Sep 29, 2024: The case against restarting Three Mile Island’s Unit-1

Radioactive: The Women of Three Mile Island

Did you catch "The Meltdown: Three Mile Island" on Netflix?
TMI remains a danger and TMIA is working hard to ensure the safety of our communities and the surrounding areas.
Learn more on this site and support our efforts. Join TMIA. To contact the TMIA office, call 717-233-7897.

    

NUREG-1055 1984 Report to Congress on Quality Assurance

Please peruse Abstract of NUREG-1055 1984 Report to Congress on Quality Assurance entitled:

Improving Quality and the Assurance of Quality in the Design and Construction of Nuclear Power Plants A Report to Congress (NUREG-1055) https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0630/ML063000293.pdf 

ABSTRACT
At the request of Congress, NRC conducted a study of existing and alternative programs for improving quality and the assurance of quality in the design and construction of commercial nuclear power plants. A primary focus of the study was to determine the underlying causes of major quality-related problems in the construction of some nuclear power plants and the untimely detection and correction of these problems. The study concluded that the root cause for major quality-related problems was the failure or inability of some utility managements to effectively implement a management system that ensured adequate control over all aspects of the project. These management shortcoming arose in part from inexperience on the part of some project teams in the construction of nuclear power plants. NRC's past licensing and inspection practices did not adequately screen construction permit applicants for overall capability to manage or provide effective management oversight over the construction project.

The study recommends a number of improvements in industry and NRC programs. For industry, the study recommends self-imposed rising standards of excellence, treatment of quality assurance as a management tool, not a substitute for management, improved trend analysis and identification of root causes of quality problems, and a program of comprehensive third party audits of present and future construction projects. To improve NRC programs, the study recommends a heavier emphasis on team inspections and resident inspectors, an enhanced review of new applicant's capabilities to construct commercial nuclear power plants, more attention to management issues, improved diagnostic and trending capabilities, improved quality and quality assurance for operating reactors, and development of guidance to facilitate the prioritization of quality assurance measures commensurate with the importance of plant structures, systems, and components to the achievement of safety. This document should prove of value in critiquing the proposed changes in Quality Assurance in 2021

Thank you for review/consideration

Michael J. Keegan
Don't Waste Michigan
By admin at Wed, 12/01/2021 - 20:01

NRC Accepts Application for Kairos Construction Permit

NRC Accepts Application for Kairos Construction Permit

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has accepted for review an application from Kairos Power for a permit to construct a test reactor at a site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Kairos submitted the first portion of the application on Sept. 29, and the remainder on Oct. 31.
 
The Kairos application seeks to build the company’s “Hermes” test reactor. The 35-megawatt, non-power reactor would use molten salt to cool the reactor core, providing operational data to support development of a larger version meant for a commercial nuclear power plant. The company will be required to submit a separate application for an operating license in the future.
 
Accepting the application for review, or “docketing,” does not indicate whether the Commission will approve or reject the construction permit request. Additional information regarding new reactor licensing and specific information on the review of the Hermes application is available on the NRC website.
 
Beginning in March 2018, Kairos engaged in extensive pre-application activities with the NRC staff to address key aspects of the Hermes design. Because of this constructive engagement, the agency was able to establish a shortened review schedule of 21 months. Barring unforeseen delays, the staff expects to complete its environmental and safety reviews by September 2023.
 
The NRC will soon publish in the Federal Register a notice of acceptance and docketing. A future Federal Register notice will provide an opportunity to intervene in an adjudicatory hearing.
 
By admin at Tue, 11/30/2021 - 22:46

NRC Proceeding "Exelon Generation Company, LLC"

Subject: Re: NRC Proceeding "Exelon Generation Company, LLC"
 
**EIE Update**  Due to certain NRC computer security enhancements the process to open submissions having more than one attachment has had to be changed. Now, after opening the link in the e-mail and validating their certificate, users will see a page with a button saying “Download Attachments". Selecting that button will cause the attached .zip file to be downloaded to the users' computer. Thereafter, the files can be opened using the normal protocol.  **EIE Update**
 
MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
 
Re: NRC Proceeding "Exelon Generation Company, LLC"
 
The Office of the Secretary has received a Submission entitled
 
"NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HEARING REQUEST AND PETITION FOR LEAVE TO INTERVENE"
submitted by Susan Satter who is affiliated with Illinois Attorney General's Office.  It contains 1 attachment(s).
 
It is intended for inclusion in the referenced proceeding. It was submitted through the NRC Electronic Information Exchange (EIE) system and arrived on 11/24/2021 at 06.00 PM.
 
As a hearing participant, you are entitled to view and/or retrieve this Submission by visiting the following web link.  
 
NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS HEARING REQUEST AND PETITION FOR LEAVE TO INTERVENE - https://eie.nrc.gov/eie/adj/downloadAttachment.eie?submissionId=56312&do... (122 KB)

If the submission contains 2 or more attachments, they will be delivered to you as a single compressed zip file from which you may open the attachments. The delivery model works best with the free download product named "SecureZip".  This is the product used in the screen shots in the Adjudicatory User's Guide. Other compression products will work but the access steps may vary.
 
The link will remain active for 30 day(s) after which its contents will be removed from the EIE system. Not later than 3 days from the date of this message the attachment(s) will also be available through NRC Electronic Hearing Docket (EHD) web site. The web link for this site is: https://adams.nrc.gov/ehd and the documents can be located by browsing in the appropriate hearing folder.
 
Receipt of this message constitutes completion of service of this filing.
 
PARTIES SERVED WITH THIS SUBMISSION:  Black, Amanda M.; Castellon, Krupskaya T.; Clark, Brooke P.; Docket, Hearing; Domeyer, Tamra; Epstein, Eric; Eskelsen, Grant; Hampton, Georgiann E.; Heck, Jared K.; Kearney, Margrethe; Krause, Emily I.; Lighty, Ryan K.; Naber, Anita G.; Newell, Brian P.; ocaamail, ocaamail; Polonsky, Alex; Ross, Peter; Roth, David E.; Satter, Susan; Shaw, Noah; Sola, Clara I; Speiser, Herald; Vrahoretis, Susan H.; Wachutka, Jeremy L.
By admin at Sun, 11/28/2021 - 22:29

NRC's Semiannual Status Report on the Licensing Activities

Dear No Nuke Community
 
NRC's Semiannual Status Report on the Licensing Activities 
This Zip file of 3 provides NRC overview and status of Rule Makings
N2
Michael J. Keegan
Don't Waste Michigan
 
11-16-21 Letter to the Honorable Edward Markey, et al., from NRC Chairman Hanson, submits the NRC's Semiannual Status Report on the Licensing Activities and Regulatory Duties of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, April 1 to September 30, 2021---
By admin at Wed, 11/24/2021 - 19:47

Program Coordination Between the Susquehanna River Basin Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection; Comments of TMI-Alert, Inc.

Re: Comments of Three Mile Island Alert, Inc.
 
By admin at Wed, 11/24/2021 - 19:30

ACT NOW! Tell the Senate to CANCEL Nuclear Subsidies in the BBBA Inbox

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NIRS Nuclear Information and Resource Service Logo For a Nuclear-Free Carbon-Free World Logo

Tell the Senate.png

Tell the Senate: No Nuclear Bailout in BBBA

Dear Eric,

Breaking! This morning, the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act which still includes over $35 billion in nuclear bailouts for corrupt corporations. Now the bill heads to the Senate where we have one more chance to STOP the nuclear bailout!

Tell the Senate “No Nuclear Subsidies in the Build Back Better Act!”

The BBBA is our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to invest in real climate solutions and environmental justice. Speak up and demand that your Senators remove the nuclear subsidies once and for all and take action towards a just transition to a 100% renewable energy future - carbon-free and nuclear-free.

Demand that your Senators CANCEL the Nuclear PTC and Invest BBBA Dollars in a Just Transition to 100% Renewable Energy

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Take Action

Thank you and be well,
 
The NIRS Team
 
Diane D'Arrigo

Denise Jakosberg

Tim Judson

Ann McCann

Hannah Smay
 
By admin at Sun, 11/21/2021 - 21:38

NRC Terminates Humboldt Bay Nuclear Power Plant License

NRC Terminates Humboldt Bay Nuclear Power Plant License
 
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has terminated the license for the Humboldt Bay Power Plant, Unit 3, in California and released the site for unrestricted use. The termination comes after Pacific Gas & Electric Co. successfully decommissioned the facility to meet the NRC’s radiation protection standards.
 
Humboldt Bay Unit 3 was a boiling water reactor operated by PG&E from 1963 to 1976. Units 1 and 2 at the site, located approximately 4 miles from Eureka, California, in Humboldt County, were fossil fuel power plants that were previously decommissioned. PG&E currently operates a separate fossil fuel plant adjacent to the site.
 
Unit 3’s independent spent fuel storage installation will remain under a separate NRC license. PG&E remains responsible for the security and protection of the storage facility and is required to maintain $53.3 million in liability insurance coverage until the fuel has been removed from the storage facility site. PG&E also is responsible for safely decommissioning the storage facility site once the fuel is gone.
 
PG&E submitted final status surveys of the Unit 3 site and requested license termination in October. The NRC staff evaluated the surveys, conducted inspections, and reviewed confirmatory analyses before concluding the site meets NRC criteria for license termination for unrestricted use.
 
The NRC’s safety evaluation report of PG&E’s request to release the site will be available through the NRC website.

21-051.pdf

PDF icon21-051.pdf
By admin at Thu, 11/18/2021 - 20:03

NRC Increases Oversight at Vogtle Unit 3

NRC Increases Oversight at Vogtle Unit 3
 
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will increase oversight at one of the Vogtle nuclear power plants under construction in Waynesboro, Georgia, after finalizing two inspection findings involving the safety-related electrical raceway system at Unit 3. Southern Nuclear Operating Company operates the site.
 
The NRC launched a special inspection in June 2021 to understand the cause and extent of construction quality issues in the electrical raceway system, consisting primarily of conduits and cable trays designed to prevent a single event from disabling redundant safety-related equipment.
 
The finalized inspection findings include two violations of federal regulations. NRC inspectors found that Southern Nuclear did not properly implement its corrective action program, resulting in construction quality issues, extensive rework, and a report to the NRC for a significant quality assurance breakdown. They also found that the company did not follow design specifications while installing safety-related cables for reactor coolant pumps and equipment designed to shut down the reactor safely.
 
In a written response to the initial report, Southern Nuclear proposed the NRC combine the two violations since both involve failing to adhere to engineering standards for electrical equipment and systems vital to emergency reactor shutdown. After considering the additional written information from the company and the inspection results, the NRC determined that the two findings would remain separate.
 
The NRC characterizes these findings as a low-to-moderate safety significance and will schedule a supplemental inspection to verify Southern Nuclear understands the root cause and has taken appropriate corrective actions.
 
There is no increased risk to the public as Southern Nuclear corrects the conditions as there is no nuclear fuel in the reactor. The NRC will not authorize the company to load fuel and operate Vogtle Unit 3 until it has met the standards in the combined license.

21-022-ii.pdf

PDF icon21-022-ii.pdf
By admin at Thu, 11/18/2021 - 19:47

Exelon Generation Company, LLC - Approval of Indirect Transfer of Licenses and Draft Conforming License Amendments

SUBJECT:   Exelon Generation Company, LLC - Approval of Indirect Transfer of Licenses and Draft Conforming License Amendments
 
ADAMS Accession Nos. 
 
Order: ML21277A192
 

Draft Amendments: ML21277A193
 

Safety Evaluation (Non-Proprietary): ML21277A248
 
Using Web-based ADAMS, select “Advanced Search” 
Under “Property,” select “Accession Number”  
Under “Value,” enter the Accession Number 
By admin at Thu, 11/18/2021 - 19:11

Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, Unit 2 - Issuance of Amendment No. 263 Re: Temporary Change to Unit 2 Technical Specification 3.8.7 to Allow Replacement of Unit 1 480 Volt Load Center Transformers

SUSQUEHANNA STEAM ELECTRIC STATION, UNIT 2 – ISSUANCE OF AMENDMENT NO. 263 RE: TEMPORARY CHANGE TO UNIT 2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION 3.8.7 TO ALLOW REPLACEMENT OF UNIT 1 480-VOLT LOAD CENTER TRANSFORMERS (EPID L-2020-LLA-0245)
 
By admin at Fri, 11/12/2021 - 21:22

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