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	NRC NEWS U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, REGION II 61 Forsyth Street, Suite 23T85, Atlanta, GA 30303
	CONTACT:	Ken Clark (Phone: 404-562-4416, E-mail: kmc2@nrc.gov )
		Roger Hannah (Phone 404-562-4417, E-mail: rdh1@nrc.gov )

No: II-97-50

June 27, 1997

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is dispatching a team of inspectors to Duke Power Company's Oconee nuclear power plant near Seneca, South Carolina to inspect and assess failures experienced during testing of the Oconee Unit 1 100,000-volt power supply between June 20 and 23.

An Augmented Inspection Team (AIT) will arrive at the plant Monday, June 30, to determine the facts surrounding the failure of a nearby hydroelectric facility (Keowee Unit 1) to provide electricity to Oconee Unit 1 as expected following a loss of power on June 20. In addition, the team will look into the failure of two circuit breakers during testing to restore the power path from the Keowee hydro unit on June 23.

The AIT will review the company's response to the events and document its findings in a special report. When the team has completed its inspection, the NRC staff will discuss its preliminary findings in a meeting with company officials which will be open to public observation.