Nuclear Industry Calls for Changes In NRC's Plant Appraisal Proc

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@ix.netcom.com>]

Nuclear Industry Calls for Changes
The following statement was published on January 29, 1997, in 
response to the release of the NRC's latest "Watch List". The points 
in the atstement are interesting. The statement uses statistics, but 
they are based on data comparing Significant Safety Events from 1985 
to 1995. Many changes have taken place in the US nuclear utility 
business since even 1995. Significant downsizing has occured. There 
are many more reportable incidents, even at the best of previous 
plants. I worked with one of those plants. A plant that had been a 
shining star. Is there a correlation to plant problems and severance 
packages given to utility employees that averaged 20+ years at the 
facility? Is there this correlation when comparing other 
industries? Anyone look at the problems faced by Apple Computer 
during the past few years? I'll let you all answer that question. I 
would be interested in the member's opinion of what Mr. Colvin is 
asking the NRC to do. Is this the right step to take when many plants 
are currently shut down due to many maintenance, reliability and 
management issues? Would the public see this as an attempt to 
cover-up issues by not providing the information that is currently 
required by the Freedom of Information Act? If I am not mistaken, I 
believe the Watch List is required to be developed and provided to 
the NRC Commisioner. Correct me if I am wrong. Comments and thoughts 
would be appreciated.
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Nuclear Industry Calls for Changes In NRC's Plant Appraisal Process 
  -Statement dated January 29, 1997-

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission today released its list of nuclear
power plants that warrant increased regulatory attention. The
following is a statement by Joe F. Colvin, president and chief
executive officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute, in response to the
NRC announcement:

"The nuclear industry as a whole is performing at unprecedented levels
of safety and reliability. According to NRC figures, there has been a
steady reduction in the number of significant safety events at U.S.
nuclear power plants from an average of 2.4 per unit in 1985 to 0.1 in
1995. Utilities are working to maintain these high safety levels by
participating in industrywide programs to share exceptional safety
practices at nuclear plants in the United States and in other nations.

"The NRC's discussions today could leave the unfortunate impression
that all U.S. nuclear power plants are operating below their current
record levels of safety. In addition, the agency's decisions that some
nuclear power plants warrant additional regulatory attention are based
on subjective criteria, not on objective measures applied with
consistency. 

"The process the NRC has adopted with its 'watch list'-while not
embodied in federal regulation-nonetheless has a significant impact on
nuclear utilities. The industry is particularly concerned about the
lack of clear, understandable ground rules for evaluating the nuclear
plants the NRC believes are not operating up to its standards. The NRC
must move toward an appraisal process that focuses more on objective
measures. 

"Utilities that the NRC today said must commit additional attention to
improving public safety have, in many cases, already identified their
shortcomings and have demonstrated significant progress in bringing
their facilities back to high industry safety standards. Identifying
as 'problem' plants nuclear units that are currently working to regain
high levels of safety and performance serves only a punitive purpose."

Sandy Perle
Technical Director
ICN Dosimetry Division
3300 Hyland Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(800) 548-5100 x2306
(714) 668-3149 Fax

E-Mail: sperle@icnpharm.com
            sandyfl@ix.netcom.com