The Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced enforcement activity at two nuclear plants Thursday.
At the Tennessee Valley Authority's Browns Ferry plant in Alabama, the NRC issued a white finding of low to moderate safety significance related to its control room staffing. In a release, the NRC said it found the plant did not maintain staffing levels in accordance with its radiological emergency plan. The agency also determined TVA had violated federal rules by failing to provide complete information on the issue and by failing to request a license amendment for staffing changes. Following the NRC's alternative dispute resolution process, TVA agreed to a series of related procedural changes at all of its reactors.
Meanwhile, the NRC is preparing to act on an investigation into flood protection at Duke's Brunswick plant in North Carolina. The agency is considering a white finding for the potential of openings in buildings to allow flood water to threaten safety-related service water pumps at unit 2 in the event of a severe hurricane. NRC and Duke officials will meet to discuss the safety significance of the apparent violations May 12.