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NRC inspects Diablo Canyon nuclear plant

May 27, 2011

STATEMENT by VICTOR DRICKS

Following the accident on March 11 at the Fukushima Diaichi Nuclear Site in Japan the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) decided to assess the capabilities of the nation’s 104 nuclear power plants to respond to severe events. We looked at the possible impact of fires and flooding in combination with earthquakes following major losses of plant equipment and off-site power.

The comprehensive inspections NRC undertook were a prudent response to the most significant nuclear accident since Chernobyl in 1986. It is the action of an independent regulator that continually asks probing questions of itself as well as its licensees and continually searches for ways to improve nuclear power plant safety.

We did identify some areas for improvement at Diablo Canyon and Pacific Gas & Electric has indicated they will take appropriate actions to correct deficiencies. But largely overlooked amid the flurry of news reports was the fact that overall, none of the findings are significant enough to undermine our confidence in the ability of Diablo Canyon and other plants to respond to catastrophic accidents. We found a high level of preparedness and strong capability in terms of equipment and procedures to respond to severe events. Licensees have taken corrective actions and further NRC inspections are planned.

The NRC is an independent regulatory agency respected around the world for its high standards and low threshold for concern.  Our inspection process is designed to identify problems long before they become safety significant. Jane Swanson of Mothers for Peace has noted that the NRC has identified many inspection findings at Diablo Canyon. This is true. But it is important to note that all of these findings had very low safety significance.

At our June 15 public meeting scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel, in San Luis Obispo, NRC staff will brief the public on the plant’s 2010 safety performance. Overall, Diablo Canyon operated safely during 2010 and is doing so now.

PG&E has made progress in addressing the human performance issues identified by the NRC during its rigorous inspections.

However, more progress needs to be made in addressing issues involving problem identification and resolution. NRC intends to conduct focused inspections in this area to ensure that occurs. We invite interested members of the community to attend our June 15 meeting to discuss these issues and meet face-to-face with NRC with staff.

Victor Dricks is the Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region IV Senior Public Affairs Officer.


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To me, using the NRC to control plant operators is similar to using a lamb to police a pack of wolves.


I can’t believe that we still don’t have a real nuclear waste program. Spent rods stored on site in pools is risky in my opinion.


We either need to get serious about our use of nuclear power by honestly addressing its strengths and weaknesses, or start phasing out nuclear plants.


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• The NRC is only allowing its inspectors 40 hours in which to perform each

inspection for nuclear power plants that contain one nuclear reactor. For

nuclear power plants with more than one unit, inspectors are being provided

with only 50-60 hours total in which to complete their work.


• The NRC inspectors were initially told to limit their inspections to the

adequacy of safety measures needed to respond to Design Basis Events. This

meant that inspectors would be assessing licensees’ability to withstand and

respond only to events mat have already been contemplated and analyzed by

the NRC and for which regulatory requirements have been implemented, but

not events such as the ones that occurred in Japan, which were previously

believed to be impossible.


• After several NRC inspectors complained that it made no sense to limit the

scope of me inspections to Design Basis Events, the guidance was changed to

enable inspectors to look beyond them; however, they were explicitly told not

to record any of their beyond Design Basis observations or findings in

documents (hat would be made public as part of the Commission’s review or

public report(s). Instead, these findings would be entered into a private NRC

database and kept secret.


source: letter to NRC Chair Jaczko from Congressman Edward Markey, 7th Dist. MA


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They should inspect it, and if they find any nuclear reactors in it they should shut it down immediately.


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Where the heck is Mothers For Peace???


They seldom let a Diablo mention go by without using it to springboard into their anti-nuke diatribe.


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