Nuclear Energy Insider Commission and Policy Update 10 – 16 November 2011

By etully on Nov 18, 2011

NRC says Dominion can re-start North Anna NPP

Companies mentioned: NRC, Dominion, North Anna NP, Calvert Cliffs NPP, Fukushima Daiichi, Nuclear Energy Institute, National Nuclear Energy Executive Co-ordination Committee of South Africa, Watts Bar 2, and Grand Gulf NPP

Nuclear Energy Insider Commission and Policy Update 10 – 16 November 2011

NRC says Dominion can re-start North Anna NPP

Virginia Power's North Anna nuclear plant has met the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's safety requirements and can resume operations, the agency said. "We're satisfied the plant meets our requirements to restart safely, and we'll monitor Dominion's ongoing tests and inspections during start-up of both reactors," said Eric Leeds, director of the agency's Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.

“The earthquake shook the reactors more strongly than the plant’s design anticipated, so Dominion had to prove to us that the quake caused no functional damage to the reactors’ safety systems,” said Eric Leeds, director of the NRC’s Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation.

“We’ve asked Dominion dozens of detailed questions, and our experts have examined Dominion’s answers as well as information from our own inspections. We’re satisfied the plant meets our requirements to restart safely, and we’ll monitor Dominion’s on-going tests and inspections during start-up of both reactors.”

It is estimated that Dominion will need close to 10 days to get the plant's reactors back to 100% output.

NRC names new resident inspector at Calvert Cliffs NPP

Nuclear Regulatory Commission officials in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, have selected Edgardo Torres as the new resident inspector at the Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant in Lusby, Maryland. Torres joins Senior Resident Inspector Silas Kennedy at the two-unit site, which is operated by Constellation Energy Nuclear Group.

Torres joined the NRC’s Region II office in Atlanta in 2007 as a project engineer in the resident inspector development program. Since November 2008 he has worked as a project engineer in the Region I office in King of Prussia. During that time, he has filled-in for extended periods of time as a resident inspector at both the Salem and Susquehanna nuclear power plants.

Fukushima has created more public dialogue on nuclear

The Fukushima Daiichi incident in Japan has created challenges for the U.S. nuclear industry, but it has also opened up an opportunity for dialog with the public, according to Leslie Kass, senior director of business policy and programs at the Nuclear Energy Institute.

The industry can use the opportunity to alleviate concerns and make its case for further expansion. "As long as people are committed to clean energy, there's got to be a place for nuclear going forward," said Kass.

SA Cabinet Committee selected to monitor nuclear programme

South Africa’s high-level National Nuclear Energy Executive Co-ordination Committee which has been approved by the Cabinet will be put in charge to monitor the planned nuclear expansion programme, according to the Department of Energy The nuclear programme is estimated at R400bn, making it one of the largest capital intensive programmes for South Africa.

The Cabinet also approved the establishment of the nuclear energy technical committee to support the National Nuclear Energy Executive Co-ordination Committee. Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will chair the National Nuclear Energy Executive Co-ordination Committee with Energy Minister Dipuo Peters as deputy chairwoman with other members including Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

NRC says no environmental impacts for Watts Bar 2 reactor

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff is seeking public comments on its preliminary finding that there are no environmental impacts that would preclude issuing an operating license for the under-construction Watts Bar 2 reactor near Spring City, Tennessee.

Staff from the NRC will discuss their Draft Supplement to the Final Environmental Statement (DSFES) in meetings from 2-4 p.m. and 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Magnuson Hotel, 1421 Murrays Chapel Road in Sweetwater, Tennessee.

NRC staff will also be available for informal discussions with members of the public during “open house” sessions from 1-2 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. No formal comments on the DSFES will be accepted during these open houses.

NRC to make public review of license renewal for Grand Gulf NPP

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has said that an application for a 20-year renewal of the operating license for the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Unit 1, is available for public review.

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station, Unit 1, is a boiling-water nuclear reactor, located in Port Gibson, Miss. about 20 miles southwest of Vicksburg, and the current operating license expires on Nov. 1, 2024.

The licensee, Entergy Operations, Inc. submitted the renewal application Oct. 31. The NRC staff is conducting an initial review of the application to determine whether it contains enough information for the required formal review. If the application has sufficient information, the NRC will formally “docket,” or file, the application and announce an opportunity to request a public hearing.