NRC: News Release Region I - 2002-061 - NRC Issues Finding of Low to Moderate Safety Significance to Ginna Nuclear Plant

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NRC NEWS
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs, Region I
475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406
www.nrc.gov

No. I-02-061		October 7, 2002
CONTACT:	Diane Screnci (610) 337-5330 Neil A. Sheehan (610) 337-5331	E-mail: OPA1.Resource@nrc.gov
NRC ISSUES FINDING OF LOW TO MODERATE SAFETY SIGNIFICANCE TO GINNA NUCLEAR PLANT Printable Version
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a "white" finding to the R.E. Ginna nuclear power plant for an issue involving the plant’s emergency sirens. The NRC considers the issue to be of low to moderate importance to safety but one which may require additional NRC inspections. The plant, operated by Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is located in Ontario, N.Y. During a June inspection at the facility, NRC inspectors found that becaue of problems with the siren feedback system, plant operators and officials in Monroe and Wayne Counties could not identify which, if any sirens, failed to operate during activation of the alert and notification system (ANS). The ANS consists of sirens to alert members of the public of an emergency at Ginna. Identifying failures is necessary so that backup route alerting can be conducted to notify the public. Using the agency's significance determination process, NRC officials classify certain findings at nuclear power plants as being one of four colors which delineate increasing levels of safety significance, beginning with "green" and progressing to "white," "yellow" or "red." In a July 25 letter to RG&E, the NRC preliminarily classified the finding as white and offered the company an opportunity to meet with the NRC to discuss it. The company declined the regulatory conference, but did provide supplemental information to the NRC. After reviewing the information collected during the inspection and the company's written response, the NRC has determined the finding was appropriately classified as white. The company also was cited for a violation of NRC requirements. This enforcement action will be posted on the NRC's web site at www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/enforcement/actions/reactors.
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