  

WHAT: Showing of the film The Atomic States of America.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 19 , 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Midtown Cinema, 250 Riley Street, Harrisburg.

Synopsis:

In 2010, the United States announced the first new nuclear power plant 

construction in over 32 years. The 'Nuclear Renaissance' was born, and 

America's long-stalled expansion of nuclear energy was infused with new 

life. The Atomic States of America takes the viewer on a journey to reactor 

communities around the country, and seeks to explore the truths and myths

 of nuclear power. From the gates of Three Mile Island, to the cooling ponds 

of Braidwood, IL, this film introduces the viewer to people who have been 

on the front lines of this issue for decades. 

Begun more than a year before  the disaster in Japan, the deeply investigated

documentary gains a unique  before and after perspective, and includes 

interviews with - Nuclear  Regulatory  Commission inspectors, community 

advocates, investigative  journalists,renowned physicists, nuclear engineers,

 and former government leaders. As the nation stands at the crossroads 

of the Nuclear Renaissance,  The Atomic States of America seeks to inspire

an honest dialogue about  whether or not man can responsibly split the atom.

Run time: 1hr 32min

TMIA to Screen the "Atomic States of America" at the Midtown on September 19, 2017

Three Mile Island Alert

315 Peffer Street

Harrisburg, PA 17102

 

 N E W S   R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release        Eric Epstein, (717)-635-8615

             epstein@efmr.org

   The Atomic States of America to Play at the      

Midtown Cinema in Harrisburg

The directors of a documentary that garnered rave reviews 

at the Sundance Film Festival will bring their film to Harrisburg’s 

Midtown Cinema on Tuesday September 19, 2017. The event

is sponsored  by Three Mile Island Alert (tmia.com).

The Atomic States of America journeys to nuclear reactor 

communities around the country to provide a comprehensive 

exploration of the history and impact of nuclear power and to 

investigate the truths and myths about  nuclear energy. The film 

introduces people who have been on the front lines of this issue

for decades, including community advocates, journalists, physicists, 

nuclear engineers, NRC inspectors, and former government officials. 

Among those planning to attend include co-directors Don Argott

 and Sheena M. Joyce, and David A. Lochbaum, Director of the Nuclear 

Safety Project for  the Union of Concerned Scientists. 

Seating is limited. Tickets are available from the Midtown Cinema.

here's the ticketing link for the film.

 

  

WHAT: Showing of the film The Atomic States of America.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 19 , 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Midtown Cinema, 250 Riley Street, Harrisburg.

Synopsis:

In 2010, the United States announced the first new nuclear power plant 

construction in over 32 years. The 'Nuclear Renaissance' was born, and 

America's long-stalled expansion of nuclear energy was infused with new 

life. The Atomic States of America takes the viewer on a journey to reactor 

communities around the country, and seeks to explore the truths and myths

 of nuclear power. From the gates of Three Mile Island, to the cooling ponds 

of Braidwood, IL, this film introduces the viewer to people who have been 

on the front lines of this issue for decades. 

Begun more than a year before  the disaster in Japan, the deeply investigated

documentary gains a unique  before and after perspective, and includes 

interviews with - Nuclear  Regulatory  Commission inspectors, community 

advocates, investigative  journalists,renowned physicists, nuclear engineers,

 and former government leaders. As the nation stands at the crossroads 

of the Nuclear Renaissance,  The Atomic States of America seeks to inspire

an honest dialogue about  whether or not man can responsibly split the atom.

Run time: 1hr 32min

TMIA to Screen the "Atomic States of America" at the Midtown on September 19, 2017

Three Mile Island Alert

315 Peffer Street

Harrisburg, PA 17102

 

 N E W S   R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release        Eric Epstein, (717)-635-8615

             epstein@efmr.org

   The Atomic States of America to Play at the      

Midtown Cinema in Harrisburg

The directors of a documentary that garnered rave reviews 

at the Sundance Film Festival will bring their film to Harrisburg’s 

Midtown Cinema on Tuesday September 19, 2017. The event

is sponsored  by Three Mile Island Alert (tmia.com).

The Atomic States of America journeys to nuclear reactor 

communities around the country to provide a comprehensive 

exploration of the history and impact of nuclear power and to 

investigate the truths and myths about  nuclear energy. The film 

introduces people who have been on the front lines of this issue

for decades, including community advocates, journalists, physicists, 

nuclear engineers, NRC inspectors, and former government officials. 

Among those planning to attend include co-directors Don Argott

 and Sheena M. Joyce, and David A. Lochbaum, Director of the Nuclear 

Safety Project for  the Union of Concerned Scientists. 

Seating is limited. Tickets are available from the Midtown Cinema.

here's the ticketing link for the film.

 

  

WHAT: Showing of the film The Atomic States of America.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 19 , 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Midtown Cinema, 250 Riley Street, Harrisburg.

Synopsis:

In 2010, the United States announced the first new nuclear power plant 

construction in over 32 years. The 'Nuclear Renaissance' was born, and 

America's long-stalled expansion of nuclear energy was infused with new 

life. The Atomic States of America takes the viewer on a journey to reactor 

communities around the country, and seeks to explore the truths and myths

 of nuclear power. From the gates of Three Mile Island, to the cooling ponds 

of Braidwood, IL, this film introduces the viewer to people who have been 

on the front lines of this issue for decades. 

Begun more than a year before  the disaster in Japan, the deeply investigated

documentary gains a unique  before and after perspective, and includes 

interviews with - Nuclear  Regulatory  Commission inspectors, community 

advocates, investigative  journalists,renowned physicists, nuclear engineers,

 and former government leaders. As the nation stands at the crossroads 

of the Nuclear Renaissance,  The Atomic States of America seeks to inspire

an honest dialogue about  whether or not man can responsibly split the atom.

Run time: 1hr 32min

PEACH BOTTOM: INSPECTION (REPORT 05000277/2017005 AND 05000278/2017005)

UPDATED INSPECTION PLAN FOR PEACH BOTTOM ATOMIC

POWER STATION UNITS 2 AND 3 (REPORT 05000277/2017005 AND

05000278/2017005)

 

ADAMS Accession No.  ML17236A030

SUSQUEHANNA: REPORT 05000387 2017005 AND 05000388 201700)

UPDATED INSPECTION PLAN FOR SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC

STATION UNITS 1 AND 2 (REPORT 05000387/2017005 AND 05000388/2017005)

 

ADAMS Accession No. ML17236A032

TMI Inspection Plan (REPORT 05000289/2017005)

UPDATED INSPECTION PLAN FOR THREE MILE ISLAND STATION, UNIT 1

(REPORT 05000289/2017005)

 

ADAMS Accession No. ML17240A015

Peach Bottom Inspection Report No. 05000171/2017009

Exelon Generation Company, LLC, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station Unit 1 - NRC Inspection Report No. 05000171/2017009

Download PDF

ADVISORY: U.S. Renewables in Statistical Dead Heat with Nuclear Power

For Release:  Monday - August 28, 2017 @ 6:00 am (eastern time)

 

Contact:         Ken Bossong, 301-270-6477 x.11;  sun-day-campaign@hotmail.com

                        Tim Judson, 301-270-6477 x.12;  timj@nirs.org

 

Washington DC – The latest issue of the U.S. Energy Information's (EIA) "Electric Power Monthly" (with data through June 30, 2017) reveals that renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar - inc. small-scale PV, wind) remain in a statistical dead heat with nuclear power vis-à-vis their respective shares of the nation's electrical generation, with each providing roughly 20% of the total. [1]

During the six-month period (January - June), renewables surpassed nuclear power in three of those months (March, April, and May) while nuclear power took the lead in the other three. In total, according to EIA's data, utility-scale renewables plus small-scale solar PV provided 20.05% of U.S. net electrical generation compared to 20.07% for nuclear power. However, renewables may actually hold a small lead because while EIA estimates the contribution from  distributed PV, it does not include electrical generation by distributed wind, micro-hydro, or small-scale biomass.

EIA has acknowledged the neck-in-neck status of nuclear power and renewables and stated as much in a news release it issued in early summer. However, the agency simultaneously stressed its view that "nuclear will generate more electricity than renewables for all of 2017." [2]

Well, maybe ....  maybe not.

While renewables and nuclear are each likely to continue to provide roughly one-fifth of the nation's electricity generation in the near-term, the trend line clearly favors a rapidly expanding market share by renewables compared to a stagnating, if not declining, one for nuclear power. Electrical output by renewables during the first half of 2017 was 16.34% higher than for the same period in 2016 whereas nuclear output dropped by 3.27%. In the month of June alone, electrical generation by renewable sources was 27.15% greater than a year earlier whereas nuclear output dipped by 0.24%.

In fact, almost all renewable energy sources are experiencing strong growth rates. Comparing the first six months of 2017 to the same period in 2016, utility-scale + small-scale solar has grown by 45.1%, hydropower by 16.1%, wind by 15.6%, and geothermal by 3.2%. Biomass (inc. wood and wood-derived fuels) has remained essentially unchanged - slipping by 0.8%. Electrical generation by solar alone is now greater than that provided individually by biomass, geothermal, and oil (i.e., petroleum liquids + petroleum coke).

And on the capacity front, renewables long ago eclipsed nuclear power. For the first half of 2017, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions reports that renewables' share of total U.S. available installed generating capacity is 19.70% compared to 8.98% for nuclear -- i.e., more than double. [3]

Finally, last month's cancellation of the Summer 2 and 3 reactors in South Carolina and Duke Power's subsequent decision to pull the plug on construction of the twin William Lee reactors (also in South Carolina) means the growing gap between renewables and nuclear will accelerate at an even faster clip in the coming years. In addition, the possible cancellation of the uneconomic Vogtle 3 and 4 reactors in Georgia would mean no new nuclear coming online for the foreseeable future, as reactor closures continue. In fact, counting possible additional closures and cancellations, retirements could very likely exceed additions. [4]

"Everyone loves a horse race," noted Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign.  "However, the smart money is now on renewables to soon leave nuclear power in the dust."

"Nuclear power is in irreversible decline in the U.S., due to rising costs and failing economics of new and existing reactors, alike," said Tim Judson, executive director of the Nuclear Information and Resource Service. "Last month's cancellation of half the new reactors under construction in the U.S. means that gap is going to be wider than projected, and accelerating."

# # # # # # # # # #

[1] EIA released its most recent "Electric Power Monthly" report on August 24, 2017.
The full report may be found at: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly.
The most relevant data cited in this release may be found in, or is derived from, the following tables:
https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_es1a 
and
https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_es1b

[2] See EIA statement: "Monthly renewable electricity generation surpasses nuclear for the first time since 1984" (July 6, 2017)
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=31932

[3] FERC issued its most recent "Energy Infrastructure Update" report on August 3, 2017. See table titled " Total Available Installed Generating Capacity" at https://www.ferc.gov/legal/staff-reports/2017/jun-energy-infrastructure.pdf .  Note that generating capacity is not the same as actual generation. Electrical production per MW of available capacity (i.e., capacity factor) for renewables is often, but not always, lower than that for fossil fuels and nuclear power.

[4] Planned reactor closures through 2025:
2018: Palisades (Michigan - 811 MW)
2019: Pilgrim (Massachusetts - 688 MW); Oyster Creek (New Jersey - 637 MW); Three Mile Island, Unit 1 (Pennsylvania - 829 MW)
2020: Indian Point, Unit 2 (New York - 1,029 MW)
2021: Indian Point, Unit 3 (New York - 1,040 MW)
2024: Diablo Canyon, Unit 1 (California - 1,118 MW)
2025: Diablo Canyon, Unit 2 (California - 1,122 MW)
TOTAL Capacity Retirements: 7,274 MW

** Planned reactor additions:
2016: Watts Bar, Unit 2 (Tennessee - 1,150 MW)
????: Vogtle, Unit 3 (Georgia - 1,117 MW) - delayed, cancellation under review
????: Vogtle, Unit 4 (Georgia - 1,117 MW) - delayed, cancellation under review
TOTAL Capacity Additions: 3,384 MW (as few as 1,150 MW possible)

Possible reactor closures:
2022 or later: Millstone, Unit 2 (Connecticut - 882 MW)
2022 or later: Millstone, Unit 3 (Connecticut - 1,198 MW)
????: Davis-Besse (Ohio - 889 MW)
????: Perry (Ohio - 1,231 MW)
????: Beaver Valley, Unit 1 (Pennsylvania - 911 MW)
????: Beaver Valley, Unit 2 (Pennsylvania - 904 MW)
TOTAL Additional Retirements: 6,015 MW

Susquehanna - Inspection Report 05000387/2017405 AND 05000388/2017405

SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNITS 1 AND 2 –

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION AND RESOLUTION CYBER SECURITY

INSPECTION REPORT 05000387/2017405 AND 05000388/2017405

 

ADAMS Accession No.  ML17237A016

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Inspector General Reports

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of the Inspector General, recently issued a new report, OIG-17-A-23-Audit of NRC's 10 CFR 2.206 Petition Review Process. To view this report issued by the office please click here.  To view other reports issued by the Office of the Inspector General, please click here.