NRC Returns Indian Point to Normal Oversight Level

CORTLANDT, NY — The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has returned Indian Point to its normal level of oversight, a year after a high number of 'scrams' led to extra inspections.

The unplanned shutdowns had caused the NRC to downgrade Unit 3's status for one performance indicator.

Since then, the NRC has conducted a supplemental inspection at the Indian Point 3 nuclear power plant to determine whether Energy has taken the appropriate actions to address a “White” (low to moderate safety significance) Performance Indicator, agency spokesman Neil Sheehan said.

The Performance Indicator turned “White” after the plant exceeded the limit on the number of unplanned scrams (shutdowns) during the previous 7,000 hours of operation. This happened during the fourth quarter of last year.

SEE: Unplanned Reactor Shutdowns Bring More NRC Inspections

The inspectors were tasked with reviewing whether Entergy had identified the root cause behind the shutdowns, planned and/or implemented corrective actions, and evaluated whether the issues could impact other areas of plant performance. The NRC has determined that the company had successfully completed these activities, Sheehan said.

As a result, the plant will return to the normal level of oversight. This change will be reflected on the NRC's public website.

SEE ALSO:

• Big Setback for Indian Point Relicensing: NY Court of Appeals Ruling
• Problem Inside Indian Point 2 Reactor: Bad Bolts
• NRC Sending Radiation Specialist to Indian Point
• UPDATE: NRC to Re-Analyze Costs of an Accident at Indian Point
• NRC Eases a Testing Requirement at Indian Point
• UPDATE: Radioactive Water Leak at Indian Point
• NRC Issues Report on Indian Point 3 License Renewal

Image via Entergy