NRC Finds Performance 'Acceptable' at Surry in Latest Review

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NRC NEWS U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGION II 61 Forsyth Street, Suite 23T85, Atlanta, GA 30303

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No: II-99-24
April 5, 1999

CONTACT:

Ken Clark (Phone: 404/562-4416, E-mail: kmc2@nrc.gov) Roger Hannah (Phone 404/562-4417, E-mail: rdh1@nrc.gov)

 

NRC FINDS PERFORMANCE 'ACCEPTABLE' AT SURRY IN LATEST REVIEW

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff has found that safety performance remains acceptable in the NRC's latest plant performance review at the Surry nuclear power plant, operated by Virginia Power Company near Surry, Virginia.

In a letter to the company, NRC Region II official Robert C. Haag said that during a review period from March 1998 through January, 1999, "overall performance at Surry was acceptable." He said that performance in the areas of operations, maintenance, engineering and plant support was "consistent" during this period of review. He added that, in addition to the normal inspection program, the NRC will perform inspections related to modifications and engineering resolution of degraded equipment and compliance with fire protection requirements during Surry's next period of review.

The text of the plant performance review letter is available from the NRC Region II Office of Public Affairs and on the NRC web site.

NRC reviews safety performance twice a year at every licensed nuclear power plant in the nation. These reviews give the agency staff an integrated assessment of plant performance and provide a basis for planning inspection activities.

Plant performance reviews are being used by the NRC as an interim measure to monitor nuclear power plant safety. The agency began using it for this purpose after suspending the Systematic Assessment of License Performance (SALP) process until a new assessment program is developed. Previously, SALP reports were issued every 12 to 24 months.

The new reactor oversight and assessment program being developed will provide quarterly performance reports, based on a number of performance indicators and on inspection findings. This program will be tested at eight sites beginning in June and will be extended to all plants next January. A full description of the new program is available on the NRC web site.