NRC TO DISCUSS 2004 PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
FOR WATERFORD 3 NUCLEAR PLANT
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Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will meet with representatives of Entergy Nuclear Operations, Inc., on Wednesday, March 30, to discuss the agency’s annual assessment of safety performance at the Waterford 3 nuclear plant for calendar year 2004. Entergy operates the plant, which is located near Taft, La.

The meeting, which will be open to the public for observation, is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Charles Parish Courthouse Council Chambers, 15045 River Road, in Hahnville, La. Before the session is adjourned, NRC staff will be available to answer questions from the public on the plant’s safety performance, as well as the agency’s role in ensuring safe operation of the facility.

"Each year the NRC staff evaluates the performance of each of the nation’s commercial nuclear plants," said Region IV Administrator Bruce S. Mallet. "This meeting gives us a chance to discuss our assessment with the company, local officials and residents near the plant. We want to make this information available to the public and answer any questions people may have about the plant."

A letter sent from the NRC Region IV Office in Arlington, Texas, to plant officials will serve as the basis for the meeting. It is available on the NRC web site at: http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/LETTERS/wat_2004q4.pdf .

Overall, Waterford 3 operated safely during 2004. The NRC uses color-coded inspection findings and performance indicators to assess nuclear plant performance. The colors start with "green" and increase to "white," "yellow," and "red," according to the safety significance of the issues involved. Waterford 3 had one "white" inspection finding during 2004, but an NRC inspection found that the company’s subsequent actions were adequate to address the issue. Based on these results and overall performance, Waterford 3 will receive the baseline, or normal level of inspections during 2005.

Routine inspections are performed by the NRC Resident Inspectors assigned to the plant and by inspection specialists from the Region IV office and the agency’s headquarters in Rockville, Md.

Current information for the Waterford 3 nuclear plant is available on the NRC web site at: http://www.nrc.gov/NRR/OVERSIGHT/ASSESS/WAT3/wat3_chart.html.

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Thursday, December 11, 2008