Indian Point 2 Safety Assessment to Be Discussed on May 27

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	NRC NEWS U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGION I 475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406
	CONTACT:	Diane Screnci (610)337-5330/ e-mail: dps@nrc.gov Neil A. Sheehan (610)337-5331/e-mail: nas@nrc.gov

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I-98-59

May 20, 1998

INDIAN POINT 2 SAFETY ASSESSMENT TO BE DISCUSSED ON MAY 27

A Nuclear Regulatory Commission meeting to discuss the results of a safety assessment of the Indian Point 2 nuclear power plant -- performed by an independent team hired by the unit's owner -- will be held on Wednesday, May 27, at the Buchanan, N.Y., facility.

Scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., the session will take place in the Energy Education Center and will be open to the public for observation.

Consolidated Edison Company of New York operates Indian Point 2. The utility shut down the pressurized-water reactor last October after experiencing recurring problems with safety-related electrical breakers.

Earlier this year, the NRC expressed concern about equipment problems and weaknesses in human performance and plant processes at Indian Point 2. Con Ed subsequently informed the agency that in response to the NRC's desire for an Operational Safety Team Inspection at the site, it would conduct its own comprehensive review, called an Independent Safety Assessment (ISA). This review, involving a team of a dozen independent evaluators performing two weeks of on-site observation, was designed to provide a better understanding of the extent of problems and weaknesses at the facility.

A report summarizing the ISA's findings was submitted to the NRC on May 4.

At the meeting on May 27, Con Ed will present its planned corrective actions in response to the results of the ISA.