NRC places Duke on notice

The NRC has placed Duke Energy on official notice of what the government watchdog agency considers an apparent violation of Duke’s failure to achieve enhanced fire protection measures at the Oconee Nuclear Station. “This apparent violation is being considered for escalated enforcement action in accordance with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Enforcement Policy,” Michele Evans, Director, Division of Operator Reactor Licensing, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation wrote in a letter yesterday to Preston Gillespie, Oconee Site Vice President.” A civil penalty is possible. Evans’ letter came one day after she and other NRC personnel met with Gillespie and other Duke personnel at the World of Energy. It affords Duke the opporunity to ask for a new meeting to discuss the apparent violation or provide a written response within 30 days. Evans’ letter to Gillespie reads: “The topics discussed during the conference may include the following: information to determine whether a violation occurred, information to determine the significance of a violation, information related to the identification of a violation, and information related to any corrective actions taken or planned to be taken….”