Assessing Oconee Nuclear’s performance

The public has an invitation for an open house next week at Duke’s World of Energy for the government’s nuclear watchdog agency to discuss Oconee Nuclear Station’s safety performance for last year. The open house from 6 to 7:30 Thursday night, May 9 at the World of Energy will feature posters explaining the NRC’s role. Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff will be there to answer questions about plant safety, as well as over oversight and inspection. “Overall, the NRC staff concluded that all three units at the Oconee plant operated safely in 2012. There were no inspection findings or performance indicators that would cause the NRC to increase its level of oversight and inspection, so NRC inspectors will continue the detailed normal inspections at the plant this year,” according to the announcement. An apparent violation not covered in the 2012 assessment is still pending and, according to the NRC, could result in additional regulatory actions. It’s related to the plant’s transition to different fire protection.