NRC finishes fire inspection report at ONS

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission completed a fire inspection last month at the Oconee Nuclear Station. This week the government watchdog sent a 42-page report to Scott Batson, Oconee Site Vice President for Duke Energy, documenting what its inspectors found at Units 1, 2, and 3. The cover letter to Batson reads, “Two NRC-identified findings related to compliance with the requirements of the approved fire protection program, which have potential safety significance greater than very low significance, were identified during this inspection.” A spokeswoman for Duke says her company will have to evaluate the report and, because of its length, may not have a statement to make today.” In early summer, after months of back-and-forth between the government and its licensee, Duke was judged to have committed a Security Level III violation when it comes to the fire protection system at the plant. No civil penalty was issued.